Trw Limited

Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

Trw Automotive U.S. LLC

Other

Gary G Gordon

Thomas E Blake, Iii

Wilfred R Jaeger

Steve Zofchak

Scott A Kelley

Angelo J Adler

Andrew J Smydra

David J Davis

Jack A Phillion

George T Hagen

Ali S EmamBakhsh

An apparatus () includes a modular headliner assembly () for a vehicle () having a side structure () and a roof (). The headliner assembly () includes a headliner (), an inflatable curtain (), a fill tube (), and a support device () that clamps around the fill tube to connect the tube and the curtain to the support device. A grab handle () has a portion extendable through the headliner () and into the support device () to connect the grab handle and the support device to the headliner. The apparatus () also includes a first connector () for connecting the support device () to the vehicle () to initially connect the headliner assembly () to the vehicle. The apparatus () further includes a second connector () extendable through the support device () and the grab handle () to fixedly connect the headliner assembly () to the vehicle.

Inflatable curtain assembly

A two part fastener () for clamping together first and second members () that have an opening (), comprises a base () having legs () resiliently biased outwardly away from each other and insertable through the opening (). A slide () is manually slidable relative to the base () to control the position of the legs (). The slide () has a first position relative to the base () in which blocking portions () of the legs () are in a blocking position to block removal of the legs through the opening (). In a second position the slide () blocks inward movement of the legs () thereby blocking removal of the fastener (). In a third position the slide () holds the legs () inward, thereby enabling removal of the fastener ().

Two part slide fastener

An apparatus ( ) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle ( ) having a side structure ( ) and a roof ( ) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof ( ) into a position between the side structure ( ) of the vehicle ( ) and the vehicle occupant. A fill tube ( ) has a portion located in the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ). The apparatus ( ) also includes at least one support device ( ) that has a portion ( ) that clamps around a portion of the fill tube ( ). The apparatus ( ) further includes a grab handle ( ) that has at least one portion ( ) adapted to interconnect with the support device ( ). A fastener ( ) is extendable through the support device ( ) to connect the grab handle ( ), support device ( ), fill tube ( ) and inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) to the vehicle ( ).

A coat hook assembly ( ) includes a hook member ( ) for connection with a structure ( ). The hook member ( ) is supported for pivotal movement from an opening ( ) and from a stored position to an operative position. The hook member ( ) has a hook portion ( ) adapted to support a garment. The hook member ( ) has a closure portion ( ) fixed for pivotal movement with the hook portion ( ), and blocking the opening ( ) when the hook member is in the stored position. A latch mechanism ( ) releasably hold the hook member ( ) in the stored position. The latch mechanism ( ) is responsive to a pushing force on the hook member ( ) when in the stored position to release the hook member for pivotal movement from the stored position to the operative position.

Retractable coat hook

A two part fastener ( ) for clamping together first and second members ( ) that have an opening ( ). The fastener ( ) comprises a base ( ) having a plurality of legs ( ) resiliently biased outwardly away from each other and insertable through the opening ( ). A knob ( ) connected with the base ( ) is manually rotatable relative to the base to control the position of the legs ( ). The knob ( ) has a first position of rotation relative to the base ( ) in which blocking portions ( ) of the legs are in a blocking position to block removal of the legs through the opening ( ). In a second position of rotation the knob ( ) blocks inward movement of the blocking portions ( ) of the legs ( ) from the blocking position, thereby blocking removal of the fastener . In a third position of rotation the knob ( ) holds the blocking portions ( ) of the legs ( ) inward from the blocking position, thereby enabling removal of the fastener ( ).

Two part twist fastener

An apparatus ( ) for securing a first plate, which may be a pull handle bracket, in a spaced relationship to a second plate, which may be a door panel. The apparatus ( ) comprises a fastener ( ) having a head portion ( ) and a base portion ( ). The head portion ( ) is insertable into a hole in the first plate and supports the first plate. The base portion ( ) is insertable into a hole in the second plate and attaches to the second plate. Part of the base portion ( ) of the fastener ( ) extends on a side of the second plate opposite the first plate. The apparatus ( ) further includes a retainer ( ) having an elongated main body ( ) for inserting into the head portion ( ) of the fastener ( ) and for securing the first plate to the head portion ( ) of the fastener ( ). The part of the base portion ( ) of the fastener ( ) that extends on a side of the second plate opposite the first plate has a width that increases to resist a force attempting to separate the first plate from the second plate.

Apparatus for fastening together two plates

A seal plug (,) for closing a aperture in a panel includes a cover cap (,), a set of seal plug retaining tabs (,) extending from a bottom face (,) of the plug and a set of guide elements (,) extending from the bottom face of the plug. The guide elements (,) disposed on the bottom face of the seal plug define a first axially orientated lead-in surface. The retaining tabs (,) disposed on the bottom face of the seal plug define a second axially orientated lead-in surface. The first and second lead-in surfaces cooperate making the seal plug easy to install. A thermoexpanding plastic sealing ring (,) adapted to soften and expand upon heating to a temperature of about 250&deg; F. is disposed on the bottom face of the seal plug. The seal ring expands and softens in an oven enabling the seal plug to become firmly bonded to a surface defining an aperture. A preferred method of manufacturing the seal plug includes closely controlling the temperature of the die members (,) in a two-shot injection molding apparatus (,) within a range of 135&deg; F.-180&deg; F. in order to inject the seal ring material in a flowable state. The first step in the two-shot molding process injects nylon into a first cavity forming the cover cap. The second step injects the heat responsive thermoexpanding material into a second cavity forming the sealing ring on the cover cap.

Method for making floor fan seal plug with thermoexpanding seal ring and axial guide members

A mold insert member is provided to enable molding unitary composite parts from two materials so that the materials co-diffuse at their interface. The insert member is rotatable relative to a stationary molding die to define, in a first position, a first molding cavity for receiving a first molding material and, in a second position, a second molding cavity contiguous with the first molding cavity adapted to receive a first molding material. The insert member includes a substantially circular cylindrical main body portion defining a longitudinal axis. At least one arcuate mold lip is formed on an end of the main body portion and is adapted to cooperate with a molding die when the insert member is disposed in a first position relative to the molding die. At least one cavity area is formed on the end of the main body portion. The cavity area is adapted to define, together with the molding die, a second molding cavity when the insert member is rotated into a second position. The second molding cavity is adapted to receive a second molding material. The insert member is rotatable relative to a stationary molding die so that the first and second materials can be injected into the molding die without opening the die between injection shots.

Method for molding a two-material part using a rotatable mold insert member

A connector assembly,mounts a light bulb,to a fixture,. The fixture,has an interior surface,, an exterior surface,, and an opening,. The opening,defines a peripheral surface interconnecting the interior and exterior surfaces,. The connector assembly,includes a housing,, at least one tab,, and a flange,. The housing,supports the light bulb,and has an axis,, a first portion,, and a second portion,spaced axially from the first portion,. The tab,extends radially from the first portion,of the housing,and includes a first pair of electrical contacts,for engaging a second corresponding pair of electrical contacts,on the interior surface,of the fixture,as the first portion,of the housing,is axially inserted through the opening,in the fixture,and rotated about the axis,of the housing,. The flange,extends radially from the second portion,of the housing,and has a seal,for axially engaging the exterior surface,of the fixture,as the first portion,of the housing,is inserted through the opening,in the fixture

Electrical connector assembly

An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) is attached to a vehicle part (22). The protection device (20) is deployable, upon inflation, through a deployment opening (24) in the vehicle part (22). A cover (60) closes the deployment opening (24) prior to deployment of the protection device (20). The cover (60) moves away from the vehicle part (22) upon deployment of the protection device (20). Attachment devices (82, 300) releasably attach the cover (60) to the vehicle part (22) and comprise a clip (120, 302) which is attachable to one of the cover and the vehicle part. The one of the cover (60) and the vehicle part (22) has a mounting opening (86, 322) and a recess (88, 324) adjacent the mounting opening. The clip (120, 302) includes a retaining portion (152, 364) biased to be received in the recess (88, 324) to inhibit removal of the clip, an opening (162, 380) for alignment with the mounting opening (86, 322), and a resiliently deflectable portion (164, 382). The attachment devices (82, 300) also include a stud (122, 304) which is non-pivotally fixed to the other of the vehicle part (22) and the cover (60). The stud (122, 304) is releasably connectable with the clip (120, 302) and includes a body (180, 400) which is extendable through the mounting opening (86, 322) in the one of the cover (60) and the vehicle part (22). The clip (120, 302) is movable relative to the mounting opening (86, 322) in the one of the cover (60) and the vehicle part (22) to compensate for relative misalignment among the opening (162, 380) in the clip, the mounting opening and the stud (122, 304) during attachment of the cover to the vehicle part.

Releasable attachment for air bag deployment door

Apparatus for securing together a non-linear array of at least three tubes positioned with their longitudinal axes extending parallel comprises a relatively rigid frame carrying first, second, and third cylindrical tube receiving and retaining recesses. Each recess is defined by a separate pair of opposed arms with at least one arm of each pair being resilient and deflectable in a radial direction relative to its respective recess. The arms in each pair have spaced end portions defining an entrance opening to the recess defined thereby. The entrance openings to the second and third of the recesses are generally aligned with tangents to imaginary circles having their center at the center of the first recess and a radius equal to the distance between the center of the first recess and the center of the recess of the respective second or third opening such that the apparatus can be installed by positioning the first tube in the first recess and then rotating the frame about the first tube to engage the second and third tubes into the second and third recesses.

Pipe support assembly

A bracket for mounting from a pair of pipes that extend in spaced parallel relationship comprises a main bracket body having oppositely disposed front and rear faces. A plurality of resilient retaining clips extend from the rear face. The clips are configured and adapted to partially encircle the pipes in gripping relationship thereto. At least one of the retaining clips includes a pivotal latch associated therewith and adapted for releasably latching the clip to the associated pipe and preventing undesired disengagement therefrom.

Support bracket for releasable mounting to spaced tubes

A backplate assembly for attachment to a vehicle interior panel to allow connection and support of associated vehicle accessories comprises first and second backplate members positioned in side-by-side relationship with their front faces facing in the same direction. Interconnecting fingers extend between the backplate members. The fingers are operable while the backplate members are in their side-by-side position for permitting selective connected movement of the first and second backplate members between a first spaced position and a second closely adjacent position. The fingers include latch elements for releasably latching the backplate members in at least one of the first and second positions. Retaining legs extend from the rear of each of the backplate members for permitting the backplate members to be connected to a panel when in one of the first and second positions.

Attachment plate for connection to vehicle panels

An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant during a vehicle collision includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (40) deployable through a first opening (24) in a vehicle part (20). A cover (60) closes the first opening (24) in the vehicle part. A plurality of fasteners (100) releasably attach the cover (60) to the vehicle part (20). The fasteners (100) each comprise means for attaching the fastener (100) to the cover (60). The means for attaching the fastener (100) to the cover (60) include a plurality of deformable arms (112) defining a conical head portion (104) of the fastener. The arms (112) are deformable upon insertion into one of a plurality of second openings (82) and return toward their original shape after insertion into one of the second openings. A fin portion (108) of the fastener is adjacent to and extends from the conical head portion (104). The apparatus (10) includes means (28, 30, 170) for attaching the fin portion (108) to the vehicle part (20).

Release mechanism

A plastic retainer assembly for joining components to the end of a cylindrical post comprises a retainer having a body with a shell extending therefrom. The shell has an axially extending center opening adapted to be closely received on the post. Gripping teeth are carried by the shell and are mounted for radial movement between a radial inner position for gripping the post and a radial outer non-gripping position. A lock ring is engaged about the shell and is slidable axially thereof from a first to a second position. The lock ring includes camming surfaces for driving the gripping teeth to their radial inner position as the lock ring moves from its first to its second position. A latch subassembly is provided for preventing movement of the lock ring from the second to the first position.

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Novi, MI, United States of America

Gary G Gordon