Trim panel having integral SIR door cover
US5421608A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 25, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jun 6, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 25, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29L2031/3038
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A laminated instrument panel has a door cover for concealing a supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) system in a vehicle passenger compartment that includes a skin flap that is an integral part of the skin of the instrument panel. The skin flap is cast out of position and collapsed into the correct position when an elastomeric foam layer is foamed in place beneath the cast skin. This forms slanted grooves in the skin at the juncture of the flap and the adjacent skin of the instrument panel that have little or no gap at the surface of the skin. The skin flap can be shaped to provide a flush door or a raised door with an overlapping front edge.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.