Abstract: A passenger airbag assembly is provided with a guide chute. The chute guides a deploying airbag to a door in the instrument panel. The door comprises steel inserts molded into the material of the door. The steel inserts include three slots spaced apart to absorb stress. To reinforce the hinges of the door, a guide or reinforcement ledge is provided at the sides. To reinforce the ledge, ramps are provided on the underside of the ledge.

Abstract: A passenger airbag assembly is provided with a guide chute. The chute guides a deploying airbag to a door in the instrument panel. The door comprises steel inserts molded into the material of the door. The steel inserts include three slots spaced apart to absorb stress. To reinforce the hinges of the door, a guide or reinforcement ledge is provided at the sides. To reinforce the ledge, ramps are provided on the underside of the ledge.

Abstract: An anti-roping turning loop is provided for a vehicle seatbelt. The turning loop defines a guide slot which is provided with anti-roping projections which prevent twisting of the seatbelt web.

Abstract: An improved seat belt latchplate having a plurality or ribs in a web-guiding slot for resisting, roping and twisting of a seat belt webbing.

Abstract: An airbag cover assembly comprises a molded plastic airbag door hinged to a molded plastic instrument panel to cover an airbag opening in the instrument panel. At least one hinge member is integrally molded on a portion of the door. At least one hinge member is integrally molded on a portion of the instrument panel. The hinge members are shaped to define aligned channels. A hinge pin extends through the aligned panels to pivotally mount the door.

Abstract: A vehicle body interior trim molding for attachment to a pillar curved metal shell structure for absorbing energy to protect occupants of the passenger compartment in case of an accident. The molding includes an elongated molding panel of generally concavo-convex curved section having an outwardly facing concave surface formed with a plurality of saber-shaped parallel transversely disposed ribs. Each rib has a proximal convex curved base edge, integrally molded to the concave surface, and a distal concave curved free edge positioned in juxtaposed conformity with an opposed convex curved surface of the pillar shell. The molding panel ribs cooperate with the shell for absorbing forces exerted thereon by an occupant striking the molding panel by initial deflection of the panel together with one for more of the ribs, and thereafter permanent deformation of the panel and one or more of the ribs if the force is sufficiently great.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly comprises an instrument panel wall having an opening through which an air bag is deployed. The opening is normally closed by a pair of doors. Each door has a metal door panel provided with an integral hinge extending along the curved edge of the opening. The hinge is curved to match the curve of the edge. The hinge is slotted at spaced points along its length. A plastic pad covers the swinging edge portion of each door panel. The pads and slots resist kinking of the hinges when the doors swing open.

Abstract: A panel for an automotive vehicle comprising a wall having an opening, and an integral closure normally closing the opening and behind which an airbag is adapted to be stored. The closure comprises a pair of panels each connected to the wall of the instrument panel by an integral, flexible hinge. The panels are capable of swinging open in response to the force of impact of the airbag when the airbag inflates to that the inflating airbag may deploy through the opening. The hinges each have a trough-like arcuate portion adapted to absorb at least some of the force of impact of the inflating airbag and relieve stress and increase flexibility along the hinge to resist breaking of the doors when they swing open.

Abstract: A seat belt latchplate is disclosed for use in association with a three-point seat belt harness wherein the latchplate is mounted at an intermediate point on the belt formed with a tongue portion adapted to be releasably anchored to an associated releasable buckle positioned inboard of the vehicle passenger seat. The latchplate has a trough-shaped depression providing a cross bar defined by a pair of symmetrically disposed belt slots located in each sloped side of the depression. A J-shaped lock bar is supported on the cross bar enabling the belt to be weaved through one slot and over the lock bar for passage through the other slot. With the latchplate in its free running stowed mode the belt is straight allowing the lock bar to float for free sliding travel of the belt through the latchplate slots. In its latched mode the belt is pulled around a hook-shaped portion of the lock bar causing the bar to rock and pinch the belt in its cinching mode releasably locking the passenger in the vehicle seat.