Automotive air bag device

• US 6,039,342 A
• Filed: 04/10/1998
• Issued: 03/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kansei Company
• Original Assignee: Kansei Company
• Inventors: Sasaki, Tsuneo
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINNER, TONY H
• Application Number:
  US09/058,909
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.3, 280/728.2, 280/732
• US Class Current: 280/728.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2171 specially adapted for elongated cylindrical or bottle-like inflators with a symmetry axis perpendicular to the main direction of bag deployment, e.g. extruded reaction canisters B60R21/2176 takes precedence

Abstract

An automotive air bag device avoids disengagement or play between the air bag activation unit and the lid, which covers the air bag inflation opening, during transportation to an automobile assembly plant and after the air bag device has been installed in a vehicle. Extending from the back surface of the lid, is an integrally formed attachment piece. The air bag activation unit has a number of hook members that engage support openings in the attachment piece. A thin, elastic tongue piece, integrally formed on the upper edge of each support opening, prevents disengagement of the hook member.

Claims

1. An automotive air bag device comprising:

a lid, adapted to cover an air bag inflation opening in an automotive panel member;

said lid having an attachment piece defining at least one support opening;

an air bag activation unit fastened to said lid;

said air bag activation unit having at least one hook member adapted for engagement with said at least one support opening;

an elastic tongue piece on a first edge of said at least one of said support openings;

said elastic tongue piece blocking said at least one hook member from disengagement from said at least one support opening; and

said hook member resiliently displaces said tongue piece while said hook member is being engaged with said support opening.

2. An automotive air bag device according to claim 1, wherein said lid includes a thermoplastic material.

3. An automotive air bag device comprising:

a lid, adapted to cover an air bag inflation opening in an automotive panel member;

said lid having an attachment piece defining at least one support opening;

an air bag activation unit fastened to said lid;

said air bag activation unit having at least one hook member adapted for engagemnent with said at least one support opening;

an elastic tongue piece on a first edge of said at least one of said support openings;

said elastic tongue piece blocking said at least one hook member from disengagement from said at least one support opening; and

said elastic tongue piece is biased against said at least one hook member when said hook member is engaged with said support opening.

4. The automotive air bag device of claim 3, wherein said tongue piece urges said hook member against a second edge of said support opening, said second edge of said support opening being opposite said first edge thereof.

5. An automotive air bag device according to claim 3, wherein said lid includes a thermoplastic material.