# US 7,611,162 B2 · Front pillar trim mounting structure for vehicles

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- Number: US 7,611,162 B2
- Document ID: US7611162B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/298,413
- Filed: 2005-12-08
- Published: 2007-04-12
- Granted: 2009-11-03
- Earliest claimed: 2005-10-11
- Assignees: Kia Motors Corporation
- Inventors: Yong Chae Kim
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611162B2

## CPC

- B60R 21/215: characterised by the covers for the inflatable member {(B60R21/2176 takes precedence)}
- B60R 11/0223: {of flat type}
- B60R 21/232: Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
- B60R 2011/0276: {for rear passenger use}
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A front pillar trim structure for a curtain airbag in a vehicle is disclosed. In preferred configurations, the front pillar trim structure comprises a handle mounted on a front pillar trim so that a passenger can conveniently use the handle when entering or exiting a vehicle, and wherein the front pillar trim is adapted to be moved effectively by the expansion force of the curtain airbag without being destroyed when a vehicular collision occurs.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A front pillar trim structure for a curtain airbag comprising:
an inner pillar panel provided with plural ridges which are spaced from each other with a predetermined interval;
a handle installed to the ridges;
a cover plate interposed between the ridges and the handle; and
a front pillar trim positioned in front of the inner pillar panel and connected with a head lining, the front pillar trim having a seating hole formed to receive the cover plate, in which the front pillar trim can be separated from the head lining and the inner pillar panel by the expansion force of the curtain airbag,
wherein the cover plate and the handle are configured to be passed through the seating hole when the front pillar trim is separated from the inner pillar panel at the expansion of the curtain airbag.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A front pillar trim structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover plate has a configuration allowing the handle to be mounted on the cover plate.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A front pillar trim structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover plate is formed from a soft material.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A front pillar trim structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein plural fixing members are provided on the handle, so that the handle can be fixedly installed to the ridges.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A front pillar trim structure as claimed in claim 1, the cover plate is formed with stepped portions along the edges of the outer surface thereof so that the front pillar trim can be continuously engaged with cover plate as the edge areas of the seating hole formed in the front pillar trim are fitted in the stepped portions of the cover plate.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A vehicle comprising a front pillar trim structure of claim 1.

### Claim 7

A front pillar trim structure for a curtain airbag comprising:
an inner pillar panel;
a handle associated with the inner pillar panel;
a cover plate associated with the inner pillar panel and the handle; and
a front pillar trim positioned in front of the inner pillar panel,
wherein the front pillar trim comprises a seating hole formed to receive the cover plate,
wherein the cover plate and handle are configured to be passed through the seating hole when the front pillar trim is separated from the inner pillar panel at the expansion of the curtain airbag.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The front pillar trim structure of claim 7 wherein the front pillar trim is connected with a head lining to the inner pillar panel.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The front pillar panel of claim 7 wherein the front pillar trim can be separated from the inner pillar panel by the expansion force of a curtain airbag.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

A vehicle comprising a front pillar trim structure of claim 7.