Decorative emblem for air bag module cover

• US 6,099,027 A
• Filed: 06/29/1998
• Issued: 08/08/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Shirk, Bryan W., Swann, Timothy A., Cuevas, Jess A., Van Wynsberghe, Roy D., Al-Amin, Ahmad K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Application Number:
  US09/106,431
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 280/743.2, 280/728.3, 280/731, 280/727, 40/593
• US Class Current: 280/728.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/21543 with emblems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/216 comprising tether means for limitation of cover motion during deployment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21656 Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21658 with integrated switches, e.g. horn switches

Abstract

A vehicle safety apparatus (10) includes a protection device (12) inflatable from a deflated condition to an inflated condition to help protect a vehicle occupant. Support structure (22) mounts the protection device (12) on a portion of a vehicle. A cover (30) includes a portion (42) movable from a closed condition to an open condition upon inflation of the protection device (12). The apparatus (10) further comprises an emblem (60). The movable cover portion (42) has an opening (50) through which the emblem (60) is visible to the vehicle occupant. The emblem (60) is retained in a position aligned with the opening (50) in the cover portion (42) when the protection device (12) is in the deflated condition. The emblem (60) is movable relative to the cover portion (42) upon inflation of the protection device (12). Means (70) connected to the emblem (60) and to the support structure (22) resists movement of the emblem away from the support structure beyond a predetermined amount upon inflation of the protection device (12).

Claims

1. A vehicle safety apparatus comprising:

a vehicle occupant protection device inflatable from a deflated condition to an inflated condition to help protect a vehicle occupant;

support structure to mount said protection device on a portion of a vehicle;

a cover including a cover portion movable from a closed condition to an open condition upon inflation of said protection device;

an emblem;

said cover portion having an opening extending through said cover portion and through which said emblem is visible to the vehicle occupant;

said emblem being retained in a position aligned with the opening in said cover portion when said protection device is in the deflated condition, said emblem being movable relative to said cover portion upon inflation of said protection device; and

means connected to said emblem and to said support structure for resisting movement of said emblem away from said support structure beyond a predetermined amount upon inflation of said protection device, said means being located between said cover and said vehicle occupant protection device when in its deflated condition.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for resisting movement comprises a flexible tether connected between said emblem and said support structure.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said flexible tether is made from an elongate strap of fabric material.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 comprising a flexible tether connected between an electric switch and said support structure for resisting movement of said electric switch away from said support structure beyond a predetermined amount upon inflation of said protection device.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said tether is adhesively secured to said electric switch.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said emblem is a holographic device connected for movement with said electric switch.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said emblem is a liquid crystal display device connected for movement with said electric switch.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said emblem comprises a layer of paint on said electric switch.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for resisting movement straightens and extends and blocks movement of said emblem away from said support structure beyond a predetermined amount if the force of the inflating inflatable device should disengage said emblem from said cover.

10. A vehicle safety apparatus comprising:

a vehicle occupant protection device inflatable from a deflated condition to an inflated condition to help protect a vehicle occupant;

support structure to mount said protection device on a portion of a vehicle;

a cover including a cover portion movable from a closed condition to an open condition upon inflation of said protection device;

an emblem;

said cover portion having an opening through which said emblem is visible to the vehicle occupant;

said emblem being retained in a position aligned with the opening in said cover portion when said protection device is in the deflated condition, said emblem being movable relative to said cover portion upon inflation of said protection device; and

means connected to said emblem and to said support structure for resisting movement of said emblem away from said support structure beyond a predetermined amount upon inflation of said protection device,

said support structure comprising a retaining ring of an air bag module which retaining ring is secured to a vehicle steering wheel,

said structure for resisting movement comprising a flexible tether connected between said emblem and said support structure, an end portion of said tether being formed into a loop and extending through a slot in said emblem to connect said end portion of said tether with said emblem.