Actuatable fastener
First Claim
1. An actuatable fastener for controlling movement of an actuatable member of a vehicle occupant protection apparatus relative to a support member, the actuatable fastener comprising:
- a body comprising a longitudinal axis, a first portion connectable with the actuatable member and a second portion connectable with the support member, the second portion having at least one sidewardly protruding portion connectable with the support member without threaded connections by forming a form-fitting connection avoiding relative movement between the second portion and the support member in the direction of the longitudinal axis; and
a pyrotechnic initiator disposed in an interior chamber of the body, the initiator being actuatable to separate the first and second portions of the body to control movement of the actuatable member.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An actuatable fastener (50) includes a body (80) including a head (82) and a shank (84). The body (80) includes an interior chamber (120) partially defined by a side wall (132) extending from the head (82) into the shank (84) and an end wall (138) positioned in the shank. A member (140) is disposed in the chamber (120). An initiator (160) is actuatable to produce combustion products in the chamber (120) that act on the member (140) to move the member in a first direction in the chamber to strike the end wall (138). The member (140) strikes the end wall (138) creating a fracture (222) in the shank (84) separating at least a portion of the shank from a remainder (220) of the shank. The combustion products moving the member (150) beyond the fracture (222) at least a predetermined distance (226) to move the portion of the shank (84) at least the predetermined distance from the remainder (220) of the shank.
22 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An actuatable fastener for controlling movement of an actuatable member of a vehicle occupant protection apparatus relative to a support member, the actuatable fastener comprising:
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a body comprising a longitudinal axis, a first portion connectable with the actuatable member and a second portion connectable with the support member, the second portion having at least one sidewardly protruding portion connectable with the support member without threaded connections by forming a form-fitting connection avoiding relative movement between the second portion and the support member in the direction of the longitudinal axis; and
a pyrotechnic initiator disposed in an interior chamber of the body, the initiator being actuatable to separate the first and second portions of the body to control movement of the actuatable member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An actuatable fastener comprising:
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a body including a head and a shank, said shank comprising a first shank portion and a second shank portion; and
an initiator at least partially supported in said body, said initiator being actuatable to rupture said shank and separate said first shank portion from said second shank portion, at least one of said shank portions being formed as a snap-in connector for attachment of said fastener to a support. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An actuatable fastener for controlling movement of an actuatable member of a vehicle occupant protection apparatus relative to a support member, the actuatable fastener comprising:
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a body having a longitudinal axis, the body comprising a first portion connectable with the actuatable member and a second portion connectable with the support member, the second portion comprising a shank portion and a portion that protrudes from the shank portion in a direction transverse to the axis, the protruding portion having a first surface engageable with corresponding second surface of the support member to connect the second portion to the support member without threaded connections; and
a pyrotechnic initiator disposed in an interior chamber of the body, the initiator being actuatable to separate the first and second portions of the body to control movement of the actuatable member. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification