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. 18, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 04, 1997
Daniel E Coleman, Mesa, AZ (US);
TRW Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
An air bag module (10) includes an inflatable device (40) and an inflator (30) for inflating the inflatable device. Support (20, 24) supports the inflator (30) and the inflatable device (40) on a portion of the vehicle (12). A cover (70) covers the inflatable device and the inflator. A structure (100) is disposed between the cover and the inflatable device and in an electric circuit (130, 132, 134) for actuating an electrically actuatable device (102) of the vehicle. The cover has a first portion (72) engageable by the vehicle occupant to actuate the electrically actuatable device and a second portion (84) for connecting the first portion with the support. The first portion of the cover is movable, due to the force of inflation of the inflatable device, from a closed condition to an open condition to enable inflation of the inflatable device. The structure has an active portion (122) underlying the first portion of the cover. The active portion of the structure comprises an electrically conductive material (110) having an electrical resistance which is variable in response to force applied to the cover by a vehicle occupant to deform the cover. The structure has an inactive portion (124) underlying the second portion of the cover. Fastener (90) connects the inactive portion of the structure with the second portion of the cover.