Energy dissipation features in air bag closures
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A one piece closure element for an air bag deployment opening of an inflatable restraint system adapted to be integrated into a vehicle with the system including an inflator device and a housing for accommodating a collapsed inflatable air bag wherein the closure element comprises:
- a mounting portion securable to the housing and a face portion having therein tear ways adapted to tear under the influence of inflating of the air bag to define at least one air bag release door and a hinge section adapted to join said door with said mounting portion after the formation of said door, wherein said hinge section includes at least one integral reinforcement attachment rib externally formed to said hinge section, adapted to prevent undesired closure tearing, further joining said door with said mounting portion when the air bag is inflated.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A closure for an air bag deployment opening is provided. The closure includes at least one integral reinforcement rib and/or appropriately thickened hinge section to prevent undesired tearing of the closure.
41 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A one piece closure element for an air bag deployment opening of an inflatable restraint system adapted to be integrated into a vehicle with the system including an inflator device and a housing for accommodating a collapsed inflatable air bag wherein the closure element comprises:
a mounting portion securable to the housing and a face portion having therein tear ways adapted to tear under the influence of inflating of the air bag to define at least one air bag release door and a hinge section adapted to join said door with said mounting portion after the formation of said door, wherein said hinge section includes at least one integral reinforcement attachment rib externally formed to said hinge section, adapted to prevent undesired closure tearing, further joining said door with said mounting portion when the air bag is inflated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13)
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10. A one piece, homogeneous molded plastic member closure element for an air bag deployment opening of an inflatable restraint system adapted to be integrated into a vehicle with the system including an inflator device and a housing for accommodating a collapsed inflatable air bag wherein the closure element comprises:
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a mounting portion securable to the housing and a face portion having therein tear ways comprising thin regions in said face portion to form a generally H-shaped pattern adapted to tear under the influence of inflating of the air bag to define an upper and a lower air bag release door and a first and a second hinge section each adapted to join one of said respective doors with said mounting portion after the formation of said respective doors, wherein each of said hinge sections includes; a) at least one integral reinforcement attachment rib externally formed to said hinge sections, adapted to prevent undesired closure tearing, further joining said respective door joined thereby with said mounting portion when the air bag is inflated, b) a hinge area whereat hinging of said respective door joined thereby occurs, and c) a thickened portion extending between said hinge area to said mounting portion whereat said hinge section is joined thereto, said thickened portion being adapted to prevent undesired closure tearing.
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Specification