Spool tensioning device for airbag installation
First Claim
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1. An airbag assembly, comprising:
- an airbag including a mounting surface, the mounting surface configured to be coupled to a vehicle;
a tensioning mechanism configured to maintain the airbag in a desired position upon installation; and
a securing member to transmit tension from the tensioning mechanism to the mounting surface to maintain the airbag in a desired position upon installation;
wherein the tensioning mechanism comprises a spool clutch and a fastener configured to rotate together and wind up the securing member such that the securing member applies increasing tension to the airbag until a particular tension level is reached, whereupon the spool does not rotate and maintains the particular tension level on the airbag while the fastener continues to rotate.
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Abstract
An airbag assembly comprises a tensioning mechanism including a clutch is disclosed. The tensioning mechanism maintains the airbag in a desired position upon installation. In one embodiment, an inflatable curtain is coupled to a spool clutch and fastener via a tether to provide tension along the longitudinal mounting surface of the inflatable curtain during its installation adjacent the vehicle roof rail.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An airbag assembly, comprising:
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an airbag including a mounting surface, the mounting surface configured to be coupled to a vehicle; a tensioning mechanism configured to maintain the airbag in a desired position upon installation; and a securing member to transmit tension from the tensioning mechanism to the mounting surface to maintain the airbag in a desired position upon installation; wherein the tensioning mechanism comprises a spool clutch and a fastener configured to rotate together and wind up the securing member such that the securing member applies increasing tension to the airbag until a particular tension level is reached, whereupon the spool does not rotate and maintains the particular tension level on the airbag while the fastener continues to rotate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A tensioning mechanism to provide tension to an inflatable curtain airbag during installation within a vehicle, the tensioning mechanism comprising:
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a fastener component having an end configured to fasten the tensioning mechanism to a vehicle upon the application of torque to the fastener component; and a clutch component configured to coil a tether extending from the inflatable curtain, the clutch component having an inner cavity receiving the fastener component; wherein the fastener component and clutch component are configured to rotate together when coiling a tether until a particular tension level is reached, whereupon the fastener component rotates independent of the clutch component. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for installing an inflatable curtain airbag in a vehicle, comprising:
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positioning a mounting surface of the inflatable curtain airbag in a mounting position adjacent the roof rail of a vehicle, wherein the airbag is coupled to a securing member, wherein the securing member is coupled to a spool clutch; securing the inflatable curtain airbag to the vehicle by mounting the spool clutch to the vehicle via a fastener; and providing a tensioning force longitudinally along a portion of the mounting surface when the inflatable curtain is in the mounting position, wherein providing a tensioning force comprises; rotating the spool clutch together with the fastener to wind up the securing member such that the securing member applies increasing tension to the airbag until a particular tension level is reached, whereupon the spool does not rotate and maintains the particular tension level on the airbag while the fastener continues to rotate. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification