Side curtain air bag deployment pillar bracket and garnish

• US 7,585,009 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2006
• Issued: 09/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Longwell, Justin, Mudlin, Scott, Foreman, Grant
• Primary Examiner(s): LYJAK, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US11/558,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20080111395A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 296/193.06, 296/1.02, 161/101, 16D/IG.40, 16D/IG.41
• US Class Current: 296/1.02
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0206 Arrangements of fasteners and clips specially adapted for attaching inner vehicle liners or mouldings devices for fastening or securing F16B
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/025 Pillars; Roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0275 comprising removable or hinged parts for accessing storage compartments B60R7/04; for airbag deployment B60R21/215
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 16/40 Attaching means

Abstract

A bracket for placement between the A-pillar and pillar garnish in an automobile, wherein the bracket includes a base and first and second mounting flanges for use in attaching the bracket to the A-pillar structure. The bracket also includes first and second handle flanges for use in attaching an occupant grab handle to the bracket. The bracket also includes a garnish mounting flange located between the base and handle flange. The garnish is secured to the bracket allowing the garnish to deflect slightly inwards and outwards, but not to such an extent that damage to the garnish occurs.

Claims

1. A bracket for use in a vehicle A-pillar system that includes an A-pillar structure, a side curtain air bag, occupant grab handle, and garnish, the bracket comprising:

a base;

first and second mounting flanges each defining an aperture for use in attaching the bracket to the A-pillar structure;

first and second handle flanges, each defining an aperture for use in attaching the grab handle to the bracket; and

a garnish mounting flange, wherein the garnish is clippable to said garnish mounting flange.

2. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the bracket is manufactured from mild steel.

3. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the bracket further includes an adapter plate mechanically attached to the first mounting flange, wherein the adapter plate defines an aperture to facilitate attachment to the air bag.

4. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the garnish mounting flange is located between the base and second handle flange to provide a preferred mounting position for the garnish.

5. The bracket of claim 1 further including a sidewall extending from at least the base toward the A-pillar structure when the bracket is mounted on the A-pillar.

6. The bracket of claim 1, wherein the first and second mounting flanges are located at the proximal and distal ends of the bracket respectively and the first handle flange and garnish flange flank the base.

7. An automobile pillar system comprising:

an A-pillar structure;

a bracket mechanically attached to the A-pillar and including;

a base;

first and second mounting flanges each defining an aperture for use in attaching the bracket to the pillar structure;

first and second handle flanges, each defining an aperture for use in attaching the grab handle to the bracket; and

a garnish mounting flange, wherein a garnish is clippable to said garnish mounting flange.

a side curtain air bag secured between the A-pillar and bracket; and

a garnish clipped to and covering the bracket.

8. The automobile pillar system of claim 7 wherein the garnish includes a clip having a spacer portion that spaces the garnish from the bracket and a nipple portion that clips the garnish to the bracket.

9. A bracket for use in a vehicle A-pillar system that includes an A-pillar structure, a side curtain air bag, and garnish, the bracket comprising:

a base;

first and second mounting flanges each defining an aperture for use in attaching the bracket to the A-pillar structure; and

a garnish mounting flange, wherein the garnish is clippable to said garnish mounting flange.