Autoliv Asp, Incorporated

Thomas C Burton

Travis B Hess

Michael Ray Hall

Kurt Kottke

Jesse R Crookston

Eric Drake

Terry S Jones

Corey Farnsworth

A retention tab unit is disclosed comprising a retention tab configured for attaching an inflatable curtain to a vehicle. The retention tab unit has an energy absorption mechanism that facilitates confinement of the retention tab in an initial configuration wherein the retention tab is not taut. Once the inflatable curtain is deployed, the energy absorption mechanism is configured to release the retention tab from its initial configuration and allow it to be forced into a deployed configuration wherein the retention tab tautly extends from the vehicle.

Inflatable curtain cushion tab shock absorption

An energy-absorbing bracket is disclosed for use in a vehicle to absorb the impact of a vehicle occupant with an interior surface of the vehicle such as a vehicular pillar, an interior trim panel, and other potential areas of contact. The brackets of the invention generally include an anchor plate configured to allow attachment of the bracket to a surface, an extension arm extending from the anchor plate; and a support foot linked to the extension arm. The energy-absorbing brackets of the invention are generally incompletely tubular in nature, and configured to deform when impacted to dissipate impact energy and assume a configuration adapted to absorb additional impact energy.

Energy absorption bracket

Growing community of inventors

Champaign, IL, United States of America

Thomas C Burton