US5344182A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air bag retention in inflatable restraint systems
Assignee: Autoliv ASP Inc
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Filing: 1992-12-18
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Granted: 1994-09-06
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Expires: 2012-12-18
Abstract
Abstract An attachment system, an air bag module subassembly and a method of attachment are provided for the fastenerless attachment of an inflatable cushion into a restraint system. A thickened gas inlet opening of the inflatable cushion is secured within a channel portion of a cushion retainer to form a cushion/retainer subassembly wherein the secured inlet opening forms an attachment insert. The attachment insert is inserted into an attachment sleeve portion of the reaction housing to secure the cushion to the housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald R. Lauritzen
- 👤 Larry D. Rose
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:36
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/217; B60R21/2171
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A system for the attachment of an inflatable cushion to a reaction housing member comprising: an inflatable cushion having a thickened peripheral gas inlet opening; a cushion retainer having a channel portion for the securing therein of said thickened peripheral gas inlet opening to form a cushion/retainer subassembly wherein said secured gas inlet opening forms an attachment insert; and a reaction housing member comprising an attachment sleeve portion adapted for the insertion therein of said attachment insert to secure said cushion to said housing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
84 words
A system for the attachment of an inflatable cushion to a reaction housing member comprising: an inflatable cushion having a thickened peripheral gas inlet opening; a cushion retainer having a channel portion for the securing therein of said thickened peripheral gas inlet opening to form a cushion/retainer subassembly wherein said secured gas inlet opening forms an attachment insert; and a reaction housing member comprising an attachment sleeve portion adapted for the insertion therein of said attachment insert to secure said cushion to said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said thickened peripheral gas inlet opening comprises a loop formed at said opening wherein a bead material is placed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said bead material comprises a section having a cross sectional shape adapted to facilitate engagement with said retainer, said bead material being continuous throughout said loop.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said reaction housing member comprises an extruded material with said attachment sleeve portion being integrally formed therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said extruded material comprises aluminum.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
101 words
A system for the attachment of an inflatable cushion to a reaction housing member comprising: an inflatable cushion having a thickened peripheral gas inlet opening; a cushion retainer having a channel portion for the securing therein of said thickened peripheral gas inlet opening to form a cushion/retainer subassembly wherein said secured gas inlet opening forms an attachment insert, wherein said retainer comprises first and second channel portions joined together by at least one spacer section; and a reaction housing member comprising an attachment sleeve portion adapted for the insertion therein of said attachment insert to secure said cushion to said housing.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
101 words
A system for the attachment of an inflatable cushion to a reaction housing member comprising: an inflatable cushion having a thickened peripheral gas inlet opening; a cushion retainer having a channel portion for the securing therein of said thickened peripheral gas inlet opening to form a cushion/retainer subassembly wherein said secured gas inlet opening forms an attachment insert, wherein said retainer comprises first and second channel portions joined together by at least one spacer section; and a reaction housing member comprising an attachment sleeve portion adapted for the insertion therein of said attachment insert to secure said cushion to said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said first and second channel portions are generally parallel to each other and are joined together at opposed ends by at least two of said spacer sections.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
An air bag module subassembly comprising: an inflatable cushion having a bead-containing thickened peripheral gas inlet opening; a cushion retainer fabricated of a metal material having a channel portion for the securing therein of said bead-containing thickened peripheral gas inlet opening to form a cushion/retainer subassembly wherein said secured gas inlet opening forms an attachment insert; and a reaction housing member of extruded metal and having an attachment sleeve portion integrally formed therewith, said attachment sleeve portion being adapted for the insertion therein of said attachment insert to secure said cushion to said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
94 words
