Bracket for fastening of a curtain airbag to a vehicle part

• US 8,857,849 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2011
• Issued: 10/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lindberg, Per, Jaconelli, Hkan, Matsushita, Tetsuya, Malmenstam, Jonas, Nakashima, Atsushi
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wilhelm, Timothy
• Application Number:
  US13/879,428
• Publication Number:
  US 20130214515A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,135 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2
• US Class Current: 280/728.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23386 External tether means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/20 Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
• 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: B60R 21/2338 Tethers

Abstract

A bracket for fastening a tightening strap of a curtain airbag to a vehicle part includes a base plate and a support surface for fastening the bracket to the vehicle part. A retaining web, fastenable to the tightening strap, is located on the bracket in such a way that the retaining web can be moved to a fastening position by performing a swivel motion with the bracket being supported on the vehicle part via the support surface.

Claims

1. A bracket for fastening a tightening strap of a curtain airbag to a vehicle part, the bracket comprising:

a base plate operable for fastening the bracket to the vehicle part;

a support surface provided on the bracket for fastening the bracket to the vehicle part; and

a retaining web for attachment to the tightening strap, the retaining web movable to a fastening position by performing a swivel motion with the bracket being supported on the vehicle part via the support surface;

wherein a first portion of the bracket is folded back on the base plate to form a double-layer portion, and, in an area of the double-layer portion, the bracket defines a fastener opening for receiving a fastener completely through the double-layer portion, and wherein the support surface and the retaining web are respectively located at a first end and a second end of the bracket located on top of each other due to the folding, and;

wherein the bracket is constructed of a metal strip continuously extending from the first end to the second end.

2. The bracket according to claim 1, wherein the support surface is formed by an angled portion provided at an end of the base plate.

3. The bracket according to claim 2, wherein the bracket further includes an engagement portion adjoining the angled portion, the engagement portion of the bracket insertable into an opening of the vehicle part and located relative to the base plate such that the engagement portion and the base plate support themselves on different sides of the vehicle part in a position of the bracket being supported on the vehicle part.

4. The bracket according to claim 1, wherein the second end is shorter than the first end.

5. The bracket according to claim 1, wherein the retaining web is located a first distance from the fastener opening and the support surface is located a second distance from the fastener opening, the first distance less than the second distance.

6. The bracket according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the first portion and the base plate in the double-layer portion is smaller than a distance between the retaining web and the support surface.

7. The bracket according to claim 6, wherein the first portion rests against the base plate in an area of the fastener opening.

8. The bracket according to claim 1, wherein the bracket comprises a bracket joint which can be swiveled relative to the base plate in a swivel bearing, and the retaining web is located on the bracket joint.

9. The bracket according to claim 8, wherein the bracket joint comprises an actuating portion located at a larger distance from the swivel bearing than the retaining web.

10. The bracket according to claim 8, wherein the support surface is formed by a fastening element, with which the bracket can be fastened to the vehicle part via the base plate.

11. The bracket according to claim 1, wherein the metal strip continuously extending from the first end of the bracket to the second end of the bracket.

12. The bracket according to claim 11, wherein the first end is parallel to the second end.

13. A bracket for fastening a tightening strap of a curtain airbag to a vehicle part, the bracket comprising:

a base plate operable for fastening the bracket to the vehicle part;

a first end for passing through an opening in the vehicle part; and

a second end for attachment to the tightening strap; and

a first portion of the bracket folded back on the base plate to form a double-layer portion, the double-layer portion defining a fastener opening extending through both the first portion and the base plate, the fastener opening for receiving a fastener,

wherein the bracket is constructed of a metal strip continuously extending from the first end to the second end.

14. The bracket according to claim 13, wherein the first end defines a support surface about which the bracket is pivotable when the bracket is moved to a fastening position.

15. The bracket according to claim 14, wherein the second end defines a retaining web, the retaining web and the base plate located on top of each other due to folding of the bracket.

16. A bracket for fastening a tightening strap of a curtain airbag to a vehicle part in combination with the tightening strap and the vehicle part, the bracket comprising:

a base plate operable for fastening the bracket to the vehicle part;

a first end for passing through an opening in the vehicle part;

a second end for attachment to the tightening strap;

a first portion of the bracket folded back on the base plate to form a double-layer portion, the double-layer portion defining a fastener opening extending through both the first portion and the base plate; and

a fastener passing completely through the fastener opening and securing the bracket to the vehicle part,

wherein the bracket is constructed of a metal strip continuously extending from a first end to a second end.

17. The bracket according to claim 16, wherein upon fastening the bracket to the vehicle part, the first end is adjacent a first side of the vehicle part and the base plate is adjacent to a second, opposite side of the vehicle part.

18. The bracket according to claim 16, wherein the second end is parallel to and spaced from the base plate.