Patent ID: 6155599
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An apparatus for use in a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having inner and outer surfaces;an actuatable inflator for, when actuated, providing inflation fluid to inflate said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflator including a circumferentially spaced plurality of outlet openings which are located inside said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and through which inflation fluid is directed out of said inflator; anda retaining ring attached to said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said retaining ring encircling said inflator and defining an annular chamber disposed radially outward of said plurality of diffuser openings in said inflator,said retaining ring including a circumferentially spaced plurality of exit ports in fluid communication with said annular chamber, said annular chamber and said exit ports, when said inflator is actuated, redirecting the inflation fluid flowing out of said outlet openings into said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device to prevent the inflation fluid from impinging directly on said inner surface of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device as the inflation fluid is being directed out of said inflator;said retaining ring having first and second end portions connected by an axially extending main body portion, said first end portion of said retaining ring having a first part extending radially outward from said main body portion and overlying a mouth portion of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;said mouth portion of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device being secured to said first part of said first portion of said retaining ring and to a mounting flange of said inflator by a circumferentially spaced plurality of fasteners, said second end portion of said retaining ring projecting axially beyond said inflator, said second end portion having a first section extending radially inward from said main body portion and a second section extending axially from said first section toward said inflator.