VEHICLE INTERIOR TRIM PANEL

• US 20140312600A1
• Filed: 04/22/2013
• Published: 10/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: VERNER, Sarah
• Granted Patent: US 8,973,941 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/026 characterised by the fixing means B60N3/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0206 Arrangements of fasteners and clips specially adapted for attaching inner vehicle liners or mouldings devices for fastening or securing F16B
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/025 Pillars; Roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars

Abstract

A vehicle interior trim panel includes a main portion, a first side portion and a second side portion. The main portion includes a grip assist handle. The first side portion extends along a first side of the main portion. The second side portion extends along a second side of the main portion. The first side portion includes a hinged attachment section configured to attach to a first region of a vehicle body structure. The second side portion includes an attachment section configured to releasably attach to a second region of the A-pillar structure. The first side portion, the second side portion, the main portion and the grip assist handle are integrally formed as a single, one-piece, unitary, monolithic structure.

Claims

1. A vehicle interior trim panel comprising

a main portion with a grip assist handle,

a first side portion extending along a first side of the main portion;

and

a second side portion extending along a second side of the main portion, wherein

the first side portion includes a hinged attachment section configured to attach to a first region of a vehicle body structure,

the second side portion includes an attachment section configured to releasably attach to a second region of the vehicle body structure, and

the first side portion, the second side portion, the main portion and the grip assist handle are integrally formed as a single, one-piece, unitary, monolithic structure.

2. The vehicle interior trim panel according to claim 1, wherein

the main portion, the first side portion and the second side portion cooperate to define a U-shape in cross-section in areas adjacent to the grip assist handle.

3. The vehicle interior trim panel according to claim 1, wherein

the first side portion, the second side portion and the main portion at least partially cooperate to define a concave space dimensioned to conceal an airbag device.

4. The vehicle interior trim panel according to claim 3, wherein

the attachment section of the second side portion includes a plurality of snap-fitting projections configured to release from the vehicle body structure in response to airbag deployment.

5. The vehicle interior trim panel according to claim 3, wherein

the attachment section of the second side portion includes a plurality of frangible fasteners configured to separate from the second side portion in response to airbag deployment.

6. The vehicle interior trim panel according to claim 1, wherein

the hinged attachment section comprises a single elongated hinge extending from and are proximate to an upper end of the first side portion to an area proximate to a lower end of the first side portion.

7. The vehicle interior trim panel according to claim 6, wherein

the single elongated hinge includes an extending section that is embedded within the first side portion.

8. The vehicle interior trim panel according to claim 1, wherein

the hinged attachment section comprises a plurality of spaced apart hinges attached to the first side portion.

9. The vehicle interior trim panel according to claim 8, wherein

each of the plurality of hinges includes an extending section embedded within the first side portion.

10. The vehicle interior trim panel according to claim 1, wherein

the hinged attachment section of the first side portion is configured to attach to a structural pillar defined by the vehicle body structure.

11. A vehicle comprising:

an A-pillar having a passenger compartment facing surface, a windshield side and a door side;

an airbag assembly extending along the passenger compartment facing surface of the A-pillar; and

a trim panel having a main portion, a first side portion and a second side portion that cooperate to define a concave surface dimensioned to conceal the airbag assembly, wherein

the main portion include a grip assist handle,

the first side portion includes a hinged attachment section attached to the A-pillar structure at the windshield side thereof, and

the second side portion includes an attachment section releasably attached to the A-pillar at the door facing side.

12. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein

the first side portion, the second side portion, the main portion and the grip assist handle are integrally formed as a single, one-piece, unitary, monolithic structure.

13. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein

the airbag assembly includes an airbag inflation device that is concealed by the trim panel and the A-pillar.

14. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein

the main portion, the first side portion and the second side portion cooperate to define a U-shape in cross-section in areas adjacent to the grip assist handle.

15. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein

the attachment section of the second side portion includes a plurality of snap-fitting projections configured to release from the A-pillar structure in response to airbag deployment.

16. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein

the attachment section of the second side portion includes a plurality of frangible fasteners configured to separate from the second side portion in response to airbag deployment.

17. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein

the hinged attachment section comprises a single elongated hinge extending from an area proximate to an upper end of the first side portion to an area proximate to a lower end of the first side portion.

18. The vehicle according to claim 17, wherein

the single elongated hinge includes an extending section that is embedded within the first side portion.

19. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein

the hinged attachment section comprises a plurality of spaced apart hinges attached to the first side portion.

20. The vehicle according to claim 19, wherein

each of the plurality of hinges includes an extending section embedded within the first side portion.