Patent US6257616B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6257616B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Headliner assembly
Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding SARL
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Filing: 1998-12-23
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Granted: 2001-07-10
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Expires: 2018-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A headliner assembly for use in a vehicle including a headliner having a panel, an airbag carrier bracket coupled to the panel of the headliner, an airbag inflater coupled to the airbag carrier bracket, and a side curtain airbag coupled to the airbag carrier bracket and the airbag inflater, for inflation during a collision.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond J. Nowak
- 👤 Jonathan Peter Cansfield
- 👤 Robert C. Fitzpatrick
- 👤 Alan P. Collins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:34
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/213; B60R13/00; B60R13/02; B60R13/0212; B60R21/04; B60R2021/0435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A headliner assembly for use in a vehicle comprising: a headliner having a panel; an airbag carrier bracket coupled to said panel of said headliner; an airbag inflater coupled to said airbag carrier bracket; and a side curtain airbag covered at least partially by said panel and coupled to said airbag carrier bracket and said airbag inflater for inflation during a collision.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
A headliner assembly for use in a vehicle comprising: a headliner having a panel; an airbag carrier bracket coupled to said panel of said headliner; an airbag inflater coupled to said airbag carrier bracket; and a side curtain airbag covered at least partially by said panel and coupled to said airbag carrier bracket and said airbag inflater for inflation during a collision.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The headliner assembly of claim 1 , wherein said airbag carrier bracket is solely coupled to said panel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The headliner assembly of claim 1 , wherein said airbag carrier bracket is adhesively coupled to said panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The headliner assembly of claim 1 , wherein said airbag carrier bracket is coupled to said panel using fasteners.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The headliner assembly of claim 1 , wherein said airbag carrier bracket is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, aluminum, plastic, molded fiberboard, and composite materials.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The headliner assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a weather strip seal wherein said weather strip seal partially covers said side curtain airbag and borders said panel at the exterior end of the said panel, said weather strip seal and said panel being deflected by the deployment of said side curtain airbag.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The headliner assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a gas conduction pipe linking said airbag inflater and said side curtain airbag.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The headliner assembly of claim 1 , wherein said side curtain airbag deploys in a linear fashion along an interior side of said vehicle, said side curtain airbag beginning its inflation on the end of said side curtain airbag proximate to said airbag inflater and continuing to the opposing end of said side curtain airbag.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The headliner assembly of claim 1 , wherein said side curtain airbag is attached by a tether to said airbag carrier bracket at one end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The headliner assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an energy absorbent material located between said airbag carrier bracket and said panel to create a cushioned zone for impact on a roof of said vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The headliner assembly of claim 1 , wherein said air bag carrier bracket is corrugated to included recesses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The headliner assembly of claim 11 , wherein said recesses are filled with an energy absorbent material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The headliner assembly of claim 12 , wherein said energy absorbent material is a semi-rigid structural foam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
A headliner assembly for a vehicle having an interior roof, roof pillars, and side windows, comprising: a panel for generally covering said interior roof of said vehicle; a corrugated airbag carrier bracket exclusively coupled to said panel; and an airbag assembly including an airbag and airbag inflater coupled to said airbag carrier bracket.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
A headliner assembly for a vehicle having an interior roof, roof pillars, and side windows, comprising: a panel for generally covering said interior roof of said vehicle; a corrugated airbag carrier bracket exclusively coupled to said panel; and an airbag assembly including an airbag and airbag inflater coupled to said airbag carrier bracket.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The headliner assembly of claim 14 , wherein said corrugated airbag carrier bracket is coupled to said panel using an adhesive.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The headliner assembly of claim 15 , wherein said adhesive is a hot melt adhesive.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The headliner assembly of claim 14 , wherein said corrugated airbag carrier bracket is coupled to said panel using fasteners.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The headliner assembly of claim 17 , wherein said fasteners are z-axis clips.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The headliner assembly of claim 14 , wherein said corrugated airbag carrier bracket is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: steel, aluminum, plastic, molded fiberboard, and composite materials.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The headliner assembly of claim 14 , wherein said panel is bordered by a gimp strip proximate to said airbag, said gimp strip and said panel being deflected by the deployment of said airbag.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
93 words
A headliner assembly for a vehicle having an interior roof, roof pillars, and side windows, comprising: a panel for generally covering said interior roof of said vehicle; a corrugated airbag carrier bracket exclusively coupled to said panel; an airbag assembly including an airbag and airbag inflater coupled to said airbag carrier bracket; a weather strip seal proximate to said airbag; and an airbag assembly cover comprised of a portion of said panel and said weather strip seal, wherein said weather strip seal and said panel being deflected by the deployment of said airbag.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
93 words
A headliner assembly for a vehicle having an interior roof, roof pillars, and side windows, comprising: a panel for generally covering said interior roof of said vehicle; a corrugated airbag carrier bracket exclusively coupled to said panel; an airbag assembly including an airbag and airbag inflater coupled to said airbag carrier bracket; a weather strip seal proximate to said airbag; and an airbag assembly cover comprised of a portion of said panel and said weather strip seal, wherein said weather strip seal and said panel being deflected by the deployment of said airbag.
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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) | 2004-07-09 | 2005-01-08 | 2005-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-07-09 | 2009-01-08 | 2009-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-07-09 | 2013-01-08 | 2013-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |