Retaining device for a paneling element covering an airbag arrangement

• US 6,402,188 B1
• Filed: 04/30/2001
• Issued: 06/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Pasch, Marcus
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sliteris, Joselynn Y.
• Application Number:
  US09/720,097
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: B60/R 2.120, 280/728.3, 280/728.2, 280/743.2, 280/730.2, 280/733, 280/743.1, 280/728.1
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/216 comprising tether means for limitation of cover motion during deployment

Abstract

A retaining device for a panel element of the interior paneling of a motor vehicle which covers the airbag arrangement so that paneling and holding element that may come loose when the airbag unfurls are restrained from being propelled into the passenger cabin.

Claims

1. A retaining device for use in connection with an airbag arrangement in a motor vehicle which has a frame (2) and interior panelling, said retaining device comprising:

a) a panel element (1) covering an unfurled airbag in said arrangement;

b) a mounting element made in the form of an elastic clamp (5) which is attached to said frame (2);

c) a holding element (4) connected to the elastic clamp (5) which holds said panel element (1) in a detachable manner whereby upon activation an unfurled airbag in said arrangement may freely unfurl as said panel element detaches;

d) a retaining strap (6) for limiting the movement of panel element (1) when detached, said strap (6) being attached to element (1) on one end and on the other end is provided with a hole (15) through which the elastic clamp (5) extends, said strap (6) being secured by holding element (4) on the elastic clamp (5) whereby upon activation said panel element (1) detaches and swings aside, said strap restraining the panel element.

2. The retaining device of claim (1), wherein the holding element (4) engages the panel element (1) by means of deformable holding brackets.

3. The retaining device of claim 2, wherein holding element (4) includes a dimensionally stable holding plate (10) for securing said strap ( 6) on the elastic clamp (5).

4. The retaining device of claim 3, including an installation opening (13) on said motor vehicle frame and wherein the holding element (4) is attached on the upper end of the elastic clamp (5) for insertion into said installation opening (13).

5. The retaining device of claim 4, wherein the holding element (4) is a one-piece formed part made of sheet steel which engages the paneling element (1);

holding plate (10) is in the form of a hoop shape and includes lateral holding brackets (10a), (10b); and

laterally protruding holding brackets (11) are spaced at a distance above and parallel to said plate (10).

6. The retaining device of claim 5, wherein the elastic clamp (5) is a bent clamp made in one piece of spring steel and includes a mounting zone (16) which can be compressed elastically and to be restrainably engaged in installation opening (13).

7. The retaining device of claim 6, wherein the clamp (5) overlaps the holding element (4) and including end segments (9) bent at an angle and aligned with each other.

8. The retaining device as in claim 7, wherein a panel element (1) when mounted on the frame of a motor vehicle can be disassembled non-destructively by compressing the clamp.

9. The retaining device of claim 1 wherein said paneling is column-shaped and mounted on the frame of said motor vehicle to cover a lateral airbag.