The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 09, 2004
Filed:
Apr. 19, 2002
Frank Sczeburek, Langenselbold, DE;
Burghard Stich, Bingen, DE;
Breed Automotive Technology, Inc., Lakeland, FL (US);
Abstract
An airbag module has at least two housing parts securely connected to each other by a mechanical catch connection. At least one catch hook is arranged on the first housing part and at least one tab with a corresponding catch opening is arranged in the second housing part. During the latching together of the two housing parts, the catch hook engages the corresponding catch opening. At least one ramp is arranged on the first housing part, opposite the catch hook, which ramp rises in the insertion direction of the second housing. The ramp rises in the direction in which the second housing part is moved toward the first housing part during assembly. During the assembly of the first housing part with the second housing part, the tab of the second housing part comes into contact with the ramp during the latching and is deflected by the ramp in the direction of the catch hook. The deflection of the tab results in the catch opening being deflected or pushed in the direction of the catch hook. The catch hook fully engages the catch opening with the greatest possible contact surface between catch hook and catch opening. Because of the ramp, during the latching a maximal contact surface is always achieved between catch opening and catch hook, it can be ensured that during the deployment of the airbag the ensuing forces are distributed on as large a surface as possible.