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:
Dec. 11, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 08, 1998
Alexander L Dominique, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
D Scott Bittinger, Fenton, MI (US);
Issa A Nasser, Oakland Township, MI (US);
Patrick J Gibbons, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Chrysler Corporation, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
An automotive safety airbag installation includes a padded instrument panel having a U-shaped tearable seam in the panel skin, and a concealed airbag assembly having two hinged lids spaced from the instrument panel internal surface, such that during inflation of the airbag the lids swing outwardly to cause a flap-like section of the panel to deflect upwardly for expansion of the airbag into the passenger compartment. One of the lids closes a gap between the airbag and instrument panel to guide the airbag through the instrument panel and to protect both the airbag and the instrument panel from damage. The padded instrument panel is designed to achieve good shock absorbing action when struck by a human body, in the absence of airbag deployment.