Abstract: A knee restraint device for vehicles comprises a base, a knee protector component which is movable towards the knees of a vehicle occupant, a drive means which is arranged between the base and the knee protector component, and catching and positioning means which control the movement path of the knee protector component at least in the up/down direction relative to the vehicle and which, in the limit of travel of the drive means, define a predetermined end position of the knee protector component in the space. To provide a knee restraint device which accomplishes the controlling of the movement path and the definition of the end position of the knee protector component and which can be adjusted in a simple manner to various end positions of the knee protector component, the catching and positioning means are arranged outside the drive means and the drive means loosely contacts the knee protector component.

Abstract: Knee protection system for motor vehicles, comprising an air bag module having an air bag arranged in the impact area of an occupant's knees and fixedly connected with the vehicle at two clamping points. To increase the deceleration path, the air bag is connected to the vehicle by a force limiting device at at least one clamping point.

Abstract: An airbag module 20 is disclosed in which the side walls 28, 29 are formed in two parts 28U,28L; 29U,29L connected together by a one way connection that resists relative motion in one direction but not in another.

Abstract: An air bag occupant restraint system (10) for a vehicle comprises an inflatable cushion (14) adapted to inflate in the event of a vehicle collision. A gas generating device (16) in communication with the cushion (14) inflates the cushion. The cushion (14) includes a transparent portion (18) disposed on at least a portion of the interior of the windshield (12) when in the collapsed state. With this arrangement, the transparent portion (18) can inflate to inhibit the occupant from colliding with the windshield (12) and other objects adjacent to the windshield in the event of a collision. Similarly, the inventive method for cushioning a vehicle occupant in the event of collision comprises the following steps. First, dispose an inflatable cushion (14) over the windshield (12) of the vehicle when the cushion is in an uninflated state. Next, communicate the cushion (14) with a gas generating device (16) adapted to inflate the cushion in the event of a collision. Then, sense when a collision occurs.

Abstract: A knee protection system for a vehicle in which the vehicle has a dashboard and a support member extending transversely across the vehicle within dashboard. The system includes at least one pair of brackets affixed to and spaced along the support member, with each bracket having an impact surface spaced from the dashboard. At least one reinforced panel affixed to existing components of the dashboard forms a part of the system. The panel is spaced from the impact surface of each bracket and comes into contact with the impact surface first when the vehicle is involved in a collision.

Abstract: An instrument panel structure for use in an vehicle having opposing side pillars, so called "A Pillars". The structure includes an extruded cross car beam having a plurality of radially spaced grooves transversely extending along the length. End caps having a receiving cavity adapted to receive the cross car beam suitably mounted to each of the pillars and the cross car beam is installed within each of the end caps. A plurality of extruded component brackets adapted to slidably engage within the cross car beam are positioned therein along the beam. The component brackets are fixed positionally along the beam by a plurality of fasteners, adhesive joining, or welding. Advantageously the instrument panel structure provides a flexible and efficient method of installing interior components within a right hand drive or left hand drive vehicle with the same structural elements.

Abstract: A light weight, structurally stiff instrument panel reinforcement structure for motor vehicle bodies. The reinforcement structure includes driver side and passenger side cross tubes that are preferably aluminum alloy extrusions, and a center stack support that is preferably a magnesium alloy casting connecting the cross tubes. The driver side cross tube supports a steering column assembly. A knee bolster is connected by two metal crush tubes to the driver side cross tube. Two metal crush tubes connect a glove box door frame to the passenger side cross tube. The instrument panel reinforcement structure offers about a 40% weight saving compared with similar systems made with steel components.

