Abstract: A rivet system (10) locks separate parts (12, 14) of an assembly (13) together on a support fixture (20) with the clamping devices (28); which prevents release of the parts (12, 14) from the fixture (20) until a required number of rivets (51) have been counted. A rivet setting tool (50) provides insertion of the rivets (51) between the parts (12, 14), and which disposes spent rivet mandrels (62) through a vacuum tube (58) to be sensed and counted. A controller (100) automatically locks the parts in the support fixture and counts the sensed mandrels (62) to allow release of the assembly (13) only upon a predetermined count of mandrels (62).

Abstract: An insert and method of molding the insert for use with an instrument panel or the like of a vehicle and in which the insert serves as a structural part of a cover for an air bag assembly and is provided with a door which opens upon being impacted by the inflating air bag and in which the door is formed of a flexible plastic material that is bonded in certain areas to the insert and has its plastic material interlocked with the plastic material of the insert in areas which serve as a hinge for the door.

Abstract: A rivet system (10) locks separate parts (12, 14) of an assembly (13) together on a support fixture (20) with clamping devices (28) and prevents release of the parts (12, 14) from the fixture (20) until a required number of rivets (51) have been placed. A rivet setting tool (50) provides insertion of the rivets (51) between the parts (12, 14), and disposes spent rivet mandrels (62) through a vacuum tube (58) to be sensed. A detector (72) detects the spent rivet mandrels (62) and provides a signal to a controller (100), which measures the length of the mandrel to determine proper crushing or installation of the rivet (51).

Abstract: An insert and method of molding the insert for use with an instrument panel or the like of a vehicle and in which the insert serves as a structural part of a cover for an air bag assembly and is provided with a door which opens upon being impacted by the inflating air bag and in which the door is formed of a flexible plastic material that is bonded in certain areas to the insert and has its plastic material interlocked with the plastic material of the insert in areas which serve as a hinge for the door.

Abstract: A separate door assembly with an outer shell, a layer of backing foam and a rigid substrate for covering an inflatable air bag system of a supplemental restraint system to protect the occupant of a vehicle, the separate door seats within an opening in an interior trim structure of a vehicle and is attached to the interior trim structure so that the whole door assembly can separate from the interior trim product during air bag deployment without delamination of the outer shell from the layer of backing foam.