Airbag cushion attachment
First Claim
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1. A method of joining an inflatable airbag cushion in an airbag module which includes:
- an inflatable airbag cushion comprising at least a front and a back panel with the airbag cushion having an inflatable body defining an attachment opening, an inflator disposed externally relative to the inflatable body and a module element extending from the inflator through the cushion attachment opening, the module element having opposed first and second ends with the first end disposed adjacent the inflator and directly joined thereto, said method comprising the steps of;
fixing an airbag retainer relative to the module element to clamp the cushion opening between the inflator and the airbag retainer, wherein the module element provides a conduit for passage of inflation fluid with the module element second end extending into the cushion inflatable body and wherein, prior to said fixing step, the airbag retainer is floatingly confined within the inflatable body and joining the front and back panels together about their respective peripheries, wherein prior to completely joining together the front and back panels, the airbag retainer is placed within the airbag cushion.
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Abstract
Arrangements and methods for attaching an airbag cushion are provided wherein an attachment opening of the airbag cushion is clamped between an inflator and an airbag retainer which previously had been floatingly confined within the body of the airbag cushion.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A method of joining an inflatable airbag cushion in an airbag module which includes:
- an inflatable airbag cushion comprising at least a front and a back panel with the airbag cushion having an inflatable body defining an attachment opening, an inflator disposed externally relative to the inflatable body and a module element extending from the inflator through the cushion attachment opening, the module element having opposed first and second ends with the first end disposed adjacent the inflator and directly joined thereto, said method comprising the steps of;
fixing an airbag retainer relative to the module element to clamp the cushion opening between the inflator and the airbag retainer, wherein the module element provides a conduit for passage of inflation fluid with the module element second end extending into the cushion inflatable body and wherein, prior to said fixing step, the airbag retainer is floatingly confined within the inflatable body and joining the front and back panels together about their respective peripheries, wherein prior to completely joining together the front and back panels, the airbag retainer is placed within the airbag cushion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
securing the airbag retainer with the diffusing end.
- an inflatable airbag cushion comprising at least a front and a back panel with the airbag cushion having an inflatable body defining an attachment opening, an inflator disposed externally relative to the inflatable body and a module element extending from the inflator through the cushion attachment opening, the module element having opposed first and second ends with the first end disposed adjacent the inflator and directly joined thereto, said method comprising the steps of;
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3. The method of claim 1 wherein the inflator includes at least one longitudinally-extending projection forming the module element extending through the cushion opening.
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4. The method of claim 1 wherein the cushion includes a sew line of reinforcing stitches around the cushion opening and securing at least one reinforcement layer of material to the cushion, additionally comprising the step of:
extending the module element through both the cushion opening and the at least one reinforcement layer of material.
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5. The method of claim 1 wherein the cushion includes an internal tether, the tether having an opening generally corresponding to the cushion opening, additionally comprising the step of:
extending the module element through both the cushion opening and the tether opening.
Specification