US6189916B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air bag module with deployment door
Assignee: ZF Passive Safety Systems US Inc
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Filing: 1998-12-15
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Granted: 2001-02-20
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Expires: 2018-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle occupant safety apparatus ( 10 ) for mounting in a portion ( 20 ) of a vehicle includes a module ( 12 ). The module ( 12 ) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( 30 ), an inflation fluid source ( 32 ), a cover ( 40 ) for the vehicle occupant protection device and the inflation fluid source, and bolts ( 38 ) for mounting the module in the vehicle portion. The module cover ( 40 ) encloses the inflation fluid source ( 32 ) and the protection device ( 30 ) when the protection device is in a deflated condition. The module cover ( 40 ) is made from a material which is flexible and wrapped around the vehicle occupant protection device ( 30 ) and the inflation fluid source ( 32 ). The apparatus also includes a deployment door ( 14 ), and tabs ( 90 ) ( 104 ) for releasably mounting the deployment door on the vehicle portion ( 20 ) for movement relative to the vehicle portion upon inflation of the protection device ( 30 ). The apparatus ( 10 ) also includes a flexible tether ( 16 ) connecting the deployment door ( 14 ) with the module ( 12 ) for limiting movement of the deployment door away from the module beyond a predetermined distance upon inflation of the protection device ( 30 ).
Inventors
- 👤 Paul A. Bowers
- 👤 Daniel R. Sutherland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:35
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/207; B60R21/215; B60R21/216; B60R21/217; B60R21/2176
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
A vehicle occupant safety apparatus for mounting in a portion of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a module including an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, an inflation fluid source, a cover for said vehicle occupant protection device and said inflation fluid source, and means for mounting said module in the vehicle portion; said vehicle occupant protection device being inflatable from a deflated condition to an inflated condition to help protect an occupant of a vehicle; said inflation fluid source being actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said protection device; said module cover enclosing said inflation fluid source and said protection device when said protection device is in the deflated condition; said module cover being made from a material which is flexible and wrapped around said vehicle occupant protection device and said inflation fluid source; a deployment door; means for releasably mounting said deployment door on the vehicle portion for movement relative to the vehicle portion upon inflation of said protection device; and a flexible member connecting said deployment door with said module for limiting movement of said deployment door away from said module beyond a predetermined distance upon inflation of said protection device, said means for mounting said module comprising a mounting member which projects through said flexible cover, said flexible member being connected to said mounting member and to said deployment door.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
A vehicle occupant safety apparatus for mounting in a portion of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a module including an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, an inflation fluid source, a cover for said vehicle occupant protection device and said inflation fluid source, and means for mounting said module in the vehicle portion; said vehicle occupant protection device being inflatable from a deflated condition to an inflated condition to help protect an occupant of a vehicle; said inflation fluid source being actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said protection device; said module cover enclosing said inflation fluid source and said protection device when said protection device is in the deflated condition; said module cover being made from a material which is flexible and wrapped around said vehicle occupant protection device and said inflation fluid source; a deployment door; means for releasably mounting said deployment door on the vehicle portion for movement relative to the vehicle portion upon inflation of said protection device; and a flexible member connecting said deployment door with said module for limiting movement of said deployment door away from said module beyond a predetermined distance upon inflation of said protection device, said means for mounting said module comprising a mounting member which projects through said flexible cover, said flexible member being connected to said mounting member and to said deployment door.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting member is a bolt for securing said module in a seat of a vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting member is a bolt for securing said module in an instrument panel of a vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flexible member comprises a tether.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said tether is connected between said deployment door and said module.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting means secures said module to a seat frame member of a seat of the vehicle, said deployment door being mounted to a soft outer portion of the seat spaced apart from the seat frame member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inflation fluid source comprises an inflator in a diffuser, said protection device being wrapped around said inflation fluid source and enclosed in said module cover.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said module cover is made from a material which is sufficiently flexible or deformable that said module is not perceived by an occupant of the vehicle as being a hard or rigid object when said module is mounted in the vehicle portion.
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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) | 2004-02-20 | 2004-08-21 | 2005-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-20 | 2008-08-21 | 2009-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-20 | 2012-08-21 | 2013-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |