Apparatus for use in assembling a steering wheel cover, an air bag device and a retainer plate into a single unit
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in assembling a steering wheel cover, an air bag device and a retainer plate into a single unit, said air bag device including an inflatable cushion portion and a base plate portion, said steering wheel cover including a central portion and a plurality of side portions which extend out from said central portion to define with said central portion a pocket for receiving said air bag device, and at least one of said side portions having a tab for lockingly engaging said retainer plate, said apparatus comprising:
- a receiving nest adapted to receive said steering wheel cover;
a first expanding device for engaging a first side portion of said steering wheel cover and moving said first side portion outwardly to permit said air bag device to be placed within said pocket; and
engagement apparatus including first engagement structure for engaging said base plate portion and moving said base plate portion toward said central portion of said steering wheel cover to set a predetermined height of said base plate portion within said pocket and second engagement structure for moving at least one of said first side portion and another of said side portions inwardly toward said central portion of said steering wheel cover, and after said retainer plate has been positioned on said moved base plate portion, said first engagement structure further effecting engagement of said tab with said retainer plate.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for use in assembling a steering wheel cover, an air bag device and a retainer plate into a single unit. The air bag device includes an inflatable cushion portion and a base plate portion. The steering wheel cover includes a central portion and a plurality of side portions which extend out from the central portion to define with the central portion a pocket for receiving the air bag device. At least one of the side portions has a tab for lockingly engaging the retainer plate. The apparatus comprises: a receiving nest adapted to receive the steering wheel cover; a first expanding device for engaging a first side portion of the steering wheel cover and moving the first side portion outwardly to permit the air bag device to be placed within the pocket; and engagement apparatus for engaging the base plate portion and moving the base plate portion toward the central portion of the steering wheel cover to set the height of the base plate portion within the pocket and after the retainer plate has been positioned on the moved base plate portion effecting engagement of the tab with the retainer plate.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in assembling a steering wheel cover, an air bag device and a retainer plate into a single unit, said air bag device including an inflatable cushion portion and a base plate portion, said steering wheel cover including a central portion and a plurality of side portions which extend out from said central portion to define with said central portion a pocket for receiving said air bag device, and at least one of said side portions having a tab for lockingly engaging said retainer plate, said apparatus comprising:
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a receiving nest adapted to receive said steering wheel cover; a first expanding device for engaging a first side portion of said steering wheel cover and moving said first side portion outwardly to permit said air bag device to be placed within said pocket; and engagement apparatus including first engagement structure for engaging said base plate portion and moving said base plate portion toward said central portion of said steering wheel cover to set a predetermined height of said base plate portion within said pocket and second engagement structure for moving at least one of said first side portion and another of said side portions inwardly toward said central portion of said steering wheel cover, and after said retainer plate has been positioned on said moved base plate portion, said first engagement structure further effecting engagement of said tab with said retainer plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for assembling a steering wheel cover, an air bag device and a retainer plate into a single unit, said air bag device including an inflatable cushion portion and a base plate portion, said steering wheel cover including a central portion and a plurality of side portions which extend out from said central portion to define with said central portion a pocket for receiving said air bag device, and at least one of said side portions having a tab for lockingly engaging said retainer plate, said method comprising the steps of:
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positioning said steering wheel cover on a nest; moving a first steering wheel cover side portion outwardly; placing said air bag device within said pocket; moving at least one of said first side portion and another of said side portions inwardly toward said central portion of said steering wheel cover; placing said retainer plate over said base plate portion of said air bag device; and effecting engagement of said tab with said retainer plate via a press. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for expanding a steering wheel cover to allow an air bag device to be placed within said steering wheel cover, said air bag device including an inflatable cushion portion and a base plate portion, said steering wheel cover including a central portion and a plurality of side portions which extend out from said central portion to define with said central portion a pocket for receiving said air bag device, said apparatus comprising:
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a receiving nest adapted to receive said steering wheel cover; and a first expanding device for engaging a first side portion of said steering wheel cover and moving said first side portion outwardly to permit said air bag device to be manually placed within said pocket. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification