Patent US4915384A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5823566A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5823566A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Air bag module with deployment flap
Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Inc
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Filing: 1996-10-16
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Granted: 1998-10-20
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Expires: 2016-10-16
Abstract
Abstract An air bag module (10) comprising a housing (12) having sides (14) and an open mouth (18); an air bag (22) mounted within the housing prior to deployment of thereof in a compact configuration; a retainer flap (100) comprising a single piece of material, having a tearable region (110) thereon, enveloping the air bag to retain the air bag in its compact configuration prior to deployment and being of sufficient length such that upon deployment of the air bag, the flap (100) is extendible to lie between the mouth of the housing and the deployed air bag to protect the air bag. The flap having a main body (102) and the at least one leg (104) extending therefrom having mounting openings (108) for attaching the flap to corresponding mounting fasteners (54), wherein the length of the main body is sufficient to extend beyond the mouth of the housing after the tear regions have been severed upon the deployment of the air bag to provide a protective layer between the housing (and/or instrument panel) and the deployed air bag.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory B. Manire
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:48
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/217; B60R21/2171; B60R21/201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
An air bag module (10) comprising a housing (12) having an open mouth (18a,b); an air bag (22) mounted within the housing prior to deployment in a compact configuration; a retainer flap (100) having a tearable region thereon, the flap looped about the air bag to retain the air bag in its compact configuration prior to deployment and upon being torn a portion thereof is of sufficient length such that upon deployment of the air bag, the flap is positioned to lie between the mouth of the housing and the deployed air bag to protect the air bag.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
An air bag module (10) comprising a housing (12) having an open mouth (18a,b); an air bag (22) mounted within the housing prior to deployment in a compact configuration; a retainer flap (100) having a tearable region thereon, the flap looped about the air bag to retain the air bag in its compact configuration prior to deployment and upon being torn a portion thereof is of sufficient length such that upon deployment of the air bag, the flap is positioned to lie between the mouth of the housing and the deployed air bag to protect the air bag.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the flap includes a main body (102) and at least one leg (104a,b) extending from the main body, wherein the tearable region comprises a stress riser on the at least one leg.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device as defined in claim 2 wherein the flap includes two legs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device as defined in claim 2 wherein the main body (102) and the at least one leg (104a,b) include mounting openings (82a-c; 108a,b) for attaching the flap to corresponding mounting fasteners (54).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device as defined in claim 2 wherein the length of the main body is sufficient to extend beyond the mouth of the housing after the tear regions have been severed upon the deployment of the air bag to provide a protective layer between the housing and an adjacent portion of an instrument panel and the deployed air bag.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as defined in claim 4 wherein the main body of the flap is coated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
120 words
An air bag module (10) comprising a housing (12) having an open mouth (18a,b); an air bag (22) mounted within the housing prior to deployment in a compact configuration; a retainer flap (100) including a first end, a main body and an opposite second end positioned proximate the first end, and having a tearable region thereon between the second end and the main body (102), the main body enveloping the air bag to retain the air bag in its compact configuration prior to deployment and also being of sufficient length such that upon deployment of the air bag, the flap is positioned to lie between the mouth of the housing and the deployed air bag to protect the air bag.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
120 words
An air bag module (10) comprising a housing (12) having an open mouth (18a,b); an air bag (22) mounted within the housing prior to deployment in a compact configuration; a retainer flap (100) including a first end, a main body and an opposite second end positioned proximate the first end, and having a tearable region thereon between the second end and the main body (102), the main body enveloping the air bag to retain the air bag in its compact configuration prior to deployment and also being of sufficient length such that upon deployment of the air bag, the flap is positioned to lie between the mouth of the housing and the deployed air bag to protect the air bag.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device as defined in claim 7 wherein the flap includes and at least one leg (104a,b) extending from the main body, wherein the tearable region comprises a stress riser on the at least one leg.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device as defined in claim 8 wherein the flap includes two legs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device as defined in claim 8 wherein the main body (102) and the at least one leg (104a,b) include mounting openings (82a-c;108a,b) for attaching the flap to corresponding mounting fasteners (54).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device as defined in claim 8 wherein the length of the main body is sufficient to extend beyond the mouth of the housing after the tear regions have been severed upon the deployment of the air bag to provide a protective layer between the housing and an adjacent portion of an instrument panel and the deployed air bag.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as defined in claim 10 wherein the main body of the flap is coated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
131 words
An air bag module (10) comprising a housing (12) having an open mouth (18a,b); an air bag (22) mounted within the housing prior to deployment in a compact configuration; a retainer flap (100) including a first end, a main body and an opposite second end positioned proximate the first end, and having a tearable region thereon relatively located adjacent a portion of the compact air bag opposite the mouth of the housing, the main body enveloping the air bag to retain the air bag in its compact configuration prior to deployment and also being of sufficient length such that upon deployment of the air bag, the main body of the flap is positioned to lie between the mouth of the housing and the deployed air bag to protect the air bag.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
131 words
An air bag module (10) comprising a housing (12) having an open mouth (18a,b); an air bag (22) mounted within the housing prior to deployment in a compact configuration; a retainer flap (100) including a first end, a main body and an opposite second end positioned proximate the first end, and having a tearable region thereon relatively located adjacent a portion of the compact air bag opposite the mouth of the housing, the main body enveloping the air bag to retain the air bag in its compact configuration prior to deployment and also being of sufficient length such that upon deployment of the air bag, the main body of the flap is positioned to lie between the mouth of the housing and the deployed air bag to protect the air bag.
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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) | 2001-10-19 | 2002-04-20 | 2002-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-19 | 2006-04-20 | 2006-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-19 | 2010-04-20 | 2010-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |