The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 14, 1992
Filed:
Jan. 30, 1989
Alfred R Dixon, Jr, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
David J Bauer, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
Tip Engineering Group, Inc., Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for instantly forming an air bag deployment opening in an auto interior trim panel structure such as an instrument panel or steering wheel cover just prior to inflation of the air bag. A delineated pattern of concentrated energy is instantaneously applied to the inside of the trim structure as by ignition of a segment of detonating cord to fracture a section of the trim panel in a required door shape just before the air bag is inflated. The air bag, stored behind the trim panel, engages and pushes open the door so formed in the trim panel when activated, and is able to be deployed through the resulting opening. The trim panel may therefor be free from any exteriorly visible markings defining a deployment door until deployment actually occurs.