Inflatable curtain mounting bracket

• US 20050046154A1
• Filed: 09/03/2003
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Powals, Brian, Rhea, Scott L.
• Application Number:
  US10/654,380
• Publication Number:
  US 20050046154A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/217 Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Abstract

A mounting bracket that may be used to mount an inflatable curtain airbag having a manifold to a vehicle interior is disclosed. The mounting bracket includes a base bracket that has at least one aperture and at least one connecting tab. The mounting bracket also includes a retaining clip that is attachable to the base bracket. The retaining clip has at least one receiving portion and at least one inserting tab. The at least one inserting tab is constructed such that it may be inserted into the at least one aperture. Similarly, the at least one connecting tab is designed to engaged the at least one receiving portion. Preferably, the mounting bracket is constructed such that when the retaining clip is attached to the base bracket, the mounting bracket retains the manifold between the base bracket and the clip.

Claims

1. A mounting bracket for attaching an inflatable curtain having a manifold to a vehicle interior comprising:

a base bracket comprising at least one aperture and at least one connecting tab; and

a retaining clip attachable to the base bracket, the retaining clip comprising at least one receiving portion and at least one inserting tab.

2. A mounting bracket as in claim 1 wherein the mounting bracket retains the manifold between the base bracket and the clip.

3. A mounting bracket as in claim 1 wherein the aperture is sized to receive the inserting tab.

4. A mounting bracket as in claim 1 wherein the connecting tab is constructed to engage the receiving portion.

5. A mounting bracket as in claim 1 wherein the receiving portion comprises a slit.

6. A mounting bracket as in claim 5 wherein the slit is sized to receive the connecting tab.

7. A mounting bracket as in claim 4 wherein the connecting tab is shaped to fold over the receiving portion.

8. A mounting bracket as in claim 1 wherein the connecting tab includes a locking barb.

9. A mounting bracket as in claim 8 wherein the locking barb extends outwardly from the connecting tab.

10. A mounting bracket as in claim 8 wherein the locking barb extends inboard from the connecting tab.

11. A mounting bracket as in claim 1 wherein the base bracket further comprises a first hole and the retaining clip further comprises a second hole.

12. A mounting bracket as in claim 11 wherein the first hole and the second hole are sized to receive a fastener.

13. A mounting bracket as in claim 1 wherein the mounting bracket is made of steel.

14. A mounting bracket as in claim 1 wherein the base bracket further comprises a mounting portion designed to engage an opening on the vehicle interior.

15. A mounting bracket as in claim 14 wherein the mounting portion comprises a T-shaped tab.

16. A mounting bracket as in claim 14 wherein the mounting portion comprises a pushpin.

17. A mounting bracket as in claim 14 wherein the mounting portion comprises a hook.

18. A mounting bracket as in claim 1 wherein the base bracket further comprises a shape-maintaining tab.

19. A mounting bracket as in claim 1 wherein the mounting bracket is attachable to a secondary bracket.

20. A mounting bracket as in claim 1 wherein the base bracket further comprises at least one folding tab that is constructed to fold over the retaining clip.

21. A mounting bracket as in claim 1 wherein the retaining clip comprises one or more legs.

23. A mounting bracket as in claim 19 wherein the base bracket comprises at least one aperture and at least one connecting tab and the retaining clip comprises at least one receiving portion and at least one inserting tab.

24. A mounting bracket as in claim 23 wherein the aperture is sized to receive the inserting tab.

25. A mounting bracket as in claim 23 wherein the connecting tab is constructed to engage the receiving portion.

26. A mounting bracket as in claim 23 wherein the receiving portion comprises a slit.

27. A mounting bracket as in claim 26 wherein the slit is sized to receive the connecting tab.

28. A mounting bracket as in claim 23 wherein the connecting tab is shaped to fold over the receiving portion.

29. A mounting bracket as in claim 23 wherein the connecting tab includes a locking barb.

22. A mounting bracket for attaching an inflatable curtain having a manifold to a vehicle interior comprising:

a base bracket; and

a retaining clip that attaches to the base bracket, the mounting bracket constructed such that when the retaining clip is attached to the base bracket, the manifold is held between the retaining clip and the base bracket.

30. A mounting bracket as in claim 22 wherein the base bracket further comprises a first hole and the retaining clip further comprises a second hole.

31. A mounting bracket as in claim 30 wherein the first hole and the second hole are sized to receive a fastener.

32. A mounting bracket as in claim 22 wherein the base bracket further comprises a mounting portion designed to engage an opening on the vehicle interior.

33. A mounting bracket as in claim 32 wherein the mounting portion comprises a T-shaped tab.

34. A mounting bracket as in claim 32 wherein the mounting portion comprises a push pin.

35. A mounting bracket as in claim 32 wherein the mounting portion comprises a hook.

36. A mounting bracket as in claim 22 wherein the base bracket further comprises a shape-maintaining tab.

37. A mounting bracket as in claim 22 wherein the mounting bracket is attachable to a secondary bracket.

38. A mounting bracket as in claim 22 wherein the base bracket further comprises at least one folding tab that are constructed to fold over the retaining clip.

39. A mounting bracket as in claim 22 wherein the retaining clip comprises one or more legs.

40. A method for attaching an inflatable curtain having a manifold to a vehicle comprising:

obtaining a mounting bracket comprising a base bracket having at least one aperture and at least one connecting tab, and a retaining clip that attaches to the base bracket, the retaining clip having at least one receiving portion and at least one inserting tab;

retaining the airbag within the mounting bracket; and

attaching the mounting bracket with the retained manifold to the vehicle.

41. A method as in claim 40 wherein the base bracket further comprises a mounting portion designed to engage a hole in a vehicle.

42. A method as in claim 41 wherein the method further comprises the step of positioning the mounting bracket and the retained airbag on the vehicle interior.

43. A method as in claim 42 wherein the positioning step comprises inserting the mounting portion into an opening on the vehicle interior.

44. A method as in claim 40 wherein attaching step comprises attaching the mounting bracket to the vehicle via a fastener that passes through the mounting bracket.

45. A method as in claim 40 wherein the inserting tab is inserted into the aperture.

46. A method as in claim 40 wherein the connecting tab engages the receiving portion.