US5454588A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable cushion assembly
Assignee: Autoliv ASP Inc
•
Filing: 1994-08-12
•
Granted: 1995-10-03
•
Expires: 2014-08-12
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides an improved inflatable cushion assembly and method for coupling an inflatable cushion (12) to a reaction housing (16) in an inflatable restraint system. The assembly utilizes various arrangements of a flanged strip inserted into a channel member (36) disposed about the gas inlet opening (30) of the cushion (12) to form a flanged cushion insert (7,8). The flanges of the cushion insert retain the strip (42) in the channel member (36), and are used in the assembly process to couple the flanged cushion insert, in a fastenerless manner, either to a cushion retainer member (14), which in turn is coupled with the reaction housing (16), or directly to the reaction housing (16).
Inventors
- 👤 Larry D. Rose
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:46
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/217; B60R21/2171
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 61
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
An inflatable cushion assembly for coupling an inflatable cushion within an inflatable restraint system comprising: a) an inflatable cushion including a gas inlet opening and at least one channel member disposed about the gas inlet opening; b) at least one elongate strip disposed within the channel member; and c) means for retaining the strip within the channel member including at least one flange fixedly disposed about the strip and communicating with the channel member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
An inflatable cushion assembly for coupling an inflatable cushion within an inflatable restraint system comprising: a) an inflatable cushion including a gas inlet opening and at least one channel member disposed about the gas inlet opening; b) at least one elongate strip disposed within the channel member; and c) means for retaining the strip within the channel member including at least one flange fixedly disposed about the strip and communicating with the channel member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The assembly defined by claim 1 wherein the means for retaining the strip within the channel member includes at least one of the flanges fixedly disposed about the strip and engaged with a corresponding opening provided in the channel member such that the flange is substantially exposed exteriorly thereof, the flange being configured to be slidably received within the channel member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The assembly defined by claim 2 wherein a plurality of the flanges are fixedly disposed about said elongate strip and engaged with a corresponding number of the openings provided in the channel member such that the flanges are substantially exposed exteriorly of said channel member to retain the strip therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly defined by claim 2 wherein the means for retaining the strip within the channel member additionally includes one of the flanges disposed about each end of the elongate strip such that the channel member is disposed therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The assembly defined by claim 2 wherein the means for retaining the strip within the channel member additionally includes an end cap mounted to each end of the elongate strip, each said cap including one of the flanges mounted thereto such that the channel member is disposed therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The assembly defined by claim 1 wherein the means for retaining the strip within the channel member includes one of the flanges disposed about each end of the strip such that the channel member is proximate to said flanges and retained therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The assembly defined by claim 1 wherein the means for retaining the strip within the channel member includes at least two end caps each having the flange mounted thereto, each said cap being mounted to an associated end of the elongate strip such that the channel member is proximate to said flanges and retained therebetween.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly defined by claim 1 wherein the flange and strip are monolithic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The assembly defined by claim 1 wherein the flange is of a deformable consistency.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The assembly defined by claim 1 wherein the flange is of a resilient consistency.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The assembly defined by claim 1 wherein the channel member is in the form of a hem constructed from the material of the gas inlet opening of the inflatable cushion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
132 words
An inflatable cushion assembly for coupling an inflatable cushion within an inflatable restraint system comprising; a) an inflatable cushion including a gas inlet opening and at least one channel member disposed about the gas inlet opening; b) at least one elongate strip disposed in the channel member; c) means for retaining the strip within the channel member including at least one flange fixedly disposed about the strip and communicating with the channel member, wherein the channel member, elongate strip and means for retaining the strip within the channel member define a flanged cushion insert; and d) a cushion retainer member including at least one channel portion for receiving and securing the flanged cushion insert therein to form a cushion retainer insert for coupling the flanged cushion insert within the inflatable restraint system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
132 words
An inflatable cushion assembly for coupling an inflatable cushion within an inflatable restraint system comprising; a) an inflatable cushion including a gas inlet opening and at least one channel member disposed about the gas inlet opening; b) at least one elongate strip disposed in the channel member; c) means for retaining the strip within the channel member including at least one flange fixedly disposed about the strip and communicating with the channel member, wherein the channel member, elongate strip and means for retaining the strip within the channel member define a flanged cushion insert; and d) a cushion retainer member including at least one channel portion for receiving and securing the flanged cushion insert therein to form a cushion retainer insert for coupling the flanged cushion insert within the inflatable restraint system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The assembly defined by claim 12 wherein the flange is engaged with a corresponding opening provided in the channel member such that the flange is substantially exposed exteriorly thereof and is configured to be slidably received in the channel member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
The assembly defined by claim 13 wherein a plurality of the flanges are fixedly disposed about said elongate strip and engaged with a corresponding number of the openings provided in the channel member such that the flanges are substantially exposed exteriorly of the channel member to retain the strip therein.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly defined by claim 13 wherein the means for retaining the strip within the channel member additionally includes one of the flanges disposed about each end of the elongate strip such that the channel member is disposed therebetween.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
The assembly defined by claim 13 wherein the means for retaining the strip within the channel member additionally includes a cap mounted to each end of the elongate strip, each said cap including one of the flanges mounted thereto such that the channel member is disposed therebetween.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The assembly defined by claim 12 wherein the means for retaining the strip within the channel member includes one of the flanges disposed about each end of the strip such that the channel member is proximate to said flanges and retained therebetween.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
The assembly defined by claim 12 wherein the means for retaining the strip within the channel member includes a cap mounted to each end of the elongate strip, each said cap including the flange mounted thereto such that the channel member is proximate to said flanges and retained therebetween.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly defined by claim 12 wherein the flange and strip are monolithic.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly defined by claim 12 wherein the flange is constructed of a deformable consistency.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The assembly defined by claim 12 wherein the channel member is in the form of a hem constructed from the material of the gas inlet opening of the inflatable cushion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The assembly defined by claim 12 wherein the cushion retainer member includes a plurality of the channel portions for receiving and securing a corresponding number of the flanged inserts therein.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The assembly defined by claim 22 wherein the cushion retainer member includes first and second ones of the channel portions joined together in spaced apart relationship by at least one spacer member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
The assembly defined by claim 23 wherein the first and second channel portions are substantially parallel to each other and joined to each other adjacent the ends thereof by two spacer members.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
125 words
A system for coupling an inflatable cushion to a reaction housing within an inflatable restraint system comprising: a) an inflatable cushion including a gas inlet opening and at least one channel member disposed about the gas inlet opening; b) at least one elongate strip disposed within the channel member; c) means for retaining the strip within the channel member including at least one flange fixedly disposed about the strip and communicating with the channel member, wherein the channel member, elongate strip and means for retaining the strip within the channel member define a flanged cushion insert; and d) a reaction housing comprising an attachment sleeve configured to receive the flanged cushion insert therein thereby coupling the flanged insert and inflatable cushion to the reaction housing.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
125 words
A system for coupling an inflatable cushion to a reaction housing within an inflatable restraint system comprising: a) an inflatable cushion including a gas inlet opening and at least one channel member disposed about the gas inlet opening; b) at least one elongate strip disposed within the channel member; c) means for retaining the strip within the channel member including at least one flange fixedly disposed about the strip and communicating with the channel member, wherein the channel member, elongate strip and means for retaining the strip within the channel member define a flanged cushion insert; and d) a reaction housing comprising an attachment sleeve configured to receive the flanged cushion insert therein thereby coupling the flanged insert and inflatable cushion to the reaction housing.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system defined by claim 25 wherein the flange is engaged with a corresponding opening provided in the channel member such that the flange is substantially exposed exteriorly thereof and is configured to be slidably received in the channel member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system defined by claim 26 wherein a plurality of the flanges are fixedly disposed about said elongate strip and engaged with a corresponding number of the openings provided in the channel member such that the flanges are substantially exposed exteriorly of said channel member to retain the strip therein.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system defined by claim 26 wherein the means for retaining the strip within the channel member additionally includes one of the flanges disposed about each end of the elongate strip such that the channel member is disposed therebetween.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system defined by claim 26 wherein the means for retaining the strip within the channel member additionally includes an end cap mounted to each end of the elongate strip, each said cap including one of the flanges mounted thereto such that the channel member is disposed therebetween.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system defined by claim 25 wherein the means for retaining the strip within the channel member includes one of the flanges disposed about each end of the elongate strip such that the channel member is proximate to said flanges and retained therebetween.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system defined by claim 25 wherein the means for retaining the strip within the channel member includes a cap mounted to each end of the elongate strip, each said cap including the flange mounted thereto such that the channel member is proximate to said flanges and retained therebetween.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system defined by claim 25 wherein the flange and strip are monolithic.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system defined by claim 25 wherein the flange is of a resilient consistency.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system defined by claim 25 wherein the channel member is in the form of a hem constructed from the material of the gas inlet opening of the inflatable cushion.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system defined by claim 25 wherein the attachment sleeve is monolithic with the reaction housing.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system defined by claim 25 wherein the reaction housing includes a plurality of the attachment sleeves for receiving a corresponding number of the flanged cushion inserts therein.