Patent ID: 6065771
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: B29C,B29L,B60R

Abstract:
An instrument panel for use with an air bag which cleaves to permit deployment of the air bag, the instrument panel comprising:a skin member having an front surface and a back surface opposite said front surface, andsaid skin member having a cleaving section defined on said back surface which cleaves apart as the air bag inflates and applies pressure to said back surface, said cleaving section including:a longitudinal cleaving section which is a substantially linear groove, defined by said back surface, having inclined groove side surfaces opposing one another, a substantially flat planar groove bottom surface extending between said groove side surfaces, and first and second ends; andfirst and second V-shaped lateral cleaving sections which are branching grooves, defined by said back surface, each having inclined branch groove side surfaces opposing one another, a substantially flat planar branch groove bottom surface extending between said groove side surfaces, contiguous with and ramified respectively from said first and second ends extending obliquely with respect to virtual longitudinal extensions of said longitudinal cleaving section extending in a longitudinal direction of said longitudinal cleaving section.