Patent ID: 6131945
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: B29L,B60R

Abstract:
A passive supplemental restraint apparatus for an automotive vehicle, the apparatus comprising:an interior vehicle panel;an air bag deployment door disposed in the vehicle panel, the air bag deployment door having a perimeter, at least a portion of the perimeter defined by a frangible marginal edge;an air bag dispenser supported adjacent a door inner surface;an air bag supported in the air bag dispenser adjacent the air bag deployment door, the air bag dispenser configured to direct air bag deployment along a deployment path through the vehicle panel; the improvement comprising:a reaction plate disposed between the air bag and the air bag deployment door and configured to receive the force of air bag deployment from the dispenser and to direct and distribute that force against the door inner surface to separate the door from the vehicle panel along the frangible marginal edge of the door, the reaction plate being configured to bend under the force of air bag inflation causing a pivotable panel portion of the reaction plate to pivot into a position angularly spaced from the air bag deployment path.