Patent ID: 7690676

Claim:
A trim panel selectively attached to a structural pillar of an automotive vehicle for use in covering an expandable side curtain air bag, the trim panel comprising: a unitary molded body having an inner surface configured to face the stuctural pillar and an opposed outer surface, the unitary molded body also having an upper edge, a lower edge, leading side edge and a trailing side edge, the unitary molded body having a first body portion and a second body portion connected to the first body portion at a connection area, wherein the first body portion extends from the upper edge to the lower edge of the unitary molded body and wherein the second body portion is positioned proximate to the upper edge of the unitary molded body and defines at least a portion of the trailing side edge of the unitary molded body; wherein the first body portion is formed of a first polymeric material having a first modulus of elasticity and the second body portion is formed of a second polymeric material having a second modulus of elasticity greater than the first modulus of elasticity, wherein the distal edge of the second body portion is operably deformable between a first position in overlying relationship with the side curtain airbag in a non-deployed state and a second deflected position upon deployment of the side curtain airbag.