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system defined by claim 36 wherein the reaction housing includes two of the attachment sleeves for receiving a corresponding number of the flanged cushion inserts therein.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system defined by claim 25 further including a cushion retainer member that includes at least one channel portion for receiving and securing the flanged cushion insert therein, the channel portion and secured flanged cushion insert defining a cushion retainer insert which is configured for insertion within the attachment sleeve of the reaction housing to couple and secure the inflatable cushion to the reaction housing.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system defined by claim 38 wherein the cushion retainer member includes a plurality of the channel portions for receiving and securing a corresponding number of the flanged cushion inserts therein to form a corresponding number of cushion retainer inserts.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system defined by claim 39 wherein the cushion retainer member includes first and second ones of the channel portions joined together in spaced relationship by at least one spacer member.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system defined by claim 40 wherein the first and second channel portions are substantially parallel to each other and joined to each other adjacent the ends thereof by at least two spacer members.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system defined by claim 38 wherein the flange is of a deformable consistency.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for fabricating an inflatable cushion assembly for incorporation into an inflatable restraint system comprising the steps of: a) providing an inflatable cushion which includes a gas inlet opening and a channel member disposed about the gas inlet opening; b) inserting at least one elongate strip within the channel member of said cushion; and c) retaining the strip within the channel member by providing a retaining means including at least one flange fixedly disposed about the strip and communicating with the channel member; wherein the channel member, elongate strip and retaining means define a flanged cushion insert.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for fabricating an inflatable cushion assembly for incorporation into an inflatable restraint system comprising the steps of: a) providing an inflatable cushion which includes a gas inlet opening and a channel member disposed about the gas inlet opening; b) inserting at least one elongate strip within the channel member of said cushion; and c) retaining the strip within the channel member by providing a retaining means including at least one flange fixedly disposed about the strip and communicating with the channel member; wherein the channel member, elongate strip and retaining means define a flanged cushion insert.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 43 wherein the flange is engaged with a corresponding opening provided in the channel member such that the flange is substantially exposed exteriorly thereof and configured to be slidably received in the channel member.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method according to claim 43 wherein the retaining means includes a plurality of the flanges fixedly disposed about the strip, each of the flanges being engaged with a corresponding number of openings provided in the channel member such that the flanges are substantially exposed exteriorly of said channel member to retain the strip therein.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 44 wherein the retaining means additionally includes one of the flanges disposed about each end of the elongate strip such that the channel member is disposed therebetween.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 44 wherein the retaining means additionally includes an end cap mounted to each end of the elongate strip, each said cap including one of the flanges mounted thereto such that the channel member is proximate to said flanges and retained therebetween.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 43 wherein the strip is retained within the channel member by mounting one of the flanges to each end of the strip such that the channel member is proximate to said flanges and retained therebetween.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method according to claim 43 wherein the strip is retained within the channel member by providing a plurality of caps each having one of the flanges mounted thereto, and mounting one of the caps to each end of the strip such that the channel member is proximate to said flanges and retained therebetween.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 43 wherein the flange and strip are monolithic.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 43 wherein the channel member is in the form of a hem constructed from the material of the gas inlet opening of the inflatable cushion.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method for coupling an inflatable cushion to a reaction housing in an inflatable restraint system comprising the step of incorporating the flanged cushion insert defined in claim 43 within an attachment sleeve fixedly engaged with the reaction housing, the attachment sleeve being configured to slidably receive the flange of the cushion insert therein thereby coupling the cushion insert and inflatable cushion to the reaction housing.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 52 wherein the flanged cushion insert is axially inserted into the attachment sleeve of the reaction housing.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 52 wherein the flange of the flanged cushion insert is of a resilient consistency.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
101 words
A method for coupling an inflatable cushion to a reaction housing in an inflatable restraint system comprising the steps of: a) securing the flanged cushion insert defined in claim 43 within a channel portion of a cushion retainer member, the channel portion being configured to receive the flanged cushion insert therein to form a cushion retainer insert; and b) incorporating the cushion retainer insert into a corresponding attachment sleeve fixedly engaged with the reaction housing, the attachment sleeve being configured to slidably receive the cushion retainer insert therein for coupling the flanged cushion insert and inflatable cushion to the reaction housing.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 55 wherein the flange of the flanged cushion insert is of a deformable consistency.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 55 wherein securement of the flanged cushion insert within the channel portion of the cushion retainer member is obtained by compressing the channel portion about the flanged cushion insert.
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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) | 1998-10-02 | 1999-04-03 | 1999-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-02 | 2003-04-03 | 2003-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-02 | 2007-04-03 | 2007-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |