GB2367536A - Strap connection - Google Patents

Strap connection Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2367536A
GB2367536A GB0024172A GB0024172A GB2367536A GB 2367536 A GB2367536 A GB 2367536A GB 0024172 A GB0024172 A GB 0024172A GB 0024172 A GB0024172 A GB 0024172A GB 2367536 A GB2367536 A GB 2367536A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
strap
aperture
region
width
slot
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0024172A
Other versions
GB0024172D0 (en
GB2367536B (en
Inventor
Ridvan Oral
Guido Satzger
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Autoliv Development AB
Original Assignee
Autoliv Development AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Autoliv Development AB filed Critical Autoliv Development AB
Priority to GB0024172A priority Critical patent/GB2367536B/en
Publication of GB0024172D0 publication Critical patent/GB0024172D0/en
Priority to DE2001146615 priority patent/DE10146615B4/en
Priority to DE20122501U priority patent/DE20122501U1/en
Publication of GB2367536A publication Critical patent/GB2367536A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2367536B publication Critical patent/GB2367536B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/23—Inflatable members
    • B60R21/231—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
    • B60R21/233—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration comprising a plurality of individual compartments; comprising two or more bag-like members, one within the other
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/23—Inflatable members
    • B60R21/231—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
    • B60R21/2334—Expansion control features
    • B60R21/2338—Tethers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/23—Inflatable members
    • B60R21/231—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
    • B60R21/2334—Expansion control features
    • B60R21/2338—Tethers
    • B60R2021/23386—External tether means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/23—Inflatable members
    • B60R21/231—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
    • B60R21/232—Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)
  • Connection Of Plates (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

A strap connection consists of an aperture (1) having a relatively large region (2) and a smaller region (5). A strap (6) is provided having an end part (7) which is folded back and stitched (8) to have a dimension greater than the corresponding dimension of the main part of the strap. The connection is effected by inserting the end of the strap into the large region (2) of the aperture and moving the strap so the end part of the strap of greater dimension is located adjacent the second or smaller region (5) of the aperture.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A STRAP CONNECTION" THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a strap connection and, more particularly, relates to a strap connection between an end part of a strap and part of a motor vehicle.
According to this invention there is provided a strap connection, the strap connection comprising an aperture, the aperture having at least a first region and a second region, one dimension of the aperture in the first region being greater than a dimension of the aperture in the second region, the aperture being adapted to be engaged by an end portion of a strap, the end portion of the strap having a part with one dimension which is greater than the corresponding dimension of the main part of the strap, the connection being effected by inserting the end part of the strap into the first region of the aperture with the larger dimension, and subsequently moving the strap so that the end part of the strap of greater dimension is located adjacent the second region of the aperture of less dimension.
Preferably the first region is a substantially rectangular region, and the second region is a slot leading from the first region, and wherein the end portion of the strap is folded back and secured to provide a termination having a plurality of strap thicknesses, the width of the slot being greater than the thickness of the strap and less than the thickness of the termination.
In one embodiment the slot includes a curved region. In an alternative embodiment the slot includes a constriction.
Preferably the termination is secured by stitching, although the termination may be secured by welding or adhering.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention the first region of the aperture has a predetermined width and the second region has a lesser width, the end portion of the strap having a part with a width greater than the width of the main part of the strap, the width of the main part of the strap being less than the width of the second region of the aperture, and the said part of the end portion of the strap having a width greater than the width of the second portion of the aperture.
Conveniently said part of the end portion of the strap comprises a transverse pin mounted in the strap.
Preferably the aperture is defined by depressing a strip of metal sheet, defined by two substantially parallel slits, beneath the plane of the sheet.
Advantageously the aperture is of cruciform configuration, and an upwardly directed hump is provided in the deflected strip adjacent one end thereof.
Conveniently the strap is associated with an inflatable element in a motor vehicle.
In a preferred embodiment the strap is associated with an inflatable side curtain, and the aperture is in the A-Post of a vehicle.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof my be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an aperture that is formed in part of a motor vehicle, for example in the A-Post of the vehicle, FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on the line II-II of Figure 1 showing a strap engaging part of the aperture shown in Figure 1, FIGURE 3 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 illustrating an alternate form of aperture, FIGURE 4 is a perspective view illustrating part of the A-Post of the vehicle provided with an aperture of the type shown in Figure 3, with a strap connected thereto, FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating part of the A-Post with an aperture formed therein, and an end portion of a strap, and FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken on the line VI-VI of Figure 5.
Referring initially to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown an aperture 1 that is formed in a sheet-metal part of a motor vehicle, such as in the A-Post of the vehicle. The aperture 1 includes a main zone or region 2 which is a relatively large region. The requirements for the dimensioning of this main region 2 will become clear from the following description. Extending from the zone 2 is a relatively narrow slot 3. In this embodiment the slot 3 has a curved region 4 that is located between a linear portion 5 of the slot and the main region 2 of the aperture 1.
The aperture 1, as shown in Figure 1, is adapted to receive an end part of a strap to secure the strap in position.
Referring to Figure 2, a part of a strap 6 is shown. The strap may be a conventional webbing strap having a predetermined width and a predetermined thickness. The width of the strap is greater than the thickness of the strap. As shown in Figure 6, the end of the strap has been folded back upon itself so as to provide several thicknesses of strap at the termination 7 of the strap. The folded back region has been stitched together with a stitching 8, so as to permanently secure together those layers of the strap which are adjacent each other in the folded back region. In the illustrated embodiment there are parts of the folded back strap on either side of the main part of the strap 6 in the termination 7. This is preferred, but the folded back region may, alternatively, only lie to one side of the main part of the strap 6 in the termination 7.
It is to be appreciated that in the termination 7, the overall thickness of the strap 6 is increased.
The region 2 of the aperture 1 is dimensioned so that the termination 7 provided at the termination of the strap 6 may pass through the main region 2 of the aperture 1. The width of the slot 3 is selected to be slightly greater than the thickness of the main part 6 of the strap. The length of the linear portion 5 of the slot 3 is selected to be greater than the width of the main part of the strap 6.
It is to be appreciated, therefore, that the termination 7 of the strap 6 may be inserted through the main region 2 of the aperture 1 so that the termination 7 has passed completely through the aperture, and the termination 7 is thus located in the cavity behind the sheet of metal in which the aperture 1 is formed. The strap may then be manipulated so that the single thickness of strap which emerges through the aperture is introduced into the slot 3 and is manoeuvred so that the single thickness of strap is accommodated within the linear portion 5 of the slot 3. This is the situation shown in Figure 2. It is to be appreciated that if any axial pull is applied to the strap 6, the folded back termination 7 will not be able to pass through the linear portion 5 of the slot 3, which has a thickness only slightly greater than the thickness of the main part 6 of the strap. It is also to be appreciated that the strap will be retained within the linear portion 5 of the slot 3, since the strap will not, of itself, traverse the curved region 4 of the slot 3 to return to the main portion 2 of the aperture 1. A snap-in-cover-not shown-may be provided to be snapped into the main region 2 of the aperture 1 when the strap is in position.
Figure 3 illustrates an alternate form of aperture 10. The aperture 10 includes a main region 11 equivalent to the main region 2 of the aperture 1 described with reference to Figure 1. A linear slot 12 extends from one side of the main region 11, the linear slot 12 having a constriction 13 which defines a terminal linear region 14 of the slot, that terminal region having a width slightly greater than the thickness of the main part 6 of a strap and a length slightly greater than the width of the main part 6 of the strap.
It is envisaged that an aperture, such as the aperture 10, may be formed in part of an A-Post of a motor vehicle, such as the part of the A-Post shown in Figure 4. The A-Post 15 is formed of sheet metal and defines a front face 16 and a side face 17 that is inclined to the front face. The main region 11 of the aperture is formed in the front face 16 of the A-Post, and the slot 12 extends into the inclined side face 17. The constriction 13 is located at the junction between the front face 16 and the side face 17.
As can be seen in Figure 4, a strap 6 has been engaged with the aperture 10 by inserting a folded back termination of the strap-similar to the termination shown in Figure 2 through the main portion 11 of the aperture 10, and then sliding the strap so that it is accommodated within the terminal linear region 14 of the slot 12. Thus the end of the strap is permanently connected to
mC n-i oSt. me Suap may orm pai Oi an miaLaLe Siemens 18 o me ype LU'-'. n.-. l U L.. lU'-' ;) uap. luay. lU. lUI palL U. l au uaHH U. l'-''-'. l'-'UI'-'UL. l U. l UI'-'LYP,", shown in GB-A-2,297, 950.
Figure 5 illustrates a different embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, an aperture 20 is formed in a sheet of metal 21 that forms part of the A-Post of a motor vehicle simply by stamping or pressing a strip-shaped region 22 of the metal downwardly so it lies beneath the plane of the sheet The opposed side edges of the aperture are thus defined by two generally parallel mirror-image slits. The resultant aperture 20 is of cruciform shape, the aperture having a uniform width W throughout its length, and an enhanced width X in a transom region 23 located intermediate the ends of the aperture.
The region 22 that is deflected downwardly is provided, adjacent one end, with an upwardly directed"hump"24 for a purpose that will be described hereinafter.
Figure 5 also illustrates a terminal region 25 of a strap 26 which may also form part of an inflatable element as described above. Within the terminal region, the strap 26 is provided with a transversely extending pin 27, the ends of which project on either side of the strap 26. The pin 27 thus has a total length which is greater than the width of the strap 26.
The width of the strap 26 is chosen to be slightly less than the width W of the main part of the aperture 20, and the length of the pin 27 is chosen to be slightly less than the width X of the transom 23 of the aperture 20, but greater than the width W.
The end region 25 of the strap 26 may be engaged with the aperture 20 by aligning the pin 27 with the transom region 23 of the aperture, with the main part 26 of the strap being substantially aligned with the main part of the aperture 20. The terminal region 25 of the strap may then be lowered so that the pin 27 passes through the transom region 23 of the aperture. The strap may then be moved axially, thus drawing the ends of the pin underneath the parts of the sheet of metal 21 that define the opposed side edges of the portion of the aperture 20 that has the width W. The arrangement is such that as the pin passes over the region where the downwardly deflected portion of metal 22 is provided with the hump 24, the downwardly deflected portion of metal 22 flexes slightly, since the ends of the pin 27 will engage the under-surfaces of the metal defining the edges of the aperture 20. This will help retain the end portion 25 of the strap 26 in position within the aperture. The end of the strap is thus connected securely to the A-Post.
In the present specification"comprise"means"includes or consists of
and"comprising"means"including or consisting of.
0 The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following Claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (13)

