Patent ID: 6467801
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An air bag deployment chute for deploying an air bag through a panel member of a vehicle, the panel member having an outer show surface and an inner surface, the deployment chute attached to the inner surface of the panel member, the panel member including a groove formed on the inner surface which forms a structurally weakened area of the panel member to enable selective air bag deployment through the structurally weakened area, the deployment chute comprising:a stationary portion including a base and a peripheral wall integrally connected to the base, the base having first and second surfaces, the first surface attached to the inner surface, the base having an inner periphery to define an opening of the base, the peripheral wall being integrally connected to the second surface of the base and extending therefrom, the peripheral wall defining a channel through which the air bag may deploy, the stationary portion being configured to receive the air bag within the channel to guide the air bag through the stationary portion during deployment of the air bag, the inner periphery defining an open area which is circumscribed by the groove viewed in plan when the deployment chute is attached to the panel member; and a door portion disposed on the inner surface of the panel member and in the opening adjacent the air bag, the door portion being circumscribed by the stationary portion through which the air bag is deployed, the door portion being hinged to the base to facilitate pivotal movement of the door portion away from the air bag to allow deployment of the air bag through the opening of the stationary portion and through the structurally weakened area of the panel member during impact of the vehicle, the inner periphery being positioned against the structurally weakened area of the panel member so that the groove is supported by the base to prevent inadvertent pivotal movement of the door portion toward the air bag when force is applied on the outer surface of the panel member.