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. 17, 2004
Filed:
May. 22, 2001
Jeffrey A. Jenkins, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Kurt F. Fischer, Oxford, MI (US);
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
An apparatus ( ) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ), an inflator ( ), and a cover ( ). The inflator ( ) inflates the protection device ( ). The cover ( ) includes a center section ( ) interposed between first and second side sections ( ). The cover ( ) has a strong tear seam ( ) and a weak tear seam ( ). The weak tear seam ( ) releases when subjected to a first force by the protection device ( ). The strong tear seam ( ) releases after the weak tear seam ( ) releases. The protection device ( ), while being inflated, releases the weak tear seam ( ) and moves at least one of the side sections ( ) away from the center section ( ). The protection device ( ) deploys through a first area provided by moving the side section ( ). The protection device ( ) urges a vehicle occupant ( ) away from the center section ( ). Thereafter, the strong tear seam ( ) releases, and the protection device ( ) moves the center section ( ) away from the first area. The protection device ( ) then deploys through a second area provided by moving the center section ( ).