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:
Mar. 21, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 23, 1997
David F Scherer, Ortonville, MI (US);
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
An Apparatus (10) including a switch assembly (130) in an electric circuit for actuating an electrically actuatable device (132). The switch assembly (130) includes a first switch member (140) underlying a first cover portion (100) and a second switch member (142) underlying a second cover portion (110). At least one of the first and second switch members (140, 142) is movable with the at least one of the first and second cover portions (100, 110). The second switch member (142) has a predetermined weakened portion (160) underlying the second cover portion (110). The first cover portion (100) is manually engageable to operate the first switch member (140), and the second cover portion (110) is manually engageable to operate the second switch member (142). The switch assembly (130) includes a non-rupturing connector member (182) extending across a tear seam (92) and electrically interconnecting the first switch member (140) and the second switch member (142). The connector member (182) is connected with the second switch member (142) adjacent to the predetermined weakened portion (160). The predetermined weakened portion (160) is rupturable due to force applied by the connector member (182) upon inflation of the inflatable device (44).