Abstract: The knee bolster structure to be mounted on an instrument panel 13 comprises a panel 2 and a stay 3 for supporting the panel 2, while the stay 3 is composed of a stay main body 4 and patch 5 so disposed on the stay main body 4 as to cover the stay main body 4. In a vehicle collision, the stay 3 is deformed starting from notches 8 respectively formed in the stay main body 4 but, during the deformation of the stay 3, the leading end side 11 of a top plate 9 provided in the patch 5 is butted against the bottom surface 6 of the stay main body 4, thereby being able to prevent stresses from being concentrated onto the notches 8. Also, since the wall portions 7 of the stay main body 4 are held by the side walls 10 of the patch 5, they are prevented from being opened outwardly. Due to this structure, the drag of the stay 3 or the knee bolster structure can be stabilized, so that shock energy caused in the vehicle collision can be absorbed efficiently.

Abstract: An impact energy absorptive structure is made of usual plastic materials suitable for molding processing, and is designed to suit different degrees of impact loading anticipated in various applications. The impact energy absorptive structure is composed of a base member 11 and protruding rib members including long and short members, in which the proportion of the cross sectional area of the long rib members is between 0.3 to 0.8 of the total cross sectional area of the rib members. Other design modifications can be made readily to customize the impact resistance of the impact energy absorptive structures.

Abstract: A knee restraint means for occupants of a vehicle with a footwell for the feet of the occupant includes a gas bag in the footwell, a gas generator, a knee cushion on which the occupant impacts in case of an accident, and an inflatable gas bag cover with an outer surface and of energy-absorbent material. The gas bag cover is deformed in a crash situation by inflation of the gas bag in the direction of the footwell. The gas bag cover forms the knee cushion together with the inflated gas bag.

Abstract: A plate- or shell-like plastic trim panel is provided with a convex structure configured such that, in the event of a horizontal compressive load running essentially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the trim panel undergoes a controlled elastic and/or plastic deformation in the direction of the adjoining free space. This arrangement avoids risking injury to legs of a vehicle occupant resulting from uncontrolled bending or breaking of flat trim panels without such convex structure.

Abstract: Knee protection system for the front passenger in a passenger car, having a glove compartment which is arranged below the dashboard or the cross tube, which is constructed as a hinged compartment and can be swivelled about an approximately horizontal axis and is provided with a latching device in the area of its free edge. Above the hinged compartment, a dimensionally stable hood is arranged which can be swivelled together with the hinged compartment. The hood is provided with a locking element which interacts with the latching device of the hinged compartment. In the area of the free edge, the hood is connected by means of tear-off elements with the dashboard. An air bag module is stationarily arranged above the hood behind the dashboard. A dimensionally stable element is connected with the dashboard and is used as an upper support for the inflated air bag, while the top side of the hood is used as the lower support.

Abstract: An energy absorbing vehicle knee bolster including a main body and a support member. The main body is shaped as a hollow rectangular box and is formed as a single body of an aluminum substance. The support member is fixed to a front side of the main body for supporting the main body on a vehicle tie bar.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a roof module on which various electric accessories and control circuits therefore are mounted at the front portion of the ceiling of a motor vehicle at the driver's seat side, so that the installation of functional electric accessories such as a sunroof and of the control circuits are greatly simplified. Inner equipments, electric accessories such as an antenna, control unit, and the like are assembled on an assemblage board formed into a shape which is suited to mount at the front portion of the ceiling of a motor vehicle at the driver's side, and that connectors for making a connection with an external electric circuit are provided thereon. A pair of connectors, which simultaneously act as a fixture and engage with each other are provided on the assemblage board of the roof module, thereby the coupling of the assemblage board with the overhead mount as well as the connection of the circuits are simultaneously performed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a knee restraining device for vehicles which comprises a knee protector plate adapted to be moved toward the knees of a vehicle occupant. The knee restraining device comprises a base plate adapted to be mounted against the outline of the bottom part of a dashboard. The base plate has at least one opening for connection with a gas source arranged in the dashboard. Furthermore, the knee restraining device has a wall, of flexible material, folded up between the base plate and the knee restraining plate in the inactive position thereof. This wall is connected along a first closed rim with the base plate and along a second closed rim with the knee restraining plate.

Abstract: A shock absorbing structure for a motor vehicle, including a base plate having a thickness greater than 1.5 mm, and a plurality of ribs formed so as to constitute a latticework on one of opposite major surfaces of the base plate. The latticework has a plurality of rectangular cells each having two pairs of adjacent sides. The ribs have a thickness in a range of 0.6-1.2 mm. One of the two adjacent sides of each cell of the latticework of the ribs has a first length of 30-50 mm, and the other side has a second length greater than 30 mm and not greater than 50 mm. The base plate and ribs are formed of a synthetic resin material comprising polyolefin, which material has an Izod impact strength of not smaller than 5 kgcm/cm, and a tangent modulus of elasticity in a range of 5000-20000 kg/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: A motor vehicle impact protection arrangement protects persons and has an impact protection device which is rendered operative in a defined protection area only when the danger of an impact is signalled. An energy-absorbing material is provided so that, when a danger of an impact has not yet been signalled, the material is situated in a closed space below the impact protection area and emerges only when the danger of an impact is signalled as an energy-absorbing impact protection device in the defined impact protection area.

Abstract: A forward structure of a motor vehicle has a cross member which connects the two A-columns with one another and which is used for fixing a steering column and a knee restraint. A strut is fixed on the forward structure and extends from the cross member to a transmission tunnel extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. At least two mutually overlapping strut sections of the strut have a connection area which, under a load during a crash and after overcoming a force threshold, can be elongated in a longitudinal direction while absorbing energy. A force limiting device is provided in the connection area of the strut sections in the force transmission path. Consequently, after the force threshold is exceeded, an energy reduction is achieved during a predetermined lengthening path of the connecting strut and at a constant force level so that a yielding of the impact-loaded knee restraint together with the cross member takes place with a force-limited resistance along a predetermined path distance.

Abstract: Compactly arranged function elements in a center area of a cockpit instrument panel arrangement of a motor vehicle are combined in a compact reinforcing frame, and at least one energy absorber is arranged in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle between the reinforcing frame and the cross member, thereby preventing any splintering off of the instrument panel arrangement cover and other parts in the case of a passenger's head impact onto the cockpit resulting from a vehicle crash.

Abstract: A knee protection device in a motor vehicle having a dimensionally stable, cushioned and essentially plate-shaped load distributor which is supported on the end side by curved deformable holders on a cross member fixed to the vehicle. The energy absorption capacity of the two holders is fully utilized by spanning a reinforcement on the back side of the load distributor. The reinforcement has an approximately hat-shaped cross-section, extends at least near the holders and has outwardly projecting flanges which are connected with the load distributor.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing plate for absorbing energy from the force of a knee of the driver of a motor vehicle when the driver is thrown forward in response to a frontal impact. The plate has a knee impact zone and is mounted on rigid vehicle support structure in a position placing the impact zone directly in front of the right knee of the driver. The impact zone is connected to an upper wall portion of the plate by a generally horizontal shelf placing the impact zone closer to the right knee and providing additional stiffness for better crashworthiness. The plate has a bead adjacent one side of the impact zone capable of deforming into a shallower channel shape upon impact. The impact zone has a relatively large radius side edge portion capable of rolling with the deformation of the impact zone to improve energy absorption.

Abstract: A vehicular assembly incorporating knee bolsters and supporting the steering column. The assembly uses a beam fabricated largely from integrally injection molded plastic that is capable of reinforcing the knee bolsters, supporting the instrument panel and forming the ducts of an air distribution system. In the event of a collision, the knee bolster plates are stabilized so that they can cushion and limit the movement of the knees of a driver or passenger. The beam supports the steering column of the vehicle so that the first bending mode frequency of the combination of the steering wheel and the beam is greater than the first bending mode frequency of the body and is different from the idle excitation frequency of an engine employed in the vehicle.

