MOUNTING BRACKET FOR RAIL MOUNTED AIRBAG INFLATOR

Abstract

An energy absorbing mounting bracket for a rail mounted airbag inflator is provided. The mounting bracket has a circular section and at least one base leg. The circular section entraps an airbag inflator and the base leg is rigidly attached to the circular section and mounted to a vehicle rail. The base leg positions the circular section of the mounting bracket a specific distance from the rail, for the purpose of allowing the section to deflect in a direction towards the rail when an impact force is exerted on the section. One embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a circular section entrapping an airbag inflator and a first base leg, a second base leg and an intermediate leg. The first base leg is located adjacent to the vehicle rail when the bracket is mounted to the rail and is rigidly attached to the intermediate leg. The intermediate leg is rigidly attached to the circular section and the second base leg is also rigidly attached to said section. The first base leg in combination with the intermediate leg and the second base leg position the circular section a specific distance from the rail. The distance from the rail coupled with the design of the base legs and the intermediate leg allow for the circular section to deflect in a direction towards the rail when it experiences an impact force. In this manner, an energy absorbing mounting bracket for a rail mounted airbag inflator is provided.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interior of a motor vehicle showing a typical location of a side impact airbag;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an airbag inflator releasing gas through an exit nozzle and subjecting the airbag to a rotational torque;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the first embodiment as mounted to a motor vehicle rail;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the first embodiment after experiencing a side impact force;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the second embodiment of the present invention as mounted to a vehicle rail;

FIG. 8 is the second embodiment of the present invention after experiencing a side impact force; and

FIG. 9 is a top view of a sheet material used to form the present invention.

Claims

1. An energy absorbing mounting bracket for a rail mounted airbag inflator comprising: a circular section, said circular section entrapping an airbag inflator; anda base leg rigidly attached to said circular section and mounted to a vehicle rail, said base leg positioning said circular section a distance from the rail, for the purpose of allowing said section to deflect in a direction towards the rail when an impact force is exerted on said section.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said base leg includes an aperture, for the purpose of bolting said base leg to the rail.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein said base leg includes a positioning member, for the purpose of inserting said member hook into a rail aperture.

4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said positioning member includes an L-shaped hook.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said circular section has a reinforcing rib.

6. The invention of claim 5, wherein said rib extends in a longitudinal direction along said circular section.

7. The invention of claim 1, wherein said base leg includes a strengthening channel.

8. The invention of claim 7, wherein said channel is rigidly attached to at least part of said circular section.

9. An energy absorbing mounting bracket for a rail mounted airbag inflator comprising: a circular section, said circular section entrapping an airbag inflator;a first base leg rigidly attached at an angle to an intermediate leg, said first base leg adjacent to a vehicle rail when said bracket is mounted to the rail;a second base leg rigidly attached at an angle to said circular section, said second base leg adjacent to said first base leg when said bracket is mounted to the rail;said intermediate leg rigidly attached at an angle to said circular section; andsaid first base leg, second base leg and intermediate leg positioning said circular section a distance from the rail, for the purpose of allowing said section to deflect in a direction towards the rail when an impact force is exerted on said section.

10. The invention of claim 9, wherein said first base leg and said second base leg include an aperture, for the purpose of bolting said bracket to the rail.

11. The invention of claim 9, wherein said first base leg has a positioning member, for the purpose of inserting said member into a rail aperture.

12. The invention of claim 11, wherein said member includes an L-shaped hook.

13. The invention of claim 9, wherein said circular section has a reinforcing rib.

14. The invention of claim 13, wherein said rib extends in a longitudinal direction along said circular section.

15. The invention of claim 9, wherein said second base leg includes a strengthening channel.

16. The invention of claim 15, wherein said channel is rigidly attached to at least part of said circular section.