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AssigneeCollins & Aikman Corporation
InventorsKeith A. Riha, Ulrich Weissert, A. Hardy Sullivan, Bruce Batchelder, John D. Gray, Brian Totten
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A variety of embodiments are disclosed, in both apparatus and method form, that relate to the use of fabric material in the manufacture of an air bag deployment system. In addition, fabric weakening is disclosed according to a technique that does not result in physical alteration of the fabric. This invention therefore includes an air bag cover for an air bag safety system for a vehicle comprising a fabric outer layer having a frontside and a backside and a substrate containing an opening wherein the opening has a periphery. The substrate is preferably formed by low pressure molding, wherein the fabric outer layer overlies the opening in the substrate, and wherein the fabric outer layer is weakened at a location that is adjacent or overlies the substrate opening periphery.
An air bag cover for an air bag safety system for a vehicle comprising:
A method for manufacturing an air bag cover layer for an air bag cover, the air bag cover outer layer comprising a woven or knitted fabric material and including an inner surface, an outer surface, a tear seam region, and a non-tear seam region surrounding the tear seam region, the fabric material of the tear seam region being photodegraded to a greater extent than the fabric material of the non-tear seam region, said method comprising the steps of:
A method for manufacturing an air bag cover layer for an air bag cover, the air bag cover layer comprising a woven or knitted fabric material and including an inner and an outer surface, a tear seam region, a non-tear seam region surrounding the tear seam region, the fabric material of the tear seam region being weakened to a greater extent than the fabric material of the non-tear seam region, said method comprising the steps of:
A method for manufacturing an air bag cover outer layer for an air bag cover, the air bag cover outer layer comprising a woven or knitted fabric material and including an inner and an outer surface, a tear seam region, a non-tear seam region surrounding the tear seam region, the fabric material of the tear seam region being weakened by a laser to a greater extent than the fabric material of the non-tear seam region, said method comprising the steps of:
A method of manufacturing a trim panel assembly of an automotive vehicle having an integral airbag deployment door for normally concealing an inflatable airbag of the vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
A cover assembly for concealing an air bag restraint system including an air bag, the cover assembly comprising,
In a vehicle passenger compartment, a trim panel covering an air bag assembly, comprising:
In a vehicle passenger compartment, a trim panel covering an air bag assembly, comprising:
A method for forming a trim panel for concealing an air bag system, said trim panel having a molded substrate, said substrate having first and second opposing surfaces and a fabric applied to said first surface, the method comprising the steps of:
A method for forming a trim panel for concealing an air bag system, said trim panel having a low pressure injection molded substrate, said substrate having first and second opposing surfaces and a fabric applied to said first surface, the method comprising the steps of:
A woven fabric sheeting for use as an air bag cover outer layer, said sheeting being formed by first and second warp yarn and a first and second filled yarn, wherein said first warp yarn and said first fill yarn each comprise a first tensile strength and wherein said second warp yarn and second fill yarn each comprise a second tensile strength, said second tensile strength is less than said first tensile strength, said sheeting being characterized by said second yarns being woven in a pattern in both the warp and fill directions to define a band or bands of weakness in the sheet, said bands of weakness corresponding to the shape of an air bag door.
A woven fabric sheeting for use as an air bag cover outer layer, said sheeting being formed by first and second warp yarn and a first and second filled yarn, wherein said first warp yarn and said first fill yarn each comprise a first tensile strength and wherein said second warp yarn and second fill yarn each comprise a second tensile strength, said second tensile strength is greater than said first tensile strength, said sheeting being characterized by said second yarns being woven in a pattern in both the warp and fill directions to define a band or bands of weakness in the sheet, said bands of weakness corresponding to the shape of an air bag door.
A knitted fabric sheeting for use as an air bag cover outer layer, said sheeting being formed by first and second warp yarn and a first and second weft yarn, wherein said first warp yarn and said first weft yarn each comprise a first tensile strength and wherein said second warp yarn and second weft yarn each comprise a second tensile strength, said second tensile strength is less than said first tensile strength, said sheeting being characterized by said second yarns being woven in a pattern in both the warp and weft directions to define a band or bands of weakness in the sheet, said bands of weakness corresponding to the shape of an air bag door.
A knitted fabric sheeting for use as an air bag cover outer layer, said sheeting being formed by first and second warp yarn and a first and second weft yarn, wherein said first warp yarn and said first weft yarn each comprise a first tensile strength and wherein said second warp yarn and second weft yarn each comprise a second tensile strength, said second tensile strength is greater than said first tensile strength, said sheeting being characterized by said second yarns being woven in a pattern in both the warp and weft directions to define a band or bands of weakness in the sheet, said bands of weakness corresponding to the shape of an air bag door.
A method for manufacturing an air bag cover for an air bag safety system for a vehicle comprising:
An air bag cover for an air bag safety system for a vehicle comprising:
An air bag cover for an air bag safety system for a vehicle comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.