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:
Jul. 21, 1998
Filed:
Aug. 21, 1996
Applicant:
Inventors:
Michael J Gallagher, Hampton, NH (US);
Peter J Iannazzi, Hampstead, NH (US);
Assignee:
Davidson Textron, Inc., Dover, NH (US);
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B32B / ; B60R / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
156214 ; 156212 ; 156267 ; 156268 ; 156285 ;
Abstract
An automotive instrument panel includes a molded plastic retainer formed with an integral airbag deployment door surrounded by a channel defining a tear seam enabling the door to separate and hinge outwardly upon deployment of the airbag. A foam-backed cover of flexible plastic material is applied over the outer surface of the panel and is severed along the length of the channel to eliminate any influence that the cover may have on resisting the opening of the door. The severed cover portion can either be removed to expose the door or else be left in tact and bonded to the door.