Patent ID: 6164685
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An occupant safety apparatus for mounting on an instrument panel of a vehicle, the instrument panel extending generally rearward in the vehicle from the vehicle windshield and defining a deployment opening, said safety apparatus comprising:an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having an uninflated condition and an inflated condition, said occupant protection device restraining a vehicle occupant while in said inflated condition;an inflator for, when actuated, inflating said protection device;a door for covering substantially the entire deployment opening in the instrument panel, said door having a first edge portion disposed closer to the vehicle windshield and a second edge portion disposed farther from the vehicle windshield; anda hinge connected to said second edge portion of said door adjacent the instrument panel, said hinge supporting said door for pivotal movement about said hinge relative to the instrument panel between a closed condition covering substantially the entire deployment opening and an open condition in which said second edge portion of said door remains connected with the hinge and adjacent the instrument panel and said first edge portion of said door is spaced farther from the instrument panel than in the closed condition,said door having a first portion which may engage the vehicle occupant and overlie a chin and neck portion of the vehicle occupant as said door moves to said open condition, said door further having a second portion for directing said occupant protection device away from the chin and neck portion of the vehicle occupant when said door overlies the chin and neck portion of the vehicle occupant.