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:
Sep. 25, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 03, 2000
Michael J. Lachat, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Brian K. Genslak, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Mohammed Boumarafi, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Jonathon P. Hurford, Lake Orion, MI (US);
Takata Restraint Systems, Inc., Greensboro, NC (US);
Abstract
An air bag system and method of making the same are provided including a reinforced cover for a vehicle seat having an air bag module hidden therein. The reinforced cover includes cover material that is stretchable and a backing reinforcement material that is stiffer than the cover material. The reinforcement material is attached to the cover material to provide a repeatable deployment path for the air bag as it inflates so that the air bag breaks through the seat cover at a preferred location thereon, e.g. bolster seam. The reinforced cover will not expand as the bag inflates as its stiffness or rigidity as provided by the reinforcement material will cause the bag to seek out the area of greater weakness in the cover at the bolster seam which the reinforcement material does not block. As the reinforcement cover provides the repeatable deployment path for the air bag to the bolster seam, there is no need for complicated and expensive modifications to the air bag module for proper and timely deployment thereof simplifying the installation of the present air bag system.