Abstract: An arrangement and method are disclosed for enabling formation of a deployment opening for an air bag in a hard plastic trim piece with or without vinyl cladding in which a hinged reinforcing patch panel is fixedly attached to a section of the hard plastic defined by a preweakening groove pattern.

Abstract: An installation and is disclosed for mounting an air bag system in an opening in an instrument panel. A stabilizer frame is fixed around the opening in an instrument panel substrate and anchored to a fixed substructure, restraining bulging movement of the instrument panel to rapidly develop shearing stresses in the covering layer by the pressure exerted by the deployment door substrate panel as it is pushed open by the inflating air bag.

Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed for forming an air bag deployment opening in an instrument panel behind which a passenger side air bag is stored, just prior to the time the air bag is deployed, the arrangement including a pressure driven cutting edge cutting through the covering layer at the start of air bag deployment. A pyrotechnic charge ignited by the air bag ignition circuitry is used to develop the pressure, and various devices used to drive the cutting edge, including a flattened tube enclosing the charge and expanded by ignition of the charge. A separate door substrate panel and frame are fit into a preformed opening in the instrument panel, and the tube may be mounted to the door substrate panel, the frame, or a separate membrane.

Abstract: An installation and method is disclosed for mounting an air bag system in an opening in an instrument panel. A stabilizer frame is fixed around the opening in an instrument panel substrate and anchored to a fixed substructure, restraining bulging movement of the instrument panel to rapidly develop shearing stresses in the covering layer by the pressure exerted by the deployment door substrate panel as it is pushed open by the inflating air bag.

Abstract: An arrangement and method is described of forming an air bag deployment opening in an interior trim piece having an vinyl skin overlying a rigid substrate so as to be invisible prior to operation of the air bag system, comprising an energy generating linear cutting element arranged in a door pattern beneath the skin acting to degrade or cut the skin when activated. The element is mounted either in an outwardly facing channel formed in door sections of the substrate or on a separate membrane interposed between the skin and substrate.

Abstract: An arrangement for forming an air bag deployment opening in a vinyl covered trim piece in which one or more hinged deployment door substrates are formed with an upwardly turned rim extending about the unhinged sides which exerts a second stage cutting pressure on the inside of a covering vinyl layer. A first stage piercing cutter panel is also hinged along the same side but inclined downwardly to be initially contacted by the inflating air bag. An array of piercing elements formed on the cutter panel are forced through the vinyl covering layer prior to movement of the door substrate panel to pierce the covering layer at the center and corners of the door pattern prior to progressive cutting by the door panel rim.