IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,380,817
Granted Patent B2
US 7,380,817 · App. 11/674,314 · Granted Jun 3, 2008

Assembly for retaining an airbag module to a steering wheel

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,380,817
App. No.
11/674,314
Granted
Jun 3, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

As improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel has an airbag module housing having an airbag cover, an internally stored airbag. The airbag module housing has two pairs of attachment legs. A base plate assembly has a base plate with a pair of mounting brackets pivotally attached at ends of the mounting brackets to the hinge supports projecting from the base plate and being linearly movable relative to the hinge supports. A resilient member such as a spring returns the airbag module housing to a resting position upon activation of a horn. The resilient member is interposed between one mounting bracket and the base plate. The pair of mounting brackets are connected by a pin and a slot. Each end of a mounting bracket is attached to an attachment leg of the airbag module housing. Movement of the airbag module housing assembly is constrained to a displacement parallel to the axis of rotation of the steering wheel.

Claims (28)

1. An improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel comprising:

an airbag module housing having an airbag cover attached thereto and an airbag stored therein, the airbag housing having two pairs of attachment legs;

a base plate assembly having a base plate with a pair of mounting brackets pivotally attached on ends to hinge supports projecting from the base plate and being linearly movable relative to the hinge supports; and

a resilient member for returning the airbag module assembly to a resting position upon activation of a horn, the resilient member being interposed between one mounting bracket and the base plate;

wherein the pair of mounting brackets are connected by a pin and a slot and each end of a mounting bracket is attached to an attachment leg of the air bag module housing assembly and movement of the airbag module housing assembly is constrained to a displacement parallel to an axis of rotation of the steering wheel.

2. The improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel of claim 1 , wherein the base plate assembly is attached to a central hub of a steering wheel by means for attachment.

3. The improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel of claim 1 , wherein the base plate assembly is molded to a central hub of a steering wheel.

4. The improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel of claim 1 , wherein the mounting brackets are linearly moveable relative to the hinge supports.

5. The improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel of claim 1 , wherein each pair of attachment legs of the airbag module housing further comprises a projecting tooth that extends outwardly on one attachment leg and on a diametrically opposite attachment leg extends inwardly relative to the axis of rotation of the steering wheel.

6. The improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel of claim 5 , wherein each attachment leg further comprises a ramped tooth adjacent a wall of the attachment leg similarly projecting outwardly relative to the axis of rotation of the steering wheel when assembled but spaced from the projecting tooth on one attachment leg and inwardly on the diametrically opposite attachment leg.

7. The improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel of claim 5 , wherein the mounting brackets each have an end with a projecting portion and wherein downward movement of the airbag module housing assembly causes the ramped teeth to push the projecting portions a distance sufficient to allow the projecting teeth to pass under an end of the mounting brackets as each mounting bracket linearly moves and pivotably rotates over the underlying curved surface of the hinge support.

8. The improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel of claim 7 , wherein continued downward movement allows the ramped tooth to pass under the projecting end portion allowing the resilient member to move the pair of mounting brackets to a return position thereby locking each of the projecting end portions of the mounting brackets in a slot formed between the projecting ramp teeth and a projecting portion of the wall on each attachment leg.

9. The improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel of claim 8 , wherein the base plate further comprises a disassembly bracket having an opening, wherein a tool can be passed through the opening to push on an end of one mounting bracket causing a displacement of both mounting brackets sufficient to clear both the projecting teeth and ramped teeth thereby allowing the airbag module housing to be released from the base plate assembly.

10. The improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel of claim 1 , wherein the resilient member is a coil spring.

11. The improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel of claim 1 , wherein the resilient member moves the mounting brackets causing an upward movement of the airbag module housing assembly upon clearing the projecting teeth and ramp teeth and the wall projection and the slot formed between the ramp teeth and the wall projection.

12. An improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel comprising:

an airbag module housing having an airbag cover attached thereto and an airbag stored therein, the airbag housing having two pairs of attachment legs;

a base plate assembly having a base plate with a pair of mounting brackets pivotally attached on ends to hinge supports projecting from the base plate and being linearly movable relative to the hinge supports; and

a resilient member for returning the airbag module assembly to a resting position upon activation of a horn, the resilient member being interposed between one mounting bracket and the base plate;

wherein the pair of mounting brackets are connected by a pin and a slot and each end of a mounting bracket is attached to an attachment leg of the air bag module housing assembly and movement of the airbag module housing assembly is constrained to a displacement parallel to an axis of rotation of the steering wheel as the mounting brackets are linearly moveable relative to the hinge supports.

13. The improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel of claim 12 , wherein the base plate assembly is attached to a central hub of a steering wheel by means for attachment.

14. The improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel of claim 12 , wherein the base plate assembly is molded to a central hub of a steering wheel.

15. The improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel of claim 12 , wherein each pair of attachment legs of the airbag module housing further comprises a projecting tooth that extends outwardly on one attachment leg and on a diametrically opposite attachment leg extends inwardly relative to the axis of rotation of the steering wheel.

