EP0774386A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Tether attachment apparatus for air bag cover
Assignee: Morton International LLC
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Filing: 1996-11-14
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2016-11-14
Abstract
Abstract An end portion (42b) of an airbag module door tether (42) is manually connected to a fixed element (46) by means of an attachment bracket (50) with a hook (50a) at one end and a self-locking fastener (52) situated near its other end. The end portion (42b) of the tether (42) is passed around the hook (50a) on the bracket which is then hooked over an outer end (46a) of the fixed element. A shank (52a) of the fastener (52) passes through a hole in the tether (42) and has a skirt (52c) which is compressed as it is forced through a hole (46b) in the fixed element (46). The skirt (52c) then restores to its original shape and engages an inner side of the fixed element (46) to clampingly sandwich the tether between the bracket (50) and the fixed element (46).
Inventors
- 👤 Donald J. Bolieau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:10
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/215; B60R21/216
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
Apparatus for positively connecting an end portion of an airbag door tether (42) formed of flexible material to a motor vehicle (10) having a fixed element (46) formed with a free end (46a) and a fastener receiving aperture (46b) spaced apart from said free end (46a), comprising: an attachment bracket (50) having a hook (50a) at one end adapted to be hooked over the free end (46a) of said fixed element (46) with an end portion (42b) of said tether (42) sandwiched between facing surfaces of said bracket (50) and the fixed element (46); and fastener means (52) on said attachment bracket (50) remote from said hook (50a) having a shank (52a) positioned to extend through the aperture (46b) for retaining said hook (50a) in position hooked over the free end (46a) with said tether (42) sandwiched between facing surfaces of said bracket (50) and the fixed element (46).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the shank (52a) of the fastener means (52) has compressible holding means (52c) thereon positioned to be compressed when passed through the aperture (46b) from one side of the fixed element (46) and expandable after passage therethrough to engage an opposite side of the fixed element (46).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said compressible holding means (52c) comprises a compressible skirt mounted on said shank (52a) having edges expandable away from said shank (52a) to engage the opposite side of the fixed element (46) after passage through the aperture (46b) therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the fastener means (52) comprises a unidirectional, self-locking fastener, the shank (52a) of which is positioned to extend through said aperture (46b) when said attachment bracket (50) is pivoted about said hook (50a) relative to said fixed element (46) for locking said attachment bracket (50) and tether (42) in sandwiched relation with said fixed element (46) while said hook (50a) is in hooked relation with said free end (46a) of said fixed element (46).
Claim 5
Independent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said shank (52a) of said fastener means (52) extends generally normal to said surface of said attachment bracket (50).
Claim 6
Independent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said fastener means (52) has a head (52b) at one end of said shank (52a) secured adjacent an outwardly facing surface of said attachment bracket (50).
Claim 7
Independent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said fastener means (52) is fixedly attached to said attachment bracket (50) with said shank (52a) extending outwardly thereof towards the fixed element (46).
Claim 8
Independent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the end portion (42b) of the tether (42) is staked onto said fastener means (52) on said attachment bracket (50).
Claim 9
Independent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the end portion (42b) of the tether (42) extends from the fastener means (52) along one side of said attachment bracket (50) and around said hook (50a).
Claim 10
Independent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the tether (42) comprises a web of substantial width and said free end (46a) of said attachment bracket (50) has a width approximating the width of the tether (42).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A combination comprising the apparatus, tether (42) and fixed element (46) as claimed in any preceding claim.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination according to claim 11, wherein said tether (42) comprises a web of substantial width and the free end (46a) of the fixed element (46) has a width approximating that of said tether (42).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said fastener means (52) has a head (52b) secured to said attachment bracket (50) and its shank (52a) extends towards the fixed element (46) when the attachment bracket (50) is hooked over the free end (46a) of the fixed element (46).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination according to claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein said tether (42) extends from said shank (52a) of said fastener means (52) around said hook (50a) and then in a reverse direction therefrom along an opposite side of said attachment bracket (50) away from said shank (52a) of said fastener means (52).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination according to claim 11, 12, 13 or 14, wherein said tether (42) extends around said free end (46a) of said fixed element (46).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein said free end (46a) of said fixed element (46) extends transversely across the width of said tether (42).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein said hook (50a) extends transversely across the width of said tether (42).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein line contact is established between said tether (42) and the free end (46a) of said fixed element (46) extending transversely across the width of the tether (42).
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