ATTACHMENT CLIP

• US 20130069345A1
• Filed: 09/20/2012
• Published: 03/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Williams, Shawn R., Lemmon, Joseph G., Bittinger, D. Scott
• Granted Patent: US 8,602,445 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• 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: B60R 21/217 Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 37/041 Releasable devices F16B37/044, F16B37/045 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/02 by means of fastening members using screw-thread F16B5/0004 takes precedence; construction of screw-threaded connections F16B25/00 - F16B39/00

Abstract

An attachment clip for coupling an airbag to a motor vehicle is provided. The clip can include a first leg having a first aperture, a second aperture and a protrusion extending from an edge of the second aperture in an outward direction from the first leg. The clip can include a second leg spaced from the first leg and coupled to the first leg. The second leg has a threaded aperture substantially coaxial with the first aperture of the first leg. The space between the first and second legs can slidably receive a mounting member and a portion of the airbag. The protrusion can engage the portion of the airbag, and a fastener can extend through the first aperture of the first leg, through the portion of the airbag and through the mounting member to engage the threaded aperture of the second leg for attaching the airbag to the vehicle.

Claims

1. An attachment clip for coupling an airbag to a motor vehicle, the clip comprising:

a first leg having a first aperture, a second aperture and a protrusion extending from an edge of the second aperture in an outward direction from the first leg;

a second leg spaced from the first leg and coupled to the first leg, the second leg having a threaded aperture substantially coaxial with the first aperture of the first leg; and

wherein the space between the first and second legs is configured to slidably receive a mounting member and a portion of the airbag, the protrusion engages the portion of the airbag, and a fastener extending through the first aperture of the first leg, through the portion of the airbag and through the mounting member to engage the threaded aperture of the second leg for attaching the airbag to the vehicle.

2. The attachment clip of claim 1, wherein the first leg further comprises a first wing and a second wing, and each of the first wing and the second wing include the second aperture and the protrusion.

3. The attachment clip of claim 1, wherein the first leg is generally parallel to the second leg.

4. The attachment clip of claim 1, wherein the second leg includes an extrusion extending from a surface, which defines a portion of the threaded aperture.

5. The attachment clip of claim 1, wherein the first leg and the second leg cooperate to define a hook coupleable to a motor vehicle.

6. The attachment clip of claim 5, wherein the motor vehicle includes a bracket, and the attachment clip is coupleable to the bracket with the fastener.

7. The attachment clip of claim 5, wherein the attachment clip has a pull-out force of over 250 pounds when coupled to the motor vehicle.

8. The attachment clip of claim 1, wherein the first leg and the second leg are each substantially planar.

9. The attachment clip of claim 1, further comprising a sidewall that couples the first leg to the second leg.

10. An attachment clip for coupling an airbag to a motor vehicle comprising:

a first portion defining a longitudinal axis and including a first wing, a second wing and a first bore extending along a first axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the first wing and the second wing each having a projection that extends along a second axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, the projection of the first wing and the second wing positionable through a portion of an airbag for securing the airbag to the attachment clip;

a second portion opposite the first portion and extending parallel to the first portion, the second portion having a second bore extending along a third axis, the third axis substantially coaxial with the first axis, the second bore having a plurality of threads;

a sidewall that couples the first portion to the second portion such that the first portion is spaced a distance apart from the second portion; and

a fastener receivable through the first bore and threadably engagable with the plurality of threads of the second bore to couple the attachment clip to the motor vehicle.

11. The attachment clip of claim 10, wherein the first portion and the second portion are each substantially planar.

12. The attachment clip of claim 10, wherein the motor vehicle includes a bracket, and the attachment clip is coupleable to the bracket with the fastener.

13. The attachment clip of claim 10, wherein the attachment clip has a pull-out force of over 250 pounds when coupled to the motor vehicle.

14. The attachment clip of claim 10, wherein the second portion includes an extrusion extending from a surface, which defines a portion of the second bore.