US6003938A — Side impact air bag seat-integrated reaction surf…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 131 words

A material cover (27) adapted to cover a vehicle seat (22) having a seat back (26) with a front surface (28), a rear surface (32) and a side surface (30), comprising: one or more panels for covering the seat back wherein said at least one panel including a side panel (30') adapted to cover the side surface of the seat, the side panel having a predetermined rate of elongation; and first means (50,50') for effectively decreasing the elongation of the side panel (30') to localize stress in the side panel (30') to encourage the side panel to tear along a generally predetermined line in response to the inflating air bag (46), wherein the first means includes a flexible, multi-sided reinforcement panel (50) secured on an inside of the side panel (30').

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 131 words

A material cover (27) adapted to cover a vehicle seat (22) having a seat back (26) with a front surface (28), a rear surface (32) and a side surface (30), comprising: one or more panels for covering the seat back wherein said at least one panel including a side panel (30') adapted to cover the side surface of the seat, the side panel having a predetermined rate of elongation; and first means (50,50') for effectively decreasing the elongation of the side panel (30') to localize stress in the side panel (30') to encourage the side panel to tear along a generally predetermined line in response to the inflating air bag (46), wherein the first means includes a flexible, multi-sided reinforcement panel (50) secured on an inside of the side panel (30').

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 44 words

The material cover as defined in claim 1, wherein the first means includes a plurality of thin, lightweight, flexible pieces of material (70a-c) joined together as a reinforcing panel having an elongation less than the elongation of the side panel of the seat cover.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 23 words

The material cover as defined in claim 1, wherein the first means comprises a reinforcing panel (50") having a narrowed front edge (52a).

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 19 words

The material cover as defined in claim 3, wherein the reinforcing panel is coextensive with the side panel (32').

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 31 words

The material cover as defined in claim 1 wherein the side panel (30') has an elongation that is lower than an elongation of an adjacent portion of the cover material panels.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 36 words

The material cover as defined in claim 1, wherein the air bag impinges on the first means with a forward component of force and a perpendicular component to open a forward side of the first means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 19 words

The material cover as defined in claim 1, wherein the elongation of the first means is less than 16%.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 41 words

The material cover as defined in claim 1, wherein the elongation of the first means is less than or equal to an elongation from one of the group of materials consisting a nylon film, a polypropylene, and a seat belt webbing.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 129 words

A vehicle seat (22) comprising a seat back (26) having a front surface (28), a rear surface (32) and a side surface (30); a material cover (27) covering the front (28) surface and the surface (32) and side (30) of the seat back, the cover including a side panel (30') covering the side surface; first means (50,50') for effectively decreasing an elongation of the side panel (30') to localize stress in the side panel (30') to encourage the side panel to tear along a generally predetermined line in response to an inflating air bag (46), wherein the first means includes a flexible, multi-sided reinforcement panel (50) secured on an inside of the side panel (30'); and the air bag located proximate the side surface and inflated by an inflator.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 129 words

A vehicle seat (22) comprising a seat back (26) having a front surface (28), a rear surface (32) and a side surface (30); a material cover (27) covering the front (28) surface and the surface (32) and side (30) of the seat back, the cover including a side panel (30') covering the side surface; first means (50,50') for effectively decreasing an elongation of the side panel (30') to localize stress in the side panel (30') to encourage the side panel to tear along a generally predetermined line in response to an inflating air bag (46), wherein the first means includes a flexible, multi-sided reinforcement panel (50) secured on an inside of the side panel (30'); and the air bag located proximate the side surface and inflated by an inflator.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 43 words

The seat as defined in claim 9, wherein the first means includes a plurality of thin, lightweight, flexible pieces of material (70a-c) joined together as a reinforcing panel having an elongation less than the elongation of the side panel of the seat cover.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 30 words

The seat as defined in claim 9, wherein the side panel (30') has an elongation that is lower than an elongation of an adjacent portion of the cover material panels.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 35 words

The seat as defined in claim 9, wherein the air bag impinges on the first means with a forward component of force and a perpendicular component to open a forward side of the first means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 21 words

The seat as defined in claim 9, wherein the first means comprises a panel (50") with a narrowed front edge (52a).

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 18 words

The seat as defined in claim 13, wherein the reinforcing panel is coextensive with the side panel (32').

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 148 words

A vehicle seat (22) comprising a seat back (26) having a front surface (28), a rear surface (32), and a side surface (30); a material cover (27) covers the front surface (28), the rear surface (32), and the side surface (30) of the seat back, wherein the cover includes a side panel (30'); an air bag and inflator located within the seat back, below the side panel of the material cover; and first means (50,50') secured to an interior portion of the side panel of the material cover for providing a semi-rigid protection about the air bag and for effectively controlling an elongation of the side panel (30') to encourage the side panel to tear along a generally predetermined line in response to an inflating air bag (46), wherein the first means includes a flexible, multi-sided reinforcement panel (50) secured on an inside of the side panel (30').

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 148 words

A vehicle seat (22) comprising a seat back (26) having a front surface (28), a rear surface (32), and a side surface (30); a material cover (27) covers the front surface (28), the rear surface (32), and the side surface (30) of the seat back, wherein the cover includes a side panel (30'); an air bag and inflator located within the seat back, below the side panel of the material cover; and first means (50,50') secured to an interior portion of the side panel of the material cover for providing a semi-rigid protection about the air bag and for effectively controlling an elongation of the side panel (30') to encourage the side panel to tear along a generally predetermined line in response to an inflating air bag (46), wherein the first means includes a flexible, multi-sided reinforcement panel (50) secured on an inside of the side panel (30').

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 22 words

The seat as defined in claim 15, wherein the first means comprises a reinforcing panel (50") with a narrowed front edge (52a).

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 18 words

The seat as defined in claim 16, wherein the reinforcing panel is coextensive with the side panel (32').

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 29 words

The seat as defined in claim 15, wherein the side panel (30') has an elongation that is lower than an elongation of an adjacent portion of the cover material.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 35 words

The seat as defined in claim 15, wherein the air bag impinges on the first means with a forward component of force and a perpendicular component to open a forward side of the first means.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 169 words

An improved material cover (27) for a vehicle seat (22) including a seat back (26) having a front (28), a rear (32) and a side (30), comprising: a side panel joined to another panel at a tearable seam, the side panel providing a covering for at least a portion of the side of the seat back, the side panel having a predetermined rate of elongation and when stressed by an inflating air bag, said side panel would stretch relative to the seam; and first means (50,50') secured at a first location proximate the seam to a portion of the side panel and also secured at another location remote from the seam for limiting the extension of the side panel and for localizing any increases in stress resultant upon the inflation of the air bag, at or proximate the seam near the first location to encourage one of the side panel and seam to tear generally along the seam or adjacent thereto in response to an inflating air bag (46).

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 169 words

An improved material cover (27) for a vehicle seat (22) including a seat back (26) having a front (28), a rear (32) and a side (30), comprising: a side panel joined to another panel at a tearable seam, the side panel providing a covering for at least a portion of the side of the seat back, the side panel having a predetermined rate of elongation and when stressed by an inflating air bag, said side panel would stretch relative to the seam; and first means (50,50') secured at a first location proximate the seam to a portion of the side panel and also secured at another location remote from the seam for limiting the extension of the side panel and for localizing any increases in stress resultant upon the inflation of the air bag, at or proximate the seam near the first location to encourage one of the side panel and seam to tear generally along the seam or adjacent thereto in response to an inflating air bag (46).

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 123 words

A vehicle seat (22) comprising a seat back (26) having a front surface (28), a rear surface (32) and a side surface (30); the material cover (27) covering the front surface (28), the surface rear (32) and the side surface (30) of the seat back, wherein the cover includes a side panel (30) joined to at least a front panel at a tearable sewn seam; first means (50,50') for effectively decreasing an elongation of the side panel (30') to localize stress in the side panel (30') to encourage the side panel to tear proximate the seam along a generally predetermined manner in response to an inflating air bag (46); and the air bag located proximate the side surface and inflated by an inflator.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 123 words

A vehicle seat (22) comprising a seat back (26) having a front surface (28), a rear surface (32) and a side surface (30); the material cover (27) covering the front surface (28), the surface rear (32) and the side surface (30) of the seat back, wherein the cover includes a side panel (30) joined to at least a front panel at a tearable sewn seam; first means (50,50') for effectively decreasing an elongation of the side panel (30') to localize stress in the side panel (30') to encourage the side panel to tear proximate the seam along a generally predetermined manner in response to an inflating air bag (46); and the air bag located proximate the side surface and inflated by an inflator.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 161 words

A vehicle seat (22) comprising a seat back (26) having a front surface (28), a rear surface (32) and a side surface (30); a material cover (27) covering the front surface (28), the rear surface (32) and the side surface (30) of the seat back including a side panel (30) joined to another panel at a sewn seam; an air bag located proximate the side surface of the seat back and an inflator for providing gas to inflate the air bag, the air bag and inflator located below the side panel of the material cover within the seat back; and first means (50,50') secured to an interior portion of the side panel for providing at least a semi-rigid protective hood apart from the air bag, the hood secured proximate to the seam and for limiting the elongation of the side panel (30') in response to the inflating air bag and for encouraging the side panel to tear proximate to the seam.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 161 words

A vehicle seat (22) comprising a seat back (26) having a front surface (28), a rear surface (32) and a side surface (30); a material cover (27) covering the front surface (28), the rear surface (32) and the side surface (30) of the seat back including a side panel (30) joined to another panel at a sewn seam; an air bag located proximate the side surface of the seat back and an inflator for providing gas to inflate the air bag, the air bag and inflator located below the side panel of the material cover within the seat back; and first means (50,50') secured to an interior portion of the side panel for providing at least a semi-rigid protective hood apart from the air bag, the hood secured proximate to the seam and for limiting the elongation of the side panel (30') in response to the inflating air bag and for encouraging the side panel to tear proximate to the seam.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-12-20	2003-06-21	2003-12-21	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-12-20	2007-06-21	2007-12-21	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-12-20	2011-06-21	2011-12-21	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Side impact air bag seat-integrated reaction surface panel

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