Fastener

• US 20070126211A1
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Moerke, Benjamin, Kirchen, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,832,693 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/20 Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/08 using bands
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/065 with an additional locking element
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/0621 in parallel relationship fastened by a drive-pin F16B19/1081; fastened by a device locking by rotation F16B21/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1498 Plastic band
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45005 with third detached member completing interlock [e.g., hook type]

Abstract

The invention relates to fasteners adapted for use in automobile air bag attachment systems. The fastener comprises a hook to engage a vehicle structure during installation and a pin to lock the fastener in place. Advantageously, the hook portion may be quickly installed and will support the air bag assembly while allowing any positional adjustments to be made prior to locking the fastener by depressing the pin until it is fully engaged in the vehicle structure. An embodiment of the invention incorporates both a locking method to prevent the fastener from being disengaged and a method of releasing this lock if needed for servicing. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for reducing the likelihood of improperly installed parts by preventing locking when the fastener is in a partially installed configuration.

Claims

1. A fastener for use with an air bag system comprising:

a base comprising a planar surface and defining an aperture;

a hook disposed on the underside of the base planar surface and through the aperture;

a hook engagement area further comprising an opening defined by the bottom surface of the base and part of a top surface of the hook to engage a structure wall of a vehicle;

a pin defining a pin head, a pin shank and a lip portion, the pin disposed in the base aperture and configured to allow the pin shank to slide through the aperture while the lip portion of the pin head extends outwardly from the shank to prevent the pin from sliding completely through the base;

a strap comprising a flexible material and defining a mating end; and

a strap retainer defining an opening formed to retain the mating end of the strap, the strap retainer disposed on the top surface of the base adjacent to the aperture.

2. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the hook defines a lead-in ramp to increase the distance between the underside of the base and the top surface of the hook to provide a larger opening into which to initially engage the structure wall of the vehicle.

3. The fastener of claim 2, wherein the pin further comprises a locking tab disposed on a face of the pin shank to move flexibly inward upon depression of the pin through the aperture and then back to engage the structure wall of the vehicle when the pin is in a fully depressed position.

4. The fastener of claim 3, wherein the pin head comprises a service notch comprising an aperture to allow a tool to be inserted to release the locking tab, pry up the pin head, and remove the hook for servicing of the fastener.

5. The fastener of claim 1, wherein the pin further comprises pre-install tabs disposed at the lower end of opposite sides of the shank.

6. The fastener of claim 5, wherein the base further comprises at least one pin catch disposed in the wall of the base aperture, the pin catch configured to retain the pre-install tabs to prevent vertical movement of the pin into the aperture.

7. The fastener of claim 1, wherein the pin further comprises tightening ramps disposed primarily vertically along one face of the pin shank and generally normal to the pin head to provide a slight interference with a mounting hole in the vehicle structure to ensure a snug and rattle-free engagement.

8. The fastener of claim 7, wherein the tightening ramps comprise wedge shapes on a face of the pin shank such that the width of the top of the shank is greater than the width of the bottom of the shank.

9. The fastener of claim 7, wherein the tightening ramps comprise a flexible material.

10. A method to fasten an air bag to a vehicle comprising:

providing a fastener comprising;

a base comprising a planar surface and defining an aperture;

a hook disposed on the underside of the base planar surface and through the aperture;

a hook engagement area further comprising an opening defined by the bottom surface of the base and part of a top surface of the hook to engage a structure wall of a vehicle;

a pin defining a pin head, a pin shank and a lip portion, the pin disposed in the base aperture and configured to allow the pin shank to slide through the aperture while the lip portion of the pin head extends outwardly from the shank to prevent the pin from sliding completely through the base;

a strap comprising a flexible material and defining a mating end; and

a strap retainer defining an opening formed to retain the mating end of the strap, the strap retainer disposed on the top surface of the base adjacent to the aperture;

inserting the fastener hook into a mounting hole in the vehicle structure;

guiding the hook onto the structure wall and into the engagement area; and

depressing the pin through the base aperture from a disengaged position above the base to an engaged position in the mounting hole;

whereby the pin may be visually checked to confirm the pin head is in substantial communication with the base.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the pin further comprises a locking tab disposed on a face of the pin shank to move flexibly inward upon depression of the pin through the aperture and then back to engage the structure wall of the vehicle when the pin is in a fully depressed position.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the pin head comprises a service notch comprising an aperture to allow a tool to be inserted to release the locking tab, pry up the pin head, and remove the hook for servicing of the fastener.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the pin further comprises pre-install tabs disposed at the lower end of opposite sides of the shank.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the base further comprises at least one pin catch disposed in the wall of the base aperture, the pin catch configured to retain the pre-install tabs to prevent obstruction of the aperture by the pin.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the hook defines a lead-in ramp to increase the distance between the underside of the base and the top surface of the hook to provide a larger opening into which to initially engage the structure wall of the vehicle.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the pin further comprises tightening ramps disposed primarily vertically along one face of the pin shank and generally normal to the pin head to provide a slight interference with a mounting hole in the vehicle structure to ensure a snug and rattle-free engagement.

17. A fastener for use with an air bag system comprising:

a base defining a top surface, a bottom surface and an opening;

a hook defining a top surface and comprising an engagement area defined by the bottom surface of the base and part of a top surface of the hook to engage a structure wall of a vehicle and to stabilize the fastener;

a pin disposed in the base opening, the pin defining a pin shank and tightening ramps disposed along one face of the pin shank to provide a slight interference with the vehicle structure and ensure a snug and rattle-free engagement;

a locking tab disposed on a face of the pin shank to move flexibly inward upon depression of the pin through the opening and to engage the bottom surface of the base when the pin is in a depressed position;

a first strap comprising a flexible material, and defining a mating end; and

a second strap comprising a flexible material and defining a strap retainer defining an aperture formed to retain the mating end of the first strap.

18. The fastener of claim 17, wherein the base further comprises a service notch aperture to allow a tool to be inserted to release the pin locking tab, pry up the pin head, and remove the hook for servicing of the fastener.

19. The fastener of claim 18 wherein the hook defines a lead-in ramp to increase the distance between the underside of the base and the top surface of the hook to provide a larger opening into which to initially engage the structure wall of the vehicle.

20. The fastener of claim 19, wherein the pin further comprises pre-install tabs disposed at opposite sides of the shank and the base further comprises at least one pin catch disposed in the inner wall of the base aperture to retain the pre-install tabs to prevent obstruction by the pin of the opening.