Patent ID: 6394489
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An apparatus comprising:a steering column of a vehicle; a vehicle steering wheel comprising a hub, a rim, and at least one spoke extending from said hub to said rim, said steering wheel hub supporting said steering wheel on said steering column for rotation about an axis, said at least one spoke moving through a path of movement as said steering wheel rotates about said axis; an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and an inflated condition, said protection device being supported below said spoke and for rotation with said steering wheel about said axis, said protection device being inflatable through the path of movement of said at least one spoke to an inflated condition to help protect a driver of the vehicle; and a door having a closed condition covering said protection device when said protection device is in the deflated condition, said door being movable from the closed condition to an open condition in response to inflation of said protection device, said door being supported below said and below the path of movement of said spoke.