Patent · US Expired

Method of attaching a mounting bracket to an airbag inflator

US5503426A · kind A · utility

10Cited by
5References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 1, 1995
Grant dateApr 2, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 1, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R21/2644
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of attaching a mounting bracket to an inflator having a cylindrical sidewall and a peripheral inflator flange radially extending from the sidewall that includes: providing a unitary mounting bracket having a annular support, a flange seat adjacent the annular support for receiving the peripheral inflator flange and a cylindrical sleeve extending from the flange seat and having a distal portion; sliding the cylindrical sleeve of the mounting bracket onto the inflator until the inflator flange butts against the flange seat; and applying a suitable amount of axial force to the distal portion of the sleeve so that the distal portion deforms radially inwardly into a clamping band underlying at least a portion of the inflator flange. The inflator flange is clamped between the clamping band and the flange seat to secure the mounting bracket to the inflator. Preferably, a crimping die is used to crimp the distal portion of the sleeve into a clamping band while the inflator is supported in an inflator nest.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.