Patent · US Expired

Snap-in air bag module, connector and method of attachment

US6149183A · kind A · utility

11Cited by
16References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 9, 1998
Grant dateNov 21, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 9, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16B21/073
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A snap-in connector (80) including a female connector part (84) including an upper cylindrical portion (120) having a first opening (122) therethrough, a medial flange (130) extending outwardly and a lower portion segmented into a plurality of flexible locking members (140a-d) which snap into and lock with portions of a male connector part as a function of the degree of insertion of the male connector part. The male connector part (84) including a connecting first end (92) and a remote tool receiving second end (92) and a plurality of conical portions which serve to separate the flexible members as the male connector part is inserted therein, a first holding feature (100) and a first snap-fit locking feature (106) and situated between a second conical portion and a third conical portion (112), the diameter of the first snap-fit locking feature being sufficient to separate the flexible members (140a-d) outwardly relative to the edge of an opening (64a) in a receiving member (40) as a function of the further insertion of the male connector part in the female connector part, to prevent withdrawal of the snap-fit connector and support member (24).

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