US5941557A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air bag cover door with tether
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1997-08-08
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Granted: 1999-08-24
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Expires: 2017-08-08
Abstract
Abstract An air bag cover door includes a cover substrate molded of a plastic material and a flexible fabric tether having a main body portion integrally molded directly into the plastic material of the cover substrate such that the main body portion of the tether is entirely and continuously integrally connected to the cover substrate. Preferably, the cover substrate includes an upper surface and the main body portion of the tether is integrally molded with the upper surface of the cover substrate to provide a substantially smooth and flush upper surface on the cover substrate for receiving a foam layer and skin thereon to provide a smooth and even decorative surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Everett Mullins, Jr.
- 👤 Nicole M. Mahmood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:46
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/215; B60R21/216
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
An air bag cover door for covering an air bag module in a vehicle, the cover door comprising: a cover substrate molded of a plastic material; a flexible fabric tether having a main body portion integrally molded directly into the plastic material of the cover substrate such that the main body portion of the tether is entirely and continuously integrally connected to the cover substrate; and the main body portion of the tether being made of a woven fabric having lengthwise fibers and widthwise fibers and wherein the main body portion of the tether includes a plurality of slits therein to selectively relieve the stress in the fibers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
An air bag cover door for covering an air bag module in a vehicle, the cover door comprising: a cover substrate molded of a plastic material; a flexible fabric tether having a main body portion integrally molded directly into the plastic material of the cover substrate such that the main body portion of the tether is entirely and continuously integrally connected to the cover substrate; and the main body portion of the tether being made of a woven fabric having lengthwise fibers and widthwise fibers and wherein the main body portion of the tether includes a plurality of slits therein to selectively relieve the stress in the fibers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cover door of claim 1 wherein the slits include first and second legs extending perpendicular to each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The cover door of claim 1 wherein the slits are spaced about the main body portion of the tether to provide relief to at least one point on the majority of the fibers located on a center of the main body portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cover door of claim 1 wherein the slits are generally L-shaped and are staggered on differing rows of the fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cover door of claim 1 wherein the slits include numerous L-shaped and V-shaped slits.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cover door of claim 1 wherein the slits include numerous relatively small L-shaped and V-shaped slits each cutting about 5-10 fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
164 words
An air bag cover door for covering an air bag module in a vehicle, the cover door comprising: a cover substrate molded of a plastic material; and a flexible fabric tether having a main body portion integrally molded directly into the plastic material of the cover substrate such that the main body portion of the tether is entirely and continuously integrally connected to the cover substrate, and the cover substrate includes an upper surface and an opposite bottom surface and wherein the tether includes free end portions extending from the main body portion and wherein the main body portion of the tether is integrally molded with the upper surface of the cover substrate and wherein the end portions are integrally molded through the cover substrate from the upper surface and downwardly out through the bottom surface of the cover substrate such that the end portions extend out from the bottom surface of the cover substrate for attachment of the cover door to the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
164 words
An air bag cover door for covering an air bag module in a vehicle, the cover door comprising: a cover substrate molded of a plastic material; and a flexible fabric tether having a main body portion integrally molded directly into the plastic material of the cover substrate such that the main body portion of the tether is entirely and continuously integrally connected to the cover substrate, and the cover substrate includes an upper surface and an opposite bottom surface and wherein the tether includes free end portions extending from the main body portion and wherein the main body portion of the tether is integrally molded with the upper surface of the cover substrate and wherein the end portions are integrally molded through the cover substrate from the upper surface and downwardly out through the bottom surface of the cover substrate such that the end portions extend out from the bottom surface of the cover substrate for attachment of the cover door to the vehicle.
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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) | 2002-08-23 | 2003-02-22 | 2003-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-23 | 2007-02-22 | 2007-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-23 | 2011-02-22 | 2011-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |