Patent · US Expired

Housing assembly for an air bag and vehicle horn switch

US5577767A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
8References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 8, 1995
Grant dateNov 26, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 8, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R21/21658
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus for enclosing an air bag (38) on a steering wheel (22) includes an inner cover (34) at least partially enclosing the air bag (38) and having a tear seam central portion (50) along which the inner cover ruptures upon inflation of the air bag (38). An outer cover (36) at least partially encloses the inner cover (34) and the air bag (38) and includes a tear seam central portion (49) with a length substantially equal to the length of the tear seam central portion (50) in the inner cover (34). A horn switch (58) is disposed between the inner and outer covers (34 and 36) for effecting operation of a horn. The horn switch (58) includes first and second tear seams (64, 65) aligned with the tear seam central portions (50 and 49) in the inner and outer covers (34 and 36). The first and second tear seams (64, 65) in the horn switch (58) have a combined length substantially less than the length of each of the tear seams (49 and 50).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.