Patent ID: 7429058
Filing Date: 2008-09-30
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A passenger side airbag installation for an automotive vehicle, comprising: a passenger airbag module mounted in a vehicle compartment in front of an instrument panel, said airbag module having an airbag adapted to deploy in a rearward direction, a door formed integrally with the instrument panel and having a crease, which, when severed, allows, the door to swing open and create an opening in the instrument panel, said crease being severed and the door swung open by the force of the airbag when the airbag deploys to permit the airbag to project through the opening, and a reinforcing member operative to limit forward bowing of the door as may result from an accidental impact against the door caused by a passenger or object within the vehicle; wherein said airbag module includes a canister in which the airbag is contained, said reinforcing member comprises an elongated horizontal bar extending across a front side of the door, and the forward bowing of the door is limited by engagement of opposite ends of the bar with the canister.