US 7,744,120 B2Granted

Integrated overhead side airbag module

AssigneeChrysler Group LLC

InventorsJohn C Rust, Joseph G Lemmon, Michael A Warnez, Shawn R Williams, Babak R Famili, Robert P Kuhr

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Abstract

An overhead trim system for a motor vehicle has a mounting bracket coupled to an overhead area of the motor vehicle and an integrally formed trim member. The integrally formed trim member is configured to extend along a selected length of a perimeter of the overhead area and defines a hinge. The integrally formed trim member is coupled to the mounting bracket to define a cavity configured for receipt of an airbag module. The hinge in a first position is capable of retaining the airbag module within the cavity and in a second position is capable of enabling the airbag module to expand.

Claims14

Dependent claims

An overhead trim system for a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle including an overhead area and a passenger compartment, the overhead trim system comprising:

a first mounting bracket formed to have a mounting portion and adapted to be coupled via the mounting portion to the overhead area of the motor vehicle;
and
an integrally formed trim member having a base potion and an arm portion extending away from the base portion, the arm portion directly coupled to and engaging the at first mounting bracket at the mounting portion and cooperating with the base portion to define a cavity capable of receiving an airbag module, the base portion of the integrally formed trim member having a length configured to extend along a selected length of a perimeter of the overhead area of the motor vehicle and defining at least one hinge;
wherein the at least one hinge in a first position is capable of retaining an airbag module within the cavity and the at least one hinge in a second position is capable of enabling an airbag module to expand into the passenger compartment.

1 more element

A motor vehicle comprising:

a frame defining a passenger area and an overhead area above the passenger area;
a headliner;
a first mounting bracket forming a mounting portion and coupled via the mounting portion to the frame at a first coupling location;
a first trim member having a base portion with a first end and a second end and an arm portion extending away from the base portion, the arm portion directly coupled to and engaging the mounting portion of first mounting bracket at the first coupling location such that the arm portion, the base portion and the first mounting bracket define a first cavity, the base portion of the first trim member configured to extend a selected length of the overhead area of the frame and defining at least one hinge, the first end of the base portion extending beyond the arm portion and cooperating with the first end of the mounting bracket to form a second cavity for receiving the headliner;
a second mounting bracket coupled to the first mounting bracket and the arm portion at the first coupling location, the second mounting bracket disposed in the first cavity;
a first inflator coupled to the second mounting bracket, the first inflator responsive to an input;
and
a first airbag configured to be received in the first cavity, the first airbag responsive to the first inflator to expand based on the input;
wherein the at least one hinge is responsive in a first position to retain the first airbag within the cavity and the at least one hinge is responsive in a second position to enable the first airbag to expand into the passenger area upon the receipt of the input.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.