Patent US5829778A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5829778A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Air bag restraint system
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1997-07-31
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Granted: 1998-11-03
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Expires: 2017-07-31
Abstract
Abstract An air bag restraint system includes an instrument panel having an upper pad having a rearward edge and a lower pad having an upper edge. The upper edge of the lower pad is releasably connected to the rearward edge of the upper pad. The air bag restraint system also includes an air bag module mounted forward of the lower pad and including an air bag deployable in a generally rearward direction. Upon air bag deployment, the force of the deploying air bag releases the upper edge of the lower pad from the rearward edge of the upper pad such that the lower pad bends generally rearwardly and downwardly for permitting deployment of the air bag rearward of the lower pad.
Inventors
- 👤 Janice L. Woolley
- 👤 Robert Edward Bowser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:26
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/215; B60R21/205; B60R21/206
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
An air bag restraint system for use in a vehicle, the air bag restraint system comprising: an instrument panel having an upper pad having a rearward edge, the instrument panel having a lower pad having an upper edge, the upper edge of the lower pad being releasably connected to the rearward edge of the upper pad; and an air bag module mounted forward of the lower pad and including an air bag deployable in a generally rearward direction; whereby upon air bag deployment, the force of the deploying air bag releases the upper edge of the lower pad from the rearward edge of the upper pad such that the lower pad bends generally rearwardly and downwardly for permitting deployment of the air bag rearward of the lower pad.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
An air bag restraint system for use in a vehicle, the air bag restraint system comprising: an instrument panel having an upper pad having a rearward edge, the instrument panel having a lower pad having an upper edge, the upper edge of the lower pad being releasably connected to the rearward edge of the upper pad; and an air bag module mounted forward of the lower pad and including an air bag deployable in a generally rearward direction; whereby upon air bag deployment, the force of the deploying air bag releases the upper edge of the lower pad from the rearward edge of the upper pad such that the lower pad bends generally rearwardly and downwardly for permitting deployment of the air bag rearward of the lower pad.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The air bag restraint system of claim 1 wherein the rearward edge of the upper pad protrudes rearward past the upper edge of the lower pad such that the rearward edge of the upper pad shingles over and conceals the upper edge of the lower pad prior to air bag deployment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The air bag restraint system of claim 1 wherein the rearward edge of the upper pad protrudes rearward and downward past the upper edge of the lower pad such that the rearward edge of the upper pad shingles over, releasably captures, and conceals the upper edge of the lower pad prior to air bag deployment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The air bag restraint system of claim 1 wherein the rearward edge of the upper pad includes a rearwardly protruding grab handle located thereon which projects rearwardly past the upper edge of the lower pad for shingling over and concealing the upper edge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The air bag restraint system of claim 1 wherein the rearward edge of the upper pad includes a rearwardly protruding grab handle located thereon which projects rearwardly and downwardly over the upper edge of the lower pad for shingling over, releasably capturing, and concealing the upper edge of the lower pad.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The air bag restraint system of claim 1 wherein the lower pad includes a generally transversely extending hinge portion spaced below the upper edge of the lower pad and whereby upon air bag deployment the lower pad pivots rearward and downward about the hinge portion to provide an air bag deployment opening through which the air bag deploys.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The air bag restraint system of claim 6 wherein the hinge portion is anchored to the vehicle for remaining generally stationary during air bag deployment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
The air bag restraint system of claim 6 wherein the hinge portion is anchored to the vehicle and wherein the lower pad includes a bottom edge and an upper portion positioned between the hinge portion and the upper edge and wherein the lower pad includes a lower portion positioned between the hinge portion and the bottom edge and wherein the upper portion of the lower pad pivots generally rearwardly and downwardly about the hinge portion to provide the air bag deployment opening while the lower portion remains generally stationary during air bag deployment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The air bag restraint system of claim 6 wherein the lower pad includes a generally vertically oriented substrate portion and wherein the substrate portion includes a generally forwardly extending leg portion anchored to the vehicle and providing the hinge portion about which the lower pad bends open.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The air bag restraint system of claim 9 wherein the substrate is made of a molded plastic material and wherein the leg portion is integrally formed with the substrate portion of the lower pad of the instrument panel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
The air bag restraint system of claim 1 wherein the rearward edge of the upper pad extends rearwardly past the upper edge of the lower pad and wherein the rearward edge of the upper pad includes a downwardly extending lip portion which extends rearward and downward over the upper edge of the lower pad prior to air bag deployment for trapping the upper edge and releasably holding the lower pad in the generally vertical position prior to air bag deployment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The air bag restraint system of claim 1 wherein the upper pad is generally horizontally oriented and wherein the lower pad is generally vertically oriented.
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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) | 2001-11-02 | 2002-05-04 | 2002-11-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-02 | 2006-05-04 | 2006-11-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-02 | 2010-05-04 | 2010-11-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |