Mounting structure for curtain airbag

• US 7,780,187 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2006
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Japan K.K.
• Original Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Minamikawa, Takeki
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brown; Drew
• Application Number:
  US11/522,443
• Publication Number:
  US 20070063490A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,436 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/730.2, 403/13, 403/14, 248/220.31, 248/220.41, 248/225.21, 248/300, 244/58
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44026 for cooperating with aperture in supporting structure or structure-to-be-secured

Abstract

The disclosed mounting component and mounting structure may provide an efficient mounting of a folded curtain airbag and/or may prevent movement of the airbag caused by a vehicle member striking the folded curtain airbag. A mounting component and/or mounting structure may include a base piece configured to be attached to the vehicle body and projecting pieces extending from both ends of the base piece for extending over the folded curtain airbag. The base piece and the projecting pieces can be integrated with each other.

Claims

1. A mounting component for mounting a folded curtain airbag that extends along a vehicle body, comprising:

a base piece configured to be attached to the vehicle body; and

projecting pieces extending from both ends of the base piece for extending over the folded curtain airbag,

wherein the base piece and the projecting pieces are integrated with each other such that the base piece protrudes vertically above the projecting pieces,

wherein the projecting pieces are laterally bent portions of a plate, the base piece is a flat partial cut-out portion in the plate that is vertically upright relative to the laterally bent portions, and a lateral opening in the plate is located directly adjacent to the laterally bent portions and an edge of the partial cut-out portion,

wherein the laterally bent portions of the projecting pieces have attached ends connecting the projecting pieces with the plate and unattached ends configured to remain suspended outward from a rest of the plate, and

wherein the projecting pieces are configured to prevent movement of the folded curtain airbag by having folds of the airbag abutting against the projecting pieces and the unattached ends maintain their outward suspension from the rest of the plate.

2. The mounting component according to claim 1, wherein each of the projecting pieces comprises a hanging portion at an end thereof for extending over a surface of the folded curtain airbag.

3. The mounting component according to claim 2, wherein a longitudinal section of the projecting pieces is concaved in a downward direction.

4. The mounting component according to claim 1, wherein the width of the projecting pieces is 10 mm or more.

5. The mounting component according to claim 1, further comprising a catching piece for engagement with a catching hole located in the vehicle body.

6. The mounting component according to claim 1, wherein the lateral opening is an enclosed aperture that is bordered by the laterally bent portions, the edge of the partial cut-out portion and a portion of the plate connecting the laterally bent portions together.

7. The mounting component according to claim 1, wherein the base piece comprises an aperture for mounting the mounting component to the vehicle body, and wherein the aperture is vertically above the projecting pieces.

8. An occupant restraint device for a vehicle comprising:

a folded curtain airbag; and

a mounting component for mounting the folded curtain airbag to the vehicle comprising;

a base piece configured to be attached to a vehicle body; and

projecting pieces extending from both ends of the base piece for extending over the folded curtain airbag,

wherein the base piece and the projecting pieces are integrated with each other such that the base piece protrudes vertically above the projecting pieces,

wherein the folded curtain airbag includes a protruding tab superposed on the base piece of the mounting component,

wherein the tab is configured for attachment to the vehicle body via the base piece,

wherein the projecting pieces are laterally bent portions of a plate, the base piece is a flat partial cut-out portion in the plate that is vertically upright relative to the laterally bent portions, and a lateral opening in the plate is located directly adjacent to the laterally bent portions and an edge of the partial cut-out portion,

wherein the laterally bent portions of the projecting pieces have attached ends connecting the projecting pieces with the plate and unattached ends configured to remain suspended outward from a rest of the plate, and

wherein the projecting pieces are configured to prevent movement of the folded curtain airbag by having folds of the airbag abutting against the projecting pieces and the unattached ends maintain their outward suspension from the rest of the plate.

9. The device according to claim 8, further comprising a retaining piece superposed on a surface of the tab;

and

wherein the retaining piece and the base piece are attached to each other.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the folded curtain airbag and the mounting component are attached to each other by tape members wound around the folded curtain airbag and the mounting component.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the tape members surround outer peripheries of the projecting pieces.

12. An occupant restraint device for a vehicle comprising:

a folded curtain airbag; and

a mounting component for mounting the folded curtain airbag to the vehicle comprising;

a flat base piece configured to be attached to a vehicle body, and

projecting pieces connected to the base piece and disposed at both ends of the base piece in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle,

wherein the projecting pieces are U-shaped downward curved portions of a plate and the base piece is a flat partial cut-out portion in the plate that is vertically upright relative to the curved portions, and a lateral opening in the plate is located directly adjacent to the curved portions and an edge of the partial cut-out portion, and

wherein the curved portions of the projecting pieces have unattached ends configured to remain suspended outward from a rest of the plate.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the lateral opening is an enclosed aperture that is bordered by the downward curved portions, the edge of the partial cut-out portion and a portion of the plate connecting ends of the downward curved portions together.

14. The device according to claim 12, wherein a length of the projecting pieces in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is approximately 10 to 200 mm.

15. The device according to claim 12, wherein the folded curtain airbag is accommodated inside the downward curved portions of the projecting pieces and a tab of the airbag is superposed on the base piece.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the tab has an opening located such that the opening on the tab aligns with a through-hole on the base piece.

17. The device according to claim 12, wherein pieces of tape are wound around the projecting pieces.

18. The device according to claim 12, wherein the projecting pieces are configured to prevent movement of the folded curtain airbag by having folds of the airbag abutting against the projecting pieces and the unattached ends maintain their outward suspension from the rest of the plate.