FASTENER FOR AIR-BAG CURTAIN

• US 20070296184A1
• Filed: 05/18/2007
• Published: 12/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Itw Sverige AB (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Itw Sverige AB (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Inventors: Oestergren, Kristian
• Granted Patent: US 7,963,548 B2
• 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: F16B 21/086 the shank of the stud, pin or spigot having elevations, ribs, fins or prongs intended for deformation or tilting predominantly in a direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 45/00 Hooks; Eyes if the attaching parts or means are concerned, groups F16B13/00, F16B15/00, F16B19/00, F16B25/00, F16B35/00, F16B47/00 take precedence; for hanging pictures or the like A47G1/16; towing hooks for ships B63B21/58; for hoisting or hauling purposes B66C; hooks or eyes with integral parts designed to facilitate quick attachment to cables or ropes at any point F16G11/14
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 45/005 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/309 Plastic type

Abstract

In a fastener and a fastening system for fixing a curtain airbag in a vehicle, the fastener is fixed to a mounting hole in a body frame or the like of the vehicle by inserting an attachment portion of the fastener into the mounting hole while a head portion securing the attachment of the airbag curtain to the fastener and the vehicle. The fastener is formed as one single piece made from polymeric material.

Claims

1. A fastener (9, 109) for fastening an airbag curtain (1) to a vehicle (4) by fixing the fastener (9,109) to a mounting hole (8) in a body frame (5) or the like of the vehicle (4), said fastener (9,109) comprising an attachment portion (10,110) to be inserted into the mounting hole (8) and a head portion (11,111) securing the attachment of the airbag curtain (1) to the fastener (9,109) characterized in that said fastener (9,109) is formed as one single piece made from polymeric material.

2. A fastener (9,109) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastener (9,109) is moulded integrally in its entirety and is able to secure the attachment to the mounting hole (8) without any further component.

3. A fastener (9,109) according to claim 1, characterized in that the material used for the fastener (9,109) has a modulus of elasticity of at least 3500 MPa, more preferably at least 5000 MPa and most preferably at least 8000 MPa when tested according to ISO 527.

4. A fastener (9,109) according to claim 3, characterized in that the material used for the fastener (9,109) has an elongation at break of at least 2%, more preferably at least 3% and most preferably at least 4% when tested according to ISO 527.

5. A fastener (9,109) according to claim 3, characterized in that the material used for the fastener (9,109) has a notched impact strength of at least 7 kJ/m², more preferably at least 10 kJ/m² and most preferably at least 12 kJ/m² when tested at minus 30 degrees Celsius according to ISO 179/2-1 eA.

6. A fastener (9,109) according to claim 1, characterized in that the material used for the fastener (9,109) comprises a polyamide as the main polymer of the material for the fastener (9,109).

7. A fastener (9,109) according to claim 1, characterized in that the material used for the fastener (9,109) comprises a reinforcement additive, such as a fibre glass or the like, in an amount of 5-60%, more preferably in an amount of 15-50% and most preferably in an amount of 20-40%.

8. A fastener (9,109) according to claim 1, characterized in that the material used for the fastener (9,109) comprises a plasticizer as an additive.

9. A fastener (9,109) according to claim 1, characterized in that the attachment portion comprises a hook.

10. A fastener (9,109) according to claim 1, characterized in that the attachment portion comprises a snap-in attaching means.

11. A fastener (9,109) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastener (9,109) is strong enough to withstand a force of at least 300 Newton, more preferably of at least 500 Newton and most preferably of at least 700 Newton in the outward direction when mounted in a mounting hole in a vehicle for mounting of an airbag curtain.

12. An airbag curtain fastening system for fastening of an airbag curtain (2) to a body frame (5) or the like of an vehicle (4), said fastening system comprising a multitude of different type of fasteners (9,109,309) having attachment portions (10,110,310) adapted to be fitted into mounting holes (8) having the same dimensions characterized in that said system comprises a fastener (9,109) according to claim 1.