DE29607536U1 - Fastener - Google Patents

Description

M A rWAl D'Vp A'lVrfs] E R

Munich

Dr. Walter Maiwald

Patent Attorney

European Patent Attorney

Dr. Dr. Stefan Michalski Patent Attorneys

Loerrach

Dr. Walter Maiwald European Patent Attorney Brühlstrasse 11,79540 Lörrach

In collaboration with: Schulze & Althoff Law Firm Brühlstr. 11, 79540 Lörrach

File number our sign Munich,

New registration A 7158 24 April 1996

AlliedSignal Deutschland GmbH

AlliedSignal Deutschland GmbH
Frankfurter Strasse 41-65, 65479 Raunheim, Germany

FASTENING ELEMENT

The present invention relates to a fastening element and in particular to a fastening element for holding an airbag cover from an airbag housing in a vehicle against the forces generated during deployment of the airbag in an impact situation.

An airbag is a cushion for the occupant of a vehicle and usually comprises a hollow bag made of woven material that is filled with gas when a vehicle impact is detected to provide a buffer between the vehicle and the seat. WM: SAM:ch

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occupants and the steering wheel of the vehicle, or in the case of a passenger, to provide a buffer between it and the dashboard. The airbag is stored in a folded, deflated state in an airbag housing in the steering wheel or dashboard. A cover, usually made of plastic or other synthetic materials, is placed over the airbag in the housing for aesthetic reasons, the cover also serves to prevent the ingress of dust and other small particles that could impair the functionality of the airbag, and to protect the airbag from, for example, the formation of holes.

When the airbag is deployed, the cover is pushed out of the holder with the housing with a movement component that is directed towards the passenger. It is obvious that this can be dangerous unless the cover is hingedly connected to the housing.

Typically, such covers are hinged to the housing or instrument panel. Alternatively, some kind of safety cable can be used to limit the forward movement of the cover when the airbag is deployed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cost-effective and functionally reliable way of attaching the cover to a housing, in a manner that simplifies the installation of a manufacturer's logo in the steering wheel.

According to the present invention, there is provided a fastener for a vehicle airbag housing cover, comprising a rivet having a head portion and a

Body portion, the head portion having an emblem, logo or other advertising medium or rake applied thereto, and the body portion being designed to extend through the cover and over a rope. The other end of this rope is attached to a fixed part of the vehicle so that the attachment element holds the cover connected to the vehicle against the forces occurring during deployment of the airbag contained in the housing.

The logo or advertising material can be made of plastic or metal and is preferably embossed or integrated into the head area of the rivet.

One or more such fasteners may be used to attach one or more cables (e.g. straps or belts) to the airbag cover. The other end(s) of the cables are connected (e.g. riveted, cast or soldered) to the airbag housing so as to provide an effective hold of the cover close to the housing, for the safety of the steering wheel and instrument panel.

A fastening element designed according to the invention provides an inexpensive and reliable means for attaching a tether to a cover in order to hold the cover during the deployment of the airbag.

The subject matter of the invention is particularly suitable for an airbag arranged on the driver's side, since the steering wheel traditionally bears the manufacturer's logo. However, the fastening element according to the invention can also be used equally when the airbag is arranged on the passenger side, or for a side airbag or child seat airbag.

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For a better understanding of the invention and to demonstrate the mode of operation of the same, reference is made to the examples of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-section of a fastening element according to the invention; and

Figure 2 is a cross-section of another embodiment of a fastening element according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a conventional fastening rivet 1 comprising a head part 2 having an emblem, a logo or another advertising medium or a brand. The emblem or logo can be embossed/glued, etched or applied in any other way to the head area.

The fastening rivet may have two claws 3 extending from the head through an airbag housing cover or door 4 and a tether 5. After the rivet is inserted, the ends of the claws 3 are bent to secure the rivet and to firmly connect the airbag cover to the tether 5. The other end of the tether 5 is attached to the airbag housing (not shown) on the instrument panel, or to another fixed part of the vehicle so that the airbag cover is securely connected to the housing even when the airbag is deployed. Preferably, the tether is double-wound in the area of contact with the rivet 1 and the cover 4 to increase strength. This double-wound area of the tether may be sewn.

A spacer or shim 6 is inserted between the tether 5 and the ends of the claws 3 to distribute the load and increase stability. The spacer 6 can be of any size or shape.

regardless of the fact that Figure 2 shows that the spacer has approximately the same size as the rivet head 2.

Also shown in Figure 2 is a fastening rivet 1 with a head portion 2 covered with a logo. In this embodiment, two sets of claws 3 are shown, which extend through the airbag cover 4 and along the retaining cables 5, thereby providing an even more secure hold of the cover and the retaining cable.

The fastening rivet can be made from a variety of materials, such as plastic, aluminum or steel, or any other suitable material.

Claims (9)

EXPECTATIONS 1. Fastening element for a vehicle airbag housing cover, comprising a rivet with a head region and a body region, wherein the head region has an emblem, logo or other advertising medium or a brand attached thereto, and wherein the body region has a shape that extends through the cover and to the tether, and wherein the other end of the tether is connected in a retaining manner to a stationary part of the vehicle, so that the fastening element holds the cover connected to the vehicle against the forces generated during the deployment of the airbag stored in the housing. 2. Fastening element according to claim 1, wherein the emblem or logo is embossed, glued and/or etched on the head region. 3. Fastening element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rivet is made of plastic, aluminum and/or steel. 4. Fastening element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the body portion comprises at least one claw. 5. A fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein the body portion includes at least one claw extending flush from the head portion and having a shape to extend through the cover and to the tether, and having a deformable end portion that is bent outwardly or deformed into another shape or expandable to hold the fastener in position. 6. Fastener according to claim 5, comprising two spaced apart claws, each of which extends in alignment from the head region and has a shape that extends through the cover to the tethers, and the claws have a deformable end region for securing the final position of the fastener. 7. A fastener according to any preceding claim, comprising a load-distributing spacer disposed along the underside adjacent the tether and through which the body portion of the fastener rivet extends. 8. Fastening element according to any one of the preceding claims, for retaining an airbag housing cover, comprising one or more rivets which engage one or more retaining cables, and optionally a spacer. 9. Fastening element according to one of claims 1 to 8, for securing an airbag housing cover arranged in the vehicle steering wheel, on the passenger side in the dashboard, in the headrest, in the child seat, or in another suitable location.