Modular headliner and inflatable curtain assembly
First Claim
1. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle including vehicle structure that includes a side structure, a roof, and a roof rail, said apparatus comprising:
- a pre-assembled unit comprising (i) an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is adapted to inflate away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure and a vehicle occupant, (ii) a headliner for covering an interior portion of the vehicle roof, (iii) at least one support bracket separate from the vehicle structure and connectable with the vehicle structure to support said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and said headliner in the vehicle, and (iv) first fastening means consisting of releasable fastening means for connecting said headliner to said bracket; and
second fastening means spaced apart from and separate from said first fastening means for connecting said pre-assembled unit to the vehicle structure.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A modular headliner assembly (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) adapted to inflate away from a roof (18) of a vehicle (12) into a position between a side structure (16) of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The modular headliner assembly (10) also includes a headliner (36) for covering an interior portion (38) of the roof (18) and at least one support device (40) for supporting the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and the headliner in the vehicle (12). The support device (40) includes a bracket (42) having a portion (44) connectable to the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14), fastener (202) for connecting the headliner (36) to the bracket, and a fastener (222) for connecting the bracket to the vehicle (12).
88 Citations
24 Claims
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1. Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle including vehicle structure that includes a side structure, a roof, and a roof rail, said apparatus comprising:
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a pre-assembled unit comprising (i) an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is adapted to inflate away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure and a vehicle occupant, (ii) a headliner for covering an interior portion of the vehicle roof, (iii) at least one support bracket separate from the vehicle structure and connectable with the vehicle structure to support said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and said headliner in the vehicle, and (iv) first fastening means consisting of releasable fastening means for connecting said headliner to said bracket; and
second fastening means spaced apart from and separate from said first fastening means for connecting said pre-assembled unit to the vehicle structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. Apparatus for supporting an inflatable curtain module and a headliner in a vehicle, the inflatable curtain module including an inflatable curtain and a fill tube having a portion located in said inflatable curtain, said apparatus comprising:
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a bracket having a first portion deformed around a portion of said inflatable curtain and said fill tube to clamp onto said inflatable curtain and said fill tube;
a first fastener extendable through said headliner and said bracket to connect said headliner to said bracket; and
a second fastener separate from said first fastener extendable through said bracket to connect said bracket to the vehicle.
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21. A modular vehicle headliner assembly comprising:
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a vehicle headliner;
an inflatable curtain module; and
a bracket for connecting said inflatable curtain module to said headliner, said bracket having a first portion clamped onto said inflatable curtain module to connect said inflatable curtain module to said bracket;
at least one first fastener extendable through said headliner and said bracket to connect said headliner to said bracket; and
at least one second fastener separate from said first fasteners extendable through said bracket to connect said headliner and said inflatable curtain module to the vehicle, said first fasteners being removable to allow removal of said headliner while leaving said inflatable curtain module connected to the vehicle via said bracket. - View Dependent Claims (22)
an inflatable curtain;
a fill tube having a portion position within said inflatable curtain, said fill tube delivering inflation fluid into said inflatable curtain to inflate said inflatable curtain; and
a housing for enclosing said inflatable curtain and said fill tube in a stored and deflated condition.
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23. Apparatus comprising:
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a vehicle headliner having a first longitudinal edge extendable along an intersection of a first side structure of a vehicle and a roof of the vehicle, said headliner having a second longitudinal edge extendable along an intersection of a second side structure of the vehicle, opposite the first side structure, and the vehicle roof;
a first inflatable curtain module;
at least one first bracket having a portion clamped onto said first inflatable curtain module;
at least one first fastener extendable through said headliner and through said first bracket to connect said headliner to said first bracket and position said first inflatable curtain module along said first longitudinal edge of said headliner;
a second inflatable curtain module;
at least one second bracket having a portion clamped onto said second inflatable curtain module;
at least one second fastener extendable through said headliner and through said second bracket to connect said headliner to said second bracket and position said second inflatable curtain module along said second longitudinal edge of said headliner; and
third fasteners for connecting said at least one first bracket and said at least one second bracket to the vehicle to connect said headliner, said first inflatable curtain module, and said second inflatable curtain module to the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (24)
an inflatable curtain;
a fill tube having a portion position within said inflatable curtain, said fill tube delivering inflation fluid into said inflatable curtain to inflate said inflatable curtain; and
a housing for enclosing said inflatable curtain and said fill tube in a stored and deflated condition.
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Specification