Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-15
2001-12-04
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
C280S731000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325408
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an air bag module, and more particularly to an air bag attachment arrangement that permits the secure mounting of an air bag module without the necessity of separate tools or fasteners.
An air bag module is commonly formed as a separate and independent unit from the steering wheel. The cover, air bag, and inflator are each securely anchored to a base plate of the module such that the module can be installed in the steering wheel as a separate complete module.
Preassembled, inflatable, air bag modules are typically delivered to vehicle manufacturers and then mounted as a unit to a steering wheel along the vehicle assembly line. The module typically fits within a cavity in the steering wheel and is retained therein by clips and/or fasteners.
In a known air bag mounting arrangement weld or press nuts are installed on the air bag module. During assembly, the airbag module is loosely mounted to or placed upon the steering wheel hub and thereafter, fasteners are inserted through designated locations on the steering wheel hub and are engaged with the respective nuts provided on the air bag module. The fasteners are screwed into place to interconnect the air bag module to the steering wheel hub. This can be time consuming and difficult in that the fastener members must be precisely placed through the steering wheel and carefully screwed into place to ensure that the air bag module is properly secured to the steering wheel hub. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a simple yet secure attachment arrangement that requires a minimum of separate fasteners and tools.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The air bag module attachment arrangement according to the present invention generally includes an air bag module having an engagement member, a receiver, and a fastener. The receiver is located within a vehicle component such as a steering wheel in which the mounting of an air bag is desired.
The engagement member extends from the module and is preferably a cylindrical post having a groove. The engagement member fits within the receiver such that the groove is engageable by the fastener. An aperture is located in the steering wheel to access the fastener, which slides with a button to lock and unlock the engagement member.
The fastener preferably includes a pair of substantially parallel wires, which form a first substantially annular segment and a second substantially annular segment with a locking segment therebetween. The first annular segment is proportioned to receive the engagement member. The second annular segment is positioned so that it interferes with a feature protruding from the rear of the steering wheel so that the fastener will not move out of position during vibration. The locking segment is sized to engage the groove. The fastener slidably engages and disengages the engagement member to lock and unlock the module in response to sliding the fastener relative to the retainer. Once the engagement member is located within the receiver, the module need only be pushed into the steering wheel assembly. Should the fastener be improperly positioned, the engagement member will not fully seat within the receiver. Thus, a visible indication is immediately provided as the engagement member can not be properly seated and the fastener extends from the steering wheel if the module is improperly installed. The possibility of an improper module installation is thereby greatly reduced. To remove the module, the fastener need only be slid in a reverse direction, that is, outwardly.
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Breed Automotive Technology Inc.
Fischmann Bryan
Johnson Brian L.
Seitzman Markell
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