US5451075A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Closure for an air bag assembly
Assignee: Collins and Aikman Automotive Interiors LLC
•
Filing: 1994-06-29
•
Granted: 1995-09-19
•
Expires: 2014-06-29
Abstract
Abstract A closure for an air bag assembly includes a flexible outer skin and a layer of foam material covering a retainer member having an air bag deployment opening therein closed by a moveable door that is overlapped with the retainer member to support the door against movement inwardly of the retainer member while providing free hinging movement thereof with respect to the retainer member for stressing and separating the layer of foam and the outer skin for forming a deployment path therethrough for the air bag.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Parker
- 👤 Lawrence R. Nichols
- 👤 Peter J. Iannazzi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:06
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C37/00; B29C37/0053; B29C37/0057; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/215; B60R21/2165; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/30; B29L2031/3005; B29L2031/3038; B60R2021/21537
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A closure for an air bag having an outer layer of polymeric material, a foam layer located within said outer layer and an inner retainer member having an air bag deployment opening preformed therein and the inner retainer member carrying said foam layer and said outer layer in overlying relationship to the air bag deployment opening in the inner retainer member and a moveable door said closure characterized by: said moveable door being formed by two metal door segments each having first and second opposite ends; said first opposite ends being embedded within said inner retainer member and said second opposite ends being overlapped for supporting said moveable door against movement inwardly of said inner retainer member and for supporting said moveable door for free movement thereof from its supported position on said inner retainer member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A closure for an air bag having an outer layer of polymeric material, a foam layer located within said outer layer and an inner retainer member having an air bag deployment opening preformed therein and the inner retainer member carrying said foam layer and said outer layer in overlying relationship to the air bag deployment opening in the inner retainer member and a moveable door said closure characterized by: said moveable door being formed by two metal door segments each having first and second opposite ends; said first opposite ends being embedded within said inner retainer member and said second opposite ends being overlapped for supporting said moveable door against movement inwardly of said inner retainer member and for supporting said moveable door for free movement thereof from its supported position on said inner retainer member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
168 words
A closure for an air bag having an outer layer of polymeric material, a foam layer located within said outer layer and an inner retainer member having an air bag deployment opening preformed therein and the inner retainer member carrying said foam layer and said outer layer in overlying relationship to the air bag deployment opening in the inner retainer member and a moveable door said closure characterized by: said moveable door including first and second door segments; each of said first and second door segments including a first end and a hinge connecting said first end to said inner retainer member; said first and second door segments each having a second end and first and second sides; said second ends overlapping one another and said first and second sides each overlapping said inner retainer member for supporting said moveable door against movement inwardly of said inner retainer member and for supporting said moveable door for free movement thereof from its supported position on said inner retainer member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
168 words
A closure for an air bag having an outer layer of polymeric material, a foam layer located within said outer layer and an inner retainer member having an air bag deployment opening preformed therein and the inner retainer member carrying said foam layer and said outer layer in overlying relationship to the air bag deployment opening in the inner retainer member and a moveable door said closure characterized by: said moveable door including first and second door segments; each of said first and second door segments including a first end and a hinge connecting said first end to said inner retainer member; said first and second door segments each having a second end and first and second sides; said second ends overlapping one another and said first and second sides each overlapping said inner retainer member for supporting said moveable door against movement inwardly of said inner retainer member and for supporting said moveable door for free movement thereof from its supported position on said inner retainer member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
192 words
A closure for an air bag having an outer layer of polymeric material, a foam layer located within said outer layer and an inner retainer member having an air bag deployment opening preformed therein and the inner retainer member carrying said foam layer and said outer layer in overlying relationship to the air bag deployment opening in the inner retainer member and a moveable door said closure characterized by: said moveable door including a door segment; said door segment including a first side and a plurality of additional sides; a hinge connecting said first side to said inner retainer member and said plurality of additional sides supported on said inner retainer member without connection thereto for supporting said moveable door against movement inwardly of said inner retainer member and for supporting said moveable door for free movement thereof from its supported position on said inner retainer member, said hinge having portions overlapping said moveable door and said inner retainer member, and said hinge being S-shaped and including a central segment covering said inner retainer member and said first side for connecting said hinge to said inner retainer member and said first side
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
192 words
A closure for an air bag having an outer layer of polymeric material, a foam layer located within said outer layer and an inner retainer member having an air bag deployment opening preformed therein and the inner retainer member carrying said foam layer and said outer layer in overlying relationship to the air bag deployment opening in the inner retainer member and a moveable door said closure characterized by: said moveable door including a door segment; said door segment including a first side and a plurality of additional sides; a hinge connecting said first side to said inner retainer member and said plurality of additional sides supported on said inner retainer member without connection thereto for supporting said moveable door against movement inwardly of said inner retainer member and for supporting said moveable door for free movement thereof from its supported position on said inner retainer member, said hinge having portions overlapping said moveable door and said inner retainer member, and said hinge being S-shaped and including a central segment covering said inner retainer member and said first side for connecting said hinge to said inner retainer member and said first side
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The closure set forth in claim 3 further characterized by said s-shaped hinge having end extensions on said central segment and a fastener connecting said end extensions respectively to said door and to said inner retainer member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The closure set forth in claim 3 further characterized by said hinge being formed of metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
181 words
A closure for an air bag having an outer layer of polymeric material, a foam layer located within said outer layer and an inner retainer member having an air bag deployment opening preformed therein and the inner retainer member carrying said foam layer and said outer layer in overlying relationship to the air bag deployment opening in the inner retainer member and a moveable door said closure characterized by: said moveable door including a door segment; said door segment including a first side and a plurality of additional sides; a hinge connecting said first side to said inner retainer member and said plurality of additional sides supported on said inner retainer member without connection thereto for supporting said moveable door against movement inwardly of said inner retainer member and for supporting said moveable door for free movement thereof from its supported position on said inner retainer member, said hinge having portions overlapping said moveable door and said inner retainer member, and further characterized by said hinge being s-shaped and forming an overlap between said inner retainer member and said moveable door.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
181 words
A closure for an air bag having an outer layer of polymeric material, a foam layer located within said outer layer and an inner retainer member having an air bag deployment opening preformed therein and the inner retainer member carrying said foam layer and said outer layer in overlying relationship to the air bag deployment opening in the inner retainer member and a moveable door said closure characterized by: said moveable door including a door segment; said door segment including a first side and a plurality of additional sides; a hinge connecting said first side to said inner retainer member and said plurality of additional sides supported on said inner retainer member without connection thereto for supporting said moveable door against movement inwardly of said inner retainer member and for supporting said moveable door for free movement thereof from its supported position on said inner retainer member, said hinge having portions overlapping said moveable door and said inner retainer member, and further characterized by said hinge being s-shaped and forming an overlap between said inner retainer member and said moveable door.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
190 words
A closure for an air bag having an outer layer of polymeric material, a foam layer located within said outer layer and an inner retainer member having an air bag deployment opening preformed therein and the inner retainer member carrying said foam layer and said outer layer in overlying relationship to the air bag deployment opening in the inner retainer member and a moveable door said closure characterized by: said moveable door including a door segment; said door segment including a first side and a plurality of additional sides; a hinge connecting said first side to said inner retainer member and said plurality of additional sides supported on said inner retainer member without connection thereto for supporting said moveable door against movement inwardly of said inner retainer member and for supporting said moveable door for free movement thereof from its supported position on said inner retainer member, said hinge having portions overlapping said moveable door and said inner retainer member, and further characterized by said inner retainer member having a plurality of integrally formed bosses; said hinge connected to said inner retainer member by an upset portion of said bosses.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
190 words
A closure for an air bag having an outer layer of polymeric material, a foam layer located within said outer layer and an inner retainer member having an air bag deployment opening preformed therein and the inner retainer member carrying said foam layer and said outer layer in overlying relationship to the air bag deployment opening in the inner retainer member and a moveable door said closure characterized by: said moveable door including a door segment; said door segment including a first side and a plurality of additional sides; a hinge connecting said first side to said inner retainer member and said plurality of additional sides supported on said inner retainer member without connection thereto for supporting said moveable door against movement inwardly of said inner retainer member and for supporting said moveable door for free movement thereof from its supported position on said inner retainer member, said hinge having portions overlapping said moveable door and said inner retainer member, and further characterized by said inner retainer member having a plurality of integrally formed bosses; said hinge connected to said inner retainer member by an upset portion of said bosses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
161 words
A closure for an air bag having an outer layer of polymeric material, a foam layer located within said outer layer and an inner retainer member having an air bag deployment opening preformed therein and the inner retainer member carrying said foam layer and said outer layer in overlying relationship to the air bag deployment opening in the inner retainer member and a moveable door said closure characterized by: said moveable door including first and second door segments; each of said first and second door segments including a first end and a hinge connecting said first end to said inner retainer member; said first and second door segments each having a second end and first and second sides; said first and second sides each overlapping said inner retainer member for supporting said moveable door against movement inwardly of said inner retainer member and for supporting said moveable door for free movement thereof from its supported position on said inner retainer member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
161 words
A closure for an air bag having an outer layer of polymeric material, a foam layer located within said outer layer and an inner retainer member having an air bag deployment opening preformed therein and the inner retainer member carrying said foam layer and said outer layer in overlying relationship to the air bag deployment opening in the inner retainer member and a moveable door said closure characterized by: said moveable door including first and second door segments; each of said first and second door segments including a first end and a hinge connecting said first end to said inner retainer member; said first and second door segments each having a second end and first and second sides; said first and second sides each overlapping said inner retainer member for supporting said moveable door against movement inwardly of said inner retainer member and for supporting said moveable door for free movement thereof from its supported position on said inner retainer member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The closure set forth in claim 8 further characterized by said hinge being formed of metal having an end embedded in said first end of said first and second door segments.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3640546A
Cited
US4705708A
Cited
US4629596A
Cited
US4836576A
Cited
US4852907A
Cited
JPS6422753A
Cited
US4952351A
Cited
US5082310A
Cited
US5013064A
Cited
JPH0478637A
Cited
US5215330A
Cited
US5046758A
Cited
US5131678A
Cited
US5121942A
Cited
US5154444A
Cited
US5335937A
Cited
US5280947A
Cited
US5316335A
Cited
US5292151A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-09-18 | 1999-03-20 | 1999-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-09-18 | 2003-03-20 | 2003-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-09-18 | 2007-03-20 | 2007-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |