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:
Mar. 18, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 30, 1999
Richard Allen Merrifield, Spring Valley, OH (US);
James John Sommer, Tipp City, OH (US);
Delphi Technologies, Inc., Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
According to the present invention, an instrument panel having an instrument panel cover including a hidden deployment region integrally formed within an inner surface thereof by an ultrasonic embossing process is provided. More specifically, the deployment region comprises at least one and preferably a plurality of scores or cuts formed in the inner surface according to a predetermined pattern. The scores represent weakened portions of the instrument panel cover designed so that the force of an inflating air bag cushion causes the instrument panel cover to separate along the scores to thereby provide an opening for the inflating air bag cushion to deploy therethrough and be directed into the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The deployment region may be defined by any number of scores and therefore may have a variety of patterns, including but not limited to “H” pattern, “U” pattern, and “I” pattern.