Attachment of airbag module to vehicle

• US 7,281,733 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2005
• Issued: 10/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc. (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc. (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Pieruch, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Culbreth; Eric
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sliteris; Joselynn Y.
• Application Number:
  US11/053,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20050179237A1
• Time in Patent Office: 980 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/730.2
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence

Abstract

An airbag module, in particular for a side airbag, has an airbag and a fastening element, preferably having a longitudinal profile, on which the airbag is arranged directly or indirectly via an airbag module housing. The fastening element has a substantially U-shaped cross-section and is constructed in such a way as to grip in a complementary form-fitting manner around a structural element of a vehicle.

Claims

1. An airbag module comprising:

an airbag; and

a fastening element having a longitudinal profile, on which the airbag is arranged, wherein the fastening element comprises a substantially U-shaped cross-section, the fastening element having two spaced apart leg portions extending from a base portion, the leg portions are in a non-parallel relationship to one another, the fastening element having an internal configuration in a form of a wedge that corresponds to an external configuration of a structural element of a vehicle and being constructed in such a way as to grip at least partially in a complementary form-fitting manner around at least three sides of the structural element of a vehicle.

2. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein, in cross-section, the fastening element has a projection located at an end of each leg portion distal from the base portion of the fastening element, the projections directed substantially towards one another spaced to allow the fastening element to be positioned over an area of smaller width of the structural element and pushed in to a form fitting manner around the structural element, the projections being engaged on a side of the structural element opposite the base portion.

3. The airbag module according to claim 2, wherein the two projections extend substantially along the entire length of the fastening element.

4. The airbag module according to claim 2, wherein the fastening element further comprises at least one catch element extending from at least one leg portion.

5. The airbag module according to claim 3, wherein the fastening element further comprises at least one catch element extending from at least one leg portion.

6. The airbag module according to claim 5, wherein the catch element is a tab projecting from the fastening element.

7. The airbag module according to claim 5, wherein the catch element is a protrusion protruding from the fastening element.

8. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the fastening element comprises a resilient material.

9. The airbag module according to claim 1, wherein the fastening element is provided on a surface that will engage the structural element of a vehicle with a coating to dampen noise or vibrations.

10. A vehicle comprising an airbag module and a structural element, the structural element having longitudinally extending sides that are not parallel to one another, and wherein the airbag module comprises an airbag and a fastening element, on which the airbag is arranged, and wherein the fastening element comprises a substantially U-shaped cross-section, the fastening element having two spaced apart leg portions extending from a base portion, the leg portions are in a non-parallel relationship to one another, the fastening element having an internal configuration in a form of a wedge that corresponds to an external configuration of the structural element of a vehicle and being constructed in such a way as to grip at least partially in a complementary form-fitting manner around at least three sides of the structural element of the vehicle.

11. The vehicle according to claim 10 wherein, in cross-section, the fastening element has a projection located at an end of each leg portion distal from the base portion of the fastening element, the projections directed substantially towards one another spaced to allow the fastening element to be positioned over an area of smaller width of the structural element and pushed in to a form fitting manner around the structural element, the projections being located on an opposite side of the base portion of the fastening element.

12. The airbag module according to claim 11, wherein the two projections extend substantially along an entire length of the fastening element.

13. The airbag module according to claim 11, wherein the fastening element further comprises at least one catch element extending from at least one leg portion, the catch element engaging a recess or an opening in the structural element.

14. The airbag module according to claim 12, wherein at least one catch element extends from the fastening element to engage a recess or an opening in the structural element.

15. The airbag module according to claim 13, wherein the catch element is a tab projecting from the fastening element.

16. The airbag module according to claim 14, wherein the catch element is a tab projecting from the fastening element.

17. The airbag module according to claim 13, wherein the catch element is a protrusion protruding from the fastening element.

18. The airbag module according to claim 14, wherein the catch element is a protrusion protruding from the fastening element.