Modular airbag housing and method of manufacture
First Claim
1. A method of manufacturing an airbag housing comprising the steps of:
- providing a first set of substantially planar modular housing members having substantially constant dimensions;
providing a second set of substantially planar housing members; and
selecting two substantially similar housing members from the second set, and attaching the housing members from the second set directly to the modular housing members of the first set so that said housing members from the second set are relatively fixed with respect to said housing members from the second set;
attaching a first hook plate to a first member of the first set of housing members, wherein a plurality of hook members attached to the first hook plate protrude through a plurality of apertures in the first housing member of the first set of housing members; and
attaching a second hook plate to a second member of the first set of housing members, wherein a plurality of hook members attached to the second hook plate protrude through a plurality of apertures in the second member,wherein the housing members from the first set are oriented substantially perpendicular to the housing members of the second set, thereby forming a substantially rectangular housing.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular airbag housing and a method for its manufacture are provided. The modular airbag housing is constructed from a plurality of pieces, including a plurality of plates, at least two of which are modular, and an inflator retainer. The housing has a plurality of tabs for attaching to the vehicle. Two hook plates having a plurality of hook members may be attached to the housing. The inflator retainer includes a first half and a second half. Both halves of the retainer include a substantially arcuate outer surface and at least one flange, a securing of the halves fixing a portion of an airbag therebetween. The second half includes a plurality of inflation orifices for directing inflation gas from an inflator unit into an airbag attached to the inflator retainer.
41 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing an airbag housing comprising the steps of:
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providing a first set of substantially planar modular housing members having substantially constant dimensions; providing a second set of substantially planar housing members; and selecting two substantially similar housing members from the second set, and attaching the housing members from the second set directly to the modular housing members of the first set so that said housing members from the second set are relatively fixed with respect to said housing members from the second set; attaching a first hook plate to a first member of the first set of housing members, wherein a plurality of hook members attached to the first hook plate protrude through a plurality of apertures in the first housing member of the first set of housing members; and attaching a second hook plate to a second member of the first set of housing members, wherein a plurality of hook members attached to the second hook plate protrude through a plurality of apertures in the second member, wherein the housing members from the first set are oriented substantially perpendicular to the housing members of the second set, thereby forming a substantially rectangular housing. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method of manufacturing an airbag housing comprising the steps of:
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positioning first and second modular housing plates substantially parallel to each other; positioning first and second non-modular housing plates substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the modular housing plates; attaching the modular housing plates directly to the non-modular plates so that said first and second modular housing plates are relatively fixed with respect to said first and second non-modular housing plates, thereby forming a walled housing body defining an interior space; securing a two piece inflator retainer in the housing body at least partially within the interior space attaching a first hook plate to a first of the housing plates, wherein a plurality of hook members attached to the first hook plate protrude through a plurality of apertures in the first housing plate; and attaching a second hook plate to a second of the housing plates, wherein a plurality of hook members attached to the second hook plate protrude through a plurality of apertures in the second housing plate. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An airbag housing manufactured by a process comprising the steps of:
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positioning a set of end housing plates substantially parallel to each other; positioning a set of side housing plates substantially parallel to one another, and substantially perpendicular to the set of end housing plates; attaching the sets of end and side housing plates directly to one another so that said side housing plates are relatively fixed with respect to said end housing plates, thereby forming a walled housing body having an interior space; positioning an airbag inflator at least partially in the interior space and securing the inflator to the walled housing body; attaching a first hook plate having a plurality of hook members to one of the side housing plates, wherein the housing plate is an upper plate and the plurality of hook members are positioned to protrude through a plurality of matching apertures in the upper plate; and attaching a second hook plate having a plurality of hook members to a second of the side housing plates, wherein the second housing plate is a lower plate and the plurality of hook members are positioned to protrude through a plurality of matching apertures in the lower plate, wherein at least one of the set of end and side housing plates is modular, the modular set being adapted to accommodate varying dimensions of the other set. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An airbag housing comprising:
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a plurality of substantially planar housing members directly attachable to one another so as to form a substantially rectangular housing body with said plurality of substantially planar housing members relatively fixed with respect to one another; an inflator retainer attached to said housing body, said retainer having a first half and a second half, each said half having a retaining surface and a flange projecting from an outer surface; a first hook plate having a plurality of hook members, the first hook plate being attached to one of the housing members, wherein the housing member is an upper plate and the plurality of hook members are positioned to protrude through a plurality of matching apertures in the upper plate; and a second hook plate having a plurality of hook members, the second hook plate being attached to a second of the housing members, wherein the second housing member is a lower plate and the plurality of hook members are positioned to protrude through a plurality of matching apertures in the lower plate, wherein said first half and said second half are securable to form a hollow retainer body whereby said retaining surfaces are substantially opposed to secure an inflator therebetween and said flanges are substantially flush to secure a portion of an airbag therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification