US5564733A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Instrument panel having an integrated, swing-open air-bag cover
Assignee: DEUTESCHE FIBRIT GESELLSCHAFT EBERS & DR MULLER MBH (50% INTEREST)
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Filing: 1995-10-17
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Granted: 1996-10-15
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Expires: 2015-10-17
Abstract
Abstract Motor vehicle instrument panel including a stiffening panel defining an instrument panel shape. The stiffening panel includes an airbag cover section and a hinge connection section which connects the airbag cover section to adjacent stiffening panel sections. A reinforcement mat is connected to a side of the stiffening panel which faces away from a vehicle passenger space bounded by the instrument panel when in an in-use position in a vehicle. The reinforcement mat includes a plurality of openings, and the reinforcement mat and stiffening panel are connected together by pressing of material of the stiffening panel into the openings of the reinforcement mat thereby providing an intimate connection of the reinforcement mat and stiffening panel without requiring additional fastening material.
Inventors
- 👤 Santiago Duenas
- 👤 Stephan Schreiner
- 👤 Harald Koppenstein
- 👤 Helmut Wagner
- 👤 Jorg Henkel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:01
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/215; B60R21/2165; B60K; B60K35/00; B60K35/50; B60R2021/21537
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
Motor vehicle instrument panel comprising: a stiffening panel defining an instrument panel shape, said stiffening panel including an airbag cover section and a hinge connection section which connects the airbag cover section to adjacent stiffening panel sections, and a reinforcement mat connected to a side of said stiffening panel which faces away from a vehicle passenger space bounded by the instrument panel when in an in-use position in a vehicle, wherein said reinforcement mat includes a plurality of openings, and wherein said reinforcement mat and stiffening panel are connected together by pressing of material of the stiffening panel into the openings of the reinforcement mat thereby providing an intimate connection of the reinforcement mat and stiffening panel without requiring additional fastening material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
Motor vehicle instrument panel comprising: a stiffening panel defining an instrument panel shape, said stiffening panel including an airbag cover section and a hinge connection section which connects the airbag cover section to adjacent stiffening panel sections, and a reinforcement mat connected to a side of said stiffening panel which faces away from a vehicle passenger space bounded by the instrument panel when in an in-use position in a vehicle, wherein said reinforcement mat includes a plurality of openings, and wherein said reinforcement mat and stiffening panel are connected together by pressing of material of the stiffening panel into the openings of the reinforcement mat thereby providing an intimate connection of the reinforcement mat and stiffening panel without requiring additional fastening material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Instrument panel according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement mat is configured to extend over both sides of a separating line between the air-bag cover section and adjacent stiffening panel sections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Instrument panel according to claim 1, wherein the openings are punched in a uniform arrangement into a metal reinforcement plate which forms the reinforcement mat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
Instrument panel according to claim 2, wherein the openings are punched in a uniform arrangement into a metal reinforcement plate which forms the reinforcement mat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Instrument panel according to claim 1, wherein the stiffening panel is shaped in the pressing operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Instrument panel according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement mat is shaped in the pressing operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
Instrument panel according to claim 5, wherein the reinforcement mat is shaped in the pressing operation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
Instrument panel according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcement mat consists of sheet metal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
Instrument panel according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement mat consists of flat-woven material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
Instrument panel according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement mat consists of a textile material insert.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
118 words
Process of making a motor vehicle instrument panel comprising: providing a stiffening panel defining an instrument panel shape, said stiffening panel including an airbag cover section and a hinge connection section which connects the airbag cover section to adjacent stiffening panel sections, providing a reinforcement mat with a plurality of openings, and connecting the reinforcement mat to a side of said stiffening panel which faces away from a vehicle passenger space bounded by the instrument panel when in an in-use position in a vehicle, said connecting comprising pressing of material of the stiffening panel into the openings of the reinforcement mat thereby providing an intimate connection of the reinforcement mat and stiffening panel without requiring additional fastening material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
118 words
Process of making a motor vehicle instrument panel comprising: providing a stiffening panel defining an instrument panel shape, said stiffening panel including an airbag cover section and a hinge connection section which connects the airbag cover section to adjacent stiffening panel sections, providing a reinforcement mat with a plurality of openings, and connecting the reinforcement mat to a side of said stiffening panel which faces away from a vehicle passenger space bounded by the instrument panel when in an in-use position in a vehicle, said connecting comprising pressing of material of the stiffening panel into the openings of the reinforcement mat thereby providing an intimate connection of the reinforcement mat and stiffening panel without requiring additional fastening material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
Process according to claim 11, comprising shaping the stiffening panel during said pressing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
Process according to claim 11, comprising shaping the reinforcement mat during said pressing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
Process according to claim 12, comprising shaping the reinforcement mat during said pressing.
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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) | 1999-10-15 | 2000-04-15 | 2000-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-15 | 2004-04-15 | 2004-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-15 | 2008-04-15 | 2008-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |