Inflatable cushion retention system

• US 20050082798A1
• Filed: 10/21/2003
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gammill, Kurt, Welford, Richard, Tallerico, Roger
• Granted Patent: US 7,125,037 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/730.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2342 Tear seams

Abstract

The cushion retention system includes a cushion, at least one tab attached to the cushion, and a supporting member having an intermediary region and at least one aperture. The cushion is positioned in a folded condition. The supporting member is disposed along an outer periphery of the cushion. The tab, which includes a head and a narrow neck, interlocks with the aperture on the supporting member to retain the supporting member along an outer periphery of the folded cushion. In this interlocked condition, the supporting members apply an inward compressive force to retain the cushion in a folded condition.

Claims

1. A system for maintaining an inflatable cushion in a folded condition, comprising:

an inflatable chamber;

a tab having a head and a narrow neck, the tab being attached to the chamber; and

a supporting member having an aperture sized to receive and interlock with the tab, the aperture having a width less than a width of the head of the tab, wherein the supporting member applies an inward compressive force to the chamber to retain the chamber in a folded condition when the tab interlocks with the aperture.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the supporting member is integrally formed with the chamber.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the supporting member surrounds the chamber.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the supporting member is an elongated strip.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second tab attached to the chamber and a second supporting member having an aperture that is sized to receive and interlock with the second tab, wherein the second supporting member applies an inward compressive force to the chamber to retain the chamber in a folded condition when the second tab interlocks with the aperture of the second supporting member.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tear seam in the supporting member to permit deployment of the chamber.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the supporting member is made from a flexible material.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the supporting member is made from fabric.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the tab has an opening that permits attachment of the chamber to a vehicle.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the tab, chamber, and supporting member are integrally formed.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the tab is made from a substantially rigid material.

12. A system for maintaining an inflatable curtain in a folded condition, comprising:

an inflatable chamber;

a tab having a head and a narrow neck, the tab being attached to the chamber; and

a supporting member attached to the chamber, the supporting member having an aperture sized to receive and interlock with the tab, the aperture having a width less than a width of the head of the tab, wherein the supporting member applies an inward compressive force to the chamber to retain the chamber in a folded condition when the tab interlocks with the aperture.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a tear seam in the supporting member to permit deployment of the chamber.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising a second tab attached to the chamber and a second supporting member having an aperture that is sized to receive and interlock with the second tab, wherein the second supporting member applies an inward compressive force to the chamber to retain the chamber in a folded condition when the second tab interlocks with the aperture of the second supporting member.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the supporting member is made from a flexible material.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the supporting member is made from fabric.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the tab has an opening that permits attachment of the chamber to a vehicle.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the tab, chamber, and supporting member are integrally formed.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the supporting member is integrally formed with the chamber.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the tab is made from a substantially rigid material.

21. A system for maintaining an inflatable curtain in a folded condition, comprising:

an inflatable curtain;

a tab having a head and a narrow neck, the tab being attached to the curtain; and

a supporting member having a first and a second aperture and an intermediary region disposed between the first and second apertures, each aperture being sized to receive and interlock with the tab and having a width less than a width of the head of the tab, the intermediary region being sized to surround and retain the curtain in a folded condition when the first and second apertures interlock with the tab.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the supporting member is an elongated strip.

23. The system of claim 21, further comprising a tear seam in the supporting member to permit deployment of the curtain.

24. The system of claim 21, further comprising a second tab attached to the curtain and a second supporting member having a first and a second aperture and an intermediary region disposed between the first and second apertures of the second supporting member, wherein the intermediary region of the second supporting member is sized to surround and retain the curtain in a folded condition when the first and second apertures of the second supporting member interlock with the second tab.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the supporting member is made from a flexible material.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein the tab has an opening that permits attachment of the curtain to a vehicle.

27. The system of claim 21, wherein the tab is made from a substantially rigid material.

28. A system for maintaining an inflatable cushion in a folded condition, comprising:

inflatable chamber means for receiving inflation gas;

supporting means for retaining the inflatable chamber in a folded condition, the supporting means having an aperture;

tab means for interlocking with the aperture, the tab means having a head and a narrow neck and being attached to the chamber means, the tab means being sized to interlock with the aperture, the aperture having a width less than a width of the head of the tab means, wherein the supporting means applies an inward compressive force to the chamber means when the tab means interlocks with the aperture.