Margaret Ann Fisher - Dayton OH David Scott Weckesser - Dayton OH
Assignee:
General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI
International Classification:
B60R 2122
US Classification:
2807302
Abstract:
An air bag module is provided in a vehicle having a vertical vehicle axis and having a horizontal vehicle axis. The air bag module includes an inflator having an elongated vertical inflator axis. The inflator discharges inflator gas which is directed in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the vertical inflator axis. An air bag includes a main body portion having a shape that is angled with respect to the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the longitudinal direction is angled upwardly relative the horizontal vehicle axis and the main body portion of the air bag is angled downwardly relative the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the main body portion includes upper and lower downwardly angled edges which are generally parallel to the horizontal vehicle direction when the air bag is inflated.
David L. Ernst - Kettering OH Maria T. Avila - Vandalia OH David S. Weckesser - Dayton OH
Assignee:
General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI
International Classification:
H01H 900 B60R 2108
US Classification:
74484H
Abstract:
A steering wheel hub includes a mounting plate which mounts the base of an air bag module on a pair of spaced posts. In one embodiment a pair of horn actuation switches in the form of spring contacts are mounted on the mounting plate between the posts and the upper edge of the plate. The spring contacts are insulated and bias the plates apart. Depressing the upper portion of the air bag module rocks the module on the posts, which deflects the spring contacts into electrical contact with the mounting plate and blows the horn. In another embodiment, the base plate is mounted on the mounting plate by two spaced posts which mount compression springs biasing the plates apart. Modular horn actuation switches are mounted between the posts and the plate upper edge. Depressing the upper portion of the air bag module rocks the base plate into engagement with the switches to blow the horn. In a variation, the modular horn switches are located between the posts and the plate lower edge, which enable horn blowing by depressing the lower portion of the air bag module.
Michael Joseph Vendely - Kettering OH Robert Raymond Niederman - Dayton OH David Scott Weckesser - Dayton OH Brian Thomas Finnigan - Lewisburg OH Francis Joseph Holmes - Beavercreek OH
Assignee:
General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI
International Classification:
B60R 2116
US Classification:
2807282
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 and an air bag. At least one mounting member extends from the base plate and through the air bag to attach the air bag to the base plate. A cover has at least one vertically extending side wall including at least one cover slot in which the air bag and base plate are loosely seated therein while leaving the cover free for manual removal from the base plate. The air bag is trapped in the cover slot between side wall and the base plate. The steering wheel has a receiving area for receiving the module therein for attachment to the steering wheel. An upstanding capture plate forms a vertically extending wall generally surrounding the receiving area. The capture plate engages the side wall of the cover when the module is inserted into the receiving area and captures the side wall of the cover and the air bag between the base plate and the capture plate such that the cover and the air bag are anchored to the base plate for withstanding the forces of air bag inflation.
Mark Harvey Doxey - Troy OH David Scott Weckesser - Huber Heights OH
Assignee:
Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI
International Classification:
B60R 2116
US Classification:
2807431
Abstract:
An air bag has a neck portion for containing an inflator and receiving the inflator gas therein. A main body portion extends from the neck portion to an outermost edge. The main body portion is folded about a main fold line intermediate the top and bottom edges to substantially fold the main body portion in half The main body portion is then folded about a plurality of accordion folds working from the outer edge to the neck portion to form a compact stack. The stack may be further folded about a pleat fold line to position the folded stack adjacent the neck portion. The air bag and inflator are then stored in a housing. The air bag fold inhibits the air bag from unfolding about the main fold line until the air bag is fully extended.