An air bag module subassembly comprising: an inflatable cushion having a bead-containing thickened peripheral gas inlet opening; a cushion retainer fabricated of a metal material having a channel portion for the securing therein of said bead-containing thickened peripheral gas inlet opening to form a cushion/retainer subassembly wherein said secured gas inlet opening forms an attachment insert; and a reaction housing member of extruded metal and having an attachment sleeve portion integrally formed therewith, said attachment sleeve portion being adapted for the insertion therein of said attachment insert to secure said cushion to said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The subassembly of claim 8 wherein said bead comprises a section having a cross sectional shape adapted to facilitate engagement with said retainer and being continuous throughout said loop.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The subassembly of claim 8 wherein said extruded metal comprises aluminum.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for the fastenerless attachment of an inflatable cushion with a reaction housing member, said method comprising the steps of: securing a thickened peripheral gas inlet opening of an inflatable cushion in a channel portion of a cushion retainer to form a cushion/retainer subassembly wherein said secured gas inlet opening forms a male mating member attachment insert; and inserting said male mating member attachment insert in a female mating sleeve portion of the reaction housing member to effect joinder of said subassembly with said reaction housing member.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for the fastenerless attachment of an inflatable cushion with a reaction housing member, said method comprising the steps of: securing a thickened peripheral gas inlet opening of an inflatable cushion in a channel portion of a cushion retainer to form a cushion/retainer subassembly wherein said secured gas inlet opening forms a male mating member attachment insert; and inserting said male mating member attachment insert in a female mating sleeve portion of the reaction housing member to effect joinder of said subassembly with said reaction housing member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said thickened peripheral gas inlet opening is made by: forming a loop of the cushion material at said inlet opening of said cushion, said loop being adapted for the insertion therein of a bead material, and inserting a bead material into said loop.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said securing step comprises the steps of: inserting said thickened peripheral gas inlet opening through a passageway formed between inner and outer side wall sections of the channel portion and crimping said inner and outer side wall sections together with said thickened peripheral gas inlet opening therebetween to effect said securing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
122 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said retainer comprises first and second channel portions joined together by at least one spacer section, wherein said securing step comprises the steps of: inserting a first portion of said thickened peripheral gas inlet opening through a passageway formed between inner and outer side wall sections in the first channel portion, inserting a second portion of said thickened peripheral gas inlet opening through a passageway formed between inner and outer side wall sections in the second channel portion, and crimping said inner and outer side wall sections in each of said first and second channel portions together with said first and second portions, respectively, of said thickened peripheral gas inlet opening therebetween to effect said securing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said reaction housing member comprises an extruded material with said attachment sleeve portion being integrally formed therewith.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said extruded material comprises aluminum.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for the fastenerless attachment of an inflatable cushion with a reaction housing member, said method comprising the steps of: securing a bead-containing thickened peripheral gas inlet opening of an inflatable cushion in a channel portion of a cushion retainer fabricated of a metal material to form a cushion/retainer subassembly wherein said secured gas inlet opening forms a male mating member attachment insert; and inserting said male mating member attachment insert in an integrally formed female mating sleeve portion of an extruded metal reaction housing member to effect joinder of said subassembly with said reaction housing member.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for the fastenerless attachment of an inflatable cushion with a reaction housing member, said method comprising the steps of: securing a bead-containing thickened peripheral gas inlet opening of an inflatable cushion in a channel portion of a cushion retainer fabricated of a metal material to form a cushion/retainer subassembly wherein said secured gas inlet opening forms a male mating member attachment insert; and inserting said male mating member attachment insert in an integrally formed female mating sleeve portion of an extruded metal reaction housing member to effect joinder of said subassembly with said reaction housing member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said securing step comprises the steps of: inserting said thickened peripheral gas inlet opening through a passageway formed between inner and outer side wall sections of the channel portion and crimping said inner and outer side wall sections together with said thickened peripheral gas inlet opening therebetween to effect said securing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
122 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said retainer comprises first and second channel portions joined together by at least one spacer section, wherein said securing step comprises the steps of: inserting a first portion of said thickened peripheral gas inlet opening through a passageway formed between inner and outer side wall sections in the first channel portion, inserting a second portion of said thickened peripheral gas inlet opening through a passageway formed between inner and outer side wall sections in the second channel portion, and crimping said inner and outer side wall sections in each of said first and second channel portions together with said first and second portions, respectively, of said thickened peripheral gas inlet opening therebetween to effect said securing.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said extruded metal comprises aluminum.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-09-05 | 1998-03-07 | 1998-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-09-05 | 2002-03-07 | 2002-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-09-05 | 2006-03-07 | 2006-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |