Abstract: An instrument panel for an air bag device has a surface member having a first surface component and a second surface component each with backsides. A foamed member is formed on the back sides of the surface member and cleavable by expanding pressure of an air bag of the air bag device where the air bag device is disposed adjacent the foam member. The first surface component and the second surface component respectively having first and second side edge portions with respective first and second engaging portions engaging one another to form an adjoining portion of the surface member whereat the surface member is cleaved by the expanding pressure of the air bag. The first engaging portion included a fitting groove having a generally U-shaped section extending from the backside of the first surface component into the foamed member. The second engaging portion includes a fitting protrusion extending from the backside of the second surface component and adapted to be inserted into the fitting groove.

Abstract: An instrument panel for an air bag device, comprising: a surface member; and a foamed member formed on the back side of the surface member, so that the instrument panel may be partially cleaved by the expanding pressure of an air bag of the air bag device, as confined therein. The cleaved portion is set in an adjoining portion of a plurality of surface components of the surface member. At the adjoining side end portions of the surface components, there is formed an engaging portion for partial engagement to joint the surface components. The engaging portion includes a fitting groove having a generally U-shaped section formed by extending the end portion of one of the surface components to the side of the foamed member, and a fitting protrusion formed by extending the end portion of the other surface component to the side of the foamed member and adapted to be inserted into the fitting groove. The foamed member is foamed and shaped with the fitting protrusion being inserted into the fitting groove.

Abstract: In order to reconcile the cleaving performance and the quality of appearance of an instrument panel for an bag, an instrument panel is provided having a skin member of a single layer structure, a cleaving section formed by a groove provided on the back of the skin member is composed of a longitudinal cleaving section which is substantially linear and a pair of "V " shaped lateral cleaving sections which are ramified respectively from both ends of the longitudinal cleaving section and which open forward and extend obliquely with respect to the direction of extension of the longitudinal cleaving section. Furthermore, where a skin member of a double-layered structure in which at least a cushion layer is disposed on the back of a skin layer, a door member is formed on the back of a skin member, in which a brittle section is created, as one body there with by injection-molding a resin material and a brittle section of the door member facing the brittle section of the skin member.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an instrument panel includes providing a skin which forms a surface of the instrument panel and has side face portions extending rearwardly from a front face portion and providing a panel core having a recess for defining a molding space between the panel core and the skin. The front face portion and the side face portions define a bend angle. The recess of the panel core has peripheral walls for engaging the side face portions and the peripheral walls and a surface of the recess define a regular angle which is less than the bend angle. The bend angle, for instance, is larger than the regular angle by 2.degree. to 8.degree., and preferably by 3.degree. to 5.degree.. The panel core is placed in a first die and the skin is place in a second die such that the side face portions are deflected to fit into the recess of the panel core during mold closing. The dies are closed and a foaming material is injected between the panel core and the skin to integrate the panel core and the skin.