Patent ID: 8444177
Filing Date: 2013-05-21
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An assembly for a motor vehicle comprising: an instrument panel having a lower side that terminates at a forward edge; a footwell cladding defining a first portion of a ceiling of a footwell of the motor vehicle and terminating at a rearward edge, an opening defined between the instrument panel forward edge and the footwell cladding rearward edge, wherein the opening, the forward edge and the rearward edge are all positioned within a single first plane; a first formed part sized and shaped to be selectively insertable into the opening so as to extend in a direction toward a front of the motor vehicle from the forward edge of the instrument panel to the rearward edge, the first formed part oriented generally horizontally and defining at least a second portion of the ceiling, the second portion positioned within the single first plane; a housing attached to and carried by the first formed part, the housing defining an exit opening for the airbag, the exit opening disposed in a horizontal plane; and an airbag in the housing when stored and which on activation extends through the exit opening, into the footwell from a point forward of the forward edge of the instrument panel and is inflated from the point forward of the forward edge of the instrument panel to a position between the lower side of the instrument panel and a knee-shin area of a vehicle occupant to be protected.