Patent ID: 6588796
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An inflatable air bag system comprising: an inflatable cushion element for inflated deployment over a surface to be covered; a gas storage receptacle comprising a substantially gas impermeable sealed enclosure containing a volume of a pressurized inflation medium disposed therein, wherein the pressurized inflation medium consists essentially of a substantially inert pressurized inflation gas; and an activatable gas release mechanism for rapidly discharging the inflation gas from the gas storage receptacle and into the inflatable cushion element, whereby the inflatable cushion element is deployed in covering relation over the surface to be covered, wherein the sealed enclosure comprises an elongate tube element having a body portion of substantially solid wall construction disposed at least partially along an upper edge of the inflatable cushion element and wherein the gas release mechanism comprises a penetrating member adapted to puncture the solid wall body portion of the tube element upon activation of the gas release mechanism such that the pressurized inflation gas is released into the inflatable cushion element.