Method and apparatus for securing an air bag
First Claim
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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Accused Products
Abstract
An assembly is provided for steering a vehicle including a driver interface operable to enable a driver to steer the vehicle and at least one control member operable to couple the driver interface to the vehicle. An air bag module is coupled to the driver interface and is operable to expand to absorb the kinetic energy of the driver. A horn switch is coupled to the driver interface and the air bag module. The horn switch is operable to generate an electrical signal based on an input from the driver. An attachment mechanism is operable to couple the air bag module and horn switch to the driver interface, and includes at least one retaining member operable to engage the air bag module and armature. The retaining member is operable to release the air bag module and horn switch from the driver interface upon the application of a retractive force.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An assembly comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An assembly comprising:
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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 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. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification