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:
Apr. 13, 1999
Filed:
Oct. 08, 1997
Robert Raymond Niederman, Dayton, OH (US);
General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A steering wheel and air bag module assembly includes a steering wheel having a hub portion and a rim portion and a plurality of spoke portions connecting the hub portion to the rim portion. An air bag module is mounted to the hub portion and includes an air bag cover having a generally planar top surface. The top surface of the cover includes first, second, and third weakened portions defining a single Y-shaped tear pattern substantially covering the top surface of the cover. The air bag cover preferably has a generally planar top surface and generally vertical side portions extending generally downward from the top surface. The air bag cover includes a plurality of primary flap portions located substantially on the top surface and a plurality of secondary flap portions located substantially on the side portions. Advantageously, the primary and secondary flap portions and the Y-shaped tear pattern cooperatively provide an enlarged opening for air bag deployment.