IP Library Granted Patent US 9,434,058
Granted Patent B2
US 9,434,058 · App. 13/957,788 · Granted Sep 6, 2016

Passenger airbag installation verification tool and methods

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,434,058
App. No.
13/957,788
Granted
Sep 6, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A number of variations may include a product including an installation device having a plurality of pillars which are constructed and arranged to accept a passenger airbag housing; wherein at least one sensor or switch is attached to the installation device which may physically engage at least one tab during the installation process and which may provide electronic feedback of the installation results. A number of variations may include a method including placing a passenger airbag assembly having at least one lock feature onto an instrument panel chute having at least one tab feature; placing the installation device having at least one sensor or switch attached to it onto the passenger airbag assembly; pressing down on the installation device to engage the at least one lock feature with the at least one tab feature; and wherein the at least one sensor or switch provides electronic feedback of the installation results.

Claims (27)

1. A product comprising:

an installation device having a top plate;

an airbag housing;

an instrument panel chute;

at least one switch attached to the installation device;

wherein the top plate includes a top surface and a bottom surface;

wherein a plurality of pillars extend downward from the bottom surface of the top plate;

wherein the plurality of pillars are constructed and arranged to accept the airbag housing and the instrument panel chute;

wherein the installation device is constructed and arranged to engage a lock feature on the airbag housing and a tab feature on the instrument panel chute

wherein the at least one switch is constructed and arranged to engage the tab feature on the instrument panel chute;

wherein the at least one switch is electrically connected to a first light source;

wherein the at least one switch and the first light source are electrically connected to an electrical panel; and

wherein the electrical panel is attached to a second light source.

2. The product of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of pillars includes an alignment feature.

3. The product of claim 1 further comprising a forward plate and a rearward plate attached to the bottom surface of the top plate and wherein at least one top plate cover is attached to the top surface of the top plate.

4. The product of claim 1 further comprising a first handle and a second handle attached to the top surface of the top plate.

5. A product comprising:

an installation device having a top plate;

an airbag housing;

an instrument panel chute;

at least one sensor attached to the installation device;

wherein the top plate includes a top surface and a bottom surface;

wherein a plurality of pillars extend downward from the bottom surface of the top plate;

wherein the plurality of pillars are constructed and arranged to accept the airbag housing and the instrument panel chute;

wherein the installation device is constructed and arranged to engage a lock feature on the airbag housing and a tab feature on the instrument panel chute;

wherein the at least one sensor is constructed and arranged to contact the tab feature on the instrument panel chute; wherein the at least one sensor is electrically connected to a first light source; wherein the at least one sensor and the first light source are electrically connected to an electrical panel; and

wherein the electrical panel is attached to a second light source.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034189/0065 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2014
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 033135/0440 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 3, 2014
From: KAPHENGST, MICHAEL R.; SCHEUERMAN, ROBERT J.; RODRIGUEZ, CRAIG A.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 032120/0222 →