Vehicle occupant protection apparatus

US5906390A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS INC. · US

Inventors

• Robert I. Phillion · Big Rapids, US
• Edward F. Elmer · Auburn Hills, US
• Robert F. McGee · Clawson, US
• John P. Wallner · Rochester, US
• Bonnie L. Maier · Capac, US
• Michael D. Akins · North Tonawanda, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 19, 1997
• Grant date: May 25, 1999
• Expiry date: May 19, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R21/207
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle part (16) with a structural portion (44) and a trim portion (50) covering the structural portion (44). An air bag module (30) is located within a deployment opening (56) in the trim portion (50) of the vehicle part (16). A deployment structure (70) closes the deployment opening (56). The deployment structure (70) consists of a single, continuous body of molded plastic material, and includes a deployment door (78 or 80) partially bounded by a stress riser (82) in the plastic material. The module (30) is mounted on the structural portion (44) of the vehicle part (16). The deployment structure (70) is fully supported on the vehicle part (16) by the trim portion (50) separately from the module (30) and the structural portion (44).