Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

Trw Limited

George T Hagen

Gary G Gordon

Scott A Kelley

Andrew J Smydra

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

An apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12). The apparatus (10) further comprises a structure (30) including (i) opposed first and second walls (31, 32), (ii) opposed third and fourth walls (33, 34) connected to the first and second walls and (iii) a base wall (35) connected to the first, second, third, and fourth walls. The walls (31-35) define a chamber (38). An inflator (20) is located in the chamber (38) and includes a source of inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant restraint (12). The inflator (20) has nozzles (23) at one end adjacent to one of the third and fourth walls (33, 34) for directing inflation fluid from the inflator to the vehicle occupant restraint (12). The structure has a pair of recessed portions (40, 50) for engaging and supporting the inflator (20) in the chamber (38). The recessed portions (40, 50) are spaced apart from the third and fourth walls (33, 34). A member (60) is secured to the recessed portions (40, 50) to secure the inflator (20) in the chamber (38). The nozzles (23) are located in the chamber (38) between the recessed portions (40, 50) and the one of the third and fourth walls (33, 34) when the inflator (20) is secured in the chamber.

Growing community of inventors

Troy, MI, United States of America

George T Hagen