Apparatus and method for rapid airbag component installation
First Claim
1. An attachment assembly for attaching a tether for an airbag assembly to a vehicle surface, the attachment assembly comprising:
- a tether comprising a first end affixed to a cushion member of the airbag assembly, a second end anchored at an anchoring point of a vehicle, and an intermediate portion positioned generally between the first end and the second end; and
a tether attachment configured to attach the intermediate portion to a vehicle surface, the tether attachment having a fastening strength selected to permit detachment of the intermediate portion from the vehicle surface during deployment of the cushion member.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Attachment assemblies are provided for attaching airbag components, such as inflatable curtain modules and tethers, to surfaces inside a vehicle. The attachment assemblies may include a clip with a tapered stud having a circular or rectangular cross-sectional shape that can be pressed into a corresponding opening of the vehicle surface. Each of the tapered studs may have a plurality of branches designed to reduce the force required to insert the tapered stud into the corresponding opening. Additionally, each clip may have a flange with a contoured shape designed to fit closely to its associated vehicle surface and to position the airbag component properly for deployment. A tether may be routed, or removably attached to ensure positioning for proper deployment, through the use of one or more attachment assemblies that permit breakaway of the tether from each attachment assembly. Curtain modules may be more permanently affixed to the attachment assemblies.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. An attachment assembly for attaching a tether for an airbag assembly to a vehicle surface, the attachment assembly comprising:
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a tether comprising a first end affixed to a cushion member of the airbag assembly, a second end anchored at an anchoring point of a vehicle, and an intermediate portion positioned generally between the first end and the second end; and
a tether attachment configured to attach the intermediate portion to a vehicle surface, the tether attachment having a fastening strength selected to permit detachment of the intermediate portion from the vehicle surface during deployment of the cushion member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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13. An attachment assembly for attaching a curtain module to a roof rail having an opening formed therein, the attachment assembly comprising:
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a curtain module configured to be affixed to the roof rail; and
a clip attached to the curtain module, the clip comprising a protrusion having a compressed configuration and an uncompressed configuration, wherein the protrusion is configured to be insertable, in a lengthwise direction of the protrusion, into the opening when the protrusion is in the compressed configuration, but not when the protrusion is in the uncompressed configuration.
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25. A clip for attaching an airbag component to a vehicle surface, the clip comprising:
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a tapered stud having a compressed configuration and an uncompressed configuration, the tapered stud being configured to fit into an opening of the vehicle surface in the compressed configuration but not in the uncompressed configuration;
a shank affixed to the tapered stud, the shank being sized to fit into the opening; and
a flange comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first and second sides each having at least a substantially flat portion, wherein the first side is attached to the shank, and wherein the second side comprises a mounting surface configured to receive the airbag component.
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31. An inflatable curtain assembly, comprising:
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a plurality of airbag components, wherein each airbag component is configured to be attached to a vehicle surface comprising one of a roof rail, an A pillar, and a B pillar of a vehicle; and
a plurality of clips attached to the mounting portions, each clip comprising a protrusion, each protrusion being compressible to enable insertion of the clip into an opening in a vehicle surface. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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36. A method of manufacturing an attachment assembly for attaching an airbag component to a vehicle surface having an opening formed therein, the method comprising:
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providing an airbag component;
providing a clip comprising a protrusion having a compressed configuration and an uncompressed configuration, wherein the protrusion is configured to be insertable in an opening in a vehicle surface in the compressed configuration, but not in the uncompressed configuration; and
affixing the clip to the airbag component such that the protrusion is positioned to enter the opening, wherein the vehicle surface comprises one of a roof rail, an A pillar and a B pillar.
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Specification