Modular airbag housing and method of manufacture
First Claim
1. A method of manufacturing an airbag housing comprising the steps of:
- providing a first set of substantially planar modular housing members having substantially constant dimensions;
providing a second set of substantially planar housing members;
selecting two substantially similar housing members from the second set, and attaching the housing members from the second set to the modular housing members of the first set;
wherein the housing members from the first set are oriented substantially perpendicular to the housing members of the second set, thereby forming a substantially rectangular housing.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular airbag housing and a method for its manufacture are provided. The modular airbag housing is constructed from a plurality of pieces, including a plurality of plates, at least two of which are modular, and an inflator retainer. The housing has a plurality of tabs for attaching to the vehicle. Two hook plates having a plurality of hook members may be attached to the housing. The inflator retainer includes a first half and a second half. Both halves of the retainer include a substantially arcuate outer surface and at least one flange, a securing of the halves fixing a portion of an airbag therebetween. The second half includes a plurality of inflation orifices for directing inflation gas from an inflator unit into an airbag attached to the inflator retainer.
43 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing an airbag housing comprising the steps of:
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providing a first set of substantially planar modular housing members having substantially constant dimensions;
providing a second set of substantially planar housing members;
selecting two substantially similar housing members from the second set, and attaching the housing members from the second set to the modular housing members of the first set;
wherein the housing members from the first set are oriented substantially perpendicular to the housing members of the second set, thereby forming a substantially rectangular housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of manufacturing an airbag housing comprising the steps of:
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positioning first and second modular housing plates substantially parallel to each other;
positioning first and second non-modular housing plates substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the modular housing plates;
attaching the modular housing plates to the non-modular plates, thereby forming a walled housing body defining an interior space;
securing a two piece inflator retainer in the housing body at least partially within the interior space. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An airbag housing manufactured by a process comprising the steps of:
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positioning a first set of housing plates substantially parallel to each other;
positioning a second set of housing plates substantially parallel to one another, and substantially perpendicular to the first set;
attaching the first and second sets of housing plates, thereby forming a walled housing body having an interior space;
positioning an airbag inflator at least partially in the interior space and securing the inflator to the walled housing body; and
wherein at least one of the first and second set of housing plates is modular, the modular set being adapted to accommodate varying dimensions of the other set. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An airbag housing comprising:
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a plurality of substantially planar body members attachable to form a substantially rectangular housing body;
an inflator retainer attached to said housing body, said retainer having a first half and a second half, each said half having a retaining surface and a flange projecting from an outer surface;
wherein said first half and said second half are securable to form a hollow retainer body whereby said interior retaining surfaces are substantially opposed to secure an inflator therebetween and said flanges are substantially flush to secure a portion of an airbag therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification