Patent ID: 7338073

Claim:
An inflator, comprising: a cylindrical inflator housing for storing a pressurized gas therein; an ignition means chamber housing defining therein an ignition means chamber and including therein an igniter, the ignition means chamber housing being connected to one end of the cylindrical inflator housing such that the ignition means chamber housing and the cylindrical inflator housing communicate with each other through a first through-hole; a first rupturable plate sealing the first through-hole before activation of the inflator, the first rupturable plate being adapted to be ruptured by the igniter; a diffuser portion provided with a gas discharge hole and being connected to the other end of the cylindrical inflator housing such that the diffuser portion and the cylindrical inflator housing communicate with each other through a second through-hole; a second rupturable plate sealing the second through-hole before activation of the inflator; and means provided within the cylindrical inflator housing and guiding fracture energy from the first rupturable plate to the second rupturable plate such that the first rupturable plate is ruptured initially and the second rupturable plate is ruptured latterly, the means for guiding fracture energy including, in a first end thereof, a flange portion that abuts against the ignition means chamber housing and an inner surface of the cylindrical inflator housing.