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Method and apparatus for securing an air bag

  • US 7,533,897 B1
  • Filed: 02/13/2006
  • Issued: 05/19/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2005
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An assembly comprising:

  • a steering wheel (18) including a plurality of support members (330);

    a plurality of mounting members (34) associated with an automotive component, each mounting member having an extending element;

    each support member including a body and an open passage, the open passage configured to receive one extending element (37) of a particular mounting member;

    a resilient attachment mechanism (20) operable to couple each of the mounting members with corresponding portions of the steering wheel;

    wherein the attachment mechanism (20) is operable to release the plurality of mounting members from the steering wheel upon the application of a retractive force applied to the attachment mechanism;

    wherein each attachment mechanism includes first portion (90) configured to receive the retractive force, a resilient first leg (86, 88) situated near a middle of the attachment mechanism and a first distal end, the steering wheel further includes a first set (306, 308, 308a) of at least three posts, each of the three posts contacting the first resilient leg (86, 88) of the attachment mechanism, wherein a first (308) of the three posts is misaligned relative to the other two posts;

    wherein the second (306) and third (308a) posts lie generally along an imaginary straight line wherein a portion of the first post (308) intersects with the straight line;

    wherein the first resilient leg (86, 88) is configured that when it is in engagement with a surface of the first post (308), other adjacent portions of the first resilient leg are each forcefully urged against corresponding surfaces of the second (306) and the third (308a) posts;

    wherein at least a second distal end (92) of the first portion or the first distal end (104) of the attachment mechanism extends perpendicularly through a corresponding open passage (332) of one of the support members (330) in a manner to interfere with the movement of an extending element of the mounting member through such open passage.

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