Modular trim assembly with air curtain for a motor vehicle
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A side garnish molding assembly for use in a motor vehicle comprising:
- an inner panel, an outer panel and a partition extending between and integral with said inner and outer panels;
an air curtain cavity defined by said partition in combination with said inner and outer panels;
at least one deployable air curtain disposed within said air curtain cavity;
a plurality of longitudinally spaced flanges integral with and extending away from said inner panel; and
a plurality of clips having a like number as said plurality of flanges, each of said clips having an open end in contacting, clamping engagement with one of said flanges, each of said clips having an opposite end adapted for insertion through a mating aperture formed in a structure of the motor vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A side garnish molding assembly for use in a motor vehicle is provided which includes inner and outer panels and a partition extending between and integral with the inner and outer panels. The assembly also includes an air curtain cavity defined by the partition in combination with the inner and outer panels and at least one deployable air curtain disposed in the cavity.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A side garnish molding assembly for use in a motor vehicle comprising:
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an inner panel, an outer panel and a partition extending between and integral with said inner and outer panels; an air curtain cavity defined by said partition in combination with said inner and outer panels; at least one deployable air curtain disposed within said air curtain cavity; a plurality of longitudinally spaced flanges integral with and extending away from said inner panel; and a plurality of clips having a like number as said plurality of flanges, each of said clips having an open end in contacting, clamping engagement with one of said flanges, each of said clips having an opposite end adapted for insertion through a mating aperture formed in a structure of the motor vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 15)
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5. A side garnish molding assembly for use in a motor vehicle comprising:
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an inner panel having a substrate; an outer panel; a partition extending between and integral with said inner and outer panels, said substrate of said inner panel, said outer panel and said partition being formed as a unitary construction; an upper, head-impact-countermeasure cavity and a separate, lower, air curtain cavity, said head-impact-countermeasure cavity and said air curtain cavity being defined by said partition in combination with said inner and outer panels; and at least one deployable air curtain disposed within said lower air curtain cavity. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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8. A side garnish molding assembly for use in a motor vehicle comprising:
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an inner panel including an upper portion and a lower portion; an outer panel; a partition extending between and integral with said inner and outer panel; an upper, head-impact-countermeasure cavity and a lower air curtain cavity, said upper and lower cavities being defined by said partition in combination with said inner and outer panels; an air curtain assembly disposed within said lower air curtain cavity, said air curtain assembly including at least one deployable air curtain; said inner panel including at least one deployment portion, each said deployment portion being generally aligned with one of said at least one deployable air curtains, said at least one deployment portion of said inner panel being operably effective for pivoting open away from said outer panel when a corresponding one of said air curtains is deployed, said outer panel being integral with said upper portion of said inner panel and in contacting engagement with said lower portion of said inner panel when said air curtain is stowed and not deployed, said outer panel being otherwise spaced apart from said inner panel; a plurality of longitudinally spaced and upwardly extending flanges integral with said upper portion of said inner panel, said flanges being spaced apart from said outer panel toward an upper edge of said inner panel; and a plurality of clips having a like number as said plurality of flanges, each of said clips having an open end in contacting, clamping engagement with one of said flanges, each of said clips having an opposite, substantially closed end operably effective for being inserted through a mating aperture formed in a sheet metal structure of the motor vehicle.
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14. A method of installing a side garnish molding assembly for use in a motor vehicle comprising the steps of:
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hooking a portion of the molding assembly onto a metal structure of the vehicle; rotating an upper portion of the molding assembly toward a roof of the motor vehicle; clipping an upper portion of the molding assembly to the metal structure of the motor vehicle.
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Specification