Actuatable fastener

• US 7,461,859 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2007
• Issued: 12/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Stevens, Halley O., Debbs, Robert R., O'Loughlin, John P., Fogle, Homer W. Jr., Thomas, Keven D., McFarland, Eric R., Fischer, Craig M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley; Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brown; Drew J.
• Application Number:
  US11/805,644
• Publication Number:
  US 20070228708A1
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• Field of Search: 280/739, 280/738, 280/742, 280/743.2, 411/391, 411/19, 411/20, 411/390
• US Class Current: 280/739
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/161 characterised by additional means for controlling deployment trajectory
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26029 Ignitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2035 using modules containing inflator, bag and cover attachable to the steering wheel as a complete sub-unit steering wheel covers with tear lines B60R21/21656; assembling of modules B60R21/217
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239

Abstract

An actuatable fastener (50) includes a body (80) including a head (82) and a shank (84). The body (80) includes an interior chamber (120) partially defined by a side wall (132) extending from the head (82) into the shank (84) and an end wall (138) positioned in the shank. A member (140) is disposed in the chamber (120). An initiator (160) is actuatable to produce combustion products in the chamber (120) that act on the member (140) to move the member in a first direction in the chamber to strike the end wall (138). The member (140) strikes the end wall (138) creating a fracture (222) in the shank (84) separating at least a portion of the shank from a remainder (220) of the shank. The combustion products moving the member (150) beyond the fracture (222) at least a predetermined distance (226) to move the portion of the shank (84) at least the predetermined distance from the remainder (220) of the shank.

Claims

1. An actuatabie fastener for controlling movement of an actuatable member of a vehicle occupant protection apparatus relative to a support member, the actuatable fastener comprising:

a body comprising a longitudinal axis, a first portion connectable with the actuatable member and a second portion connectable with the support member, the second portion having at least one sidewardly protruding portion, the second portion being connectable with the support member without threaded connections by forming a form-fitting connection with the support member and avoiding relative movement between the second portion and the support member in the direction of the longitudinal axis; and

a pyrotechnic initiator disposed in an interior chamber of the body, the initiator being actuatable to separate the first and second portions of the body to control movement of the actuatable member.

2. The actuatable fastener according to claim 1, wherein the sidewardly protruding portion is a shoulder formed in one piece with the second portion.

3. The actuatable fastener according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of sidewardly protruding portions defines at least one groove between them.

4. The actuatable fastener according to claim 1, wherein the first and second portions are made in one piece and wherein the body is ruptured on actuating the pyrotechnic initiator.

5. The actuatable fastener according to claim 1, wherein the pyrotechnic initiator is a squib including a body of pyrotechnic material supported in an end cap.

6. The actuatable fastener according to claim 1, wherein the sidewardly protruding portion defines a first surface that engages a corresponding second surface of the support member.

7. The actuatable fastener according to claim 6, wherein the first surface extends perpendicular to the axis.

8. The actuatable fastener according to claim 6, wherein the second surface is defined by an opening in the support member.

9. The actuatable fastener according to claim 8, wherein the second portion comprises a shank from which the sidewardly protruding portion protrudes, at least a portion of the shank being positioned in the opening when the first surface engages the second surface.

10. The actuatable fastener according to claim 1, wherein the body includes at least one circumferential groove, a predetermined separation area in the body being defined by a circumferential groove and the actuatable member contacting a circumferential groove such that relative movement between the actuatable member and the body is avoided.

11. An actuatable fastener for controlling movement of an actuatable member of a vehicle occupant protection apparatus relative to a support member, the actuatable fastener comprising:

a body having a longitudinal axis, the body comprising a first portion connectable with the actuatable member and a second portion connectable with the support member, the second portion comprising a shank portion and a portion that protrudes from the shank portion in a direction transverse to the axis, the protruding portion having a first surface engageable with corresponding second surface of the support member to connect the second portion to the support member without threaded connections; and

a pyrotechnic initiator disposed in an interior chamber of the body, the initiator being actuatable to separate the first and second portions of the body to control movement of the actuatable member.

12. The actuatable fastener according to claim 11, wherein the protruding portion comprises a shoulder formed in one piece with the second portion.

13. The actuatable fastener according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of protruding portions defines at least one groove between them.

14. The actuatable fastener according to claim 11, wherein the first and second portions are made in one piece and wherein the body is ruptured on actuating the pyrotechnic initiator.

15. The actuatable fastener according to claim 11, wherein the first surface extends perpendicular to the axis.

16. The actuatable fastener according to claim 11, wherein the second surface is defined by an opening in the support member.

17. The actuatable fastener according to claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the shank is positioned in the opening when the first surface engages the second surface.

18. The actuatable fastener according to claim 11, wherein the engagement between the first and second surfaces helps limit relative movement of the fastener relative to the support member in the direction of the longitudinal axis.