AIRBAG ATTACHMENT STRUCTURE

• US 20060197317A1
• Filed: 03/06/2006
• Published: 09/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: WATANABE, Kazuo
• Application Number:
  US11/276,580
• Publication Number:
  US 20060197317A1
• 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

An attachment structure for connecting an airbag to a vehicle body. The structure may include a pair of reinforcing plates configured to retain a portion of the airbag therebetween. The structure may further include a clip configured to pass through the plates, a first opening in the airbag, and a second opening in the vehicle body to connect the airbag to the vehicle body. The structure may be configured so that one of the reinforcing plates includes a hook portion that passes through the first and second openings to retaining the airbag in position along the vehicle body.

Claims

1. An attachment structure for connecting an airbag to a vehicle body comprising:

a pair of reinforcing plates configured to retain a potion of the airbag therebetween;

a clip configured to pass through the plates, a first opening in the airbag, and a second opening in the vehicle body to connect the airbag to the vehicle body; and

wherein one of the reinforcing plates includes a hook portion that passes through the first and second openings to retaining the airbag in position along the vehicle body.

2. The structure of claim 1, further comprising a fastener insertable within the clip and configured to expand protruding portions of the clip positioned on an opposite side of a portion of the vehicle body from the airbag to thereby fasten the clip to the vehicle body.

3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the fastener includes a threaded stem.

4. The structure of claim 1, wherein one of the reinforcing plates includes a protruding portion that protrudes through a third opening in the airbag.

5. The structure of claim 1, further comprising a third reinforcement plate located on the opposite side of the vehicle body from the airbag.

6. The structure of claim 5, wherein the hook portion extends through the vehicle body to a position on an opposite side of the third reinforcement plate from the airbag.

7. An attachment structure for connecting a side curtain airbag module to a vehicle body, wherein the airbag module includes an inflator and an airbag, the structure comprising:

a pair of reinforcing plates configured to retain a portion of the airbag therebetween; and

a clip including an internal fastener, wherein the clip configured to pass through the plates and the first and second openings so that a protruding portion of the clip is located on an opposite side of a portion of the vehicle body from the airbag to thereby fasten the clip to the vehicle body, wherein the fastener is movable within the clip and to expand the protruding portion of the clip.

8. The structure of claim 7, wherein one of the reinforcing plates includes a hook portion that passes through a first opening in the airbag and a second opening in the vehicle body to provide a temporary retaining structure prior clipping the airbag to the vehicle body.

9. The structure of claim 7, wherein the fastener includes a threaded stem.

10. The structure of claim 7, wherein one of the reinforcing plates includes a protruding portion that protrudes through a third opening in the airbag.

11. The structure of claim 7, further comprising a third reinforcement plate located on the opposite side of the vehicle body from the airbag.

12. The structure of claim 11, wherein the hook portion extends through the vehicle body to a position on an opposite side of the third reinforcement plate from the airbag.

13. A vehicle safety system comprising;

a side airbag configured to deploy as a curtain along an interior side of a vehicle compartment;

an inflator configured to produce inflation gas for the airbag;

a mounting structure for connecting the airhag to the vehile, wherein the mounting structure includes;

a pair of reinforcing plates configured to retain a tab portion of the airbag therebetween;

a clip configured to pass through the plates, the tab portion, and a portion of the vehicle body;

wherein one of the reinforcing plates includes a hook portion that passes through the other reinforcing plate, the airbag and the vehicle body to retain the airbag in position along the vehicle body.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a fastener movable within the clip and configured to expand protruding portions of the clip positioned on an opposite side of a portion of the vehicle body from the airbag to thereby fasten the clip to the vehicle body.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein one of the reinforcing plates includes a protruding portion that passes through an opening in the airbag.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the protruding portion fits within a corresponding recessed portion of the other reinforcing plate to thereby reduce relative movement of the plates and the airbag therebetween.