Airbag with a flexible fastening tab

• US 8,480,118 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2007
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kjell, Fredrik, Kroll, Jack, Karlsson, David, Lindberg, Ken, Jorlv, Andreas, Oral, Ridvan
• Primary Examiner(s): Beck, Karen
• Application Number:
  US12/445,767
• Publication Number:
  US 20110042921A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,098 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/730.2
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/201 Packaging straps or envelopes for inflatable members
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/217 Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2338 Tethers

Abstract

The invention relates to an airbag comprising a flexible fastening tab (3) having a fastening opening (4) for attachment to a motor vehicle by means of a form-locking element (2), whereby a fastening region (14) and a folding region (15) are constructed in the tab (3), the fastening opening (4) is constructed in the fastening region (14) and a folding opening (5) is constructed in the folding region (15), and whereby the folding opening (5) is dimensioned such that the folding region (15) can fold at least partially over the form-locking element (2).

Claims

1. An airbag comprising:

an airbag body;

a flexible fastening tab fastened to the airbag body for attachment to a motor vehicle by means a form-locking element;

a fastening region and a folding region formed by the fastening tab;

a fastening opening formed by the fastening region; and

a folding opening formed by the folding region, the folding opening forming a through-hole free of any material and extending through the entire fastening tab between the fastening region and the airbag body, the folding opening being dimensioned such that the folding region can fold at least partially over the form-locking element.

2. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the fastening region and the folding region are placed on top of each other, and

wherein the fastening opening lies opposite the folding opening.

3. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the fastening opening is centrally positioned in the folding opening.

4. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the folding region is folded onto the fastening region, and

wherein a folding line of the tab runs at a bottom edge of the folding opening.

5. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the folding region and the fastening region are fixed to each other by any means selected from the group consisting of gluing, sewing, and welding.

6. The airbag according to claim 5, wherein the fastening region and the folding region are fixed in a line-shape against each other.

7. The airbag according to claim 5, wherein a fixation exists in one of a region of the fastening opening or beneath the fastening opening.

8. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the folding opening is formed as a C-shaped material recess around the fastening opening, the C-shaped material recess having a center segment and a plurality of side segments, the center segment being disposed between the fastening opening and the airbag, and the plurality of side segments extending to the form-locking element.

9. The airbag according to claim 8, wherein side segments of the plurality of side segments facing away from the airbag extend beyond the form-locking element.

10. The airbag according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of side segments have a length corresponding to at least an extension of the form-locking element in a direction of tension.

11. The airbag according to claim 8, wherein the C-shaped material recess is formed between a material cut-out in the airbag and the fastening tab, the fastening tab being fastened to the airbag, and

wherein the fastening opening is introduced in the fastening tab.

12. The airbag according to claim 11, wherein the fastening tab includes a material strip in which the fastening opening is formed, and

wherein the fastening tab further includes at least one additional material strip fastened to the airbag by any means selected from the group consisting of gluing, sewing, and welding.

14. The airbag according to claim 4, wherein the airbag is fastened to an end of the folding region lying opposite the folding line.

15. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the folding opening is larger than a head region of the form-locking element.

16. The airbag according claim 1, wherein the airbag body is disposed such that it abuts a first side of the form-locking element when the airbag is in an assembled state, and

wherein the airbag is disposed such that it abuts a second side of the form-locking element when the airbag is in an inflated state, the second side being disposed opposite the first side.

17. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the airbag body is rolled up when the airbag is in a deactivated state.

18. The airbag according to claim 17, wherein the airbag rolls up in a direction away from the fastening region, and

wherein the folding region is disposed on a side of the fastening region facing away from the fastening structure.

19. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the fastening tab is made of a woven fabric.

20. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the fastening tab is separately formed on the airbag and is fastened thereto.

21. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the folding opening and the fastening opening are formed by a means selected from the group consisting of stamping, cutting, and melting.

22. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the folding opening defines a rounded shape.

13. An airbag comprising:

an airbag body;

a flexible fastening tab for attachment to a motor vehicle by means a form-locking element;

a fastening region and a folding region formed by the fastening tab;

a fastening opening formed by the fastening region; and

a folding opening formed by the folding region, the folding opening extending through the fastening tab between the fastening region and the airbag body and being dimensioned such that the folding region can fold at least partially over the form-locking element;

wherein the airbag is fastened to the folding region by any means selected from the group consisting of gluing, sewing, and welding.

23. An airbag comprising:

an airbag body;

a flexible fastening tab fastened to the airbag body for attachment to a motor vehicle by means a form-locking element;

a fastening region and a folding region formed by the fastening tab;

a fastening opening formed by the fastening region; and

a folding opening formed by the folding region, the folding opening forming a through-hole free of any material and extending through the entire fastening tab between the fastening region and the airbag body, the folding opening being dimensioned such that the folding region can fold at least partially over the form-locking element,

wherein the airbag is disposed on a first side above the form-locking element when the airbag is in an assembled state, such that the airbag folds downward and is disposed on an opposite second side of the form-locking element when the airbag is in a deployed state.