16. The improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel of claim 15 , wherein each attachment leg further comprises a ramped tooth adjacent a wall of the attachment leg similarly projecting outwardly relative to the axis of rotation of the steering wheel when assembled but spaced from the projecting tooth on one attachment leg and inwardly on the diametrically opposite attachment leg.

17. The improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel of claim 15 , wherein the mounting brackets each have an end with a projecting portion and wherein downward movement of the airbag module housing causes the ramped teeth to push the projecting portions a distance sufficient to allow the projecting teeth to pass under an end of the mounting brackets as each mounting bracket linearly moves and pivotably rotates over the underlying curved surface of the hinge support.

18. The improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel of claim 17 , wherein continued downward movement allows the ramped tooth to pass under the projecting end portion allowing the resilient member to move the pair of mounting brackets to a return position thereby locking each of the projecting end portions of the mounting brackets in a slot formed between the projecting ramp teeth and a projecting portion of the wall on each attachment leg.

19. The improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel of claim 18 , wherein the base plate further comprises a disassembly bracket having an opening, wherein a tool can be passed through the opening to push on an end of one mounting bracket causing a displacement of both mounting brackets sufficient to clear both the projecting teeth and ramped teeth thereby allowing the airbag module housing to be released from the base plate assembly.

20. The improved airbag module retention assembly for attachment to a steering wheel of claim 12 , wherein the resilient member is a coil spring.

Assignments (10)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 12, 2021
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS SECURITY AGENT FOR THE SECURED PARTIES
To: KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 057775/0771 →
RELEASE OF INTEREST IN PATENTS- RELEASE OF REEL/FRAME 033673/0524 Recorded Apr 12, 2018
From: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH
To: KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC.; KSS HOLDINGS, INC.; KSS ACQUISITION COMPANY; BREED AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; KEY ASIAN HOLDINGS, INC.; KEY AUTOMOTIVE ACCESSORIES, INC.; KEY AUTOMOTIVE OF FLORIDA, LLC; KEY CAYMAN GP LLC; KEY INTERNATIONAL MANUFACTURING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; KEY SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS FOREIGN HOLDCO, LLC
Reel/Frame 045933/0563 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Apr 11, 2018
From: KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
Reel/Frame 045927/0330 →
RELEASE OF INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL Recorded Sep 2, 2014
From: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH
To: KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC.; KSS HOLDINGS, INC.; KSS ACQUISITION COMPANY; BREED AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; HAMLIN INCORPORATED; KEY ASIAN HOLDINGS, INC.; KEY AUTOMOTIVE ACCESSORIES, INC.; KEY AUTOMOTIVE WEST, INC.; KEY AUTOMOTIVE, LP; KEY CAYMAN GP LLC; KEY ELECTRONICS OF NEVADA, INC.; KEY INTERNATIONAL MANUFACTURING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; KEY SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS FOREIGN HOLDCO, LLC; KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS OF TEXAS, INC.
Reel/Frame 033666/0605 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 2, 2014
From: KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC.
To: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH
Reel/Frame 033673/0524 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE TO RELEASE OF SECOND LIEN INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL AND THE RECEIVING PARTY NAMES PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 031327 FRAME 676. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECOND LIEN INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL. SEE ALSO THE ATTACHED DECLARATION. Recorded Aug 12, 2014
From: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH
To: KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC.; KSS HOLDINGS, INC.; KSS ACQUISITION COMPANY; BREED AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; HAMLIN INCORPORATED; KEY ASIAN HOLDINGS, INC.; KEY AUTOMOTIVE ACCESSORIES, INC.; KEY AUTOMOTIVE, LP; KEY CAYMAN GP LLC; KEY ELECTRONICS OF NEVADA, INC.; KEY INTERNATIONAL MANUFACTURING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; KEY SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS FOREIGN HOLDCO, LLC; KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS OF TEXAS, INC.
Reel/Frame 033521/0223 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 5, 2013
From: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH
To: KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 031327/0676 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 4, 2013
From: CITICORP USA, INC.
To: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH
Reel/Frame 029565/0125 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 16, 2007
From: KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC; KSS HOLDINGS, INC; KSS ACQUISITION COMPANY; AEGIS KEY CORP; BREED AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY, INC; HAMLIN INCORPORATED; KEY ASIAN HOLDINGS, INC; KEY AUTOMOTIVE ACCESSORIES, INC; KEY AUTOMOTIVE OF FLORIDA, INC; KEY AUTOMOTIVE WEST, INC; KEY AUTOMOTIVE, LP; KEY CAYMAN GP LLC; KEY ELECTRONICS OF NEVADA, INC; HAMLIN ELECTRONICS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; KEY INTERNATIONAL MANUFACTURING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; KEY SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC; KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS FOREIGN HOLDCO, LLC; KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS OF TEXAS, INC
To: CITICORP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 019297/0249 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 13, 2007
From: POLI, VALERIO; RIDOLFI, ROBERTO; ANSELMI, ANDREA; RIDOLFI, ADOLFO
To: KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 018886/0120 →