Mary K Marshall

US Patent:

54133769, May 9, 1995

Filed:

Nov 12, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/151115

Inventors:

Scott M. Filion - Newmarket NH
Mary K. Marshall - York ME
Scott E. Rafferty - Rochester NH

Assignee:

Davidson Textron Inc. - Dover NH

International Classification:

B60R 2116

US Classification:

2807283

Abstract:

An air bag cover door for a steering wheel mounted air bag module includes an inner cover, an outer cover, a horn actuator attached to the inside surface of the outer cover, and one or more protrusions extending between the inner and outer covers about the horn actuator. The protrusions prevent the inner cover from compressing the horn actuator under the pressure exerted by the stored material of the air bag. The outer cover, including its inside surface, is deformable upon hand pressure being exerted thereon and the horn actuator is responsive to such deformation to activate the vehicle horn. The horn actuator can be a transducer, such as a variable resistor, adhered to the inside surface. The inner cover is permanently secured to the base of the air bag module by, for example, rivets, while the outer cover section is removably secured to the base by, for example, screws. This construction permits removal of the outer cover section and access to the horn actuator without providing access to the contents of the air bag module.

US Patent:

56224028, Apr 22, 1997

Filed:

Aug 27, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/703836

Inventors:

James R. Pritchard - Somersworth NH
Mary K. Marshall - York ME
Brian R. Hatter - Highland MI
Wayne D. LaRoche - Farmington NH

Assignee:

Davidson Textron Inc. - Dover NH

International Classification:

B62D 2514
B50H 126
B60R 21045

US Classification:

296191

Abstract:

An interior energy absorbing panel for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle has a thermoplastic skin, a thermoplastic retainer, a thermoplastic air duct, and an energy absorbing rigid polyurethane foam core which is reaction injection molded about the air duct and to the skin and retainer without requiring any added adhesive. When the skin is of the soft type, a layer of semirigid polyurethane foam is reaction injection molded between the skin and the energy absorbing foam core to impart a soft feel to the skin and protect the energy absorbing foam core from indentation during normal use.