Granted Patent B2

US 8,500,166 · App. 13/568,552 · Granted Aug 6, 2013

Abstract

Claims (36)

1. A strap retention device for releasably retaining a first end of a strap having a second end connected to a movable object, the strap retention device comprising:

an anchor having a retaining portion for retaining the first end of the strap, and a flat portion in contact with a back surface of the strap;

a strap restraint member joined to the anchor for restraining movement of the strap in a width direction;

a cutter for cutting the strap on the flat portion;

a squib for applying a driving force to the cutter to move the cutter in a direction of the flat portion; and

a housing accommodating the cutter and the squib and joined to the anchor.

2. The strap retention device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the cutter has a straight blade longer than a width of the strap, and a pressure receiving surface for receiving a combustion product generated by the squib.

3. The strap retention device according to claim 2 ,

wherein the cutter is positioned by a shear pin inserted from an outside of the housing.

4. The strap retention device according to claim 3 ,

wherein the strap restraint member includes a plate-like stopper disposed on the retaining portion to make the back surface of the strap be in contact with the flat portion, and a guide member joined to the anchor and forming a slit through which the strap passes, and

wherein the strap is cut at a position between the stopper and the guide member.

5. The strap retention device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the cutter includes a tubular cutter body disposed along an inner surface of the housing and having a diameter larger than the width of the strap, and a piston disposed at a rear end of the cutter body and having a pressure receiving surface for receiving a combustion product generated by the squib.

6. The strap retention device according to claim 5 ,

wherein the strap restraint member includes a body having a size capable of being disposed inside the cutter body and able to contact a surface of the strap, and claws formed on the body so as to be adjacent to both sides of the strap and engageable with the anchor; and

wherein the strap is cut on an outside of the body.

7. The strap retention device according to claim 6 ,

wherein the body includes a flap formed so as to be foldable toward the cutter body in a flat shape and reducing movement of the piston before the squib is activated.

8. The strap retention device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the retaining portion includes a bolt inserted through the flat portion and penetrating the strap, and a nut threaded onto the bolt; or

wherein the retaining portion includes a hook portion engageable with the first end of the strap formed in a loop.

9. The strap retention device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the housing includes a step portion for positioning a tip of the squib inserted therethrough, and an engaging portion engaged with a rear end of the squib by caulking, or a keeper for fixing the squib inserted into the housing.

10. The strap retention device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the strap is made of base fabric or webbing.

11. An airbag device comprising:

an airbag that is normally folded and is inflated and deployed in an emergency;

an inflator for supplying gas to the airbag;

a retainer for holding the airbag and the inflator; and

a strap retention device for releasably retaining a first end of the strap having a second end connected to the airbag,

wherein the strap retention device includes the strap retention device according to claim 1 .

12. The airbag device according to claim 11 ,

wherein the retainer has an opening through which the first end of the strap is led outside; and

wherein the strap retention device is disposed on an outer surface of the retainer at a position adjacent to the opening.

Assignments (6)