Airbag module doors having slip-in and snap-in tether attachments
AssigneeMorton International, Inc.
InventorsMichael J. Ravenberg, David J. Green
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A passenger side airbag module for a motor vehicle is designed to engage one end of a cover tether by a slip-fit latch. The other end of the tether is firmly secured to the breakaway portion of the vehicle instrument panel. A secondary latch prevents the anchor from rotating or rattling after installation.
Claims20
In an automotive airbag installation including an airbag module assembly including a reaction canister positionable behind an instrument panel, a breakaway cover formed in said instrument panel, and a tether having a first end secured to said cover and a second end connectable to said module assembly, the improvement comprising:
- a tether anchor secured to the second end of said tether;
- and
- means for making a slip-fit engagement between said module assembly and said anchor while providing firm support during cover breakaway resulting from airbag deployment, said engagement means comprises a male connector on one of said anchor and module assembly and a female connector on the other of said anchor and module assembly wherein said female connector comprises a channel having a sidewall defining a slot therethrough and said male connector is insertable through an axial open end of said channel.
An automotive airbag installation which comprises:
- an instrument panel including a breakaway portion therein forming a cover;
- a substantially trough-shaped reaction canister mounted behind said cover, said canister having first and second sidewalls, a floor, and first and second end plates for containing an inflator and a folded airbag therein;
- a hinge channel integral with, and protruding from, said first sidewall and slotted along its length to receive a hinge pin therein in slip-fit engagement;
- and
- a tether having a first end secured to said cover and a second end carrying .an anchor member, said anchor member including said hinge pin engageable with said hinge channel in said slip-fit engagement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.