US5348340A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air bag assembly for motor vehicles
Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology Inc
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Filing: 1993-01-25
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Granted: 1994-09-20
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Expires: 2013-01-25
Abstract
Abstract An air bag system designed for mounting on a steering wheel or other member of a motor vehicle passenger compartment includes an air bag assembly, an open housing for the same and a cover. The air bag assembly while separated from its housing is disarmed to prevent accidental deployment. The air bag is armed during its installation in the housing. The housing and assembly are constructed so that the cover cannot be installed if the air bag assembly is missing or it has been installed improperly so that it is not armed. When the air bag assembly is removed from the housing, it is automatically disarmed.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerard J. Humphreys
- 👤 Allen K. Breed
- 👤 Torbjorn Thuen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:27
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/203; B60R21/33
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An air bag system for mounting on a motor vehicle comprising: an air bag assembly including a gas generator having an armed and a disarmed state; housing means disposed in said motor vehicle for housing said gas generator, said housing means including mounting means for mounting said gas generator and securing said gas generator to said housing means, said mounting means cooperating with said gas generator for automatically arming said gas generator when said gas generator is secured to said housing means; cover means for closing said housing means; and cover prevention means for preventing said cover means from being installed on said housing means if said gas generator is in said disarmed state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
An air bag system for mounting on a motor vehicle comprising: an air bag assembly including a gas generator having an armed and a disarmed state; housing means disposed in said motor vehicle for housing said gas generator, said housing means including mounting means for mounting said gas generator and securing said gas generator to said housing means, said mounting means cooperating with said gas generator for automatically arming said gas generator when said gas generator is secured to said housing means; cover means for closing said housing means; and cover prevention means for preventing said cover means from being installed on said housing means if said gas generator is in said disarmed state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The air bag assembly of claim 1 with said mounting means further including arming means for arming said gas generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The air bag assembly of claim 2 wherein said arming means is arranged to disarm said gas generator when said air bag assembly is removed from said housing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The air bag assembly of claim 1 wherein said cover prevention means includes means for preventing said cover means from being installed on said housing means when said air bag assembly is missing from said housing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
139 words
An air bag system for mounting on a motor vehicle comprising: an air bag assembly including a gas generator having an armed and a disarmed state; housing means disposed in said motor vehicle for housing said air bag assembly; mounting means for mounting said gas generator in said housing means, said gas generator having a first position with respect to said mounting means in which said gas generator is in said disarmed state and said gas generator is removable from said housing means, said gas generator being movable into a second position in which said gas generator and said mounting means are interengaged to retain said gas generator in said housing means, said gas generator and said mounting means cooperating to arm said gas generator automatically to said armed state when said gas generator is in said second position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
139 words
An air bag system for mounting on a motor vehicle comprising: an air bag assembly including a gas generator having an armed and a disarmed state; housing means disposed in said motor vehicle for housing said air bag assembly; mounting means for mounting said gas generator in said housing means, said gas generator having a first position with respect to said mounting means in which said gas generator is in said disarmed state and said gas generator is removable from said housing means, said gas generator being movable into a second position in which said gas generator and said mounting means are interengaged to retain said gas generator in said housing means, said gas generator and said mounting means cooperating to arm said gas generator automatically to said armed state when said gas generator is in said second position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The air bag system of claim 5 further comprising a cover for closing said housing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The air bag system of claim 6 further comprising cover prevention means for preventing the installation of said cover over said housing means if said sensor is not armed by said arming means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The air bag system of claim 7 wherein said air bag is disposed within said cover.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The air bag assembly of claim 8 wherein said air bag is formed with an opening with said gas generator being fit into said opening.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The air bag assembly of claim 5 further comprising an acceleration sensor disposed in said gas generator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
114 words
An air bag system for a motor vehicle with a passenger compartment, said system comprising: an air bag assembly including a gas generator having an accelerator sensor, and an inflatable air bag disposed around said gas generator; an open housing formed in said passenger compartment and shaped to receive said air bag assembly, and including mounting means for mounting said gas generator and securing said generator to said arming means for arming said sensor when said gas generator is inserted into said housing., said arming means cooperating with said mounting means for automatically arming said sensor when said gas generator is secured to said open housing; and cover means for covering said open housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
114 words
An air bag system for a motor vehicle with a passenger compartment, said system comprising: an air bag assembly including a gas generator having an accelerator sensor, and an inflatable air bag disposed around said gas generator; an open housing formed in said passenger compartment and shaped to receive said air bag assembly, and including mounting means for mounting said gas generator and securing said generator to said arming means for arming said sensor when said gas generator is inserted into said housing., said arming means cooperating with said mounting means for automatically arming said sensor when said gas generator is secured to said open housing; and cover means for covering said open housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The air bag system of claim 11 wherein said arming means includes a rotary member and a fixed member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The air bag system of claim 12 wherein said rotary member is disposed in said sensor, and said fixed member is affixed to said housing and arranged to engage said rotary member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The air bag system of claim 11 wherein said gas generator includes a shell and a tongue extending from said shell, and wherein said housing includes a plate for engaging said tongue for securing said gas generator in said housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The air bag system of claim 11 further including cover prevention means for preventing the installation of said cover when said gas generator is missing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The air bag system of claim 11 further including cover prevention means for preventing the installation of said cover when said gas generator is not armed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The air bag system of claim 16 wherein prevention means comprises a protrusion member and a hole for said protrusion member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The air bag system of claim 17 wherein said protrusion member is disposed on said cover and said hole is formed on said housing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The air bag system of claim 18 wherein said housing means includes a plate movable to selectively cover said hole.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The air bag system of claim 19 wherein said plate is movable by said gas generator.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The air bag system of claim 11 further including disarming means for disarming said air bag when said air bag is removed from said housing.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
127 words
An air bag system for a motor vehicle with a passenger compartment, said system comprising: an air bag assembly including a gas generator having an accelerator sensor, and an inflatable air bag disposed around said gas generator; an open housing formed in said passenger compartment and shaped to receive said gas generator; arming means for arming said sensor when said gas generator is inserted into said open housing, wherein said arming means includes a rotary member and a fixed member, said rotary member being disposed in said sensor, and said fixed member being affixed to said open housing and arranged to engage said rotary member to arm said sensor when said sensor is rotated with respect to said housing; and cover means for covering said open housing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
127 words
An air bag system for a motor vehicle with a passenger compartment, said system comprising: an air bag assembly including a gas generator having an accelerator sensor, and an inflatable air bag disposed around said gas generator; an open housing formed in said passenger compartment and shaped to receive said gas generator; arming means for arming said sensor when said gas generator is inserted into said open housing, wherein said arming means includes a rotary member and a fixed member, said rotary member being disposed in said sensor, and said fixed member being affixed to said open housing and arranged to engage said rotary member to arm said sensor when said sensor is rotated with respect to said housing; and cover means for covering said open housing.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
141 words
An air bag system for a motor vehicle with a passenger compartment, said system comprising: an air bag assembly including a gas generator having an accelerator sensor, and an inflatable air bag disposed around said gas generator, said gas generator including a shell and a tongue extending from said shell; an open housing formed in said passenger compartment and shaped to receive said gas generator, said open housing including a plate for engaging said tongue for securing said gas generator to said open housing; arming means for arming said sensor when said gas generator is inserted into said open housing; cover means for covering said open housing; and cover prevention means for preventing the installation of said cover when said gas generator is not armed, wherein said cover prevention means includes a protrusion member and a hole for said protrusion member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
141 words
An air bag system for a motor vehicle with a passenger compartment, said system comprising: an air bag assembly including a gas generator having an accelerator sensor, and an inflatable air bag disposed around said gas generator, said gas generator including a shell and a tongue extending from said shell; an open housing formed in said passenger compartment and shaped to receive said gas generator, said open housing including a plate for engaging said tongue for securing said gas generator to said open housing; arming means for arming said sensor when said gas generator is inserted into said open housing; cover means for covering said open housing; and cover prevention means for preventing the installation of said cover when said gas generator is not armed, wherein said cover prevention means includes a protrusion member and a hole for said protrusion member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The air bag system of claim 23 wherein said protrusion member is disposed on said cover and said hole is formed on said housing.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The air bag system of claim 24 wherein said housing includes a plate movable to selectively cover said hole.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The air bag of system of claim 25 wherein said plate is movable by said gas generator.
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) | 1997-09-19 | 1998-03-21 | 1998-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-09-19 | 2002-03-21 | 2002-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-09-19 | 2006-03-21 | 2006-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |