Abstract: The invention relates to a facia panel for allowing an inflated airbag to pass through. In accordance with the invention, a composite finished part includes a support element made of plastic and having a reduced thickness in comparison to its other dimensions, and a connecting sheet joined to the support element and not extending over the whole surface of the support element. The part presents a special zone which forms a door for an airbag and is designed to make it possible to create a passageway for the airbag. The zone is delimited by a periphery constituted by an embrittled portion presenting two extremities and by an articulating portion which defines, between the two extremities, a articulation axis overlapped by the connecting sheet. The connecting sheet is present over the greater part of the special zone present, along at least the major part of the embrittled portion end on either side of the embrittled portion, and encompassed in the support element.

Abstract: A device for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprising a central console. The device, in addition to the central console, comprises a support intended to be fixed to the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and guide means comprising a rail and a carriage maintained with respect to the central console and to the support. The device further comprises releasable connection means having an active position and an inactive position in which they respectively maintain and release the assembly formed by the console and the guide means with respect to the support.

Abstract: A motor vehicle central console comprising an enclosure having a base and four lateral faces arising from the base forming an opening opposite to said base, and at least one lid comprising a recto face and a verso face, having means for coupling to the enclosure co-operating with complementary coupling means borne by the enclosure, and at least partially closing said opening. The lid is completely removable. Said coupling means of the lid are completely and simply disconnectable from said complementary coupling means of the enclosure. In the mounted position, the coupling means of the lid co-operate with the complementary coupling means of the enclosure, regardless of which face of the lid is facing the base of the enclosure.

Abstract: A device for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprising a central console. The device further comprises a slideway intended to be fixed to the passenger compartment of the vehicle, extending in a longitudinal direction of elongation, and having a lateral opening also extending in that longitudinal direction, and guiding and retaining structure sliding within the slideway, the guiding and retaining structure extending through the lateral opening and being linked to the console.

Abstract: Device for absorbing energy during impact, comprising a plurality of hollow impact-absorbing elements having a first base, a side surface and an end base, each absorbing element having a crushing resistance in the direction of a working axis. According to the invention, the device comprises two base plates which face one another, the side surfaces of a portion of the plurality of hollow impact-absorbing elements rising from each plate in the direction of the working axis, and the side surfaces of the impact-absorbing elements of one base plate rising in a direction opposite that of the side surfaces of the impact-absorbing elements of the other base plate.

Abstract: The invention relates in particular to a facia panel designed to make it possible for an airbag to pass through it at the time the airbag is inflated. In accordance with the invention, the part includes a plastic support element (8) having a reduced thickness in comparison to its other dimensions; a connecting sheet (6) joined to the support element; the part presenting a special zone (15) which forms a door and is designed to make it possible to create a passageway, the zone being delimited by a periphery constituted by an embrittled portion (14) presenting two extremities of an articulating portion which defines, between the two extremities, an articulation axis overlapped by the sheet; along at least the major part of the embrittled portion, the sheet is present on either side of the embrittled portion; and the sheet is present over the greater part of the special zone.

Abstract: Vehicle door comprising a covering and a structure having an outer wall and an inner wall in which at least one opening is provided. The covering has a panel attached to the structure and providing sealing relative to the inner wall, and a frame surrounding the panel. The panel is self-supporting. The door comprises fixing parts having a first part attached to the structure and a second part attached to the panel, the first part and the second part cooperating with one another in order to fix the panel directly to the structure, and the frame is supported by the panel.

Abstract: The invention is related to a dashboard cockpit for an automotive vehicle comprising a hollow beam as a reinforcing means, transverse to move direction of the vehicle; said beam including a air duct. Preferably, this cockpit comprises moreover a upper support-plate having a first upper portion of longitudinal duct, and on the other hand, a lower support-plate having a second lower portion of longitudinal duct. The first and second portions of duct being adapted to be arranged facing one the other and connecting together for defining a longitudinal duct.

Abstract: A knee protection device (1) for a person (2) sitting on a seat arranged inside a motor vehicle is provided in the case of an accident-related deformation of the leg space. The device has a load distribution plate (3) which is driven instantaneously from its rest position in the direction toward the knee parts of the person (2), upon activation of the trigger device attached to it. The trigger device may be a pyrotechnic device (4) of the type used for a safety belt attached to the seat.

Abstract: A protection device for the driver of a vehicle equipped with a dashboard and a steering wheel, in order to provide, on impact, a displacement of the steering wheel towards the dashboard, said steering wheel being mounted on a steering column passing under an instrument-carrying zone situated with regard to the steering wheel and connected to, but distinct from, the dashboard, said protection device comprising means for displacement of the instrument-carrying zone, the displacement means being adapted to move the instrument-carrying zone, on impact, in one of an upward vertical direction and in a direction having a vertical upward component, wherein the means for displacement of the instrument-carrying zone connect the steering column directly to said instrument-carrying zone, so that, on impact, said displacement of the steering column results in the displacement of the instrument-carrying zone along said direction.

Abstract: A process for substantially covering with at least one non-rigid decorative foil a visible face of a support part of plastic material, so as to obtain a finished part including a decorative inset, including the steps of a) inserting into the mould the foil having a decorative area with the foil having a decorative area, intended to form the inset, and a further area, b) closing the mould at least partially by moving the two mould parts together such that the foil creates a continuous separation of the moulding cavity into a first space and a second space, c) inside the moulding cavity, cutting at least one aperture in the foil at the location of the further area, such that the first and second spaces of the cavity are placed in fluid communication by the at least one aperture which henceforth interrupts the separation between these two spaces so as to enable the plastic material to pass through the at least one aperture, leaving a cut end of the foil in the moulding cavity, d) before and/or after steps b) and

Abstract: A break-away fastener system for an air bag deployment door designed for normally closing a panel opening in the vehicle adjacent the open end of a housing containing an air bag in a folded-up, non-deployed condition in readiness for rapid inflation in an emergency to protect persons in the vehicle. The fastening system includes one or more spaced apart fastener assemblies, each including a male element and a female element extending between a portion of the door overlapping an edge flange of the vehicle panel around the opening used for air bag deployment. The male element comprises a bayonet-like member having an enlarged free end adapted to snap into a female element including a receiving spring clip, which clip permanently retains the male element even after air bag deployment occurs. A base portion of each male element is secured to the door at a central portion of a frangible section of reduced cross-section designed to fracture along a path extending around the base of the male element.

Abstract: An airbag system for motor vehicles and the like includes an inflatable airbag contained in a housing having a protective cover normally closing a panel opening aligned with an open end of the airbag housing. The cover is bodily movable away from the opening during deployment of the airbag and a flexible tether is interconnected between the cover and the panel or the housing for limiting the travel of the cover away from the panel opening during deployment. The cover includes an integral outer skin and inner skin folded over and spaced therefrom having slots to permit passage of tethers into a space formed between the skins and eventually filled with foam. An anchor in the form of an elongated element is placed between the skins and the tether and is secured to the anchor for spreading the load exerted by the tether over a wide area of the cover to prevent fracturing or breakage thereof.