Patent ID: 6305710
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
In an inflatable restraint system for an automotive vehicle and which automotive vehicle includes at least one primary inflatable cushion and a corresponding primary inflator assembly to provide an inflation fluid to inflate the primary inflatable cushion to restrain forward movement of an oppositely positioned vehicle occupant and an inflatable knee bolster module assembly which includes a knee bolster panel, an associated inflatable knee cushion and a corresponding knee cushion inflator assembly distinct from the primary inflator assembly and effective to provide an inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable knee cushion to position the knee bolster panel to provide lower torso restraint for the oppositely positioned vehicle occupant, the improvement of the inflatable knee bolster module assembly comprising:the knee bolster panel including a generally planar face portion and first and second spaced apart attachment flanges, the first and second attachment flanges each rearwardly extending from the face portion anda reaction plate including first and second spaced apart attachment extensions corresponding to the first and second spaced apart attachment flanges, respectively, with the knee bolster panel adapted to cooperate with the reaction plate to form a housing for the knee cushion inflator assembly and the inflatable knee cushion in a stored condition and wherein, upon deployment of the inflatable knee cushion, the knee bolster panel face portion is displaced to provide lower torso restraint for the oppositely positioned vehicle occupant while the knee bolster panel remains engaged with the reaction plate.