Apparatus and method for rapidly fastening an airbag apparatus

• US 6,705,635 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2001
• Issued: 03/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hoeft, David E., Hoskyns, James, McGee, Robert F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FREEDMAN, LAURA
• Application Number:
  US09/920,260
• Publication Number:
  US 20030025307A1
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/728.2, 411/338, 411/339, 411/174, 411/175, 411/107, 411/155, 411/156
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/20 Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/217 Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Abstract

An attachment assembly for attaching a cushion member for an airbag apparatus to a vehicle surface is disclosed. The attachment assembly is particularly useful for attaching curtain type cushion members, as for a side impact airbag system. The attachment assembly may include a protrusion with a rod and a knob larger than the rod. A compressible spring washer is affixed to the rod. A hole formed in a mounting portion of the cushion member is then fitted around the rod, outside the washer. A cap is affixed to the rod to keep the cushion member in place. The protrusion, with the attached cushion member, may then be affixed to the vehicle surface through the use of a keyhole formed in the vehicle surface. The knob is pushed longitudinally into a larger, clearance portion of the keyhole, such that the spring washer is compressed. Then, the protrusion is moved transversely into an engaged configuration, in which the knob and the spring washer engage the interference portion. The protrusion can be locked in place to form a locked configuration by providing an arcuate slot intersecting the keyhole, into which the washer fits. Alternatively, upraised tabs may be formed around the keyhole, such that the spring washer slides over the upraised tabs and locks into place abutting them. As another alternative, a locking tab may be formed in the washer in such a position that the locking tab can rest within the clearance portion to resist motion of the protrusion into the clearance portion.

Claims

1. An attachment assembly for attaching an airbag apparatus to a vehicle surface, the attachment assembly comprising:

a rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the rod extending between a mounting portion of a cushion member and a vehicle surface;

a knob affixed to the distal end of the rod;

a washer disposed on the rod between the mounting portion and the vehicle surface; and

a keyhole shaped to receive the knob and to engage the knob to prevent withdrawal of the knob from the keyhole in an engaged configuration, wherein the knob is freely rotatable within the keyhole in the engaged configuration.

2. The attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the keyhole is formed in the vehicle surface, and wherein the rod passes through a hole in the mounting portion.

3. The attachment assembly of claim 2, further comprising a cap affixed to the proximal end of the rod, wherein the cap and washer are dimensioned to interfere with the hole, so as to anchor the mounting portion between the washer and the cap.

4. The attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the keyhole comprises:

a clearance portion dimensioned to receive the knob with clearance; and

an interference portion connected to the clearance portion and dimensioned to interfere with the knob, so as to engage the knob when the knob adjoins the interference portion, the interference portion being dimensioned to receive the rod with clearance.

5. The attachment assembly of claim 4, wherein the rod and the knob comprise a substantially circular cross section, taken perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the rod.

6. The attachment assembly of claim 4, wherein the rod and the knob comprise a cross sectional shape chosen from the group consisting of polygons, ellipses, and ovals.

7. The attachment assembly of claim 4, wherein the vehicle surface comprises a locking feature configured to lock the knob in the engaged configuration.

8. The attachment assembly of claim 7, wherein the locking feature comprises one or more upraised tabs formed in the vehicle surface proximate the keyhole, wherein the upraised tabs are configured to abut the washer to restrict motion of the rod and knob toward the clearance portion of the keyhole.

9. The attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the washer comprises a conical shape configured to urge the knob toward the keyhole, so as to hold the knob firmly against the vehicle surface in the engaged configuration.

10. An attachment assembly for attaching an airbag apparatus to a vehicle surface, the attachment assembly comprising:

a rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the rod extending between a mounting portion of a cushion member and a vehicle surface;

a knob affixed to the distal end of the rod;

a washer disposed on the rod between the mounting portion and the vehicle surface; and

a keyhole shaped to receive the knob and to engage the knob to prevent withdrawal of the knob from the keyhole in an engaged configuration, wherein the knob is freely rotatable within the keyhole in the engaged configuration,

wherein the keyhole comprises;

a clearance portion dimensioned to receive the knob with clearance; and

an interference portion connected to the clearance portion and dimensioned to interfere with the knob, so as to engage the knob when the knob adjoins the interference portion, the interference portion being dimensioned to receive the rod with clearance 116,

wherein the vehicle surface comprises a locking feature configured to lock the knob in the engaged configuration,

wherein the locking feature comprises an arcuate slot intersecting the keyhole, an outer edge of the arcuate slot having a radius substantially the same as a radius of the washer, so as to receive the washer to restrict motion of the rod and knob toward the clearance portion of the keyhole.

11. An attachment assembly for attaching an airbag apparatus to a vehicle surface, the attachment assembly comprising:

a cushion member comprising a mounting portion;

a protrusion comprising;

a proximal end configured to be anchored to the mounting portion; and

a distal end enlarged in relation to the proximal end;

a vehicle surface comprising an opening having a clearance portion and an interference portion, the clearance portion being sized to receive the distal end of the protrusion, the interference portion being sized to restrict motion of the distal end through the interference portion; and

wherein engagement of the protrusion within the opening occurs independent of a rotational orientation of the protrusion about an axis perpendicular to the opening.

12. The attachment assembly of claim 11, wherein the opening comprises a keyhole.

13. The attachment assembly of claim 12, wherein the protrusion comprises a substantially circular cross section, taken perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the protrusion.

14. The attachment assembly of claim 12, wherein the protrusion comprises a cross sectional shape chosen from the group consisting of polygons, ellipses, and ovals.

15. The attachment assembly of claim 11, further comprising a washer configured to be affixed around the protrusion and positioned between the vehicle surface and the mounting portion.

16. The attachment assembly of claim 15, wherein the washer comprises a spring type washer having a conical shape, the spring type washer being configured to urge the distal end to firmly abut the vehicle surface.

17. The attachment assembly of claim 16, wherein the vehicle surface comprises a locking feature configured to restrain motion of the washer along the opening, so as to hold the distal end in engagement with the interference portion.

18. An attachment assembly for attaching an airbag apparatus to a vehicle surface, the attachment assembly comprising:

a rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the rod extending between a mounting portion of a cushion member and a vehicle surface;

a knob affixed to the distal end of the rod;

a keyhole shaped to receive the knob and to engage the knob to prevent withdrawal of the knob from the keyhole in an engaged configuration; and

a washer disposed on the rod between the mounting portion and the vehicle surface, the washer having a locking feature configured to lock the knob in the engaged configuration.

19. The attachment assembly of claim 18, wherein the keyhole is formed in the vehicle surface, and wherein the rod passes through a hole in the mounting portion.

20. The attachment assembly of claim 19, further comprising a cap affixed to the proximal end of the rod, wherein the cap and washer are dimensioned to interfere with the hole, so as to anchor the mounting portion between the washer and the cap.

21. The attachment assembly of claim 18, wherein the keyhole comprises:

a clearance portion dimensioned to receive the knob with clearance; and

an interference portion connected to the clearance portion and dimensioned to interfere with the knob, so as to engage the knob when the knob adjoins the interference portion, the interference portion being dimensioned to receive the rod with clearance.

22. The attachment assembly of claim 21, wherein the rod and the knob comprise a substantially circular cross section, taken perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the rod.

23. The attachment assembly of claim 21, wherein the rod and the knob comprise a cross sectional shape chosen from the group consisting of polygons, ellipses, and ovals.

24. The attachment assembly of claim 18, wherein the locking feature comprises a locking tab configured to extend into the keyhole to abut the clearance portion to restrict motion of the knob toward the clearance portion.

25. The attachment assembly of claim 18, wherein the washer is configured to be rotated in the engaged configuration to align the locking feature with the clearance portion.

26. The attachment assembly of claim 18, wherein the washer is configured to receive pressure from a hand of a user to remove the locking feature from the opening to permit removal of the knob from the engaged configuration.

27. The attachment assembly of claim 18, wherein the washer comprises a kinked shape configured to urge the knob toward the keyhole, so as to hold the knob firmly against the vehicle surface in the engaged configuration.

28. A method for attaching an airbag apparatus to a vehicle surface, the method comprising:

providing a vehicle surface, a protrusion having a proximal end and a distal end, and a cushion member having a mounting portion;

forming an opening in the vehicle surface, the opening having a clearance portion sized to receive the distal end of the protrusion and an interference portion sized to restrain motion of the distal end;

anchoring the proximal end to the mounting portion;

inserting the distal end of the protrusion into the opening; and

moving the distal end of the protrusion into engagement with the interference portion, the engagement being independent of a rotational orientation of the protrusion about an axis perpendicular to the opening.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising forming a locking feature on the vehicle surface.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising moving the distal end into a locked configuration with respect to the locking feature, so as to resist motion of the distal end out of engagement with the interference portion.

31. The method of claim 28, further comprising providing a washer installed around the protrusion.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein inserting the distal end of the protrusion into the opening comprises:

moving the distal end into the clearance portion until the washer abuts the vehicle surface; and

pressing the distal end further into the clearance portion so as to deflect the washer until the distal end is positioned to slide behind the interference portion.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein forming the opening comprises forming a keyhole.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein anchoring the protrusion to the mounting portion comprises:

providing a cap;

forming a hole in the mounting portion;

inserting the proximal end through the hole; and

affixing the cap to the proximal end.

35. A method for attaching an airbag apparatus to a vehicle surface, the method comprising:

providing a vehicle surface;

providing a protrusion having a proximal end and a distal end;

providing a cushion member having a mounting portion;

providing a washer having a locking feature;

forming an opening in the vehicle surface, the opening having a clearance portion sized to receive the distal end of the protrusion and an interference portion sized to restrain motion of the distal end;

anchoring the proximal end to the mounting portion;

inserting the distal end of the protrusion into the opening;

moving the distal end of the protrusion into engagement with the interference portion; and

rotationally aligning the washer with the opening such that the locking feature engages the opening to restrain motion of the distal end from the clearance portion.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein inserting the distal end of the protrusion into the opening comprises:

moving the distal end into the clearance portion until the washer abuts the vehicle surface; and

pressing the distal end further into the clearance portion so as to deflect the washer until the distal end is positioned to slide behind the interference portion.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein forming the opening comprises forming a keyhole.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein anchoring the protrusion to the mounting portion comprises:

providing a cap;

forming a hole in the mounting portion;

inserting the proximal end through the hole; and

affixing the cap to the proximal end.

39. A method for removing an attachment assembly from a vehicle surface having an opening with a clearance portion and an interference portion, the attachment assembly having a protrusion engaged within the interference portion and a washer positioned between the vehicle surface and a mounting portion of a cushion member, the washer having a locking feature extending into the opening to restrict motion of the protrusion into the clearance portion, the method comprising:

moving the washer to remove the locking feature from the opening;

moving the protrusion from the interference portion to the clearance portion; and

withdrawing the protrusion from the opening.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein moving the washer to remove the locking feature from the opening comprises exerting pressure on a lift tab of the washer in a direction away from the opening.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein moving the protrusion from the interference portion to the clearance portion comprises exerting pressure on a grip tab of the washer to slide the washer with respect to the opening.