U.S. patent application number 09/872568 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-05 for side curtain air bag.
Invention is credited to Hardig, Connie M., Tobe, Jennifer M..
Application Number | 20020180190 09/872568 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25359859 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020180190 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tobe, Jennifer M. ; et
al. |
December 5, 2002 |
SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG
Abstract
An air bag cushion deployable from a location along the roof
rail portion of a vehicle frame in substantially curtain-like
fashion across the side of the vehicle interior over an expansive
area adjacent to an occupant to be protected. The air bag cushion
is of a partially segmented construction including a main body
portion deployable downwardly away from the roof rail and an
expansible upper portion expansible between the header portion of
the roof rail and the head of an adjacently seated vehicle
occupant. The main body portion and the inflatable upper portion of
the air bag cushion are attachable to the roof rail structure along
a common line of attachment. The inflatable upper portion and the
main body portion of the air bag cushion may be inflated by a
common source of inflation gas so as to utilize a single common
inflator.
Inventors: |
Tobe, Jennifer M.; (Tipp
City, OH) ; Hardig, Connie M.; (Cincinnati,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC
Legal Staff
Mail Code: 480-414-420
P.O. Box 5052
Troy
MI
48007-5052
US
|
Family ID: |
25359859 |
Appl. No.: |
09/872568 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/730.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 21/231 20130101;
B60R 21/232 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/730.2 |
International
Class: |
B60R 021/22 |
Claims
1. An inflatable curtain structure for deployment within the
interior of a transportation vehicle including a roof and a
structural roof rail so as to cover an area below the roof adjacent
to an occupant within the vehicle upon the occurrence of an
activating event, the curtain structure comprising: a gas inlet for
acceptance of inflation gas; a main body portion of inflatable
character including an impact surface facing generally towards the
occupant upon inflation of the curtain structure and a rear surface
facing generally away from the occupant upon inflation of the
curtain structure; an inflatable upper portion of substantially
extended elongate configuration disposed above the main body
portion and extending substantially adjacent to the roof rail such
that upon inflation the upper portion extends along a portion of
the length of the vehicle in covering relation to a portion of the
roof rail; and a fluid blocking zone of separation extending
between the main body portion and the upper portion along at least
a portion of the length of the curtain structure, the main body
portion and the upper portion each being in fluid communication
with the gas inlet such that the main body portion and the upper
portion are inflatable substantially independently from one another
upon the occurrence of the activating event substantially without
reliance upon transmission of inflation gas between the main body
portion and the upper portion.
2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the zone of
separation comprises a gap extending between the main body portion
and the upper portion.
3. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the zone of
separation comprises a web structure extending between the main
body portion and the upper portion.
4. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the zone of
separation extends from a lateral edge of the inflatable curtain
structure to a location at the interior of the inflatable curtain
structure.
5. The invention according to claim 4, wherein the distance between
the gas inlet and said location at the interior of the inflatable
curtain structure is less than the distance between the gas inlet
and said lateral edge.
6. An inflatable curtain structure for deployment within the
interior of a transportation vehicle including a roof and a
structural roof rail so as to cover an area below the roof adjacent
to an occupant within the vehicle upon the occurrence of an
activating event, the curtain structure comprising: a gas inlet for
acceptance of inflation gas; a main body portion of inflatable
character including an impact surface facing generally towards the
occupant upon inflation of the curtain structure and a rear surface
facing generally away from the occupant upon inflation of the
curtain structure; an inflatable upper portion of substantially
extended elongate configuration disposed above the main body
portion and extending substantially adjacent to the roof rail such
that upon inflation the upper portion extends along a portion of
the length of the vehicle in covering relation to a portion of the
roof rail; and a fluid blocking zone of separation extending
between an upper edge of the main body portion and a lower edge of
the upper portion along at least a portion of the length of the
curtain structure, the main body portion and the upper portion each
being in fluid communication with the gas inlet such that the main
body portion and the upper portion are inflatable substantially
independently from one another upon the occurrence of the
activating event substantially without reliance upon transmission
of inflation gas between the main body portion and the upper
portion a first arrangement of attachment structures disposed
substantially adjacent the upper edge of the main body portion for
attachment of the main body portion to the roof rail; and a second
arrangement of attachment structures disposed substantially
adjacent the lower edge of the upper portion for attachment of the
upper portion to the roof rail.
7. The invention according to claim 6, wherein the zone of
separation comprises a gap extending between the main body portion
and the upper portion.
8. The invention according to claim 6, wherein the zone of
separation comprises a web structure extending between the main
body portion and the upper portion.
9. The invention according to claim 6, wherein the zone of
separation extends from a lateral edge of the inflatable curtain
structure to a location at the interior of the inflatable curtain
structure.
10. The invention according to claim 9, wherein the distance
between the gas inlet and said location at the interior of the
inflatable curtain structure is less than the distance between the
gas inlet and said lateral edge.
11. The invention according to claim 6, wherein the first
arrangement of attachment structures comprises a plurality of
apertures arranged in a pattern for acceptance of fastening
elements attachable to the roof rail (30).
12. The invention according to claim 6, wherein the second
arrangement of attachment structures comprises a plurality of
apertures arranged in a pattern for acceptance of fastening
elements attachable to the roof rail.
13. The invention according to claim 6, wherein the first
arrangement of attachment structures and the second arrangement of
attachment structures each comprise a plurality of apertures for
acceptance of fastening elements attachable to the roof rail.
14. The invention according to claim 13, wherein the apertures
comprising the first arrangement of attachment structures and the
apertures comprising the second arrangement of attachment
structures are disposed in substantial alignment across the zone of
separation such that apertures within the second arrangement of
attachment structures are alignable in overlapping registry with
corresponding apertures within the first arrangement of attachment
structures for acceptance of common fastening elements attachable
to the roof rail.
