Eric W Wright

US Patent:

56159102, Apr 1, 1997

Filed:

Dec 14, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/572096

Inventors:

Glen P. Margetak - Mesa AZ
Michael E. Heidorn - Mesa AZ
Eric W. Wright - Scottsdale AZ

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2122

US Classification:

280731

Abstract:

A vehicle occupant restraint apparatus (10) includes a vehicle steering wheel unit (12) for use with a vehicle steering column (14). The steering wheel unit (12) has parts which are interconnected separately from the steering column (14). The interconnected parts of the steering wheel unit (12) include a steering wheel structure (40,190), an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (22), an inflator housing (160), and a cover (30) for covering the restraint (22) and the inflator housing (160) on the steering wheel structure (40,190). The steering wheel structure (40,190) includes a rim (42), at least one spoke (44), and a hub plate (190) which supports the rim (42) and the spoke (44) for rotation about an axis (45). The hub plate (190) further functions as a reaction plate for supporting the inflator housing (160) on the steering wheel structure (40). The cover (30) includes inner and outer cover parts (56,58) which respectively include inner and outer deployment door layers (80,82; 90,92) extending over the restraint.