Abstract: A flexible support has one fixed end in a vehicle interior, and another end projecting freely into the passenger compartment on which an impact protector is fixed. In a flexing direction, the flexible support has spaced upper and lower belts, which are connected with each other by ribs to form hollow spaces. One belt extends along a straight line and the other belt is configured with protrusions and/or depressions between adjacent ribs in the direction toward the straight belt.

Abstract: An interior energy absorbing panel for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle has a thermoplastic skin, a thermoplastic retainer, a thermoplastic air duct, and an energy absorbing rigid polyurethane foam core which is reaction injection molded about the air duct and to the skin and retainer without requiring any added adhesive. When the skin is of the soft type, a layer of semirigid polyurethane foam is reaction injection molded between the skin and the energy absorbing foam core to impart a soft feel to the skin and protect the energy absorbing foam core from indentation during normal use.

Abstract: An energy absorbing bolster (32) is provided for attachment to downward facing surfaces of an energy absorbing steering column support bracket (24). The bolster (32) includes longitudinally spaced mounting flanges (40, 42) for securement to the support bracket (24) and a energy absorbing linkage (44) arranged between the mounting flanges, the linkage taking the form of front and rear carrier portions (64, 46), depending from the support bracket and a bridge portion (66), and a load transfer portion (68) arranged between them.

Abstract: An instrument panel with knee restraint for motor vehicles has a pair of deformation bars which can be deformed in a defined manner with respect to three zones, a load-distributing panel, and a large-surface-area impact-absorption member arranged in front of the load-distributing panel. In order to achieve an inexpensive knee restraint which does not require a redesign of the instrument panel configuration when the knee restraint is mounted on the instrument panel, the deformation bars are arranged on that side of the instrument panel remote from the vehicle interior and are supported, by one leg on the rear surface of the instrument panel and another leg on the transverse carrier fixed to the bodywork. The impact-absorption member is a shell-like carrier part positioned on that side of the instrument panel facing the vehicle interior. A cavity is defined and completely filled by an energy-absorbing insert, e.g. consisting of foam, which forms the energy-absorption element.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly for an automotive vehicle molded of a resinous plastic material. The instrument panel assembly is a honey-comb structure including box-like cells throughout the entire construction to result in rigidifying the structure. The instrument panel assembly has an upper section consisting of two duct retainers which together form two integral air ducts, and a lower section consisting of two parts provides a housing for heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HEVAC) apparatus. Air from the HEVAC apparatus is discharged into the vehicle by the ducts. The ducts are formed of one piece with the duct retainers to provide a strong, rigid structure obviating the need for a steel reinforcing substructure. The HEVAC apparatus is preloaded into the housing so that the instrument panel assembly and HEVAC apparatus can be installed in the vehicle as a unit.

Abstract: A reinforced instrument panel assembly capable of being preassembled and then installed as a unit in a motor vehicle. The instrument panel assembly comprises an instrument panel and motor vehicle instruments mounted on a rigid reinforcing bar. A mounting bracket is secured to each end of the reinforcing bar. When the preassembled instrument panel assembly is placed inside the vehicle body and moved forwardly to the installed position, the mounting brackets contact side frame members of the vehicle body and are readily accessible to the installer so that the mounting brackets can be secured to the side frame members quickly and easily. The instrument panel assembly can be moved to a position for installation with a direct forward movement in an ergonomic manner. Hooks on the mounting brackets guide the instrument panel assembly to its installed position. When the instrument panel is installed, the reinforcing bar serves as a brace to resist the effect of side impact on the body in a collision.

Abstract: A shock absorber for improving the safety in passenger compartments of motor vehicles during impact accidents. It is intended that the impact between the outer skin of bodywork parts such as doors and the associated inner lining in the passenger compartment shall be reduced.The shock absorber is in the form of an impact pot, in such a way that the energy absorption, at least to a considerable extent, is effected via a plurality of chronologically successive shearing procedures of the absorber material during an impact. The impact pot is subdivided into shearing zones for the successive shearing procedures, which are defined along enclosed curves. The impact pot is in the shape of a stepped pyramid or terrace arrangement with optional plan projections.

