Morton International, Inc.

Kenneth E Keck

Russell S Gans

A fastener is provided using an H-rib head which slides into place in a channel molded on a detachable door mounted on a vehicular instrument panel covering an inflatable airbag. The H-rib fastener has a mounting shank extending downward therefrom which is adapted to fit in a hole in a mounting substrate on the instrument panel. A resilient clip is mounted on the mounting shank of the H-rib for insertion into one of the holes in the mounting substrate for locking the fastener in place in the mounting substrate. Upon deployment of the airbag, the door is pushed out of the dashboard surface with the H-shaped connector detaching from the channel in the door. Accordingly, only a low lying channel remains on the backside of the door, thereby minimizing the potential of a snagged airbag. The fastener can also be released simply by pressing the clip fastener together to release the H-rib fastener from the instrument panel to gain access to the airbag assembly in order to service the airbag assembly if desired.

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Sterling Heights, MI, United States of America

Kenneth E Keck