Quick connect cushion mounting system

• US 20040150196A1
• Filed: 01/30/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Henderson, David, Petersen, Kurt, Bennett, Vince
• Granted Patent: US 6,991,256 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 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Abstract

A mounting system and method of attaching an a side impact curtain airbag to a vehicle is provided that is inexpensive, simple to use, and does not require fasteners or other connectors. The mounting system includes one or more airbag mounts comprising a plate that has been positioned within the vehicle. The plate may a separate structure that may be attached to a vehicle as a well as a surface of the vehicle'"'"'s body to which an airbag may be attached. Preferably, the plate includes one or more first tabs and one or more second tabs which are configured to define a receiving area in the plate. The first and second tabs are also configured such that the second tabs are inverted relative to the first tabs. An airbag with one or more slits and a hemmed portion may also be added to the mounting system. The mounting system operates to attach the curtain airbag by having the first and second tabs configured such that the airbag engages the first and second tabs so as to bind a portion of the airbag'"'"'s hemmed portion within the receiving area formed into the plate.

Claims

1. A mount for attaching an airbag to a vehicle comprising:

a plate having one or more first tabs and one or more second tabs, the second tabs being inverted relative to the first tabs, wherein an airbag can engage the first and second tabs so as to bind a portion of the airbag to the plate.

2. A mount as in claim 1 wherein the plate is a surface of the vehicle'"'"'s body.

3. A mount as in claim 2 wherein the first tabs and the second tabs are stamped into the vehicle'"'"'s body.

4. A mount as in claim 1 wherein the plate is separate from the body of the vehicle.

5. A mount as in claim 4 wherein the plate is connected to a vehicle via connectors.

6. A mount as in claim 1 wherein the plate is positioned on or proximate the roof rail of the vehicle.

7. A mount as in claim 1 wherein the first tabs and the second tabs are made of steel.

8. A mount as in claim 1 wherein the first tabs and the second tabs are made of plastic.

9. A mount as in claim 1 wherein the first tabs and the second tabs are generally rectangular.

10. A mount as in claim 1 wherein the first tabs and the second tabs further comprise a tip.

11. A mount as in claim 1 wherein the first tabs and the second tabs further comprise strengthening gussets.

12. A mount as in claim 1 wherein the first tabs and the second tabs are curved.

13. A mount as in claim 1 wherein the first tabs and the second tabs define a receiving area.

14. A mount as in claim 13 wherein the receiving area comprises an opening located behind the first tabs and the second tabs.

15. A mount for attaching an airbag to a vehicle comprising:

a plate having one or more first tabs and one or more second tabs, the second tabs being inverted relative to the first tabs; and

a receiving area being defined by the first and second tabs, wherein the first tabs and the second tabs are configured such that an airbag can engage the first and second tabs so as to bind a portion of the airbag within the receiving area.

16. A mount as in claim 15 wherein the plate is a surface of the vehicle'"'"'s body.

17. A mount as in claim 16 wherein the first tabs and the second tabs are stamped into the vehicle'"'"'s body

18. A mount as in claim 15 wherein the plate is separate from the body of the vehicle.

19. A mount as in claim 15 wherein the first tabs and the second tabs further comprise a tip.

20. A mount as in claim 15 wherein the receiving area comprises an opening located behind the first tabs and the second tabs.

21. A mounting system for attaching an airbag to a vehicle comprising:

an airbag having one or more slits; and

a plate having one or more first tabs and one or more second tabs configured to define a receiving area, the second tabs being inverted relative to the first tabs, wherein the airbag engages the first tabs and second tabs such that a portion of the airbag becomes bound within the receiving area.

22. A mounting system as in claim 21 wherein the airbag slits engage the first tabs.

23. A mounting system as in claim 21 wherein the plate has been stamped into the roof rail of the vehicle.

24. A mounting system as in claim 21 wherein the plate is separate from the body of the vehicle.

25. A mounting system as in claim 21 wherein the first tabs and the second tabs further comprise a tip.

26. A mounting system as in claim 21 wherein the airbag is a inflatable curtain airbag.

27. A mounting system as in claim 21 wherein the airbag further comprises a hemmed portion.

28. A mounting system as in claim 27 wherein the hemmed portion comprises layers of fabric that have been connected through sewing.

29. A mounting system as in claim 27 wherein the hemmed portion comprises layers of fabric that have been connected through welding.

30. A mounting system as in claim 27 wherein the hemmed portion comprises layers of fabric that have been connected through weaving.

31. An airbag configured to be attached to a vehicle through an airbag mount having a plate, said plate having one or more first tabs and one or more second tabs, the second tabs being inverted relative to the first tabs, the airbag comprising:

a hemmed portion; and

one or more slits configured to engage the first tabs so as to bind a portion of the airbag to the plate.

32. An airbag as in claim 31 wherein the hemmed portion comprises layers of fabric that have been connected through sewing.

33. An airbag as in claim 31 wherein the hemmed portion comprises layers of fabric that have been connected through welding.

34. An airbag as in claim 31 where the hemmed portion comprises layer of fabric that have been connected through weaving.

35. An airbag as in claim 31 wherein the portion of the airbag that is bound to the plate is the hemmed portion.

36. A method of installing an airbag onto a vehicle comprising the steps of:

providing an airbag mount having a plate with one or more first tabs and one or more second tabs configured to be inverted relative to the first tabs;

positioning the mount in the vehicle;

providing an airbag having one or more slits and a hemmed portion; and

attaching the airbag to the plate by having the airbag engage first tabs and the second tabs such that a portion of the airbag is bound to the plate.

37. A method as in claim 36 wherein the positioning step comprises constructing the plate such that it comprises a surface of the vehicle'"'"'s body.

38. A method as in claim 36 wherein the positioning step comprises attaching the plate to the vehicle interior vehicle via one or more connectors.

39. A method as in claim 36 wherein the attaching step further comprises having the airbag slits engage the first tabs.

40. A method as in claim 36 wherein the plate further comprises a receiving area which is defined by the first tabs and the second tabs, wherein the attaching step further comprises having the airbag engage first tabs and the second tabs such that the portion of the airbag is bound to the plate through the receiving area.

41. A method as in claim 36 wherein the portion of the airbag that becomes bound to the plate during the attachment step is the hemmed portion.