Frederick W Frank

US Patent:

53060423, Apr 26, 1994

Filed:

Jul 6, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/907520

Inventors:

Frederick W. Frank - Tipp City OH

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60R 2116

US Classification:

280728B

Abstract:

An air bag assembly is mounted in a vehicle instrument panel recess located below an opening in the instrument panel upper surface which has a removable cover door normally closing the opening. The air bag assembly comprises an inflator, an air bag, and a container for housing the air bag and inflator and having a deployment opening. A deflection shield closes the container opening and comprises a deflector panel, a front flap overlying the front of the container, and a pair of side flaps which overlie the container sides. The side flaps include two spaced arcuate slots which receive shoulder bolts mounted on the container sides. Upon actuation of the inflator, the air bag inflates and forces the deflector shield upward to force open the cover door. The inflating air bag moves the shield upward to a position spaced above the instrument panel. The deflector panel and the side and front flaps form a deployment chute which directs deployment of the inflating air bag rearwardly of the instrument panel.

US Patent:

53853660, Jan 31, 1995

Filed:

Sep 7, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/116200

Inventors:

Frederick W. Frank - Tipp City OH
Benjamin M. Herr - Clinton Township, Macomb Co. MI

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60R 2120

US Classification:

280728B

Abstract:

According to the invention, a vehicle has an air bag module mounted beneath an opening in a vehicle panel. The module includes an inflatable air bag for deployment through the opening. A cover door closes the opening and is hingedly connected to the vehicle panel for movement away from the opening. An air bag deflection shield is underlying and separate from the cover door and overlying the air bag and module. The deflection shield has a forward edge hingedly connected to the module to enable the inflating air bag to pivot the deflection shield away from the module so that the deflection shield engages and moves the cover door away from the opening. A flexible strap limits the pivotal movement of the deflection shield to a predetermined position such that upon air bag deployment, the deflection shield directs the inflating air bag rearwardly and downwardly towards a vehicle occupant and shields the cover door from contact by the inflating air bag.