Automobile interior structure and headliner interior material

• US 7,661,703 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2007
• Issued: 02/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hayashi Telempu Corporation
• Original Assignee: Hayashi Engineering Inc.
• Inventors: Ono, Kotaro, Ikawa, Koichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Freedman; Laura
• Application Number:
  US11/732,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20070228702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,050 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/728.3, 280/730.2, 296/214
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• 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 13/0225 self supporting head liners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2165 characterised by a tear line for defining a deployment opening

Abstract

A cut that widens a through hole of an end portion of a headliner interior material breaks when an airbag is deployed, and is formed on an exterior-side of the end portion. The end portion of the headliner interior material is in close contact with a surrounding member provided around the end portion. In addition, an accessory is passed through the through hole and fixed to a body, while the end portion of the headliner interior material is held to the accessory around the through hole. When the airbag installed folded on the exterior side of the headliner interior material is deployed, the airbag deploys into a cabin from between the end portion and the surrounding member.

Claims

1. An automobile interior structure, wherein

an end portion of a headliner interior material provided on an inner side of a vehicle body is in close contact with a surrounding member provided around the end portion at a ceiling portion of a cabin;

and

an airbag installed in a folded state on an exterior side of the headliner interior material, upon deployment, is deployed into the cabin from between the end portion and the surrounding member, wherein

the end portion of the headliner interior material is formed with a through hole;

an accessory is passed through the through hole and fixed to the vehicle body, and holds the end portion of the headliner interior material around the through hole;

the end portion of the headliner interior material has an exterior-side surface formed with a cut that breaks upon airbag deployment and widens the through hole; and

the cut of the end portion connects with the through hole of the end portion.

2. A headliner interior material formed on an inner side of a vehicle body at a ceiling portion of a cabin, wherein

an end portion of the headliner interior material is in close contact with a surrounding member provided around the end portion;

and

an airbag installed in a folded state on an exterior side of the headliner interior material, upon deployment, is deployed into the cabin from between the end portion and the surrounding member, wherein

the end portion is formed with a through hole through which an accessory passes and is fixed to the vehicle body while holding the end portion, and is also formed with a cut that breaks upon airbag deployment and widens the though hole, the cut located on an exterior-side surface of the end portion; and

the cut of the end portion connects with the through hole of the end portion.