US5901976A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Airbag lid
Assignee: ZF Automotive Safety Systems Germany GmbH
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Filing: 1997-04-23
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Granted: 1999-05-11
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Expires: 2017-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A lid (1) for an airbag accommodated in the instrument panel of a motor vehicle. For economy and simplicity of manufacture it is made of a relatively hard plastic. It is characterized in that it comprises a lower layer (2) of soft and resilient plastic and an outer layer (3) of hard plastic and in that both layers (2 & 3) are essentially fastened together adhering totally surface to surface. The outer layer (3) can be made of a plastic that matches the material of the surface of the instrument panel in appearance, feel, and acoustics.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin Kreuzer
- 👤 Albrecht Hufgard
- 👤 Stefan Bohn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:23
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/205; B60R21/215; B60R21/2165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
47 words
Lid for an airbag accommodated in an instrument panel of a motor vehicle, the lid comprising: an inner layer of soft and resilient plastic and an outer layer of hard plastic and wherein the inner and outer layers are essentially fastened together adhering totally surface to surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
47 words
Lid for an airbag accommodated in an instrument panel of a motor vehicle, the lid comprising: an inner layer of soft and resilient plastic and an outer layer of hard plastic and wherein the inner and outer layers are essentially fastened together adhering totally surface to surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
Lid as in claim 1, wherein the outer layer is made of a plastic that matches a material of a surface of the instrument panel in appearance, feel, and acoustics.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Lid as in claim 1, wherein the inner layer is provided with a reinforcement of sheet metal, textile, or wire net.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
Lid as in claim 1, further comprising framing components and mounting webs molded onto the inner layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Lid as in claim 4, further comprising at least one breakoff point at a transition between the inner layer and the framing components or mounting webs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
Lid as in claim 1, further comprising at least one bending line in the inner layer and a corresponding breakoff line in the outer layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
Lid as in claim 6, wherein the lid swings up along the bending line when the airbag inflates.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
Lid as in claim 7, further comprising a reinforcement in the inner layer that acts as a hinge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
Lid as in claim 8, further comprising additional bending and breakoff lines in the inner layer and outer layer that act as hinges.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
Lid as in claim 1, wherein both layers are thermoplastic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
Lid as in claim 1, wherein the outer layer has a Shore A hardness higher than 92.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
Lid as in claim 11, wherein the inner layer has a Shore A hardness lower than 92.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
Lid as in claim 1, wherein the outer layer comprises polypropylene, polyphenyl oxide, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, thermoplastic elastomers, polyamide, and/or copolymers thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
Lid as in claim 1, wherein the inner layer is of thermoplastic elastomers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
Lid as in claim 1, wherein the layers are fastened together by chemical couplings.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
Lid as in claim 1, wherein the layers are fastened together by mechanical couplings.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
Lid as in claim 1, wherein the layers are produced by two-component injection molding.
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) | 2002-05-10 | 2002-11-09 | 2003-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-10 | 2006-11-09 | 2007-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-10 | 2010-11-09 | 2011-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |