Inflatable airbag bolster panel retention apparatus
First Claim
1. An airbag system comprising:
- an airbag; and
a panel retainer attached to said airbag, wherein at least a portion of said panel retainer extends forward of a rigid load distribution member to couple said rigid load distribution member to said airbag such that said rigid load distribution member moves toward a user in response to inflation of the airbag.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A load distribution panel retention apparatus which effectively secures a knee bolster airbag to a load distribution panel. The apparatus includes a flat, rectangular piece of textile material attached to a knee bolster airbag to form a panel retainer which is open on both ends. A load distribution panel, also called a knee bolster panel, is secured to the airbag by positioning the load distribution panel between the panel retainer and the airbag. The apparatus includes a housing secured to the instrument panel or to a firewall of a vehicle. The conventional inflatable knee airbag is stored within the housing and in communication with an inflator. The inflator is stored within the housing and inflates the knee airbag in an accident situation. A trim cover panel is attached to the load distribution panel to provide a decorative covering of the airbag module.
80 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An airbag system comprising:
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an airbag; and
a panel retainer attached to said airbag, wherein at least a portion of said panel retainer extends forward of a rigid load distribution member to couple said rigid load distribution member to said airbag such that said rigid load distribution member moves toward a user in response to inflation of the airbag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A knee bolster airbag system comprising:
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an airbag; and
a panel retainer connected to the airbag, wherein the panel retainer is shaped to receive and secure a rigid load distribution panel;
wherein the rigid load distribution panel is disposed between said airbag and said panel retainer. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A knee bolster airbag module comprising:
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a housing which housing is formed with a space configured to receive an inflator;
an inflator secured to said housing, said inflator configured to discharge gas into an airbag;
an airbag attached to said inflator such that gas escaping said inflator enters said airbag inflating said airbag;
a load distribution panel; and
a panel retainer secured to said airbag, wherein at least a portion of said panel retainer extends forward of said rigid load distribution member to receive and securely hold said load distribution panel. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for securing a load distribution panel to an airbag, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing an airbag and a panel retainer for receiving and securing a rigid load distribution panel between said airbag and said panel retainer;
b) securing a load distribution panel to the airbag by way of the panel retainer; and
c) positioning the load distribution panel such that one or more fasteners disposed in the load distribution panel are capable of attaching to a trim cover panel. and attaching the trim cover panel to the load distribution panel by way of the fasteners disposed in the load distribution panel. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification