Autoliv Asp, Incorporated

Autoliv Development Ab

Robert F McGee

John Sonnenberg

James N Sonnenberg

David E Hoeft

James T Hoskyns

Patrick G Jarboe

Apparatus and method for inflatable combination curtain fold

An air-bag arrangement for use in a motor vehicle, secured to the vehicle at points along a non-linear line above an opening in the vehicle. The arrangement incorporates an inflatable element, connectors to secure an edge part of the inflatable element to the vehicle, and an inflator to inflate the inflatable element. The invention also incorporates a tether arrangement including a first and second tether. The first tether has opposed ends secured to the inflatable element. The second tether has a first end associated with the first tether intermediate its ends and a second end secured to the motor vehicle. When the inflatable element is inflated, a lower region of the inflatable element and the tethers extend between two opposed ends of the non-linear line and are substantially taut.

Retractable tethering device for curtain airbag

An attachment assembly for attaching a cushion member for an airbag apparatus to a vehicle surface is disclosed. The attachment assembly is particularly useful for attaching curtain type cushion members, as for a side impact airbag system. The attachment assembly may include a protrusion with a rod and a knob larger than the rod. A compressible spring washer is affixed to the rod. A hole formed in a mounting portion of the cushion member is then fitted around the rod, outside the washer. A cap is affixed to the rod to keep the cushion member in place. The protrusion, with the attached cushion member, may then be affixed to the vehicle surface through the use of a keyhole formed in the vehicle surface. The knob is pushed longitudinally into a larger, clearance portion of the keyhole, such that the spring washer is compressed. Then, the protrusion is moved transversely into an engaged configuration, in which the knob and the spring washer engage the interference portion. The protrusion can be locked in place to form a locked configuration by providing an arcuate slot intersecting the keyhole, into which the washer fits. Alternatively, upraised tabs may be formed around the keyhole, such that the spring washer slides over the upraised tabs and locks into place abutting them. As another alternative, a locking tab may be formed in the washer in such a position that the locking tab can rest within the clearance portion to resist motion of the protrusion into the clearance portion.

Apparatus and method for rapidly fastening an airbag apparatus

An air-bag arrangement for use in a motor vehicle is often secured to the vehicle at points extending along a non-linear line located above an opening in the vehicle. The arrangement incorporates an inflatable element, connectors to secure an edge part of the inflatable element to the vehicle, and an inflator to inflate the inflatable element. The air-bag arrangement also incorporates a tether arrangement including a tether of elongated form having first end secured to the inflatable element adjacent the connectors and the second end secured to the vehicle. The tether movably passes through a guide located adjacent one end and the lower region of the inflatable element. Advantageously, when the inflatable element is inflated, a lower region of the inflatable element is taut and, together with the tether, extends between the two opposed ends of the non-linear line.

Self-adjusting tether strap for inflatable curtain

An air-bag arrangement for use in a motor vehicle comprises a gas generator(,) which generates gas when an accident occurs. An air-bag is provided to be inflated by the gas. The air-bag comprises three super-imposed fabric layers(,), the outer peripheries of which are conjoined by a seam(,). A central aperture(,) in the lower-most layer receives the gas outlet(,) of the gas generator. A plurality of apertures(,) are formed in the intermediate layer and seams(,) interconnect the intermediate layer(,) and the lower-most(,) adjacent the apertures. The seams(,) partially surround each aperture, but are not present in a region(,) which is radially outwardly positioned relative to the center of the intermediate layer(,). This arrangement causes the bag, on inflation, to inflate laterally outwardly before inflating towards the occupant of the vehicle to be protected by the bag.

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Davisburg, MI, United States of America

Robert F McGee