  1. CLAIMS: 1. A strap connection, the strap connection comprising an aperture, the aperture having at least a first region and a second region, one dimension of the aperture in the first region being greater than a dimension of the aperture in the second region, the aperture being adapted to be engaged by an end portion of a strap, the end portion of the strap having a part with one dimension which is greater than the corresponding dimension of the main part of the strap, the connection being effected by inserting the end part of the strap into the first region of the aperture with the larger dimension, and subsequently moving the strap so that the end part of the strap of greater dimension is located adjacent the second region of the aperture of less dimension.
  2. 2. A connection according to Claim 1 wherein the first region is a substantially rectangular region, and the second region is a slot leading from the first region, and wherein the end portion of the strap is folded back and secured to provide a termination having a plurality of strap thicknesses, the width of the slot being greater than the thickness of the strap and less than the thickness of the termination.
  3. 3. A connection according to Claim 2 wherein the slot includes a curved region.
  4. 4. A connection according to Claim 2 wherein the slot includes a constriction.
  5. 5. A connection according to any one of Claims 2 to 4 wherein the termination is secured by stitching.
  6. 6. A connection according to Claim 1 wherein the first region of the aperture has a predetermined width and the second region has a lesser width, the end portion of the strap having a part with a width greater than the width of the main part of the strap, the width of the main part of the strap being less than the width of the second region of the aperture, and the said part of the end portion of the strap having a width greater than the width of the second portion of the aperture.
  7. 7. A connection according to Claim 6 wherein said part of the end portion of the strap comprises a transverse pin mounted in the strap.
  8. 8. A connection according to Claim 6 or 7 wherein the aperture is defined by depressing a strip of metal sheet, defined by two substantially parallel slits, beneath the plane of the sheet.
  9. 9. A connection according to Claim 8 wherein the aperture is of cruciform configuration, and an upwardly directed hump is provided in the deflected strip adjacent one end thereof.
  10. 10. A connection according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the strap is associated with an inflatable element in a motor vehicle.
  11. 11. A connection according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the strap is associated with an inflatable side curtain, and the aperture is in the A Post of a vehicle.
  12. 12. A connection substantially as herein described, with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
  13. 13. A connection substantially as herein described, with reference to and as shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings. such as in the A-Post of the vehicle. The aperture 1 includes a main zone or region 2 which is a relatively large region. The requirements for the dimensioning of this main region 2 will become clear from the following description. Extending from the zone 2 is a relatively narrow slot 3. In this embodiment the slot 3 has a curved region 4 that is located between a linear portion 5 of the slot and the main region 2 of the aperture 1.
    The aperture 1, as shown in Figure 1, is adapted to receive an end part of a strap to secure the strap in position.
    Referring to Figure 2, a part of a strap 6 is shown. The strap may be a conventional webbing strap having a predetermined width and a predetermined thickness. The width of the strap is greater than the thickness of the strap. As shown in Figure 6, the end of the strap has been folded back upon itself so as to provide several thicknesses of strap at the termination 7 of the strap. The folded back region has been stitched together with a stitching 8, so as to permanently secure together those layers of the strap which are adjacent each other in the folded back region. In the illustrated embodiment there are parts of the folded back strap on either side of the main part of the strap 6 in the termination 7. This is preferred, but the folded back region may, alternatively, only lie to one side of the main part of the strap 6 in the termination 7.
    It is to be appreciated that in the termination 7, the overall thickness of the strap 6 is increased.
    The region 2 of the aperture 1 is dimensioned so that the termination 7 provided at the termination of the strap 6 may pass through the main region 2 of the aperture 1. The width of the slot 3 is selected to be slightly greater than the thickness of the main part 6 of the strap. The length of the linear portion 5 of the slot 3 is selected to be greater than the width of the main part of the strap 6.
    It is to be appreciated, therefore, that the termination 7 of the strap 6 may be inserted through the main region 2 of the aperture 1 so that the termination 7 has passed completely through the aperture, and the termination 7 is thus located in the cavity behind the sheet of metal in which the aperture 1 is formed. The strap may then be manipulated so that the single thickness of strap which emerges through the aperture is introduced into the slot 3 and is manoeuvred so that the single thickness of strap is accommodated within the linear portion 5 of the slot 3. This is the situation shown in Figure 2. It is to be appreciated that if any axial pull is applied to the strap 6, the folded back termination 7 will not be able to pass through the linear portion 5 of the slot 3, which has a thickness only slightly greater than the thickness of the main part 6 of the strap. It is also to be appreciated that the strap will be retained within the linear portion 5 of the slot 3, since the strap will not, of itself, traverse the curved region 4 of the slot 3 to return to the main portion 2 of the aperture 1. A snap-in-cover-not shown-may be provided to be snapped into the main region 2 of the aperture 1 when the strap is in position.
    Figure 3 illustrates an alternate form of aperture 10. The aperture 10 includes a main region 11 equivalent to the main region 2 of the aperture 1 described with reference to Figure 1. A linear slot 12 extends from one side of the main region 11, the linear slot 12 having a constriction 13 which defines a terminal linear region 14 of the slot, that terminal region having a width slightly greater than the thickness of the main part 6 of a strap and a length slightly greater than the width of the main part 6 of the strap.
    It is envisaged that an aperture, such as the aperture 10, may be formed in part of an A-Post of a motor vehicle, such as the part of the A-Post shown in Figure 4. The A-Post 15 is formed of sheet metal and defines a front face 16 and a side face 17 that is inclined to the front face. The main region 11 of the aperture is formed in the front face 16 of the A-Post, and the slot 12 extends into the inclined side face 17. The constriction 13 is located at the junction between the front face 16 and the side face 17.
    As can be seen in Figure 4, a strap 6 has been engaged with the aperture 10 by inserting a folded back termination of the strap-similar to the termination shown in Figure 2 through the main portion 11 of the aperture 10, and then sliding the strap so that it is accommodated within the terminal linear region 14 of the slot 12. Thus the end of the strap is permanently connected to the A-Post. The strap may form part of an inflatable element 18 of the type shown in GB-A-2,297, 950.
    Figure 5 illustrates a different embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, an aperture 20 is formed in a sheet of metal 21 that forms part of the A-Post of a motor vehicle simply by stamping or pressing a strip-shaped region 22 of the metal downwardly so it lies beneath the plane of the sheet.
    The opposed side edges of the aperture are thus defined by two generally parallel mirror-image slits. The resultant aperture 20 is of cruciform shape, the aperture having a uniform width W throughout its length, and an enhanced width X in a transom region 23 located intermediate the ends of the aperture.
    The region 22 that is deflected downwardly is provided, adjacent one end, with an upwardly directed"hump"24 for a purpose that will be described hereinafter.
    Figure 5 also illustrates a terminal region 25 of a strap 26 which may also form part of an inflatable element as described above. Within the terminal region, the strap 26 is provided with a transversely extending pin 27, the ends of which project on either side of the strap 26. The pin 27 thus has a total length which is greater than the width of the strap 26.
    The width of the strap 26 is chosen to be slightly less than the width W of the main part of the aperture 20, and the length of the pin 27 is chosen to be slightly less than the width X of the transom 23 of the aperture 20, but greater than the width W.
    The end region 25 of the strap 26 may be engaged with the aperture 20 by aligning the pin 27 with the transom region 23 of the aperture, with the main part 26 of the strap being substantially aligned with the main part of the aperture 20. The terminal region 25 of the strap may then be lowered so that the pin 27 passes through the transom region 23 of the aperture. The strap may then be moved axially, thus drawing the ends of the pin underneath the parts of the sheet of metal 21 that define the opposed side edges of the portion of the aperture 20 that has the width W. The arrangement is such that as the pin passes over the region where the downwardly deflected portion of metal 22 is provided with the hump 24, the downwardly deflected portion of metal 22 flexes slightly, since the ends of the pin 27 will engage the under-surfaces of the metal defining the edges of the aperture 20 This will help retain the end portion 25 of the strap 26 in position within the aperture. The end of the strap is thus connected securely to the A-Post.
    In the present specification"comprise"means"includes or consists of
    and"comprising"means"including or consisting of".
    0 The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following Claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.
    13. A connection substantially as herein described, with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings as modified by Figures 3 and 4.
    14. A connection substantially as herein described, with reference to and as shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.
    15. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein. Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A STRAP CONNECTION" THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a strap connection and, more particularly, relates to a strap connection between an end part of a strap and part of a motor vehicle.
    According to this invention there is provided a strap connection, the strap connection comprising an aperture formed in a sheet-metal part of a motor vehicle, the aperture having at least a first region and a second region, one dimension of the aperture in the first region being greater than a dimension of the aperture in the second region, the aperture being adapted to be engaged by an end portion of a strap, said strap being associated with an inflatable element, the end portion of the strap having a part with one dimension which is greater than the corresponding dimension of the main part of the strap, the connection being effected by inserting the end part of the strap into the first region of the aperture with the larger dimension, and subsequently moving the strap so that the end part of the strap of greater dimension is located adjacent the second region of the aperture of less dimension.
    Preferably the first region is a substantially rectangular region, and the second region is a slot leading from the first region, and wherein the end portion of the strap is folded back and secured to provide a termination having a plurality of strap thicknesses, the width of the slot being greater than the thickness of the strap and less than the thickness of the termination.
