Vehicle interior lining assembly

• US 6,971,668 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2002
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Heigl, Jürgen
• Primary Examiner(s): CULBRETH, ERIC D
• Application Number:
  US10/090,198
• Publication Number:
  US 20020125697A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,373 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.3, 280/728.2, 280/730.2, 280/730.1, 280/749, 280/728.1
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0212 Roof or head liners movable head-liners B60J7/0007
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle interior lining assembly for a roof frame. The lining assembly comprises an interior lining and a gas bag module fastened to the lining, the gas bag module having a gas bag which extends substantially from an A-column of the vehicle to a C-column of the vehicle. The lining is comprised of at least two lining pieces which together with the gas bag module form a preassembled unit and which before a final installation of the unit in the vehicle are displaceable with respect to each other.

Claims

1. A vehicle interior lining assembly for a roof frame, said assembly comprising:

a vehicle interior lining, and

a gas bag module fastened to said vehicle interior lining, said gas bag module having a gas bag which in a state installed in a vehicle extends substantially from an A-column of said vehicle to a C-column of said vehicle,

said vehicle interior lining being comprised of at least two vehicle interior lining pieces, said vehicle interior lining pieces and said gas bag module being attached together by first fasteners to form a preassembled unit, said at least two vehicle interior lining pieces and portions of said gas bag module being displaceable in a longitudinal direction of said vehicle interior lining pieces with respect to each other to align and position said vehicle interior lining pieces and said gas bag module in said vehicle, and second fasteners provided for securing said vehicle interior lining to the vehicle thereby fastening said gas bag module to the vehicle.

2. The vehicle interior lining assembly according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle interior lining, when installed in said vehicle, is divided into said two vehicle interior lining pieces in a region of a B-column of said vehicle.

3. The vehicle interior lining assembly according to claim 2, wherein said two vehicle interior lining pieces, when installed in said vehicle and as viewed in the direction of a longitudinal axis of said vehicle interior lining pieces, are spaced apart from each other.

4. The vehicle interior lining assembly according to claim 1, wherein said second fasteners permanently install both said vehicle interior lining pieces and said gas bag in said vehicle.

5. The vehicle interior lining assembly according to claim 1, wherein said gas bag module has a gas generator which is part of said preassembled unit.

6. The vehicle interior lining assembly according to claim 5, wherein said gas generator is arranged in said region of a B-column when said unit is installed in said vehicle.

7. A vehicle interior lining assembly for a roof frame, said assembly comprising:

a vehicle interior lining, and a gas bag module fastened to said vehicle interior lining, said gas bag module having a gas bag which in a state installed in a vehicle extends substantially from an A-column of said vehicle to a C-column of said vehicle,

said vehicle interior lining being comprised of at least two vehicle interior lining pieces, said vehicle interior lining pieces and said gas bag module being attached together by first fasteners to form a preassembled unit, said at least two vehicle interior lining pieces and portions of said gas bag module being displaceable in a longitudinal direction of said vehicle interior lining pieces with respect to each other to align and position said vehicle interior lining pieces and said gas bag module in said vehicle, and second fasteners provided for securing said vehicle interior lining to the vehicle thereby fastening said gas bag module to the vehicle,

said two vehicle interior lining pieces having opposing, longitudinal ends, which when installed in said vehicle and as viewed in the direction of a longitudinal axis of said vehicle interior lining pieces, are spaced apart from each other.

8. A vehicle interior lining assembly for a roof frame, said assembly comprising:

a vehicle interior lining, and

a gas bag module fastened to said vehicle interior lining, said gas bag module having a gas bag which in a state installed in a vehicle extends substantially from an A-column of said vehicle to a C-column of said vehicle,

said vehicle interior lining being comprised of at least two vehicle interior lining pieces, said vehicle interior lining pieces and said gas bag module being attached together by first fasteners to form a preassembled unit, said at least two vehicle interior lining pieces and portions of said gas bag module being displaceable in a longitudinal direction of said vehicle interior lining pieces with respect to each other to align and position said vehicle interior lining pieces and said gas bag module in said vehicle, and second fasteners provided for securing said vehicle interior lining to the vehicle thereby fastening said gas bag module to the vehicle, and

said two vehicle interior lining pieces, when installed in said vehicle, having longitudinal ends overlapping each other.

9. A vehicle interior lining assembly for a roof frame, said assembly comprising:

a vehicle interior lining with at least two vehicle interior lining pieces, each vehicle interior lining piece being visible from a passenger compartment and having a first longitudinal end, and

a gas bag module fastened to said vehicle interior lining, said gas bag module including a cover for a gas bag,

said gas bag module having a gas bag extending substantially form an A-column to a C-column of a vehicle in a state installed in said vehicle,

said two vehicle interior lining pieces forming together with said gas bag module a preassembled unit in which said first longitudinal ends of said vehicle interior lining pieces are arranged at a variable but predetermined adjustment distance in a longitudinal direction of said vehicle interior lining pieces; and

said vehicle interior lining being displaceable relative to said gas bag when installed on the vehicle roof frame.

10. The vehicle interior lining assembly according to claim 9 wherein both said cover and said vehicle interior lining open to enable air bag inflation.

11. The vehicle interior lining assembly according to claim 9 wherein by means of tongues and corresponding openings in the vehicle interior lining pieces, the vehicle interior lining and the gas bag are securely fastened to the roof frame with the installation of at least one handle.

12. A vehicle interior lining assembly for a roof frame, said assembly comprising:

a vehicle interior lining with at least two vehicle interior lining pieces, each vehicle interior lining piece being visible from a passenger compartment and having a first longitudinal end, and

a gas bag module fastened to said vehicle interior lining, said gas bag module including a cover for a gas bag,

said gas bag module having a gas bag extending substantially from an A-column to a C-column of a vehicle in a state installed in said vehicle,

said two vehicle interior lining pieces forming together with said gas bag module a preassembled unit, in which said first longitudinal ends of said vehicle interior lining pieces are arranged at a variable but predetermined adjustment distance in a longitudinal direction of said vehicle interior lining pieces; and

said vehicle interior lining being displaceable relative to said gas bag when installed on the vehicle roof frame,

wherein both the cover and lining open to enable air bag inflation and said vehicle interior lining and said gas bag are securely fastened to the roof frame with the installation of at least one handle.