US5458365A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable snap away fastener
Assignee: Autoliv ASP Inc
•
Filing: 1993-08-03
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Granted: 1995-10-17
•
Expires: 2013-08-03
Abstract
Abstract The deployable door of a passenger-side vehicle airbag restraint system is simultaneously fastened into an instrument panel opening and into engagement with the airbag module reaction canister. A spring clip on the canister receives a probe which is secured to the door through a pivoted breakaway connection. The probe is easily inserted into the clip but can be withdrawn only with difficulty. Airbag inflation thereafter separates the breakaway connection preferentially to the spring clip connection.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark Rogers
- 👤 Larry D. Rose
- 👤 Donald R. Lauritzen
- 👤 Melinda M. Newhouse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 04:34
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/215; B60R21/216; F; F16; F16B; F16B21/00; F16B21/10; F16B21/20; F16B5/00; F16B5/06; F16B5/0607; F16B5/0621; F16B5/065; F16B5/0657; B60R21/217; B60R2021/2172; B60R21/2171; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32606; Y10T403/32861
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for fastening an instrument panel deployment door of an automotive airbag restraint system simultaneously into an instrument panel opening and into engagement with an airbag containing-airbag module reaction canister which comprises: a spring clip mounted on one of said reaction canister and deployment door, said clip defining an opening adapted to receive an elongated probe member inserted therethrough but resistant to subsequent withdrawal of said probe member upon airbag inflation; a base member mounted to the other of said reaction canister and deployment door, said base member pivotally receiving an end of an elongated probe member; and the elongated probe member having a first end pivotally engaging said base member but forcibly detachable therefrom upon subsequent airbag inflation and a second end received in the opening of said clip upon positioning of said deployment door into said instrument panel opening.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for fastening an instrument panel deployment door of an automotive airbag restraint system simultaneously into an instrument panel opening and into engagement with an airbag containing-airbag module reaction canister which comprises: a spring clip mounted on one of said reaction canister and deployment door, said clip defining an opening adapted to receive an elongated probe member inserted therethrough but resistant to subsequent withdrawal of said probe member upon airbag inflation; a base member mounted to the other of said reaction canister and deployment door, said base member pivotally receiving an end of an elongated probe member; and the elongated probe member having a first end pivotally engaging said base member but forcibly detachable therefrom upon subsequent airbag inflation and a second end received in the opening of said clip upon positioning of said deployment door into said instrument panel opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said spring clip is mounted on said reaction canister.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the opening in said spring clip is defined by at least one margin which is deformable by insertion of said elongated probe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 wherein one of said base member and probe member defines a substantially cylindrical socket and the other carries a cylinder enclosed by said socket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the opening in said spring clip is defined by at least one margin which is deformable by insertion of said elongated probe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said cylinder is substantially hollow and bifurcated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the socket is defined by said base member and the cylinder is defined by the first end of said elongated probe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the opening in said spring clip is defined by at least one margin which is deformable by insertion of said elongated probe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said margin is serrated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said cylinder is substantially hollow and bifurcated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said margin is serrated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said cylinder is substantially hollow and bifurcated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an automotive airbag restraint system including an airbag containing-airbag module reaction canister positioned behind an instrument panel deployment door, the improvement which comprises: at least one spring clip mounted on said reaction canister, said clip defining an opening deformable upon insertion of an elongated probe therethrough to resist subsequent withdrawal of said probe upon inflation of the airbag; at least one substantially cylindrical socket carried by said deployment door; and an elongated locking member having a first end defining a bifurcated cylinder seated in said cylindrical socket and a second end forming an elongated probe received into the opening of said spring clip, whereby, upon inflation of the airbag of said restraint system the bifurcated cylinder is separable from the socket to permit the instrument panel deployment door to deploy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an automotive airbag restraint system including an airbag containing-airbag module reaction canister positioned behind an instrument panel deployment door, the improvement which comprises: at least one spring clip mounted on said reaction canister, said clip defining an opening deformable upon insertion of an elongated probe therethrough to resist subsequent withdrawal of said probe upon inflation of the airbag; at least one substantially cylindrical socket carried by said deployment door; and an elongated locking member having a first end defining a bifurcated cylinder seated in said cylindrical socket and a second end forming an elongated probe received into the opening of said spring clip, whereby, upon inflation of the airbag of said restraint system the bifurcated cylinder is separable from the socket to permit the instrument panel deployment door to deploy.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The improvement of claim 13 wherein said bifurcated cylinder is substantially hollow.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
10 words
The improvement of claim 14 wherein said probe is plastic.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The improvement of claim 15 wherein said spring clip is metal.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
119 words
A system for fastening an instrument panel deployment door of an automotive airbag restraint system into an instrument panel opening and into engagement with an airbag containing-airbag module reaction canister which comprises: a spring clip mounted on said reaction canister, said clip defining an opening adapted to receive an elongated probe member inserted therethrough but resistant to subsequent withdrawal of said elongated probe member upon airbag inflation; a base member mounted to said reaction deployment door; and said spring clip and said base member being interconnected by an elongated probe member having a first end pivotally engaging said base member but forcibly detachable therefrom upon subsequent airbag inflation and a second end received in the opening of said clip.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
119 words
A system for fastening an instrument panel deployment door of an automotive airbag restraint system into an instrument panel opening and into engagement with an airbag containing-airbag module reaction canister which comprises: a spring clip mounted on said reaction canister, said clip defining an opening adapted to receive an elongated probe member inserted therethrough but resistant to subsequent withdrawal of said elongated probe member upon airbag inflation; a base member mounted to said reaction deployment door; and said spring clip and said base member being interconnected by an elongated probe member having a first end pivotally engaging said base member but forcibly detachable therefrom upon subsequent airbag inflation and a second end received in the opening of said clip.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 17 wherein one of said base member and elongated probe member defines a substantially cylindrical socket and the other carries a cylinder enclosed by said socket.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 18 wherein the socket is defined by said base member and the cylinder is defined by the first end of said elongated probe member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 19 wherein the opening in said spring clip is defined by a serrated margin which is deformable by insertion of said elongated probe member and the cylinder is substantially hollow and bifurcated.
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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) | 1998-10-16 | 1999-04-17 | 1999-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-16 | 2003-04-17 | 2003-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-16 | 2007-04-17 | 2007-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |