Patent ID: 6164686
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A door assembly (12) adapted for use with an associated supplemental restraint air bag system wherein an inflating air bag enters a passenger compartment of a vehicle through an opening (11) in a vehicle trim panel (10) in response to rapid deceleration of said vehicle by displacing said door assembly, said door assembly comprising a layer of foam material (14) disposed between an overlying skin (13) and an underlying substrate (16), said underlying substrate including an inwardly directed flange (28) extending a predetermined minimum length from an undersurface of underlying substrate about a perimeter thereof, said door assembly being characterized by:said flange having a plurality of spaced flange extensions (36), each flange extension comprising a stem (40) having a predetermined width, said stem being integrally deflectable from a first vertical position to a second engaging position, said second engaging position being associated with an engaging angle .alpha., wherein said flange extensions are operable to selectively engage said vehicle trim panel near a periphery of said opening and to selectively disengage from said vehicle trim panel upon deployment of said associated supplemental restraint air bag system.