US5403033A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air bag mounting structure/method therefor
Assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1993-09-16
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Granted: 1995-04-04
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Expires: 2013-09-16
Abstract
Abstract A mounting structure for a passenger air bag assembly includes a retainer housing having a compartment for accommodating a folded air bag. The retainer housing is mounted beneath an instrument panel of a vehicle and is disposed adjacent to an opening therein for permitting the folded air bag to be selectively deployed through the opening and into a passenger compartment of a vehicle. A closure member is provided for covering the opening in the instrument panel, the closure member includes an overlapping edge for engaging an area of the instrument panel surrounding the opening. A fixing frame is mounted on the instrument panel for securing the overlapping edge of the closure member to the area surrounding the opening in the instrument panel. A support beam is mounted beneath the instrument panel for supporting the retainer housing. The support beam includes a first end and a second end with at least one of the first and the second ends being affixed to a frame member of the vehicle. An adjustment bracket is disposed between the retainer housing and the support beam for adjustably fixing the retainer housing to the support beam for aligning the closure member relative to the opening in the instrument panel.
Inventors
- 👤 Yasuyuki Koma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:55
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/215; B60R21/2165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A mounting structure for a passenger air bag assembly comprising: a retainer housing including a compartment for accommodating a folded air bag, said retainer housing being adapted to be mounted beneath an instrument panel of a vehicle and disposed adjacent to an opening therein for permitting said folded air bag to be selectively deployed through said opening and into a passenger compartment of a vehicle; a closure member for covering said opening in said instrument panel, said closure member having an overlapping edge for engaging an area of said instrument panel surrounding said opening; a fixing frame mounted on said instrument panel for securing the overlapping edge of said closure member to the area surrounding said opening in the instrument panel; a support beam mounted beneath said instrument panel for supporting said retainer housing, said support beam including a first end and a second end, at least one of said first and said second ends being affixed to a frame member of the vehicle; and an adjustment bracket disposed between said retainer housing and said support beam for adjustably fixing the retainer housing to the support beam for aligning said closure member relative to said opening in the instrument panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A mounting structure for a passenger air bag assembly comprising: a retainer housing including a compartment for accommodating a folded air bag, said retainer housing being adapted to be mounted beneath an instrument panel of a vehicle and disposed adjacent to an opening therein for permitting said folded air bag to be selectively deployed through said opening and into a passenger compartment of a vehicle; a closure member for covering said opening in said instrument panel, said closure member having an overlapping edge for engaging an area of said instrument panel surrounding said opening; a fixing frame mounted on said instrument panel for securing the overlapping edge of said closure member to the area surrounding said opening in the instrument panel; a support beam mounted beneath said instrument panel for supporting said retainer housing, said support beam including a first end and a second end, at least one of said first and said second ends being affixed to a frame member of the vehicle; and an adjustment bracket disposed between said retainer housing and said support beam for adjustably fixing the retainer housing to the support beam for aligning said closure member relative to said opening in the instrument panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein said fixing frame is constructed of a resilient material for biasing said closure member to engage said area adjacent to the opening in the instrument panel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein said closure member includes an outer surface layer, a cushion pad layer and a base plate for reinforcing side edges of the closure member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mounting structure according to claim 3, wherein said cushion pad layer is constructed of a urethane foam material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mounting structure according to claim 3, wherein said base plate includes an engaging edge section for engaging the area adjacent to the opening in the instrument panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
The mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment bracket includes a first leg having an elongated aperture disposed therein and a second leg affixed to said first leg at a predetermined angle relative thereto, said second leg including a second aperture disposed therein, said first and second apertures facilitating an adjustment of said retainer housing and said closure member relative to said opening in said instrument panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The mounting structure according to claim 1, and further including a hanger for mounting said second end of said support bracket relative to a frame member of the vehicle.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of installing a passenger air bag assembly to a support beam disposed beneath an instrument panel of a vehicle for supporting said retainer housing, said support beam including a first end and a second end, with at least one of said first and said second ends being affixed to a frame member of the vehicle, said support beam including an adjustment bracket operatively connected between a retainer housing and said support beam comprising the following steps: positioning a retainer housing including a compartment for accommodating a folded air bag within the instrument panel of a vehicle and disposed adjacent to an opening therein for permitting said folded air bag to be selectively deployed through said opening and into a passenger compartment of a vehicle; mounting a closure member for covering said opening in said instrument panel, said closure member having an overlapping edge for engaging an area of said instrument panel surrounding said opening; fixing the closure member relative to the instrument panel with a fixing frame for mounting the overlapping edge of said closure member to the area surrounding said opening in the instrument panel; and securing the retainer housing to the support beam by means of said adjustment bracket for adjustably fixing the retainer housing to the support beam for aligning said closure member and said retainer housing relative to said opening in the instrument panel.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of installing a passenger air bag assembly to a support beam disposed beneath an instrument panel of a vehicle for supporting said retainer housing, said support beam including a first end and a second end, with at least one of said first and said second ends being affixed to a frame member of the vehicle, said support beam including an adjustment bracket operatively connected between a retainer housing and said support beam comprising the following steps: positioning a retainer housing including a compartment for accommodating a folded air bag within the instrument panel of a vehicle and disposed adjacent to an opening therein for permitting said folded air bag to be selectively deployed through said opening and into a passenger compartment of a vehicle; mounting a closure member for covering said opening in said instrument panel, said closure member having an overlapping edge for engaging an area of said instrument panel surrounding said opening; fixing the closure member relative to the instrument panel with a fixing frame for mounting the overlapping edge of said closure member to the area surrounding said opening in the instrument panel; and securing the retainer housing to the support beam by means of said adjustment bracket for adjustably fixing the retainer housing to the support beam for aligning said closure member and said retainer housing relative to said opening in the instrument panel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
215 words
A mounting structure for a passenger air bag assembly comprising: a retainer housing including a compartment for accommodating a folded air bag, said retainer housing being adapted to be mounted beneath an instrument panel of a vehicle and disposed adjacent to an opening therein for permitting said folded air bag to be selectively deployed through said opening and into a passenger compartment of a vehicle; a closure member for covering said opening in said instrument panel, said closure member having an overlapping edge for engaging an area of said instrument panel surrounding said opening; a fixing frame mounted on said instrument panel for securing the overlapping edge of said closure member to the area surrounding said opening in the instrument panel; a support beam mounted beneath said instrument panel for supporting said retainer housing, said support beam including a first end and a second end, at least one of said first and said second ends being affixed to a frame member of the vehicle; and an adjustment bracket disposed between said retainer housing and said support beam for adjustably fixing the retainer housing to the support beam for providing two degrees of movement of said retainer housing relative to said support beam for aligning said closure member relative to said opening in the instrument panel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
215 words
A mounting structure for a passenger air bag assembly comprising: a retainer housing including a compartment for accommodating a folded air bag, said retainer housing being adapted to be mounted beneath an instrument panel of a vehicle and disposed adjacent to an opening therein for permitting said folded air bag to be selectively deployed through said opening and into a passenger compartment of a vehicle; a closure member for covering said opening in said instrument panel, said closure member having an overlapping edge for engaging an area of said instrument panel surrounding said opening; a fixing frame mounted on said instrument panel for securing the overlapping edge of said closure member to the area surrounding said opening in the instrument panel; a support beam mounted beneath said instrument panel for supporting said retainer housing, said support beam including a first end and a second end, at least one of said first and said second ends being affixed to a frame member of the vehicle; and an adjustment bracket disposed between said retainer housing and said support beam for adjustably fixing the retainer housing to the support beam for providing two degrees of movement of said retainer housing relative to said support beam for aligning said closure member relative to said opening in the instrument panel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The mounting structure according to claim 9, wherein said fixing frame is constructed of a resilient material for biasing said closure member to engage said area adjacent to the opening in the instrument panel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The mounting structure according to claim 9, wherein said closure member includes an outer surface layer, a cushion pad layer and a base plate for reinforcing side edges of the closure member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mounting structure according to claim 11, wherein said cushion pad layer is constructed of a urethane foam material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mounting structure according to claim 11, wherein said base plate includes an engaging edge section for engaging the area adjacent to the opening in the instrument panel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
69 words
The mounting structure according to claim 9, wherein said adjustment bracket includes a first leg having an elongated aperture disposed therein and a second leg affixed to said first leg at a predetermined angle relative thereto, said second leg including a second aperture disposed therein, said first and second apertures facilitating an adjustment of said retainer housing and said closure member relative to said opening in said instrument panel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The mounting structure according to claim 9, and further including a hanger for mounting said second end of said support bracket relative to a frame member of the vehicle.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
245 words
A method of installing a passenger air bag assembly to a support beam disposed beneath an instrument panel of a vehicle for supporting said retainer housing, said support beam including a first end and a second end, with at least one of said first and said second ends being affixed to a frame member of the vehicle, said support beam including an adjustment bracket operatively connected between a retainer housing and said support beam comprising the following steps: positioning a retainer housing including a compartment for accommodating a folded air bag within the instrument panel of a vehicle and disposed adjacent to an opening therein for permitting said folded air bag to be selectively deployed through said opening and into a passenger compartment of a vehicle; mounting a closure member for covering said opening in said instrument panel, said closure member having an overlapping edge for engaging an area of said instrument panel surrounding said opening; fixing the closure member relative to the instrument panel with a fixing frame for mounting the overlapping edge of said closure member to the area surrounding said opening in the instrument panel; and securing the retainer housing to the support beam by means of said adjustment bracket for adjustably fixing the retainer housing to the support beam for providing two degrees of movement of said retainer housing relative to said support beam for aligning said closure member and said retainer housing relative to said opening in the instrument panel.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
245 words
A method of installing a passenger air bag assembly to a support beam disposed beneath an instrument panel of a vehicle for supporting said retainer housing, said support beam including a first end and a second end, with at least one of said first and said second ends being affixed to a frame member of the vehicle, said support beam including an adjustment bracket operatively connected between a retainer housing and said support beam comprising the following steps: positioning a retainer housing including a compartment for accommodating a folded air bag within the instrument panel of a vehicle and disposed adjacent to an opening therein for permitting said folded air bag to be selectively deployed through said opening and into a passenger compartment of a vehicle; mounting a closure member for covering said opening in said instrument panel, said closure member having an overlapping edge for engaging an area of said instrument panel surrounding said opening; fixing the closure member relative to the instrument panel with a fixing frame for mounting the overlapping edge of said closure member to the area surrounding said opening in the instrument panel; and securing the retainer housing to the support beam by means of said adjustment bracket for adjustably fixing the retainer housing to the support beam for providing two degrees of movement of said retainer housing relative to said support beam for aligning said closure member and said retainer housing relative to said opening in the instrument panel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
208 words
A mounting structure for a passenger air bag assembly comprising: a retainer housing including a compartment for accommodating a folded air bag, said retainer housing being adapted to be mounted beneath an instrument panel of a vehicle and disposed adjacent to an opening therein for permitting said folded air bag to be selectively deployed through said opening and into a passenger compartment of a vehicle; a closure member for covering said opening in said instrument panel, said closure member having an overlapping edge for engaging an area on an upper surface of said instrument panel surrounding said opening; a fixing frame mounted on said instrument panel for securing the overlapping edge of said closure member to the area on the upper surface of said instrument panel surrounding said opening; a support beam mounted beneath said instrument panel for supporting said retainer housing, said support beam including a first end and a second end, at least one of said first and said second ends being affixed to a frame member of the vehicle; and an adjustment bracket disposed between said retainer housing and said support beam for adjustably fixing the retainer housing to the support beam for aligning said closure member relative to said opening in the instrument panel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
208 words
A mounting structure for a passenger air bag assembly comprising: a retainer housing including a compartment for accommodating a folded air bag, said retainer housing being adapted to be mounted beneath an instrument panel of a vehicle and disposed adjacent to an opening therein for permitting said folded air bag to be selectively deployed through said opening and into a passenger compartment of a vehicle; a closure member for covering said opening in said instrument panel, said closure member having an overlapping edge for engaging an area on an upper surface of said instrument panel surrounding said opening; a fixing frame mounted on said instrument panel for securing the overlapping edge of said closure member to the area on the upper surface of said instrument panel surrounding said opening; a support beam mounted beneath said instrument panel for supporting said retainer housing, said support beam including a first end and a second end, at least one of said first and said second ends being affixed to a frame member of the vehicle; and an adjustment bracket disposed between said retainer housing and said support beam for adjustably fixing the retainer housing to the support beam for aligning said closure member relative to said opening in the instrument panel.
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) | 1998-04-03 | 1998-10-03 | 1999-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-04-03 | 2002-10-03 | 2003-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-04-03 | 2006-10-03 | 2007-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |