Fastener means for a vehicle occupant restraint system,...

Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C411S301000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06170858

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a fastener means for a vehicle occupant restraint system. The invention further relates to a method for fastening a vehicle occupant restraint system, especially for fastening a gas bag to a gas generator and a gas bag module to a vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle occupant restraint system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hitherto gas bags on inflators or gas bag modules were secured to a vehicle by nut-and-bolt fasteners, among other things, whereby stud bolts are also used. These are, for example, formed as part of a frame-like holder part which sealingly forces the gas bag in the region of the gas bag orifice against an inflator, as a result of which the gas bag is secured to the inflator. The nut after being screwed on is firmly bonded in place by microencapsulation to lock it to the stud bolt. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for fastening a vehicle occupant restraint system. The invention also relates to a vehicle occupant restraint system, having gas bag module with a gas bag, a gas generator, a holder part engaging said gas bag, a fastener means for attaching said holder part and said gas bag to said gas generator or said gas generator and said gas bag module to a vehicle, wherein said fastener means comprises a stud non-rotatably connected to said holder part and a nut screwable thereon.
Adhesive remainders rubbed off during the screwing-on action may, however, stick parts of an assembly tool to each other or soil the assembly tool as well as exposed parts of the vehicle. This is why the adhesive needs to be handled very carefully which, however, lengthens the time needed for assembly.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention defines a low-cost fastener means for a vehicle occupant restraint system which can be assembled by existing means and which enables the assembly time to be reduced. The fastener means according to the invention which is for a vehicle occupant restraint system equipped with a gas bag comprises a holder part, a stud non-rotatably connected to the holder part and a nut screwable on the stud. One of the stud and the nut comprises one of a self-tapping and thread-forming thread, the other one of both parts which has no thread defines a counterpart. The thread deforms a thread in the counterpart in one of a tapping, forming and elastically deforming manner so that the nut after being screwed on is locked against turning out of place.
If the counterpart, i.e. the nut for instance, is already provided with a thread, the latter is further metalcutted by the self-tapping thread of the stud.
In the case of a thread-forming arrangement, e.g. in the form of a trilobular thread this further shapes the existing thread of the counterpart or deforms it merely elastically. In any case due to the tapping, forming or elastic deforming action, locking the nut against becoming loose of its own accord is created. Trilobular threads which elastically deform an existing thread of a nut have preferably thread flanks which are tip tapered outwardly, the resulting tip biting into the base of the thread in the nut.
Due to the fastener means according to the invention the nut no longer needs to be bonded to the stud and is seated, contrary to nut-and-bolt fasteners used hithereto, locked in place due to higher friction and with zero clearance on the male thread of the fastener part. Accordingly, existing assembly concepts can continued to be used without necessitating any redesign of parts of the vehicle occupant restraint system.
In accordance with preferred embodiments the nut may be a stamped or injection molded item and formed by a cold press procedure. The stud is preferably fixed to the holder part by being pressed or formed into place.
Furthermore, the invention provides for a method for quick and simple fastening of a vehicle occupant restraint system. The method according to the invention uses a fastener means which comprises a holder part, a stud non-rotatably connected to the holder part, and a nut. The nut is screwed onto the stud. The stud or the nut comprises one of a self-tapping and thread-forming thread, the other one of both parts which has no thread defines a counterpart. The thread deformes a thread in the counterpart in one of a tapping, forming and elastically deforming manner so that the nut after being screwed on is locked against turning out of place.
Especially, the method is for attaching a gas bag to a gas generator and for attaching a gas bag module to a vehicle.
The invention further provides a vehicle occupant restraint system, having gas bag module with a gas bag, a gas generator, a fastener means comprising a holder part engaging the gas bag for attaching the holder part and the gas bag to the gas generator. The fastener means further comprises a stud non-rotatably connected to the holder part and a nut screwable thereon. One of the stud and the nut comprises one of a self-tapping and thread-forming thread, the other one of both parts which has no thread defines a counterpart. The thread deforms a thread in the counterpart in one of a tapping, forming and elastically deforming manner so that the nut after is screwed on is locked against turning out of place.
The invention also provides a vehicle occupant restraint system, having gas bag module with a gas bag, a gas generator with a flange defining a holder part, a fastener means comprising the holder part for attaching the gas bag module to a vehicle. The fastener means further comprises a stud non-rotatably connected to the holder part and a nut screwable thereon. One of the stud and the nut comprises one of a self-tapping and thread-forming thread, the other one of both parts which has no thread defines a counterpart. The thread deforms a thread in the counterpart in one of a tapping, forming and elastically deforming manner so that the nut after is screwed on is locked against turning out of place.


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