Textron Automotive Company Inc.

Collins Aikman Corporation

Other

Collins & Aikman Products & Co.

Keith A Riha

Ulrich Weissert

John D Gray

Bruce A Batchelder

Brian K Totten

A Hardy Sullivan, Jr

Hardy Sullivan

Jim Dalpizzol

A variety of embodiments are disclosed, in both apparatus and method form, that relate to the use of fabric material in the manufacture of an air bag deployment system. In addition, fabric weakening is disclosed according to a technique that does not result in physical alteration of the fabric. This invention therefore includes an air bag cover for an air bag safety system for a vehicle comprising a fabric outer layer having a frontside and a backside and a substrate containing an opening wherein the opening has a periphery. The substrate is preferably formed by low pressure molding, wherein the fabric outer layer overlies the opening in the substrate, and wherein the fabric outer layer is weakened at a location that is adjacent or overlies the substrate opening periphery.

Pre-weakening of fabric covered airbag doors

An airbag door construction for airbag deployment comprising an instrument panel having an area outlining at least a portion of an airbag door. A reaction plate is attached to the underside of the panel at the airbag door location. The reaction plate contains first and second molded features, each such feature having a flexural strength (F), wherein the first molded feature's Fis lower than the second molded feature's F. A tether is included that engages with the molded features in the reaction plate whereupon airbag deployment the tether is not retained by the first molded feature but is retained by the second molded feature.

Dynamic/controlled tether arrangement for an airbag door

An airbag door construction for airbag deployment comprising an instrument panel having an area outlining at least a portion of an airbag door. A reaction plate is attached to the underside of the panel at the airbag door location. The reaction plate contains first and second molded features, each such feature having a flexural strength (F), wherein the first molded feature's Fis lower than the second molded feature's F. A tether is included that engages with the molded features in the reaction plate whereupon airbag deployment the tether is not retained by the first molded feature but is retained by the second molded feature

A motor vehicle ( ) including a door assembly ( ) configured to provide support for a canopy assembly ( ) attached to the door assembly. The canopy assembly includes a canopy ( ) and at least one canopy support member ( and ).

Motor vehicle door assembly with canopy assembly

An airbag deployment safety device ( ) is provided comprising a first conductive path ( ) for receiving an input signal, a second conductive path ( ) for receiving an induced signal through electromagnetic coupling of the first conductive path ( ) and the second conductive path ( ), and a processor circuit ( ) configured to control deployment of the airbag ( ) in response to a comparison of the induced signal to a predetermined path.

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Rochester, MI, United States of America

Keith A Riha