APPLIQUE FOR AIR BAG COVER

摘要

A discrete air bag tear seam (34) is provided in the finishing cover (20) of an interior component (10) of an automotive vehicle. An applique (40) installed on the cover (20) has an elongated external decorator head (42) concealing the tear seam (34). Elongated and laterally spaced retention flanges (44) of the applique (40) stabilize and releasably retain the cover (20) at the tear seam (34). The applique (40) is secured to a fixed retainer part (22) of the component (10) and operates by releasing the cover (20) at the tear seam (34) to form an air bag door (18) in response to the forced outward movement of an underlying door substrate (30) on air bag deployment. The underlying door substrate (30) exerts a force on the cover (20) and particularly the outer skin (26) thereof and causes it to pull away from the applique (40) starting at the concealed tear seam (34) to establish an opening for improved air bag deployment.