Patent attributes
An airbag apparatus for a vehicle includes an interior panel, an airbag; an inflater, a frame, and a pair of reinforcement members. When the airbag inflates, a fracture-opening section of the interior panel is ruptured and divided into two fracture-opening subsections, which are turned outward about hinge portions of the reinforcement members in a manner of a casement. Hinge motion restricting members are provided on the frame. When the fracture-opening subsections are turned, the hinge motion restricting members come into engagement with the hinge portions. This configuration eliminates interference between the fracture-opening subsections and the interior panel, which interference would otherwise occur when the fracture-opening subsections are opened in the manner of a casement.
