Deployment door assembly

US5615908A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS INC. · US
• Huron Plastics Group, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Jack A. Phillion · Shelby Charter Township, US
• Jamie L. Klomhaus · Saginaw, US
• Gary Meyers · Saint Clair, US
• Richard J. Barton · Vail, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 7, 1995
• Grant date: Apr 1, 1997
• Expiry date: Jun 7, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R21/2165
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A deployment door assembly (28) covers an inflatable air bag (12) contained in a reaction canister (24) mounted in a vehicle (16). The deployment door assembly (28) includes first and second continuous pieces of plastic material. The first piece defines a substrate (50) having a panel portion (56), first wall portions (170-174), and second wall portions (180-188). The panel portion (56) closes an opening (49) in the vehicle (16), and defines boundaries of a deployment door (32). The first wall portions (170-174) extend across the deployment door (32), and project inward from the deployment door (32). The second wall portions (180-188) surround the deployment door (32), and direct the inflating air bag (12) to move outward from the reaction canister (24) toward and against the first wall portions (170-174). The second continuous piece of plastic material defines an outer layer (52) which covers the substrate (50) in overlying surface contact. An outer side surface (72) of the outer layer (52) continues the trim theme of the vehicle (16) across and around the deployment door (32).