Strap anchoring device
View Patent ↗A device for anchoring a strap to a structural member has a strap and a strap anchoring member fixed to the strap at a first end of the strap. The strap anchoring member has a length and a width, wherein the length is greater than the width. The strap anchoring member is folded to provide only two layers of the strap anchoring member enclosing an end region of the strap adjacent a first end of the strap. A secured portion of the strap anchoring member is proximal the first end of the strap with both layers of the strap anchoring member fixed to the strap providing a three layer structure. An unsecured portion of the strap anchoring member is distal from the first end of the strap. A second end of the strap may be fixed to an airbag used for protecting an occupant of a motor vehicle. The positioning of the airbag when it is inflated can be achieved by having the strap extend through an aperture in a structural member of a motor vehicle with the strap anchoring device located on a side of the structural member distal from the airbag. The aperture has dimensions such that the unsecured portion of the strap anchoring member engages a surface of the structural member and impairs the passage of the strap anchoring device through the aperture toward the airbag.
1. A strap anchoring device comprising a strap and a strap anchoring member fixed to the strap at a first end of the strap, the strap anchoring member having a length and a width, wherein the length is greater than the width, the strap anchoring member being folded to provide only two layers of the strap anchoring member enclosing an end region of the strap adjacent the first end of the strap, a secured portion of the strap anchoring member proximal the first end of the strap having both layers of the strap anchoring member fixed to the strap providing a three layer structure, and an unsecured portion of the strap anchoring member distal from the first end of the strap, wherein the strap anchoring member is folded along the length of the strap anchoring member about the strap such that the strap anchoring member has a U shaped cross section and wherein the strap has a longitudinally extending centerline and the strap anchoring member has a longitudinally extending centerline, with the longitudinally extending centerlines of the strap and the strap anchoring member being parallel to one another at the secured portion of the strap anchoring member.
2. The strap anchoring device of claim 1 wherein the strap anchoring member is folded over upon itself one time to form a V having a pair of legs, and the first end of the strap of the strap is disposed in the apex of the V between the legs of the V providing the three layer structure.
3. The strap anchoring device of claim 1 wherein the strap and the strap anchoring member each comprise a woven fabric.
4. The strap anchoring device of claim 1 wherein the secured portion of the strap anchoring member is fixed to the strap by stitches.
5. The strap anchoring device of claim 1 in combination with an airbag used for protecting an occupant of a motor vehicle wherein a second end of the strap is fixed to an airbag.
6. The strap anchoring device of claim 5 wherein the strap extends through an aperture in a structural member of a motor vehicle with the strap anchoring device located on a side of the structural member distal from the airbag to which the second end of the strap is secured, the aperture having dimensions such that the unsecured portion of the strap anchoring member engages a surface of the structural member and impairs the passage of the strap anchoring device through the aperture towards the airbag.
7. The strap anchoring device of claim 6 wherein the airbag is a side curtain airbag and the structural member is a roof rail of the motor vehicle.
8. A strap anchoring device of claim 6 wherein the airbag is a side curtain airbag and the structural member is a pillar supporting a roof of the motor vehicle.
9. A strap anchoring device of claim 6 wherein the airbag a frontal airbag and the structural member is a structural member of an instrument panel of the motor vehicle.
10. The strap anchoring device of claim 6 wherein the airbag is a knee airbag and the structural member is a structural member of an instrument panel of the motor vehicle.
11. A strap anchoring device comprising a strap and a strap anchoring member fixed to the strap at a first end of the strap, the strap anchoring member having a length and a width, wherein the length is greater than the width, the strap anchoring member being folded to provide only two layers of the strap anchoring member enclosing an end region of the strap adjacent the first end of the strap, a secured portion of the strap anchoring member proximal the first end of the strap having both layers of the strap anchoring member fixed to the strap providing a three layer structure, and an unsecured portion of the strap anchoring member distal from the first end of the strap, wherein the strap anchoring member is folded along the length of the strap anchoring member about the strap such that the strap anchoring member has a U shaped cross section, wherein the strap anchoring member has a slit or slot in the sheet extending only a portion of the length of the strap anchoring member and coinciding with a line along which the strap anchoring member is folded and wherein the strap has a longitudinally extending centerline and the strap anchoring member has a longitudinally extending centerline, with the longitudinally extending centerlines of the strap and the strap anchoring member being parallel to one another at the secured portion of the strap anchoring member.
12. The strap anchoring device of claim 11 wherein the strap has a longitudinally extending centerline and the strap anchoring member has a longitudinally extending centerline, with the longitudinally extending centerlines of the strap and the strap anchoring member being offset from one another at an acute angle another at the secured portion of the strap anchoring member.
13. A strap anchoring device comprising a strap and a strap anchoring member fixed to the strap at a first end of the strap, the strap anchoring member having a length and a width, wherein the length is greater than the width, the strap anchoring member being folded to provide only two layers of the strap anchoring member enclosing an end region of the strap adjacent the first end of the strap, a secured portion of the strap anchoring member proximal the first end of the strap having both layers of the strap anchoring member fixed to the strap providing a three layer structure, and an unsecured portion of the strap anchoring member distal from the first end of the strap, wherein the strap anchoring member is folded along the length of the strap anchoring member about the strap such that the strap anchoring member has a U shaped cross section and wherein the strap has a longitudinally extending centerline and the strap anchoring member has a longitudinally extending centerline, with the longitudinally extending centerlines of the strap and the strap anchoring member being offset from one another at an acute angle another at the secured portion of the strap anchoring member.
14. A strap anchoring device comprising a strap and a strap anchoring member fixed to the strap at a first end of the strap, the strap anchoring member having a length and a width, wherein the length is greater than the width, the strap anchoring member being folded along the length of the strap anchoring member into a U shaped cross section to provide only two layers of the strap anchoring member enclosing an end region of the strap adjacent the first end of the strap, a secured portion of the strap anchoring member proximal the first end of the strap having both layers of the strap anchoring member fixed to the strap providing a three layer structure, and an unsecured portion of the strap anchoring member distal from the first end of the strap, the strap and the strap anchoring member each comprising a woven fabric.
15. The strap anchoring device of claim 14 wherein the strap anchoring member has a slit or slot in the sheet extending only a portion of the length of the strap anchoring member and coinciding with a line along which the strap anchoring member is folded.
16. A strap anchoring device comprising a strap and a strap anchoring member fixed to the strap at a first end of the strap, the strap anchoring member having a length and a width, wherein the length is greater than the width, the strap anchoring member being folded over upon itself one time to form a V having a pair of legs to provide only two layers of the strap anchoring member enclosing an end region of the strap adjacent the first end of the strap, a secured portion of the strap anchoring member proximal the first end of the strap having both layers of the strap anchoring member fixed to the strap providing a three layer structure, and an unsecured portion of the strap anchoring member distal from the first end of the strap and wherein the strap and the strap anchoring member each comprise a woven fabric.