Patent ID: 6432495
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: B60P,Y10T

Abstract:
An abrasion-resistant air bag, comprising:an outer tubular paper member having first and second ply sections thereof disposed parallel to, and spaced from, each other so as to define an internal space therebetween, an aperture defined within one of said first and second ply sections of said outer tubular paper member, said outer tubular paper member having a predetermined longitudinal extent, and wherein opposite ends of said outer tubular paper member are open; an inflatable bladder disposed within said internal space defined between said first and second ply sections of said outer tubular paper member and having a predetermined longitudinal extent substantially equal to said predetermined longitudinal extent of said outer tubular paper member such that opposite ends of said inflatable bladder are substantially coincident with said opposite open ends of said outer tubular paper member whereby opposite ends of said air bag comprise a three-member laminate structure comprising said first and second ply sections of said outer tubular paper member and said inflatable bladder; a means hermetically sealed to said inflatable bladder and projecting outwardly through said aperture defined within said one of said first and second ply sections of said outer tubular paper member for enabling inflation of said inflatable bladder; and a pair of end caps, separate and independent from said outer tubular paper member, respectively secured to outer surface portions of said opposite open ends of said outer tubular paper member so as to envelop said three-member laminate structure at each one of said opposite ends of said air bag and thereby define a three-layer sealed structure for closing and sealing said opposite open ends of said outer tubular paper member and said opposite ends of said air bag.