Patent ID: 7160404

Claim:
A method of forming an airbag assembly for a vehicle comprising: a. providing a sheet of hinge material having a sheet of scrim material encapsulated within a polymer, such that the major surfaces of the scrim are substantially covered by the polymer; b. providing a panel formed of a substrate material, the panel having a front face and an under face, the under face having a tear seam to allow an airbag to exit the panel body when the airbag is deployed, the tear seam defining an airbag door; c. securing a first portion of the sheet of hinge material to the airbag door by welding a portion of the hinge material to the panel wherein the hinge material is subjected to vibratory motion during the welding process; d. providing an airbag housing having an airbag disposed therein; and e. securing a second portion of the sheet of hinge material relative to the airbag housing, such that an intermediate portion of the sheet of hinge material is disposed between the first portion and the second portion acts as a flexible hinge to allow the airbag door to be retained relative to the panel yet allowed to move free of the airbag when the airbag is deployed.