US 7,461,859 B2 · Actuatable fastener

Abstract

An actuatable fastener (50) includes a body (80) including a head (82) and a shank (84). The body (80) includes an interior chamber (120) partially defined by a side wall (132) extending from the head (82) into the shank (84) and an end wall (138) positioned in the shank. A member (140) is disposed in the chamber (120). An initiator (160) is actuatable to produce combustion products in the chamber (120) that act on the member (140) to move the member in a first direction in the chamber to strike the end wall (138). The member (140) strikes the end wall (138) creating a fracture (222) in the shank (84) separating at least a portion of the shank from a remainder (220) of the shank. The combustion products moving the member (150) beyond the fracture (222) at least a predetermined distance (226) to move the portion of the shank (84) at least the predetermined distance from the remainder (220) of the shank.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An actuatabie fastener for controlling movement of an actuatable member of a vehicle occupant protection apparatus relative to a support member, the actuatable fastener comprising:

a body comprising a longitudinal axis, a first portion connectable with the actuatable member and a second portion connectable with the support member, the second portion having at least one sidewardly protruding portion, the second portion being connectable with the support member without threaded connections by forming a form-fitting connection with the support member and avoiding relative movement between the second portion and the support member in the direction of the longitudinal axis;
and
a pyrotechnic initiator disposed in an interior chamber of the body, the initiator being actuatable to separate the first and second portions of the body to control movement of the actuatable member.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Actuatable fastener

Life of this patent

Actuatable fastener

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18