Device for fixing a gas bag and a side gas bag protective device

• US 20020043785A1
• Filed: 10/11/2001
• Published: 04/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Saelzle, Gunther
• Granted Patent: US 6,644,686 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2176 the air bag components being completely enclosed in a soft or semi-rigid housing or cover
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44752 Integral locking-means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45775 having resiliently biased interlocking component or segment

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for fixing a gas bag in its folded position, the device comprising a hollow receiving body having an outlet opening and provided for accommodating the gas bag. The receiving body has an opening flap connected with it, which in a closed state of the receiving body closes the outlet opening of the receiving body via a detent connection. The detent connection has a ring connected with and formed on one of the receiving body and the opening flap, and has at least one pair of projecting hooks connected with one of the opening flap and the receiving body. The hooks engage on opposite sections of the ring and are orientated facing away from each other. The invention further relates to a side gas bag protective means which is equipped with such a device.

Claims

1. A device for fixing a gas bag in its folded position, said device comprising

a hollow receiving body having an outlet opening and provided for accommodating said gas bag,

said receiving body having an opening flap connected with it, which in a closed state of said receiving body closes said outlet opening of said receiving body via a detent connection,

said detent connection having a ring connected with and formed on one of said receiving body and said opening flap, and having at least one pair of projecting hooks connected with one of said opening flap and said receiving body,

said hooks engaging on opposite sections of said ring and being orientated facing away from each other.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said hooks continue into each other and are sections of a nose.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one hook has a receiving surface which is V- or U-shaped in a side view, said ring lying against said receiving surface with said receiving body closed.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein said receiving surface compresses said ring in said closed state and when said gas bag is unfolding, respectively.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said ring and said hooks is attached to said receiving body by one of welding, gluing, screwing and rivets which are deformed in hot state.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein a film hinge is provided by means of which said ring is integrally connected with one of said opening flap and an edge of said receiving body limiting said outlet opening.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said hooks lie on a straight line which lies in a plane extending substantially perpendicular to a swivel axis defined by said film hinge, so as to have one of said hooks closer to said swivel axis and the other hook further away from said swivel axis.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said receiving body has an indentation around said hooks, which receives said ring in said closed state of said receiving body.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said opening flap is formed integrally with said receiving body.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said receiving body is constructed in one piece.

11. A side gas bag protective means which is to be fastened along a roof frame of a vehicle, said means comprising

a device for fixing a gas bag in its folded position including a hollow receiving body having an outlet opening and provided for accommodating said gas bag, said receiving body having an opening flap connected with it, which in a closed state of said receiving body closes said outlet opening of said receiving body via a detent connection, said detent connection having a ring connected with and formed on one of said receiving body and said opening flap, and having at least one pair of projecting hooks connected with one of said opening flap and said receiving body, said hooks engaging on opposite sections of said ring and being orientated facing away from each other, and comprising

a gas bag which is surrounded by said device in said folded state of said gas bag,

said gas bag, said receiving body and said opening flap being adapted to each other such that during unfolding of said gas bag a force is exerted onto said hooks which is greater than a holding force of said detent connection.

12. The side gas bag protective means according to claim 11, wherein only one of said hooks is exposed to stresses during opening by said gas bag, said hook being bent by said force exerted on it during opening.

13. The side gas bag protective means according to claim 11, wherein only one of said hooks is exposed to stresses during opening by said gas bag, said hook being destroyed by said force exerted on it during opening.

14. The side gas bag protective means according to claim 11, wherein, to open said receiving body by said unfolding gas bag, said ring is destroyed in a region of a section associated with one of said hooks.