vehicle airbag deactivation with key operated switch
First Claim
1. An airbag restraint system for use in an automotive vehicle operable by a vehicle ignition key comprising:
- an airbag assembly;
a deactivation circuit, operatively engaging the airbag assembly, for selectively deactivating the airbag assembly, the deactivating circuit including a switch having multiple switch positions; and
a key cylinder, operatively engaging the switch, for moving the switch between the switch positions, with the key cylinder including means adapted for limiting insertion of the vehicle ignition key to a predetermined distance within the key cylinder that is substantially less than the length of the ignition key, whereby the ignition key is unsupportable by the key cylinder alone.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
An airbag deactivation system for the airbags mounted in a motor vehicle. The system provides a switch and circuitry to allow for selective deactivation of driver and/or passenger airbags in a motor vehicle via a conventional ignition key inserted into a key cylinder. The switch includes interchangeable key cylinders to allow for limited selective deactivation and a key stop to limit the amount of insertion of the ignition key into the key cylinder. LED'"'"'s emit light from the deactivation module when indicating a deactivation condition, which is viewable by both a driver and a front seat passenger. Alternatively, LED'"'"'s are mounted in a remote indicator assembly, separate from the deactivation module, to provide improved visual indication to the driver and front seat passenger of the state of airbag deactivation
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An airbag restraint system for use in an automotive vehicle operable by a vehicle ignition key comprising:
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an airbag assembly; a deactivation circuit, operatively engaging the airbag assembly, for selectively deactivating the airbag assembly, the deactivating circuit including a switch having multiple switch positions; and a key cylinder, operatively engaging the switch, for moving the switch between the switch positions, with the key cylinder including means adapted for limiting insertion of the vehicle ignition key to a predetermined distance within the key cylinder that is substantially less than the length of the ignition key, whereby the ignition key is unsupportable by the key cylinder alone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An airbag deactivation system, operable by a vehicle ignition key, for use with an airbag restraint system in a motor vehicle, the airbag deactivation system comprising:
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an airbag deactivation circuit, adapted to operatively engage the airbag restraint system, including a switch having multiple switch positions; and a key cylinder, operatively engaging the switch, for moving the switch between switch positions, with the key cylinder provided with a key slot and means adapted for limiting insertion of the vehicle ignition key through the slot to a predetermined distance within the key cylinder such that the ignition key is unsupportable by the key cylinder alone. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. An airbag restraint system for use in an automotive vehicle operable by a vehicle ignition key comprising:
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an airbag assembly; a deactivation circuit, operatively engaging the airbag assembly, for selectively deactivating the airbag assembly, the deactivating circuit including a switch having multiple switch positions; and a key cylinder, operatively engaging the switch, for moving the switch between the switch positions, with the key cylinder including a key slot provided on the key cylinder having a width and height adapted to be sufficient to receive a vehicle ignition key therethrough, and a key stop, mounted within the key cylinder and spaced from the key slot, adapted for limiting insertion of the vehicle ignition key to a predetermined distance within the key cylinder that is substantially less than the length of the ignition key, whereby the ignition key is unsupportable by the key cylinder alone. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification