Patent ID: 7234726

Claim:
An airbag assembly for a motor vehicle having an interior panel defining a substrate and a deployment door, the airbag assembly comprising: an airbag module having an airbag structured for deployment through the deployment door of the interior panel; an airbag chute defining an interior space sized to permit passage of the airbag therethrough, the airbag chute including a substrate facing surface and a module facing surface, the airbag chute being constructed of plastic; a door assembly including a metal door and a plastic door plate, the metal door including a hinge portion and a door portion, the plastic door plate being attached to the door portion and positioned between the substrate and the door portion, the plastic door plate having a substrate facing surface; the substrate facing surfaces of the airbag chute and the plastic door plate being attached to the substrate; the substrate facing surface of the plastic door plate engaging the substrate over a contact area to distribute a force imposed on the plastic door plate from the deployment of the airbag.