Apparatus and method for airbag curtain module with secondary attachment device

• US 6,902,187 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2001
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Sonnenberg, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US09/996,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20030094797A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,296 Days
• Field of Search: 280/730.2, 280/730.1, 280/728.2
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2176 the air bag components being completely enclosed in a soft or semi-rigid housing or cover

Abstract

A vehicle occupant restraint module includes an inflatable curtain having a first edge and a second edge. The inflatable curtain can be positioned in a folded state. A covering may partially enclose the inflatable curtain when it is in a folded state. A plurality of first attachment members are spaced along and extend from the first edge of the curtain. The covering is configured with slots to allow the first attachment members to extend through the covering. At least one and preferably multiple second attachment members secured to an out-board side of the covering. The first attachment members are positioned to secure a first portion of the module to a vehicle interior. The second attachment members are positioned to secure a second portion of the module to a vehicle interior below the first portion.

Claims

1. An airbag curtain module, comprising:

an inflatable curtain having a first edge and a second edge, the inflatable curtain being positionable in an uninflated folded state;

a plurality of first attachment members positioned adjacent the first edge of the curtain, the first attachment members being capable of securing a first portion of the module to the interior of a vehicle; and

a plurality of second attachment members capable of securing a second portion of the module to the interior of the vehicle the second attachment members spaced along an out-board side of the module, wherein the second attachment members are securable to one of a plurality of attachment locations and wherein the second attachment members are positioned between the first attachment members and a bottom portion of the covering when the covering is positioned about the curtain and the module is attached to the interior of a vehicle.

2. The module of claim 1, wherein the first attachment members comprise at least one tab extending from the first edge of the curtain.

3. The module of claim 2, wherein the tab defines an opening for receiving a connector to secure the curtain to an interior of the vehicle.

4. The module of claim 1, wherein the second attachment members are secured to the curtain below the first attachment members when the airbag module is attached to the interior of the vehicle.

5. The module of claim 1, further comprising a covering configured to at least partially enclose the inflatable curtain.

6. The module of claim 5, wherein the first attachment members are secured to the covering.

7. The module of claim 5, wherein the second attachment members are secured to the covering at a position below at least one of the first attachment members when the airbag is secured to the interior of a vehicle.

8. The module of claim 1, wherein the second attachment members comprise magnets.

9. The module of claim 8, wherein a plurality of substantially flat magnets are spaced near the first edge of the inflatable curtain.

10. The module of claim 8, wherein the magnets have a magnetic field strength which permits the module to be secured to a vehicle interior and which also permits the detachment of the magnets from a vehicle interior with minimal force applied by a user.

11. The module of claim 1, wherein the second attachment members comprise an adhesive sufficient to adhere the curtain to a vehicle interior.

12. The module of claim 1, wherein the second attachment members comprise clips configured for attachment to a vehicle interior.

13. A vehicle occupant restraint module, comprising:

an inflatable curtain having a first edge and a second edge, the inflatable curtain being positionable in an uninflated folded state;

a covering configured to at least partially enclose the inflatable curtain when in the uninflated folded state;

a plurality of first attachment members spaced along the first edge of the curtain, the first attachment members configured to receive a connector for securing the module to the interior of a vehicle; and

a plurality of second attachment members spaced along an out-board side of the covering wherein the second attachment members are positioned between the first attachment members and a bottom portion of the covering when the covering is positioned about the curtain and the module is attached to the interior of a vehicle.

14. The module of claim 13, wherein the first attachment members are positioned to secure a first portion of the module to a vehicle interior and the second attachment members are positioned to secure a second portion of the module to the vehicle interior below the first portion.

15. The module of claim 13, wherein the second attachment members are positioned substantially parallel to the first attachment members.

16. The module of claim 15, wherein the second attachment members comprise magnets.

17. The module of claim 16, wherein a plurality of magnets are spaced along an out-board side of the covering below the first attachment members when the module is secured to a vehicle interior.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein each magnet is positioned opposite to, and adjacent to, one of the plurality of first attachment members.

19. The module of claim 16, wherein the magnets have a magnetic field strength which permits the detachment of the magnet from a vehicle interior with minimal force applied by a user.

20. The module of claim 13, wherein the second attachment members comprise adhesive attached to the covering sufficient to adhere the covering to a vehicle interior.

21. The module of claim 13, wherein the second attachment members comprise clips attached to the covering configured for attachment of the covering to a vehicle interior.

22. A vehicle occupant restraint module, comprising:

an inflatable curtain having a first edge and a second edge, the inflatable curtain being positionable in an uninflated folded state;

a covering configured to at least partially enclose the inflatable curtain in a folded state;

a plurality of first attachment members configured to receive a connector for securing the module to the interior of a vehicle; and

a plurality of magnets secured to an out-board side of the covering, at least one magnet being positioned between a first attachment member and a bottom portion of the covering when the curtain is in a folded state within the covering, and the module is secured to a vehicle interior.

23. A method for attaching an airbag curtain module to the interior of a vehicle, the module comprises an inflatable curtain configurable in a folded state, a covering configured to at least partially enclose the inflatable curtain in the folded state, a plurality of first attachment members spaced along the first edge of the curtain, and at least one second attachment member secured to an out-board side of the covering between the first attachment member and a bottom portion of the covering, wherein the at least one second attachment member is securable to one of a plurality of attachment locations, comprising:

folding the airbag curtain into a predetermined configuration;

securing the covering about the airbag curtain;

securing the first attachment members to the interior of a vehicle; and

securing the second attachment members to the interior of a vehicle at a position below the first attachment members, wherein the second attachment member is secured to the vehicle interior before the first attachment member is secured to the vehicle interior.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the second attachment member comprises a magnet and the step of securing the second attachment member comprises positioning the module adjacent a metallic surface to permit the magnetic force of the magnet force of the magnet to secure the module to a vehicle interior.

25. An airbag curtain module, comprising:

an inflatable curtain in an uninflated state;

a plurality of first attachment members positioned adjacent the first edge of the curtain, wherein the first attachment members secure a first portion of the module to the interior of a vehicle; and

a second attachment member securing a second portion of the module to the interior of the vehicle, wherein the at least one second attachment member is secured to the interior of the vehicle by itself, wherein the second portion is between the first portion of the module and a bottom portion of the module, when the first portion of the module is secured to the interior of the vehicle.

26. The module of claim 25, wherein the second attachment member comprises a magnet.

27. The module of claim 26, wherein the magnet has a magnetic field strength which permits the module to be secured to a vehicle interior and which also permits the detachment of the magnet from a vehicle interior with minimal force applied by a user.

28. The module of claim 25, wherein the second attachment member comprises an adhesive sufficient to adhere the curtain to a vehicle interior.

29. The module of claim 25, wherein the second attachment member comprises a clip configured for attachment to a vehicle interior.

30. An airbag curtain module, comprising:

an inflatable curtain in an uninflated state;

a plurality of first attachment members positioned adjacent the first edge of the curtain, wherein the first attachment members secure a first portion of the module to the interior of a vehicle; and

a second attachment member, comprising a magnet securing a second portion of the module to the interior of the vehicle, wherein the second attachment member is secured to the interior of the vehicle by urging the second attachment member against the interior of the vehicle, the second attachment member being secured to one of a plurality of attachment locations, wherein the second portion is between the first portion of the module and a bottom portion of the module, when the first portion of the module is secured to the interior of the vehicle.

31. The module of claim 30, wherein the magnet has a magnetic field strength which permits the module to be secured to a vehicle interior and which also permits the detachment of the magnet from a vehicle interior with minimal force applied by a user.

32. The module of claim 30, wherein the second attachment member comprises an adhesive sufficient to adhere the curtain to a vehicle interior.

33. The module of claim 30, wherein the second attachment member comprises a clip configured for attachment to a vehicle interior.