Michael Edward Akins

US Patent:

59063904, May 25, 1999

Filed:

May 19, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/858610

Inventors:

Robert I. Phillion - Ray Township MI
Edward F. Elmer - Auburn Hills MI
Robert F. McGee - Clawson MI
John P. Wallner - Rochester MI
Bonnie L. Maier - Capac MI
Michael Akins - Oakland MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2122

US Classification:

2807283

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).