Chrysler Corporation

Alexander L Dominique

D Scott Bittinger

Patrick J Gibbons

Issa A Nasser

Michael F Halacka

Wayne L Grubaugh, Jr

Kenneth G Kamm

Robert A Welchko

Michael J Larson

James P Badhorn

The present invention provides an integral passenger restraint system which has the passenger airbag system and knee bolster system integrated into one unit. The passenger airbag system of the present invention has an outer surface which is capped at opposite ends by a pair of end plates. Each end plate has a support zone and at least one crush zone. The support zone serves to cover the outer surface and encapsulate the air bag. The crush zone acts as the impact absorbing medium to absorb the impact from a vehicle passenger's knees during a vehicle crash.

Integral passenger restraint system

An automotive safety airbag installation includes a padded instrument panel having a U-shaped tearable seam in the panel skin, and a concealed airbag assembly having two hinged lids spaced from the instrument panel internal surface, such that during inflation of the airbag the lids swing outwardly to cause a flap-like section of the panel to deflect upwardly for expansion of the airbag into the passenger compartment. One of the lids closes a gap between the airbag and instrument panel to guide the airbag through the instrument panel and to protect both the airbag and the instrument panel from damage. The padded instrument panel is designed to achieve good shock absorbing action when struck by a human body, in the absence of airbag deployment.

Airbag assembly concealed within an instrument panel

A tilt mechanism for a steering column is pivotally attached to vehicle structure including a bracket member attached to vehicle structure, a collar disposed within the bracket member and adapted to receive the steering column, and structure disposed between the bracket member and the collar for selectively positioning the collar relative to the bracket member.

Low pivot steering column tilt mechanism

Growing community of inventors

Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

Alexander L Dominique