Apparatus and method for rapid airbag component installation
First Claim
1. An attachment assembly for attaching a tether for an airbag assembly to a vehicle surface, the attachment assembly comprising:
- a tether comprising a first end affixed to a cushion member of the airbag assembly, a second end anchored at an anchoring point of a vehicle, and an intermediate portion positioned generally between the first end and the second end; and
a tether attachment configured to attach the intermediate portion to a vehicle surface, the tether attachment having a fastening strength selected to permit detachment of the intermediate portion from the vehicle surface during deployment of the cushion member.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Attachment assemblies are provided for attaching airbag components, such as inflatable curtain modules and tethers, to surfaces inside a vehicle. The attachment assemblies may include a clip with a tapered stud having a circular or rectangular cross-sectional shape that can be pressed into a corresponding opening of the vehicle surface. Each of the tapered studs may have a plurality of branches designed to reduce the force required to insert the tapered stud into the corresponding opening. Additionally, each clip may have a flange with a contoured shape designed to fit closely to its associated vehicle surface and to position the airbag component properly for deployment. A tether may be routed, or removably attached to ensure positioning for proper deployment, through the use of one or more attachment assemblies that permit breakaway of the tether from each attachment assembly. Curtain modules may be more permanently affixed to the attachment assemblies.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An attachment assembly for attaching a tether for an airbag assembly to a vehicle surface, the attachment assembly comprising:
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a tether comprising a first end affixed to a cushion member of the airbag assembly, a second end anchored at an anchoring point of a vehicle, and an intermediate portion positioned generally between the first end and the second end; and
a tether attachment configured to attach the intermediate portion to a vehicle surface, the tether attachment having a fastening strength selected to permit detachment of the intermediate portion from the vehicle surface during deployment of the cushion member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An attachment assembly for attaching a curtain module to a roof rail having an opening formed therein, the attachment assembly comprising:
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a curtain module configured to be affixed to the roof rail;
a clip attached to the curtain module, the clip comprising a protrusion having a compressed configuration and an uncompressed configuration, wherein the protrusion is configured to be insertable, in a lengthwise direction of the protrusion, into the opening when the protrusion is in the compressed configuration, but not when the protrusion is in the uncompressed configuration, wherein the protrusion comprises a tapered stud having a plurality of tapered branches, the plurality of branches being separated by at least one recess, and further comprising a staple piercing the curtain module and the clip to attach the curtain module to the clip. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An inflatable curtain assembly, comprising:
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a plurality of airbag components, wherein each airbag component is configured to be attached to a vehicle surface comprising one of a roof rail, an A pillar, and a B pillar of a vehicle; and
a plurality of clips attached to the airbag components, each clip comprising a protrusion, each protrusion having a compressed configuration and an uncompressed configuration, wherein the protrusion is configured such that it is insertable into an opening in one of the vehicle surfaces when the protrusion is in the compressed configuration but is not insertable when the protrusion is in the uncompressed configuration, wherein the protrusion comprises a tapered stud having a plurality of tapered branches, the plurality of branches being separated by at least one recess;
wherein the airbag components comprise a curtain module and a tether and wherein the curtain module is attached to a roof rail, and wherein the tether is attached to an A pillar and wherein the curtain module is attached to the roof rail with a fastening strength selected to keep the curtain module attached during deployment of the inflatable curtain assembly, and wherein an intermediate portion of the tether is attached to the A pillar with a fastening strength selected to permit detachment of the tether from the A pillar during deployment of the inflatable curtain assembly. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. An attachment assembly for attaching a curtain module to a roof rail having an opening formed therein, the attachment assembly comprising:
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a curtain module configured to be affixed to the roof rail;
a clip attached to the curtain module, the clip comprising a protrusion having a compressed configuration and an uncompressed configuration, wherein the protrusion is configured to be insertable, in a lengthwise direction of the protrusion, into the opening when the protrusion is in the compressed configuration, but not when the protrusion is in the uncompressed configuration, wherein the protrusion comprises a tapered stud having a plurality of tapered branches, the plurality of branches being separated by at least one recess, and further comprising a thread piercing the curtain module and the clip to attach the curtain module to the clip.
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Specification