Deployment door for use in a vehicle occupant restraint apparatus
US5536037A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 18, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jul 16, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 18, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R21/2165
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable occupant restraint (18) which, when inflated, protects an occupant in a vehicle passenger compartment. A deployment door (12) covers an opening (19) through which the occupant restraint (18) is deployed upon inflation of the occupant restraint. The deployment door (12) comprises a relatively soft first material layer (60) and a relatively hard second material layer (70). The relatively hard second material layer (70) includes (i) a first surface (77) which underlies the relatively soft first material layer (60), (ii) an inner surface (74) which is engaged by the occupant restraint (18) when the occupant restraint is inflated and (iii) a projecting portion (76) projecting beyond the first surface (77) and adhered to adjacent relatively soft material (66) of the soft first material layer (60). The projecting portion (76) and the adjacent relatively soft material (66) define a break line (30) such that the projecting portion and the adjacent relatively soft material move away from each other along the break line to uncover the opening (19) when the inflatable occupant restraint (18) is deployed into the passenger compartment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.