Textron Automotive Company Inc.

Davidson Textron Inc.

Collins & Aikman Products & Co.

Edwin V Stawicki

Vernon A Daniels

Nelson J Morren

John D Gray

Michael J Gallagher

Richard D Rhodes, Jr

Bruce A Batchelder

Craig B Labrie

Jimmy C Rogers

John J Kennedy

Jack J Kennedy

An apparatus for deploying an air bag through an automotive dash panel () includes an air bag door () integrally formed in the panel and defined by a door perimeter including a frangible edge () of reduced cross section. A dispenser () supports the air bag () behind the door. A metal reaction plate () is positioned between the air bag () and the door (). When the air bag inflates, it forces the reaction plate () to bend around a horizontal hinge line (). As the reaction, plate pivots it concentrates inflation force along a lower portion of the frangible door edge. This helps to predictably separate the door from the dash panel by tearing along the lower door edge and allowing the tear to propagate up two side edges. In one embodiment, the tear also propagates across an upper edge to completely separate the door from the panel. At least one, and preferably two or three tethers () limit how far the door can travel during air bag inflation. A stop member may be included to limit reaction plate bending. After deployment, the reaction plate remains in a position that prevents the door from returning to its original position. A retaining structure may be included to preclude at least a portion of the air bag door from tearing free of the vehicle panel. A hinge () may be embedded in the panel in a position spanning a portion of the door perimeter. A hollow channel may be formed into the panel along the frangible marginal edge to create a substantial strength differential with the door perimeter to promote bending along the hinge and/or to help confine tearing to the frangible marginal edge during air bag deployment.

Apparatus for deploying an air bag through a hard panel

An inflatable restraint assembly for passengers in automotive vehicles including an air bag door integrally formed in an automotive trim of a first material. The integral air bag door is defined at least in part by a tear guide when in a closed position. The air bag door is movable from the closed position to provide a path for an air bag to deploy through. The air bag door is movable out of the closed position by at least partially separating from the trim panel along a door seam at least partially defined by the tear guide. A retaining structure is configured to preclude at least a portion of the air bag door from departing the immediate vicinity of the trim panel during air bag deployment. According to one embodiment a hinge comprising a second material may is embedded at least partially within the first material and spans the door seam. According to another embodiment a tubular channel may be disposed along the tear guide to create a substantial strength differential with the door seam and help confine tearing to the tear guide during air bag deployment

Seamless/integral DSIR or PSIR door configuration in hard plastic trim application facilitated by gas

An apparatus for deploying an air bag through an automotive dash panel includes an air bag door integrally formed in the panel and defined by a door perimeter including a frangible edge of reduced cross section. A dispenser supports the air bag behind the door. A metal reaction plate is positioned between the air bag and the door. When the air bag inflates, it forces the reaction plate to bend around a horizontal hinge line. As the reaction plate pivots it concentrates inflation force along a lower portion of the frangible door edge. This helps to predictably separate the door from the dash panel by tearing along the lower door edge and allowing the tear to propagate up two side edges. In one embodiment, the tear also propagates across an upper edge to completely separate the door from the panel. At least one, and preferably two or three tethers limit how far the door can travel during air bag inflation. A stop member may be included to limit reaction plate bending. After deployment, the reaction plate remains in a position that prevents the door from returning to its original position. A retaining structure may be included to preclude at least a portion of the air bag door from tearing free of the vehicle panel. A hinge may be embedded in the panel in a position spanning a portion of the door perimeter. A hollow channel may be formed into the panel along the frangible marginal edge to create a substantial strength differential with the door perimeter to promote bending along the hinge and/or to help confine tearing to the frangible marginal edge during air bag deployment.

Apparatus for deploying an airbag through a hard panel

An inflatable neck support is a U-shaped collar comprising an inflatable bladder and a decorative cover that provides a wide range of styling choices. The inflatable neck support is attached to a seat back or a head restraint in a variety of ways so that it is easily adjusted by the seat occupant to meet the seat occupant's comfort needs. When not in use, the inflatable neck support is deflated and stored in a number of convenient ways.

Seat integrated inflatable neck support

Growing community of inventors

Highland, MI, United States of America

Edwin V Stawicki