Abstract: A passenger-side supplemental inflation restraint and door arrangement is provided including an air bag housing mounted in a forward portion of the vehicle, an inflator positioned within the housing, an air bag and an instrument panel covering the air bag. The instrument panel includes a rigid self-supporting polymeric base having a preform defining a door and a door opening, a generally non-supporting polymeric skin covering the base and spaced therefrom, a molded polymeric foam with a density lower than that of the base and the skin supporting the skin on the base, and a self-supporting foam border material joined to the base on the door opening portion on a side of the base adjacent the polymeric skin generally adjacent to the preform along the door opening and the self-supporting foam border material extending toward the skin.

Abstract: A tethered knee bolster panel which is deployed rearward in the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle during a crash to provide lower torso restraint. The knee bolster is an air bag system which propels the knee bolster panel rearward during deployment. The activated knee bolster allows automobile designers the flexibility to provide increased leg room in the vehicle while maintaining the same level of safety during a crash.

Abstract: A covered article such as an automotive trim panel comprises a substrate having a front surface to be covered, a back surface and a plurality of holes extending through it for vacuum drawing a trim cover stock against the front surface. The substrate has sets of parallel saw-tooth holder grooves in a peripheral margin of the back surface adjacent to an edge of the substrate that is to be wrapped by the trim cover stock and transverse manifold grooves that communicate with the holder grooves. An adhesive is applied to the front surface and the peripheral margin and the substrate is supported on a vacuum buck so that the peripheral margin overhangs the buck and the manifold grooves communicate with a vacuum source of the buck. The trim cover stock is drawn against the front surface of the substrate and a marginal portion of the trim cover stock is simultaneously drawn against the peripheral margin of the back surface by vacuum to wrap the trim cover stock around the edge of the substrate.

Abstract: A passenger protection device of an automotive vehicle which includes a steering support member for supporting a steering column and extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle in an instrument panel. A knee protector is disposed in the instrument panel corresponding to a position of the knees of the passenger. The knee protector has a receiving portion for receiving an impact from the knees of a passenger sitting on a front passenger seat. A deformable portion deforms when the receiving portion receives the impact from the knees of the passenger. Equipment is installed in the instrument panel in front of the knee protector, and a restricting member is provided on the steering support member and disposed between the equipment and the knee protector for restricting movement of the equipment backwardly.

Abstract: A knee restraint for the interior passenger compartment of a vehicle which deploys upon sudden deceleration such as vehicle impact. The knee restraint system acts as a passive restraint for the lower part of the passengers' body to restrain forward movement. The restraint system includes independent restraint pads which normally form a portion of the dashboard. Spring-biased linkages extend the restraint pads into the passenger compartment closer to the occupant. An inertia latch prevents deployment until a predetermined rate of deceleration is reached. One embodiment of the restraint system incorporates the glove box.

Abstract: A knee impact absorption assembly for passenger vehicles is disclosed. Two supporting parts are arranged such that they are spaced apart laterally from one another and are connected to a transverse carrier extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle and fixed to the vehicle. A high degree of energy absorption is achieved in the case of a slight displacement of knee impact parts of an instrument panel carrying part or dashboard by providing that the transverse carrier with the supporting parts extend above points in which the knee of the occupant makes impact and each supporting part has a hook-shaped configuration. The supporting parts include struts which are directed such that they are angled off laterally upwards from a web connecting to the instrument panel carrying part or dashboard. The struts are provided with an angle cross-section, project at a distance from one another and are fixed on the transverse carrier by means of their free ends.

Abstract: A passenger restraint structure for an automotive vehicle has a glove box which has at least one face that is able to be opened to a passenger compartment and is attached to an instrument panel so as to be opposed to the knees of a passenger. The glove box has an intermediate wall connecting a front wall and a rear wall of the glove box. A stiffener member is located between the glove box and a part of a vehicle body and is stiffer than the glove box for crash energy generated between the passenger and the vehicle body in the running direction of the vehicle. Upon impact, the weaker intermediate wall of the glove box is compressed, deformed and broken, thereby absorbing the crash energy.

Abstract: A knee bolster for a vehicle for supporting a knee of a vehicle occupant in case of a vehicle crash includes a deformable energy absorbing member positioned opposite to the knee of the vehicle occupant. The deformable energy absorbing member has a first end and a second end defining a predetermined length. A support member is operatively connected to at least one of the first end and the second end of the deformable energy absorbing member. The support member is a deformable energy absorbing member extending at a predetermined angle relative to the deformable energy absorbing member to a distal end thereof. A guide member is operatively positioned to engage the distal end of the support member, the guide member includes a guide portion received within and overlap the distal end. A support beam is deformable for absorbing energy from the deformable energy absorbing member through the support member, the support beam includes a first end and a second end.

Abstract: A reaction canister for a vehicle passive restraint system has a resilient, impact energy absorbing element joined adjacent the edge of its wall which is adjacent an automotive panel likely to be impacted by an occupant in the event of a low speed collision. The resulting softening serves to avoid injury to the occupant as a result of contact with the panel.

Abstract: The instrument panel assembly is made by initially forming an instrument panel substrate having a door-receiving notch, initially forming a door substrate, and attaching the door substrate to the instrument panel substrate so that the door substrate covers the notch and its sides extend beyond the notch and overlie portions of the instrument panel substrate. A single decorative cover layer is also initially formed. The attached substrates are positioned in a mold in spaced relation to the cover layer, and a foamable material is forced into the space to provide a foam padding for both the instrument panel and the door. The sides of the door substrate overlying the instrument panel substrate are braced to prevent distortion thereof during molding.

Abstract: An instrument panel for an automotive vehicle includes a substructure that extends across the width of an automotive vehicle passenger compartment and is secured to side pillars of an automotive vehicle body. A pair of laterally spaced knee bolsters each include a retainer that has a rearwardly facing wall that is located at knee height, and a pair of integrally attached, vertically spaced struts that are attached to a lower channel of the substructure to form a first box structure for absorbing impact energy. A front channel is disposed in front of the lower channel and securely attached to the substructure of the instrument panel. The attached channels provide a cross car duct for wiring or air distribution and a second box structure for absorbing energy when the knee bolster is impacted in a vehicle collision.

Abstract: A lid covers an opening of a container accommodating an air bag in a folded form. Upon development of the air bag, the lid pushed by the air bag is partially or fully rotated in a door-like form. The lid has a portion, which is located near a tip end of the lid during rotation and contacts a windshield of a vehicle. The lid is provided with a linear bendable portion, which enables rearward bend, in view of a rotating direction, of the portion near the tip end of the lid.

Abstract: An energy absorbing cabinet assembly (24) attached to a rear wall of the aircraft cabin bulkhead (10) and positioned directly in front of the airline passengers sitting in front-row seats. The cabinet assembly is achieved from a combination of a storage box unit with an airline-type foldable food table and is formed to a convex shape toward the face and chest of passengers sitting immediately behind. Both the cabinet support structure and the food table structure are made from energy absorbing materials and are capable of yielding and deforming under an impact from behind (with the table tray helping to spread the impact load and to dissipate the kinetic energy over a large area). Such a combination of two basic elements; a storage box and a food tray, provides not only two basic functions of storage space and eating place for passengers but also provides the additional and primary benefit of protecting the heads of front-row seat passengers during crash landing emergencies.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel structure is provided for extending transversely across the width of a vehicle interior forwardly of a vehicle occupant seat. The instrument panel structure includes an upstanding backing plate having a layer of foam material thereon covered by a decorative covering. The backing plate is a unitary member formed of a plastic material. A pair of spaced apart elongated horizontally extending box-like protuberances are provided on one portion of the lower section of the backing plate in the path of occupant knee travel which may occur during sudden deceleration of the vehicle.

Abstract: An air bag device for a knee of an occupant includes an air bag adapted to be extended in front of a seat of a vehicle including a zone at a height of the seat, a casing which holds the air bag therein in a folded state, and a gas generator mounted on the casing, the casing being located in a position offset to one of the righthand and lefthand sides of the front of the center of the seat, and the air bag having such a volume as to be extended to the other side by the gas generator. An air bag device for a knee of an occupant includes an air bag adapted to be extended in front of a seat of a vehicle including a zone at a height of the seat, the air bag having a shape when it is extended fully, in which its two end sides in the widthwise direction of the seat have projections toward the seat.

Abstract: A hollow core instrument panel provides the look and feel of a urethane filled instrument panel without the associated disadvantages. A rigid retainer substrate provides a skeletal superstructure. A hollow shell applique is attached to the retainer substrate for providing a decorative exterior. The hollow shell applique includes a resilient upper wall, a lower wall, contoured to matingly engage the retainer substrate, a forward end wall and a rearward end wall. One or more ribs may be provided intermediate the forward and rearward end walls. The forward and rearward end walls are hook-shaped for mechanically clamping about the edges of the retainer substrate. Vent holes prevent pressure build-up within the hollow shell applique.

Abstract: A vehicular assembly incorporating knee bolsters. The assembly is fabricated largely from integrally injection molded plastic that is capable of reinforcing the knee bolsters, supporting the instrument panel and forming the ducts of an air distribution system. In the event of a collision, the knee bolster plates are stabilized so that they can cushion and limit the movement of the knees of a driver or passenger.

Abstract: A multifunctional structural cross vehicular beam assembly extending across substantially the entire width of the vehicular compartment between a cowl and a instrument panel. The beam supports the steering column of the vehicle so that the first bending mode frequency of the combination of the steering wheel and the beam is greater than the first bending mode frequency of the body and is different from the idle excitation frequency of an engine employed in the vehicle. A plastic cover is connected to the beam for defining channels of an air distribution system for the passenger compartment.

Abstract: An air bag device for a passenger, including a container, an air bag contained in the container, a lid covering the container, an inflator, a pair of extensions extending forward from the sides of a front face of the container, and a U-shaped frame extending along the outside of the container and having a pair of arms hinged to the extensions of the container. The frame also includes a bridge portion bridging the arm portions and a support member protruding from the bridge portion and having an end supported by the container. A pair of notches are formed midway of the arm portions and opposing the container for enhancing buckling of the arm portions when a load heavier than a predetermined level is applied to the frame from the lid. The support member may be supported to the container by means of a pin or bolt such that it is released, when the load heavier than a predetermined level is applied, from the pin or bolt to move in the direction of the load.

Abstract: A structure for supporting a collapsible steering column of a vehicle is covered partially by a column cover between an instrument panel and a steering wheel. The steering column passes through an opening formed in the instrument panel and extends towards a driver's seat. The column includes a meter cover for covering meters installed in the instrument panel. The meter cover is shaped so as to define an upper portion of the opening and is integrally formed with a knee pad adapted to be hit and forced, by knees of a driver thrown out of the driver's seat upon a collision of the vehicle, to move the meter cover upwards. Such expands the opening sufficiently to eliminate crushing of the column cover against the meter panel.

Abstract: An airbag assembly (10) includes a sheet metal door subassembly (36) with a cross cut (40) and two side cuts (38) that fully covers an airbag escape opening (34) in a primary substrate (32). The inflation of the airbag (16) causes two doors (42) of the subassembly 36, to bend around the primary substrate (32) at upper and lower sides of an airbag escape opening (34). A cutting edge (44) is located at one end (46) of one of the two doors (42) and cuts an opening through the outer uninterrupted cover (25) so the airbag (16) may expand therethrough into the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The subassembly (36) has a continuous periphery (36a) that is connected by a reduced number of rivets (26).