Actuatable knee bolster
US5931493A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 14, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 3, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/23169
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) includes a knee bolster (80) movable from a stored position adjacent to an instrument panel (40) of the vehicle to a blocking position spaced apart from the instrument panel. An actuator (30) for moving the knee bolster (80) from the stored position to the blocking position is supported on the instrument panel (40) by an actuator support (70). An attachment member (90) is connected with the knee bolster (80). The knee bolster (80) is movable relative to the attachment member (90) when the knee bolster is in the blocking position. The attachment member (90) is fixed to the instrument panel (40) adjacent to the actuator support (70). A plurality of tethers (100, 102) are connected between the knee bolster (80) and the attachment member (90) for controlling movement of the knee bolster relative to the attachment member. The actuator (30) preferably includes an inflatable device (52) which is inflatable to move the knee bolster (80) from the stored position to the blocking position. The tethers (100, 102) are located outside the inflatable device (52) and are the only connection between the knee bolster (80) and the instrument panel (40) when th…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.