Front pillar trim mounting structure for vehicles

• US 7,611,162 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2005
• Issued: 11/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Inventors: Kim, Yong Chae
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis; Christopher
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOODEN JR, BARRY J
• Application Number:
  US11/298,413
• Publication Number:
  US 20070080524A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,426 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/730.2, 280/728.1, 296/1.02, 296/1.08, 296/39.1, 296/187.05, 296/193.06
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0223 of flat type
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0276 for rear passenger use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/215 characterised by the covers for the inflatable member B60R21/2176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

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

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.

2. 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.

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

4. 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.

5. 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.

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

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.

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

9. 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.

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