Patent ID: 6211476
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An apparatus for covering an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:a cover including first and second portions and being movable from a closed condition to an open condition upon inflation of the inflatable device, said cover having a cover tear seam defining said first and second portions of said cover, said cover having a central area; anda switch in an electric circuit for actuating an electrically actuatable device of the vehicle, said switch including a first switch portion underlying said first cover portion and a second switch portion underlying said second cover portion;said first cover portion being manually depressible to operate said first switch portion to actuate said electrically actuatable device, said second cover portion being manually depressible to operate said second switch portion to actuate said electrically actuatable device;said switch having a switch tear seam releasably joining said first and second switch portions;said cover tear seam including a diverted portion which extends around a defined portion of said central area of said cover;said switch having a central switch portion which projects from said second switch portion and underlies said central area of said cover, part of said central switch portion being operable to actuate said electrically actuatable device;said central area of said cover being manually depressible to operate said part of said central switch portion to actuate said electrically actuatable device,said part of said central switch portion extending from said second switch portion, said part having a terminal end spaced away from said first switch portion.