    In one embodiment the slot includes a curved region. In an alternative embodiment the slot includes a constriction.
    Preferably the termination is secured by stitching, although the termination may be secured by welding or adhering.
    In an alternative embodiment of the invention the first region of the aperture has a predetermined width and the second region has a lesser width, the end portion of the strap having a part with a width greater than the width of the main part of the strap, the width of the main part of the strap being less than the width of the second region of the aperture, and the said part of the end portion of the strap having a width greater than the width of the second portion of the aperture.
    Conveniently said part of the end portion of the strap comprises a transverse pin mounted in the strap.
    Preferably the aperture is defined by depressing a strip of the sheetmetal, defined by two substantially parallel slits, beneath the plane of the sheet.
    Advantageously the aperture is of cruciform configuration, and an upwardly directed hump is provided in the deflected strip adjacent one end thereof.
    In a preferred embodiment the strap is associated with an inflatable side curtain, and the aperture is in the A-Post of the motor vehicle.
    In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof my be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an aperture that is formed in part of a motor vehicle, for example in the A-Post of the vehicle, FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on the line II-II of Figure 1 showing a strap engaging part of the aperture shown in Figure 1, FIGURE 3 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 illustrating an alternate form of aperture, FIGURE 4 is a perspective view illustrating part of the A-Post of the vehicle provided with an aperture of the type shown in Figure 3, with a strap connected thereto, FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating part of the A-Post with an aperture formed therein, and an end portion of a strap, and FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken on the line VI-VI of Figure 5.
    Referring initially to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown an aperture 1 that is formed in a sheet-metal part of a motor vehicle, CLAIMS: 1. A strap connection, the strap connection comprising an aperture formed in a sheet-metal part of a motor vehicle, the aperture having at least a first region and a second region, one dimension of the aperture in the first region being greater than a dimension of the aperture in the second region, the aperture being adapted to be engaged by an end portion of a strap, said strap being associated with an inflatable element, the end portion of the strap having a part with one dimension which is greater than the corresponding dimension of the main part of the strap, the connection being effected by inserting the end part of the strap into the first region of the aperture with the larger dimension, and subsequently moving the strap so that the end part of the strap of greater dimension is located adjacent the second region of the aperture of less dimension.
    2. A connection according to Claim 1 wherein the first region is a substantially rectangular region, and the second region is a slot leading from the first region, and wherein the end portion of the strap is folded back and secured to provide a termination having a plurality of strap thicknesses, the width of the slot being greater than the thickness of the strap and less than the thickness of the termination.
    3. A connection according to Claim 2 wherein the slot includes a curved region.
    4. A connection according to Claim 2 wherein the slot includes a constriction.
    5. A connection according to any one of Claims 2 to 4 wherein the termination is secured by stitching.
    6. A connection according to Claim 1 wherein the first region of the aperture has a predetermined width and the second region has a lesser width, the end portion of the strap having a part with a width greater than the width of the main part of the strap, the width of the main part of the strap being less than the width of the second region of the aperture, and the said part of the end portion of the strap having a width greater than the width of the second portion of the aperture.
    7. A connection according to Claim 6 wherein said part of the end portion of the strap comprises a transverse pin mounted in the strap.
    8. A connection according to Claim 6 or 7 wherein the aperture is defined by depressing a strip of the sheet-metal, defined by two substantially parallel slits, beneath the plane of the sheet.
    9. A connection according to Claim 8 wherein the aperture is of cruciform configuration, and an upwardly directed hump is provided in the deflected strip adjacent one end thereof.
    10. A connection according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the strap is associated with an inflatable side curtain, and the aperture is in the A Post of the motor vehicle.
    11. A connection substantially as herein described, with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings. 12. A connection substantially as herein described, with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings as modified by Figures 3 and 4.
GB0024172A 2000-10-03 2000-10-03 Improvements in or relating to a strap connection Expired - Lifetime GB2367536B (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0024172A GB2367536B (en) 2000-10-03 2000-10-03 Improvements in or relating to a strap connection
DE2001146615 DE10146615B4 (en) 2000-10-03 2001-09-22 fish joint
DE20122501U DE20122501U1 (en) 2000-10-03 2001-09-22 Strap connector for motor vehicle has strap whose end is inserted into large region of aperture in portion of vehicle, after which strap is moved so that strap end is located adjacent to aperture small region

