Jeffrey A Shepherd

US Patent:

6626455, Sep 30, 2003

Filed:

Mar 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/804965

Inventors:

James Lloyd Webber - Shelby Township MI
Jeffrey Alan Shepherd - Troy OH
Mark Thomas Winters - Troy OH
Laura Adelle Hawthorn - Tipp City OH

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60R 2116

US Classification:

2807282, 2807283, 280732

Abstract:

This present invention provides a deformable air bag module for use in an instrument panel or door panel of a vehicle. The air bag module has a deformable housing with an inflator and an air bag cushion being disposed within the deformable housing. The module housing has a neck portion defining an opening formed at a first side, wherein the first side is coupled to the instrument panel. The instrument panel includes first and second instrument panel sections and the module housing is disposed about the first and second instrument panel sections so that deployment of the air bag cushion causes deformation of the module housing resulting in the first and second instrument panel sections separating and deployment of the air bag cushion therebetween. When a tear seam is used to define the first and second instrument panel sections, the present invention permits the tear seam to be formed thicker in size and more durable.