Airbag deployment pad
AssigneeMorton International, Inc.
InventorTimothy M. Maly
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A relatively rigid plastic sheet is molded into the foam seat pad of a motor vehicle seat where it forms part of the exterior surface of the pad. The sheet defines an airbag opening which communicates with a side-impact airbag module adjacent the pad and is positioned against an upholstery seam at a desired location on the seat. Upon actuation, the inflating bag is guided to and through the airbag opening so that the inflated bag is precisely located to provide maximum protection.
Claims9
In an automotive seat having a seat body covered with upholstery joined at a seam and a resilient foam pad housed in said seat body adjacent an airbag module, said seam having a rupturable seam portion for permitting deployment of an airbag from said module, the improvement which comprises:
- a sheet which is relatively more rigid than said foam pad molded onto an outer surface of said foam pad forming a portion of the foam pad's external surface, said relatively rigid sheet defining an airbag opening adjacent said rupturable seam portion to guide therethrough an expanding airbag from said module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.