Air Bag Module and Fastener
First Claim
1. A band clamp for securing an inflator of an air bag module to a mounting surface, the clamp having a band formed into a loop of diameter slightly larger than a diameter of the inflator enabling the band to be slipped over the inflator,the band including a fastener receiving opening therethrough to receive a fastener which is receivable into the mounting surface, wherein stress in the band if uncompensated tends to enlarge the fastener receiving opening, the band clamp further including first means for absorbing the stress to lessen the possible enlargement of the fastener receiving opening.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A band clamp (50, 60, 70) for securing an inflator of an air bag module (300) to a mounting surface, the clamp having a band formed into a loop of diameter slightly larger than a diameter of the inflator enabling the band to be slipped over the inflator, the band including a fastener receiving opening (32) therethrough to receive a fastener (22) which is receivable into the mounting surface, the band further including a means for tightening (40) the band about the inflator, such tightening creating stress within the band which if uncompensated tends to enlarge the fastener receiving opening, the band clamp further including first means including a set of holes (58, 60) that are larger than the fastener receiving opening (32) for absorbing the stress to lessen the possible enlargement of the fastener receiving opening.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A band clamp for securing an inflator of an air bag module to a mounting surface, the clamp having a band formed into a loop of diameter slightly larger than a diameter of the inflator enabling the band to be slipped over the inflator,
the band including a fastener receiving opening therethrough to receive a fastener which is receivable into the mounting surface, wherein stress in the band if uncompensated tends to enlarge the fastener receiving opening, the band clamp further including first means for absorbing the stress to lessen the possible enlargement of the fastener receiving opening.
- 11. An air bag module comprising a cylindrically shaped inflator (150) having exit ports (102) centrally located relative to ends of the inflator, two band clamps (50, 70, 80, 90) located on opposing sides of the exit ports enveloping lateral cylindrical portions of the inflator, each of the band clamps including an extending threaded fastener, the module including a housing with an open mouth, the housing including a bottom opposite the open mouth, the bottom including fastener receiving openings, wherein the inflator, band clamps and housing are configured to permit the inflator to be inserted into the housing through the open mouth with the fasteners of the band clamps entering into a respective fastener receiving opening relatively simultaneously.
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15. An air bag module including an inflator, housing and band clamp for securing an inflator to a mounting surface of the housing, the clamp having a band formed into a loop of diameter slightly larger than a diameter of the inflator enabling the band to be slipped over the inflator,
the band including a fastener receiving opening therethrough to receive a fastener which is receivable into the mounting surface, wherein stress in the band if uncompensated tends to enlarge the fastener receiving opening, the band clamp further including first means for absorbing the stress to lessen the possible enlargement of the fastener receiving opening.
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18. The module according to claim 18 wherein the band clamp is configured to be press fit upon the inflator.
Specification