US4334699A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cap-like cover for an air bag installation
Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
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Filing: 1980-02-14
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Granted: 1982-06-15
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Expires: 2000-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A cap-like cover member clippable on a baseplate of a steering wheel, the cover member is formed of an elastic material and serves to cover an air bag installation disposed inside the steering wheel of a motor vehicle. The cover is adapted to rip open and unfold in the manner of the hindge along predetermined breaking lines when the air bag is deployed. A downwardly pulled edge of a cover member mounted at the steering wheel, when subjected to outwardly directed forces by an inflating air bag, is prevented from being subjected to deformation phenomena by retainers.
Inventors
- 👤 Helmut Patzelt
- 👤 Albert Seybold
- 👤 Volker Budde
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:33
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/215; B60R21/2165; B60R21/21656; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A cap-like cover member for covering an air bag installation disposed inside a steering wheel of a motor vehicle, the cover member being made of an elastic material and being adapted to rip open along predetermined tearing lines so as to open along hinges when an air bag of the air bag installation is deployed, characterized in that the cover member includes downwardly bent edges adapted to be clipped on a baseplate mounted at the steering wheel, and in that retainer means are provided on the cover member for preventing the cover member from being subjected to deformation phenomena when the air bag is deployed, the retainer means includes a continuous band of highly tear-resistant material embedded in the elastic material of the cover member in a vicinity of the bent edge of the cover member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A cap-like cover member for covering an air bag installation disposed inside a steering wheel of a motor vehicle, the cover member being made of an elastic material and being adapted to rip open along predetermined tearing lines so as to open along hinges when an air bag of the air bag installation is deployed, characterized in that the cover member includes downwardly bent edges adapted to be clipped on a baseplate mounted at the steering wheel, and in that retainer means are provided on the cover member for preventing the cover member from being subjected to deformation phenomena when the air bag is deployed, the retainer means includes a continuous band of highly tear-resistant material embedded in the elastic material of the cover member in a vicinity of the bent edge of the cover member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A cap-like cover member according to claim 1, characterized in that a coarsely structured fabric covering is provided along at least certain sections of the continuous band to intimately connect the band to the cover member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A cap-like cover member according to claim 2, characterized in that the predetermined tearing lines are arranged so that the cover member when ripped open forms flaps, and in that sewn on-fabric flaps are embedded in the elastic material of the cover member in a vicinity of the flaps of the cover member during manufacture of the cover member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A cap-like cover member according to claim 3, characterized in that the retainer means further includes angle member adapted to be mounted on a baseplate of the steering wheel, the angle members including free ends adapted to abut an outer area of the bent edge of the cover member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A cap-like cover member according to claim 4, characterized in that fastening means are provided for securing the angle members to the baseplate, and in that paint is applied to heads of the fastening means to prevent inadvertent loosening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
A cap-like cover member according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined tearing lines are arranged so that the cover member when ripped open forms flaps, and in that sewn on fabric flaps are embedded in the elastic material of the cover member in a vicinity of the flaps of the cover member during a manufacture of the cover member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
194 words
A cap-like cover member for covering an air bag installation disposed inside a steering wheel of a motor vehicle, the cover member being made of an elastic material and being adapted to rip open along predetermined tearing lines so as to open along hinges when an air bag of the air bag installation is deployed, characterized in that the cover member includes downwardly bent edges adapted to be clipped on a baseplate mounted at the steering wheel, and in that retainer means are provided on the cover member for preventing the cover member from being subjected to deformation phenomena when the air bag is deployed, characterized in that the retainer means includes angle members adapted to be mounted on a baseplate of the steering wheel, the angle members including free ends adapted to abut an outer area of the bent-edge of the cover member, the predetermined tearing lines are arranged so that the cover member when ripped open forms flaps, and in that sewn on fabric flaps are embedded in the elastic material of the cover member in a vicinity of the flaps of the cover member during a manufacture of the cover member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
194 words
A cap-like cover member for covering an air bag installation disposed inside a steering wheel of a motor vehicle, the cover member being made of an elastic material and being adapted to rip open along predetermined tearing lines so as to open along hinges when an air bag of the air bag installation is deployed, characterized in that the cover member includes downwardly bent edges adapted to be clipped on a baseplate mounted at the steering wheel, and in that retainer means are provided on the cover member for preventing the cover member from being subjected to deformation phenomena when the air bag is deployed, characterized in that the retainer means includes angle members adapted to be mounted on a baseplate of the steering wheel, the angle members including free ends adapted to abut an outer area of the bent-edge of the cover member, the predetermined tearing lines are arranged so that the cover member when ripped open forms flaps, and in that sewn on fabric flaps are embedded in the elastic material of the cover member in a vicinity of the flaps of the cover member during a manufacture of the cover member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-06-14 | 1985-12-14 | 1986-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-06-14 | 1989-12-14 | 1990-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-06-14 | 1993-12-14 | 1994-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |