Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-24
2004-02-10
Olszewski, Robert P. (Department: 3627)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
C280S732000, C280S731000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06688640
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a seamless air bag cover with a snap-in attachment feature for attachment to an instrument panel substrate and a tether connecting the air bag cover to the substrate such that deployment of the air bag disengages the snap-in attachment feature while the tether maintains its attachment to the substrate.
BACKGROUND ART
Typically, vehicle instrument panel air bags are deployed through a tear seam formed in an injection molded component, such as an air bag door. The tear seam in the air bag door is typically a thinned-down section which is formed in the door in the injection molding process. However, the molding of this thinned-down section may result in discoloration or loss of strength, which can lead to scrap problems. Also, the thinned-down section may be visible on the exposed surface of the component, which is aesthetically undesirable. This thinned-down section may even be visible after the surface has been painted.
It has been contemplated to provide a tear seam at a hidden location on the air bag door, however this may create air bag deployment problems and design problems associated with concealing the tear seam on the instrument panel. When concealing such tear seams, a secondary design result may be the necessity to control gaps between the air bag door and adjacent components to eliminate squeaks. This, of course, is undesirable.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved air bag door design which eliminates the tear seam and allows snap-in attachment of the air bag door for ease of assembly.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention provides an air bag cover with a snap-in attachment feature for attachment to a substrate, and a tether which connects the air bag cover to the substrate. When the air bag is deployed, the snap-in attachment feature is disengaged, and the air bag cover opens to allow air bag deployment while the tether secures the air bag cover to the substrate.
More specifically, the present invention provides a vehicle instrument panel assembly including a substrate having a recess formed therein with a deployable air bag assembly positioned within the recess. The air bag assembly is attached to the substrate by an attachment bolt. An air bag cover is secured to the substrate by a snap-in attachment feature to enclose the air bag assembly within the recess. The air bag cover includes an integrally molded tether which is connected to the attachment bolt such that deployment of the air bag assembly causes detachment of the snap-in attachment feature to allow air bag deployment outside the recess while the tether maintains its connection to the attachment bolt.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a seamless air bag cover which allows air bag deployment by other means.
Another object of the invention is to provide an air bag cover with a snap-in attachment feature and a tether securing the air bag cover to a substrate such that deployment of the air bag disengages the snap-in attachment feature to open the air bag cover while the tether secures the cover to the substrate.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5651562 (1997-07-01), Hagen et al.
patent: 5765862 (1998-06-01), Bently
patent: 5765867 (1998-06-01), French
patent: 5975563 (1999-11-01), Gallagher et al.
patent: 5979929 (1999-11-01), Stanger et al.
patent: 6189916 (2001-02-01), Bowers et al.
Davis, Jr. Joseph J.
Faarup, Sr. John J. H.
Buchanan Christopher
Lear Corporation
Olszewski Robert P.
Panagos Bill C.
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