Gas bag covering system

• US 6,183,004 B1
• Filed: 09/23/1999
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Brucker, Roland
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US09/404,069
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.3, 280/728.2, 280/730.2
• US Class Current: 280/728.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/215 characterised by the covers for the inflatable member B60R21/2176 takes precedence

Abstract

A gas bag covering arrangement comprises a gas bag covering for covering an unfolding opening in a vehicle and a device for detachably fastening at least one part of the gas bag covering to the vehicle. The device has at least one holding section and the gas bag covering has a portion which covers the gas bag unfolding opening and which has an edge on which the holding section engages. The device is so flexible that the gas bag covering can move out from its mounting formed by the holding section when the gas bag unfolding opening is exposed. The device further comprises a tear-open section and a mounting section, the tear-open section being destroyed on exposure of the gas bag unfolding opening and on displacement of the holding section such that the flexibility of the device being increased. The holding section remains secured to the device by the mounting section after destruction of the tear-open section.

Claims

1. A gas bag covering system comprising

a gas bag covering for covering an unfolding opening in a vehicle and

a device for detachably fastening at least one part of said gas bag covering to said vehicle,

said device having at least one holding section and

said gas bag covering having a portion which covers said gas bag unfolding opening and which has an edge on which said holding section engages,

said device being so flexible that said gas bag covering can move out from its mounting formed by said holding section when said gas bag unfolding opening is exposed,

said device having a tear-open section and a mounting section,

said tear-open section being destroyed on exposure of said gas bag unfolding opening and on displacement of said holding section such that the flexibility of said device being increased, and

said holding section remaining secured to said device by said mounting section after destruction of the tear-open section.

2. The gas bag covering system according to claim 1, wherein said tear-open section has a tear-open line formed by material weakening.

3. The gas bag covering system according to claim 1, wherein said holding section is a lip running along said edge which is to be held.

4. The gas bag covering system according to claim 3, wherein said device has a shape like a mounting strip, and a hollow section.

5. The gas bag covering system according to claim 1, wherein said device has a fastening section on which it is mounted so as to be fixed to said vehicle.

6. The gas bag covering system according to claim 5, wherein said tear-open section is constructed as a connecting cross-piece between said fastening section and said holding section.

7. The gas bag covering according to claim 1, wherein said mounting section is deformed elastically after destruction of said tear-open section such that a swiveling of said holding section is permitted.

8. The gas bag covering system according to claim 1, wherein said device is fastened to one of a seal of a door and of a window of said vehicle.

9. The gas bag covering system according to claim 8, wherein said fastening of said device to said seal takes place by bonding or extruding.

10. The gas bag covering system according to claim 1, wherein said device has a U-section in cross-section and said holding section is a hook-shaped end section of an extra long shank of said section and said tear-open section is a cross-piece connecting the shanks.

11. The gas bag covering system according to claim 10, wherein said mounting section is a cross-piece connecting said shanks.

12. The gas bag covering system according to claim 1, wherein said gas bag covering is one of a roof lining and a column lining of said vehicle, behind which a side gas bag is situated.