Airbag assemblies with strap clamps

• US 8,505,963 B1
• Filed: 02/24/2012
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lewis, Robert, Rose, Larry D., Rasmussen, Kirk, Hoffman, Isaac Lewis, Cox, Matthew Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): VERLEY, NICOLE T
• Application Number:
  US13/404,285
• Publication Number:
  US 20130221637A1
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/732, 280/741
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2171 specially adapted for elongated cylindrical or bottle-like inflators with a symmetry axis perpendicular to the main direction of bag deployment, e.g. extruded reaction canisters B60R21/2176 takes precedence

Abstract

Inflatable airbag assemblies having a strap and clamp system to securely hold an inflator relative to a housing. The strap may be attached to an airbag cushion to restrict the movement of the strap or strap may not be attached to the airbag cushion and may move freely while positioned within openings in the housing.

Claims

1. An inflatable airbag assembly, comprising:

a housing comprising a plurality of strap openings, a closed end and an open end having a perimeter that defines a primary opening;

an inflatable airbag having a neck positioned within the primary opening of the housing,

an inflator positioned within the housing;

a plurality of strap clamps, wherein each strap clamp comprises a strap and a clamp, each strap extending through one of the pluralities of strap openings such that each strap extends around a portion of the perimeter of the inflator,

wherein, when each clamp is in a closed position, each strap is taut to securely hold the inflator in the housing.

2. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein each strap opening has a longitudinal axis that is at least essentially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the inflator, wherein each strap has a flat configuration.

3. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein each strap contacts the inflator around approximately half of the perimeter of the inflator.

4. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein each clamp comprises a bracket and a latch that are at opposite ends of the respective strap, wherein the bracket and the latch cooperate together such that each clamp can transition from an engaged position to the closed position.

5. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the strap has a length that is selected so that when the clamp is in the closed position, the strap urges the inflator against a surface of the interior of the housing.

6. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the inflator is devoid of an attachment feature that extends from the inflator and through the airbag.

7. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing has a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular with a deployment direction of the airbag out of the housing.

8. An inflatable airbag assembly, comprising:

a housing comprising a first plurality of strap openings, a second a plurality of strap openings, a closed end and an open end having a perimeter that defines a primary opening;

an inflatable airbag having a neck positioned within the primary opening of the housing, wherein a first plurality of strap openings and a second plurality of strap openings are each formed in the neck of the airbag;

an inflator positioned within the housing;

a first strap clamp and a second strap clamp, wherein each strap clamp comprises a strap and a clamp,

wherein the strap of the first strap clamp extends through the first plurality of strap openings of the housing and the first plurality of strap openings of the neck of the airbag,

wherein the strap of the second strap clamp extends through the second plurality of strap openings of the housing and the second plurality of strap openings of the neck of the airbag,

wherein each strap extends around a portion of the perimeter of the inflator,

wherein each clamp can be moved from an engaged position to a closed position so that each strap is taut to securely hold the inflator in the housing.

9. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 8, wherein each strap opening has a longitudinal axis that is at least essentially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the inflator, wherein each strap has a flat configuration.

10. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 8, wherein each strap contacts the inflator around approximately half of the perimeter of the inflator.

11. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 8, wherein each clamp comprises a bracket and a latch that are at opposite ends of the respective strap, wherein the bracket and the latch cooperate together such that each clamp can transition from the engaged position to the closed position.

12. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 8, wherein the strap has a length that is selected so that when the clamp is in the closed position, the strap urges the inflator against a surface of the interior of the housing.

13. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 8, wherein each strap is coupled to the neck of the airbag via stitching in at least one location to restrict movement of each strap relative to the airbag.

14. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 8,

wherein the strap of the first strap clamp can move within the first plurality of strap openings of the housing and the first plurality of strap openings of the neck of the airbag,

wherein the strap of the second strap clamp can move within the second plurality of strap openings of the housing and the second plurality of strap openings of the neck of the airbag,

whereby adjustments can be made to positions of the airbag or the inflator relative to the housing.

15. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 8, wherein the inflator is devoid of an attachment feature that extends from the inflator and through the airbag.

16. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 8, wherein the housing has a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular with a deployment direction of the airbag out of the housing.

17. An inflatable airbag assembly, comprising:

a housing comprising a first plurality of strap openings, a second plurality of strap openings, a closed end and an open end having a perimeter that defines a primary opening;

an inflatable airbag having a neck positioned within the primary opening of the housing and coupled to the housing,

an inflator positioned within the housing;

a first plurality of strap clamps and a second plurality of strap clamps, wherein each strap clamp comprises a strap and a clamp,

wherein the strap of the first strap clamp extends through the first plurality of strap openings of the housing and can move within the first plurality of strap openings of the housing,

wherein the strap of the second strap clamp extends through the second plurality of strap openings of the housing and can move within the second plurality of strap openings of the housing,

wherein each strap extends around a portion of the perimeter of the inflator,

wherein movement of each strap within the respective plurality of strap openings permits adjustments to be made to positions of the inflator relative to the housing, and

wherein each clamp can be moved from an engaged position to a closed position so that each strap is taut to securely hold the inflator in the housing.

18. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 17, wherein each strap opening has a longitudinal axis that is at least essentially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the inflator, wherein each strap has a flat configuration.

19. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 17, wherein each strap contacts the inflator around approximately half of the perimeter of the inflator.

20. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 17, wherein each clamp comprises a bracket and a latch that are at opposite ends of the respective strap, wherein the bracket and the latch cooperate together such that each clamp can transition from the engaged position to the closed position.

21. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 17, wherein the strap has a length that is selected so that when the clamp is in the closed position, the strap urges the inflator against a surface of the interior of the housing.

22. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 17, wherein the inflator is devoid of an attachment feature that extends from the inflator and through the airbag.

23. The inflatable airbag assembly of claim 17, wherein the housing has a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular with a deployment direction of the airbag out of the housing.