US5335939A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air bag device
Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd
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Filing: 1992-11-13
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Granted: 1994-08-09
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Expires: 2012-11-13
Abstract
Abstract An air bag device for an instrument panel has a cover with a hinge and in one embodiment a break-away portion made of thermoplastic material. The cover has a bracket. The strength of the break-away portion is lower than that of the cover. The break-away portion breaks when an air bag inflates. The cover opens rotationally around the hinge. The second embodiment has no break-away portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Yuuji Kuriyama
- 👤 Shoji Sakaida
- 👤 Hikaru Ando
- 👤 Masao Ando
- 👤 Kazumi Ichimaru
- 👤 Kazutoshi Sakamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:58
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/215; B29; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/30; B29L2031/3005; B29L2031/3038
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
An air bag device comprising: a case having an opening, a folded air bag provided in said case, an inflator provided in said case to generate gas for inflating said air bag, and a cover for closing said case opening, said cover having a thermoplastic layer a softer intermediate layer and an outer surface layer as well as a reinforcing net partially embedded in a major portion of an underside of said base layer, said cover having a reduced thickness portion defining a hinge including said reinforcing net.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
An air bag device comprising: a case having an opening, a folded air bag provided in said case, an inflator provided in said case to generate gas for inflating said air bag, and a cover for closing said case opening, said cover having a thermoplastic layer a softer intermediate layer and an outer surface layer as well as a reinforcing net partially embedded in a major portion of an underside of said base layer, said cover having a reduced thickness portion defining a hinge including said reinforcing net.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
An air bag device according to claim 1, wherein said cover is "L" shaped in cross-section and includes in one leg a cover portion closing said opening of said case and in another leg a bracket fixed to one side of said case and connected with one side of said cover portion through said hinge, said net being attached to said bracket and said case.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An air bag device according to claim 2, wherein said net extends from said bracket throughout said major portion of said base layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
An air bag according to claim 1, wherein said reduced thickness portion is defined by a recessed portion of said intermediate layer, said base layer and said net including a substantially inverted U-shaped portion disposed within said recessed portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An air bag device according to claim 2, including a break-away portion which is connected to said cover and which breaks when said cover deploys.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An air bag device according to claim 5, wherein said break-away portion is made of thermoplastic material having a breakage strength lower than that of said cover.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An air bag device according to claim 6, wherein one end of the break-way portion is embedded in said cover portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
An air bag device according to claim 2, wherein said case includes an "L" shaped channel member fixed to said bracket and extending along said opening adjacent said hinge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An air bag device according to claim 8, wherein there is a space between said channel member and said hinge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An air bag device according to claim 8, wherein said cover includes an extended portion extending over said hinge away from said case opening.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-08-08 | 1998-02-07 | 1998-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-08 | 2002-02-07 | 2002-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-08 | 2006-02-07 | 2006-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |