Clamping ring for fastening a gas generating cartridge

• US 7,631,908 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2004
• Issued: 12/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hans Oetiker AG, Maschinen- und Apparatefabrik
• Original Assignee: Hans Oetiker AG, Maschinen- und Apparatefabrik
• Inventors: Meier, Ulrich, Berlep, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Lugo; Carlos
• Application Number:
  US11/574,653
• Publication Number:
  US 20070228744A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,819 Days
• Field of Search: 292/262, 24/20.R, 24/20.TT, 24/20.CW, 24/23.R, 285/410, 285/420, 285/241, 285/242, 285/244, 285/252, 285/254
• US Class Current: 292/256
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/213 in vehicle roof frames or pillars
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/005 Means to increase the friction-coefficient
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1457 Metal bands
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1478 Circumferentially swagged band clamp
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/20 Clamps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/205 Ring
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/28 Extension link

Abstract

A clamping ring is used to mount an air bag gas generator cartridge on a support plate. A tensioning ear is formed in the clamping ring. Further, a wave is formed in the ring to increase the holding force between the ring and the cartridge. The wave consists of two convex arches projecting outward from the ring and an inward convex arch therebetween, the apex of the inward arch being at least tangential to the circle defined by the remaining portions of the ring in the initial condition of the ring. This type of clamping ring mounting is capable of withstanding torques between the cartridge and the support plate of well above 10 Nm.

Claims

1. A clamping ring for mounting an object comprising:

a tensioning ear formed in the ring and having two outward extending legs interconnected by a web; and

only one wave formed in the other wise smooth ring diametrically opposed the tensioning ear, the wave having two convex arches projecting outward from the ring and an inward convex arch therebetween, the apex of the inward arch being situated substantially on a circle defined by the remaining portions of the ring;

wherein, in use, the tensing ear is tensioned by being narrowed to a predetermined degree and the inward convex arch of the wave will engage one of the object and a support on which the object is being mounted for increasing the holding force between the ring and the object.

2. The clamping ring of claim 1, wherein the inward arch has a larger radius than the outward arches.

3. The clamping ring of claim 1, which is made of tubular material.

4. The clamping ring of claim 3, wherein the tubular material has a wall thickness of 1 to 2 mm.

5. The clamping ring of claim 3, wherein the tubular material has a wall thickness of 1.5 mm and an axial width of 10 mm.

6. The clamping ring of claim 1 having an axial width of 8 to 15 mm.

7. The clamping ring of claim 1, wherein the outward arches have a maximum height of 2 to 3 mm with respect to the undeformed ring.

8. The clamping ring of claim 1, wherein the outward arches are mutually spaced 8 to 12 mm for an inner ring diameter in the range from 25 to 35 mm.

9. The clamping ring of claim 1 having a reinforcing bead stamped into the web of the tensioning ear.

10. A support structure for an airbag gas generator cartridge comprising a clamping ring according to claim 1 and a support plate, wherein the support plate has a portion curved corresponding to a cylindrical portion of the cartridge, the clamping ring surrounding the cartridge and the support plate in this area.

11. The support structure of claim 10, wherein the curved portion of the support plate surrounds the cartridge through an arc of 90°

to 150°

.

12. The support structure of claim 11, wherein the curved portion of said support plate surrounds said cartridge through an arc of 120°

.