Air bag cover horn blow switch assembly

• US 5,265,905 A
• Filed: 01/07/1993
• Issued: 11/30/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Shelton, Darryl A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPE, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US08/001,602
• Time in Patent Office: 327 Days
• Field of Search: 280/731, 280/743, 280/728
• US Class Current: 280/731
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/003 mounted on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21658 with integrated switches, e.g. horn switches

Abstract

An airbag cover with horn blow switch includes an inner cover, a horn switch, a guide for holding the horn switch and an outer cover covering the guide and the horn switch so that when the outer cover is depressed the horn switch is closed and the horn will sound.

Claims

1. An airbag assembly, comprising:

an airbag;

an airbag inflator;

an inner cover housing said airbag between said inner cover and said airbag inflator;

an outer cover covering said inner cover;

means defining a pocket, said pocket defining means being between said inner cover and said outer cover formed on one of said covers; and

a horn switch having relatively displaceable contact portions received in said pocket whereby the contacts are displaced to close said horn switch when a force is applied to said outer cover.

2. An airbag assembly as in claim 1 wherein said means generally defining a pocket comprises a plurality of tabs integrally formed with one of said covers.

3. An airbag assembly as in claim 2 wherein said tabs are formed in said inner cover.

4. An airbag assembly as in claim 3 wherein said tabs formed in said inner cover define three sides of a rectangle.

5. An airbag assembly as in claim 1 wherein said horn switch comprises two separated metallic plates.

6. An airbag assembly as in claim 3 wherein said outer cover is demountably attached to said airbag inflator.

7. A automobile steering wheel assembly comprising:

a steering wheel;

an airbag;

an airbag inflator;

an inner cover housing said airbag between said inner cover and said airbag inflator;

an outer cover covering said inner cover;

means defining a pocket between said inner cover and said outer cover; and

a horn switch having relatively displaceable contact portions received in said pocket whereby the contacts are displaced to close the horn switch when a force is applied to said outer cover.

8. An airbag assembly as in claim 7 wherein said means generally defining a pocket comprises a plurality of tabs integrally formed with one of said covers.

9. A steering wheel assembly as in claim 8 wherein said tabs are formed in said inner cover.

10. A steering wheel assembly as in claim 9 wherein said tabs formed in said inner cover define three sides of a rectangle.

11. An airbag cover for receiving a horn switch having relatively displaceable contact portions comprising:

an inner cover;

an outer cover enclosing said inner cover; and

means defining a pocket for receiving said horn switch between said inner cover and said outer cover including a plurality of tabs integrally formed with one of said covers.