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0024172A GB2367536B (en) 2000-10-03 2000-10-03 Improvements in or relating to a strap connection

Publications (3)

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GB0024172D0 GB0024172D0 (en) 2000-11-15
GB2367536A true GB2367536A (en) 2002-04-10
GB2367536B GB2367536B (en) 2003-08-06

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Family Applications (1)

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GB (1) GB2367536B (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1464549A1 (en) * 2003-04-04 2004-10-06 Autoliv Development Aktiebolag Improvements in or relating to an air-bag
WO2005030538A1 (en) * 2003-09-26 2005-04-07 Dalphi Metal España, S.A. Strip for connecting an airbag to the structure of a vehicle
DE10352386A1 (en) * 2003-11-10 2005-06-16 Trw Occupant Restraint Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg Airbag restraint system for vehicle occupant protection has clamping belt has a thickening on both broad sides at its free end passing through opening on part attached to vehicle so as to be attached to that part
WO2007067301A1 (en) * 2005-12-07 2007-06-14 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Fastener
DE102007056950A1 (en) * 2007-11-27 2009-06-10 Rsg Verwaltungs Gmbh Method and device for processing limp material
DE102006045273B4 (en) * 2006-09-22 2010-02-25 Autoliv Development Ab Curtain airbag device
US8220112B2 (en) 2008-11-05 2012-07-17 Key Safety Systems, Inc. Strap anchoring device

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EP0005855A2 (en) * 1978-06-02 1979-12-12 Vittorio Redi Closure for jewelry
US4449275A (en) * 1981-10-01 1984-05-22 Nava Pier Luigi Device to secure belts and similar parts to resin structures, helmets in particular
DE3500765A1 (en) * 1985-01-11 1986-07-17 Herman A. Downsview Ontario Hess Separable fastener
GB2196907A (en) * 1986-11-06 1988-05-11 Tecsyn Canada Ltd Vehicle load restraining net
US5197164A (en) * 1992-06-01 1993-03-30 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Quick release strap connector

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DE69303594D1 (en) * 1993-04-13 1996-08-14 E D C Sarl Helmet for cyclists and athletes in general
GB2333076B (en) * 1995-02-20 1999-08-25 Autoliv Dev Improvements in or relating to a safety device
US5570905A (en) * 1995-03-28 1996-11-05 Morton International, Inc. Airbag tether attachment
US5671948A (en) * 1996-04-10 1997-09-30 Lear Corporation Seat and seat belt restraint assembly
US6550654B1 (en) * 1998-08-21 2003-04-22 Magna Interior Systems Inc. Cargo net assembly

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EP0005855A2 (en) * 1978-06-02 1979-12-12 Vittorio Redi Closure for jewelry
US4449275A (en) * 1981-10-01 1984-05-22 Nava Pier Luigi Device to secure belts and similar parts to resin structures, helmets in particular
DE3500765A1 (en) * 1985-01-11 1986-07-17 Herman A. Downsview Ontario Hess Separable fastener
GB2196907A (en) * 1986-11-06 1988-05-11 Tecsyn Canada Ltd Vehicle load restraining net
US5197164A (en) * 1992-06-01 1993-03-30 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Quick release strap connector

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1464549A1 (en) * 2003-04-04 2004-10-06 Autoliv Development Aktiebolag Improvements in or relating to an air-bag
WO2004087471A1 (en) * 2003-04-04 2004-10-14 Autoliv Development Ab Improvements in or relating to an air bag
WO2005030538A1 (en) * 2003-09-26 2005-04-07 Dalphi Metal España, S.A. Strip for connecting an airbag to the structure of a vehicle
DE10352386A1 (en) * 2003-11-10 2005-06-16 Trw Occupant Restraint Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg Airbag restraint system for vehicle occupant protection has clamping belt has a thickening on both broad sides at its free end passing through opening on part attached to vehicle so as to be attached to that part
DE10352386B4 (en) * 2003-11-10 2010-05-12 Trw Automotive Gmbh Airbag restraint system
WO2007067301A1 (en) * 2005-12-07 2007-06-14 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Fastener
CN101312859B (en) * 2005-12-07 2010-09-08 伊利诺斯工具制品有限公司 Fastener and its using metho
US7832693B2 (en) 2005-12-07 2010-11-16 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Fastener
DE102006045273B4 (en) * 2006-09-22 2010-02-25 Autoliv Development Ab Curtain airbag device
DE102007056950A1 (en) * 2007-11-27 2009-06-10 Rsg Verwaltungs Gmbh Method and device for processing limp material
DE102007056950B4 (en) * 2007-11-27 2009-07-30 Rsg Verwaltungs Gmbh Method and device for processing limp material
US8220112B2 (en) 2008-11-05 2012-07-17 Key Safety Systems, Inc. Strap anchoring device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0024172D0 (en) 2000-11-15
DE10146615A1 (en) 2002-04-25
GB2367536B (en) 2003-08-06
DE10146615B4 (en) 2006-06-29

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