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. 27, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 24, 2000
William P. Braun, Romeo, MI (US);
John P. Wallner, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Michael B. Kutchey, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Thomas Osentoski, Marysville, MI (US);
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
An apparatus ( ) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle ( ) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) having a deflated condition and being inflatable into a position to help protect the vehicle occupant. The apparatus ( ) also comprises a housing ( ) for mounting in the vehicle. The housing ( ) includes a chamber ( ) receiving the inflatable device in the deflated condition. The housing ( ) includes a first housing part ( ) having a locking rib ( ), and a second housing part ( ) having a locking groove ( ) and an opening ( ) into the locking groove. The locking rib ( ) is movable in a first direction ( ) through the opening ( ) into the locking groove ( ) for releasably closing the housing ( ) with the inflatable device ( ) inside the chamber. The first housing part ( ) has a tool receiving portion ( ) adjacent the locking rib ( ). The tool receiving portion ( ) has a tool receiving surface ( ) extending transverse to the first direction ( ) for receiving an assembly tool ( ). The assembly tool ( ) applies force to move the locking rib ( ) in the first direction ( ) through the opening ( ) into the locking groove ( ).