Actuatable locking fastener
First Claim
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1. An actuatable fastener assembly, comprising:
- a fastener body;
a fastener head attached to the fastener body;
an initiator embedded within the fastener body, wherein activation of the initiator causes the fastener head to separate from the fastener body; and
a retainer that is slidably movable along the fastener body toward the fastener head, wherein the retainer comprises a retention feature that resists movement of the retainer away from the fastener head.
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Abstract
An actuatable fastener assembly is disclosed. The actuatable fastener assembly includes a fastener body and a fastener head attached to the fastener body. An initiator is embedded within the fastener body. Activation of the initiator causes the fastener head to separate from the fastener body. The actuatable fastener assembly also includes a retainer that is slidably movable along the fastener body toward the fastener head. The retainer includes a retention feature that resists movement of the retainer away from the fastener head.
16 Citations
43 Claims
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1. An actuatable fastener assembly, comprising:
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a fastener body;
a fastener head attached to the fastener body;
an initiator embedded within the fastener body, wherein activation of the initiator causes the fastener head to separate from the fastener body; and
a retainer that is slidably movable along the fastener body toward the fastener head, wherein the retainer comprises a retention feature that resists movement of the retainer away from the fastener head. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An actuatable fastener assembly for releasably securing an airbag venting tube to an airbag housing, comprising:
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a fastener body extending through a venting tube hole in the airbag venting tube and a housing hole in the airbag housing;
a fastener head attached to the fastener body, wherein the fastener head is positioned so that the airbag venting tube is compressed between the fastener head and the airbag housing;
an initiator embedded within the fastener body, wherein activation of the initiator causes the fastener head to separate from the fastener body so that the airbag venting tube moves from a closed position to an open position; and
an unthreaded retainer that is positioned around the fastener body in abutting relation to the airbag housing, wherein the retainer comprises a retention feature that resists movement of the retainer away from the fastener head. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. An actuatable fastener assembly for releasably securing an airbag venting tube to an airbag housing, comprising:
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an elongated fastener body extending through a venting tube hole in the airbag venting tube and a housing hole in the airbag housing, wherein a first plurality of locking teeth are positioned on an exterior surface of the fastener body;
a fastener head attached to the fastener body, wherein the fastener head is positioned so that the airbag venting tube is compressed between the fastener head and the airbag housing;
an initiator embedded within the fastener body, wherein activation of the initiator causes the fastener head to separate from the fastener body so that the airbag venting tube moves from a closed position to an open position; and
an unthreaded retainer that is positioned around the fastener body in abutting relation to the airbag housing, wherein the retainer comprises a retention feature that resists movement of the retainer away from the fastener head by engaging the first plurality of locking teeth. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
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38. An actuatable fastener assembly for releasably securing an airbag venting tube to an airbag housing, comprising:
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an elongated fastener body extending through a venting tube hole in the airbag venting tube and a housing hole in the airbag housing;
a fastener head;
a coupling member that attaches the fastener head to the fastener body, wherein the fastener head is positioned so that the airbag venting tube is compressed between the fastener head and the airbag housing;
an initiator embedded within the fastener body, wherein activation of the initiator causes the fastener head to separate from the fastener body so that the airbag venting tube moves from a closed position to an open position; and
an unthreaded retainer that is positioned around the fastener body in abutting relation to the airbag housing, wherein the retainer comprises a locking tab that resists movement of the retainer away from the fastener head by engaging an exterior surface of the fastener body. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40)
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41. An actuatable fastener assembly, comprising:
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a fastener body;
a fastener head attached to the fastener body;
means for causing the fastener head to separate from the fastener body upon receipt of an activation signal; and
a retainer that is slidably movable along the length of the fastener body toward the fastener head; and
means for restricting movement of the retainer along the length of the fastener body away from the fastener head. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43)
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Specification