Vehicle occupant protection apparatus
US5806882A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 15, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/0006
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12), a cover (32) for the protection device (12), and a pair of clamping parts (34, 42) with a fastener structure (36, 40). The protection device (12) comprises a first compressively deflectable structure. The cover (32) comprises a second compressively deflectable structure. The fastener structure (36, 40) comprises a stud (36) extending longitudinally between the clamping parts (34, 42), and applies a clamping load to the clamping parts (34, 42). At least one of the deflectable structures (12, 32) is compressively stressed by the clamping load. The apparatus (10) further includes a bushing (48) which is indeflectable under the clamping load. The bushing (48) extends over the stud (36) fully between the clamping parts (34, 42) to space the clamping parts (34, 42) from each other. Accordingly, the spacing between the clamping parts (34, 42) is unaffected by creep in the compressively stressed deflectable structure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.