Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

William C Haps, Jr

Jonathan McDonnell

Garry Hayes

A vehicle occupant safety apparatus ( ) for inserting into and covering an opening ( ) of an instrument panel ( ) comprises an air bag module ( ). The air bag module ( ) has an air bag ( ), which is inflatable through the opening ( ) in the instrument panel ( ) for protecting a vehicle occupant during a crash condition. The apparatus ( ) further comprises a door ( ) for covering the opening ( ) in the instrument panel ( ). The door ( ) is attached to the air bag module (14) and is movable relative to the air bag module ( ) to locate the door ( ) relative to the instrument panel ( ). The door ( ) and the instrument panel ( ) have respective interlocking portions ( and ), which snap together to attach the door ( ) to the instrument panel ( ). The interlocking portions ( and ) snap together when the air bag module ( ) is inserted into the opening ( ) in the instrument panel ( ) and the door ( ) is moved relative to the air bag module ( ) into a position to cover the opening ( ). The interlocking portions ( ) of the instrument panel ( ) are deflected when the respective interlocking portions ( and ) of the door ( ) and the instrument panel ( ) snap together.

Growing community of inventors

Roseville, MI, United States of America

William C Haps, Jr