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:
Feb. 19, 2002
Filed:
Jan. 21, 2000
Michael G. Froude, Fraser, MI (US);
Darius J. Preisler, Macomb, MI (US);
Patent Holding Company, Fraser, MI (US);
Abstract
A snap-on air bag cover having enhanced moldability is provided for use with an air bag container assembly including a container having a retaining member and a retaining bracket secured to the container to move therewith. The snap-on air bag cover includes a plastic front panel adapted to overlie an uninflated air bag contained within the container, a plurality of plastic side walls connected to an inner surface of the front panel and resilient locking blocks connected to and extending inwardly from the side walls. Each locking block has an extending snap-on groove defined therein at a surface of the locking block facing the inner surface of the front panel. The locking blocks are adapted to cooperate with the retaining member for affixing the air bag cover to the air bag container. The resilient locking blocks travel away from each other in opposite directions allowing the retaining member to enter and abuttingly engage the snap-on groove thereby retaining the air bag cover on the air bag container. Rearwardly facing surfaces of a pair of locking blocks prevent movement of the retaining bracket and the retaining member toward the inner surface of the front panel thereby eliminating the need for a rear beak or shoulder portion of the locking blocks which would complicate the moldability of the cover.