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:
Oct. 29, 1996
Filed:
Apr. 10, 1995
Brian T Seymour, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Takata Inc., Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
An improved driver air bag module cover having a unitary membrane switch assembly including a central horn switch and adjacent accessory switches independently operable in response to user-imparted pressure-induced deformation of the cover front face. Preferably a single sheet of membrane material carries the horn switch, adjacent accessory switches, electrical leads, and connector. Preferably, the U-shaped central tear seam provides a major central portion for placement of the horn switch at a center location of a steering wheel. Cover side walls further locally enforce the cover to prevent inadvertent activation of adjacent accessory switches. Buttons integrally formed in the cover over such switches are preferably formed from a translucent material to provide for backlighting with an electroluminescent sheet. Finally, the central backing plate directly molded into the cover back face entraps the horn switch and membrane to the back of the cover. Additionally, local backing plates mount the peripheral portions of the membrane, including the accessory switches, along with any electroluminescent sheet underneath the outer peripheral portions of the cover.