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:
Aug. 14, 2001
Filed:
Nov. 15, 2000
Larry D. Hoagland, Noblesville, IN (US);
Unique Technologies, L.C., Carmel, IN (US);
Abstract
A collapsible instrument panel and air bag combination for a motor vehicle has an elongated hollow cylinder slidably mounted on a piston. The space between the interior wall of the cylinder and the piston is sealed in a gas-tight fashion. A valve is attached to the top of the cylinder, and the instrument panel is connected to the valve so that the cylinder, valve, and instrument panel move axially as a single unit relative to the piston. The valve has a frangible seal hermetically secured inside it so that the top of the piston, the interior wall of the cylinder and the seal define an air-tight cavity. Prior to collision, the cavity is under pressure such that the cylinder and thus, the instrument panel is supported by a column of pressurized gas. A coil spring inside the cylinder urges the piston and the bottom of the cylinder apart. The seal has a bore with an explosive compound in it. Lead lines connect the explosive compound with an electronic collision sensor. When a collision occurs, the sensor sends an electronic signal that ignites the explosive compound and fractures the seal permitting the gas to escape from the cavity causing collapse of the cylinder and the instrument panel. An air bag stowed in the instrument panel may be connected to the top of the valve to capture the air released from the cavity providing additional protection to the occupant.