Airbag anchoring clip assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9500210-B2
Application number	US-201314382000-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 27, 2013
Priority date	Mar 2, 2012
Publication date	Nov 22, 2016
Grant date	Nov 22, 2016

Abstract

An anchoring clip assembly is configured to securely anchor to a structure. The assembly may include a main body, a plurality of anchoring members extending from the main body, wherein the plurality of anchoring members are configured to securely anchor to the structure, and at least one verification member configured to provide verification when the plurality of anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure. The verification member(s) may provide visual verification when the plurality of anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure, and/or may include at least one separable portion that is configured to separate from the main body after the plurality of anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An anchoring clip assembly configured to securely anchor to a structure of a vehicle, the anchoring clip assembly comprising:
a main body;
one or more insertion members extending from the main body, wherein the one or more insertion members are configured to be inserted into a portion of the structure;
one or more anchoring members extending from the main body, wherein the one or more anchoring members are configured to securely anchor to the structure; and
at least one verification member configured to provide verification when the one or more anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure, wherein the at least one verification member in its entirety is moveable relative to the main body, the one or more insertion members, and the one or more anchoring members, into a verification position that unmistakably verifies that the one or more anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure; wherein the one or more anchoring members are configured to securely anchor to the structure independently from the at least one verification member.

2. The anchoring clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one verification member provides visual verification when the one or more anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure.

3. The anchoring clip assembly of claim 2 , wherein the at least one verification member comprises:
a base sheet having a central opening formed therethrough, wherein the main body is configured to be positioned through the central opening;
outer pivot beams extending from distal edges of the base sheet; and
at least one verification indicator extending from the base sheet, wherein the at least one verification indicator is configured to extend through a portion of the main body when the one or more anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure.

4. The anchoring clip assembly of claim 3 , wherein the at least one verification member further comprises an opposed sheet over the base sheet, wherein the opposed sheet comprises at least one wiper seal aligned with the at least one verification indicator, wherein the at least one verification indicator is configured to pass through the at least one wiper seal when the one or more anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure.

5. The anchoring clip assembly of claim 3 , wherein the base sheet is outwardly bowed in an at-rest position.

6. The anchoring clip assembly of claim 3 , wherein the at least one verification indicator comprises an upstanding column having a beveled tip.

7. The anchoring clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one verification member includes at least one separable portion that is configured to separate from the main body after the one or more anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure.

8. The anchoring clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one verification member comprises a verification handle that is configured to be separated from the main body when the one or more anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure.

9. The anchoring clip assembly of claim 8 , wherein the verification handle is configured to be removed from the main body with one hand when the one or more anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure, and wherein the verification handle is unable to be removed from the main body with one hand when the one or more anchoring members are not securely anchored to the structure.

10. The anchoring clip assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one verification member comprises a verification pin that is configured to be separated from the main body when the one or more anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure.

11. The anchoring clip assembly of claim 10 , wherein the verification pin is configured to be removed from the main body with one hand when the one or more anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure, and wherein the verification pin is unable to be removed from the main body with one hand when the one or more anchoring members are not securely anchored to the structure.

12. An anchoring clip assembly configured to securely anchor to a structure, the anchoring clip assembly comprising:
a main body;
a plurality of anchoring members extending from the main body, wherein the plurality of anchoring members are configured to securely anchor to the structure; and
at least one verification member configured to provide verification when the plurality of anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure, wherein the at least one verification member provides visual verification when the plurality of anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure, or includes at least one separable portion that is configured to separate from the main body after the plurality of anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure, wherein the at least one verification member is moveable relative to the main body and the plurality of anchoring members into a verification position that unmistakably verifies that the plurality of anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure.

13. The anchoring clip assembly of claim 12 , wherein the at least one verification member comprises:
a base sheet having a central opening formed therethrough, wherein the main body is configured to be positioned through the central opening;
outer pivot beams extending from distal edges of the base sheet; and
at least one verification indicator extending from the base sheet, wherein the at least one verification indicator is configured to extend through a portion of the main body when the plurality of anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure.

14. The anchoring clip assembly of claim 13 , wherein the at least one verification member further comprises an opposed sheet over the base sheet, wherein the opposed sheet comprises at least one wiper seal aligned with the at least one verification indicator, wherein the at least one verification indicator is configured to pass through the at least one wiper seal when the plurality of anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure.

15. The anchoring clip assembly of claim 12 , wherein the at least one verification member comprises a verification handle that is configured to be separated from the main body when the plurality of anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure.

16. The anchoring clip assembly of claim 15 , wherein the verification handle is configured to be removed from the main body with one hand when the one or more anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure, and wherein the verification handle is unable to be removed from the main body with one hand when the one or more anchoring members are not securely anchored to the structure.

17. The anchoring clip assembly of claim 12 , wherein the at least one verification member comprises a verification pin that is configured to be separated from the main body when the one or more anchoring members are securely anchored to the structure.

18. An anchoring clip assembly configured to securely anchor an airbag to a structure of a vehicle, the anchoring clip assembly comprising:
a main body;
opposed insertion members extending from the main body, wherein the opposed insertion members are configured to be inserted into a portion of the structure;
two pairs of anchoring members extending from the main body, wherein the two pairs of anchoring members are configured to securely anchor to the structure; and
at least one verification member configured to provide verification when the two

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Johnson Lawrence W
• Risdale Marc R
• Kirchen James T

Classifications

• F16B21/02 Primary

  Releasable fastening devices locking by rotation (with snap-action F16B21/06; studs or coupling pins with resilient protrusions F16B21/08) · CPC title

• F16B5/06 Primary

  by means of clamps or clips ({F16B5/0004 takes precedence}; friction-grip releasable fastenings in general F16B2/00) · CPC title

• B60R21/20

  Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components · CPC title

• Y10T24/44026

  for cooperating with aperture in supporting structure or structure-to-be-secured · CPC title

• F16B2200/95

  with markings, colours, indicators or the like · CPC title