Air bag module and steering wheel assembly
First Claim
1. An air bag module and steering wheel assembly comprising:
- an air bag module includinga base plate,an air bag attached to the base plate, anda cover having downwardly extending side walls loosely connected to the base plate while leaving the cover free for manual removal from the base plate; and
a steering wheel havinga receiving area for receiving the module therein for attachment to the steering wheel, andan upstanding capture plate forming a vertically extending wall surrounding the receiving area, the capture plate engaging the side walls of the cover when the module is inserted into the receiving area and capturing the side walls of the cover between the base plate and the capture plate such that the cover is anchored to the base plate for withstanding the forces of air bag inflation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An air bag module and steering wheel assembly includes an air bag module and a steering wheel. The air bag module includes a base plate, an air bag attached to the base plate, and a cover having downwardly extending side walls loosely connected to the base plate while leaving the cover free for manual removal from the base plate, yet being sufficiently sturdy for transporting and storing of the module. The steering wheel includes an upstanding capture plate forming a vertically extending wall surrounding a receiving area. The capture plate engages the side walls of the cover when the module is inserted into the receiving area and captures the side walls of the cover between the base plate and the capture plate such that the cover is anchored to the base plate for withstanding the forces of air bag inflation.
54 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An air bag module and steering wheel assembly comprising:
an air bag module including a base plate, an air bag attached to the base plate, and a cover having downwardly extending side walls loosely connected to the base plate while leaving the cover free for manual removal from the base plate; and a steering wheel having a receiving area for receiving the module therein for attachment to the steering wheel, and an upstanding capture plate forming a vertically extending wall surrounding the receiving area, the capture plate engaging the side walls of the cover when the module is inserted into the receiving area and capturing the side walls of the cover between the base plate and the capture plate such that the cover is anchored to the base plate for withstanding the forces of air bag inflation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An air bag module and steering wheel assembly comprising:
an air bag module including an base plate having a vertically extending flange having apertures therein, an air bag attached to the base plate, mounting members extending downwardly from the base plate, and a cover having vertically extending side walls including downwardly extending tab portions, each of the tab portions including an inwardly projecting boss thereon, the bosses being seated within the apertures of the base plate to loosely connect the cover to the base plate while leaving the cover free for manual removal from the base plate; and a steering wheel including a generally planar mounting portion for receiving the mounting members therein to securely connect the module to the steering wheel, the mounting portion having side edges, and an upstanding capture plate extending upwardly from the side edges of the mounting portion, the capture plate engaging the tab portions of the cover when the mounting members of the module are connected to the mounting portion and capturing the tab portions between the flange of the base plate and the capture plate to restrain the tab portions from outward movement and to securely trap the bosses in the apertures of the base plate such that the cover is anchored to the base plate for withstanding the forces of air bag inflation. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. The assembly of claim I wherein the bosses are planar and extend perpendicular to the side walls of the cover.
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17. A method of assembling an air bag module and steering wheel assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an air bag module including a base plate having a vertically extending flange having a plurality of apertures therein; providing a cover of the module having vertically extending side walls including a plurality of inwardly projecting bosses thereon; pulling the cover over the base plate and inserting the bosses into the apertures to loosely connect the cover to the base plate for transport and storage while leaving the cover free for removal from the base plate; providing a steering wheel including a receiving area for receiving the module therein and the steering wheel having capture plate including an upstanding vertical wall surrounding the receiving area; and inserting the module into the receiving area such that the vertical wall engages the side walls of the cover and simultaneously capturing the side walls of the cover between the base plate and the vertical wall of the steering wheel such that the cover is anchored to the base plate for withstanding the forces of air bag inflation and such that the bosses are securely trapped in the apertures of the base plate.
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Specification