15. A restraint system for protection of an occupant at the
interior of a transportation vehicle including a roof and a
structural roof rail, comprising: a gas emitting inflator and an
inflatable curtain structure for storage along and deployment away
from the roof rail so as to cover at least a portion of the roof
rail and an area below the roof rail adjacent to the occupant
within the vehicle upon the occurrence of an activating event, the
curtain structure comprising: a gas inlet for acceptance of
inflation gas from the inflator; a main body portion of inflatable
character including an impact surface facing generally towards the
occupant upon inflation of the curtain structure and a rear surface
facing generally away from the occupant upon inflation of the
curtain structure; an inflatable upper portion of substantially
extended elongate configuration disposed above the main body
portion and extending substantially adjacent to the roof rail such
that upon inflation the upper portion extends along a portion of
the length of the vehicle in covering relation between the occupant
and a portion of the roof rail; and a fluid blocking zone of
separation extending between an upper edge of the main body portion
and a lower edge of the upper portion along at least a portion of
the length of the curtain structure, the main body portion and the
upper portion each being in fluid communication with the gas inlet
such that the main body portion and the upper portion are
inflatable substantially independently from one another upon the
occurrence of the activating event substantially without reliance
upon transmission of inflation gas between the main body portion
and the upper portion a first arrangement of attachment apertures
disposed substantially adjacent the upper edge of the main body
portion for attachment of the main body portion to the roof rail;
and a second arrangement of attachment apertures disposed
substantially adjacent the lower edge of the upper portion for
attachment of the upper portion to the roof rail, wherein the first
and second arrangements of attachment apertures are disposed in
substantial alignment with one another across the zone of
separation; and wherein at least a portion of the apertures within
the second arrangement of attachment apertures are aligned in
juxtaposed registry with corresponding apertures within the first
arrangement of attachment structures to establish one or more
passageways for acceptance of common fastening elements extending
across both the main body portion and the upper portion for
attachment to the roof rail.
16. The invention according to claim 15, wherein the upper portion
is disposed in substantially folded over relation to the main body
portion.
17. The invention according to claim 15, wherein the upper portion
and the main body portion are arranged in a pleated orientation.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an inflatable air bag
cushion for use in covering a side portion of a vehicle interior
adjacent to an occupant to be protected during a collision event,
and more particularly, to an air bag cushion of substantially
curtain-like structure for deployment away from the roof rail of
the vehicle. The air bag cushion includes a main body portion for
deployment generally downwardly and away from the vehicle roof rail
to the side of an occupant to be protected and an inflatable upper
portion for expansion between the head of the occupant to be
protected and opposing portions of the roof rail structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is well known in motor vehicles to provide air bag
cushions for protecting a vehicle occupant. Such air bag cushions
are typically in fluid communication with gas generating inflators
so as to inflate the cushions upon sensing predetermined vehicle
conditions such as decelerations exceeding a certain level. It is
further known to provide air bag systems including inflatable
restraint cushions which are deployed from positions of attachment
to the vehicle frame along the roof rail portion of the vehicle
frame so as to extend downwardly in substantially curtain-like
fashion between an occupant to be protected and the side portion
adjacent to such occupant. Such coverage is intended to provide
cushioning restraint for the occupant during a side impact or
extended roll-over collision event. Such curtain-like structures
thereby provide protection to the vehicle occupant generally in
regions below the location of attachment along the roof rail of the
vehicle. That is, the protection afforded by such downwardly
deployed curtain-like structures extends substantially in the
region below the zone of attachment along the roof rail.
[0003] In some instances such as during an extended roll-over
event, it is contemplated that an occupant may come into contact
with the upper portions of the roof rail structure commonly
referred to as the "header" portion of the roof rail. Typically,
such contact will be between the head of the vehicle occupant and
the header portion of the roof rail which is generally
undesirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention provides advantages and alternatives over the
prior art by providing an air bag cushion which is deployed from a
location along the roof rail portion of a vehicle frame in
substantially curtain-like fashion across the side of the vehicle
interior over an expansive area adjacent to an occupant to be
protected. The air bag cushion further includes an expansible upper
portion expansible between the header portion of the roof rail and
the head of an adjacently seated vehicle occupant. The main body
portion and the inflatable upper portion of the air bag cushion are
attachable to the roof rail structure along a common line of
attachment. The inflatable upper portion and the main body portion
of the air bag cushion may be inflated by a common source of
inflation gas so as to utilize a single common inflator.
[0005] According to one potentially preferred aspect of the
invention, the air bag cushion incorporates a substantially
segmented construction along at least a portion of its length such
that the inflatable upper portion and the main body portion are
separated from one another except for a common inflation path
adjacent a gas inlet opening to the air bag cushion. The segmented
construction of the air bag cushion facilitates potentially
desirable attachment arrangements between the air bag cushion and
the roof rail so as to promote desired deployment characteristics
for the inflatable upper portion which are substantially
independent from the inflation and deployment of the main body
portion.
[0006] According to another potentially preferred aspect of the
present invention, deployment of the inflatable upper portion of
the air bag cushion is not dependent upon inflation of the main
body portion since inflation gas is not required to travel
substantially through the main body portion before reaching the
inflatable upper portion of the air bag cushion. The present
invention thus provides a highly efficient and versatile structure
for providing cushioning protection to a vehicle occupant and thus
provides useful advantages over the prior art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention is
set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification,
including reference to the accompanying figures in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a cut-away view of the interior of an automotive
vehicle incorporating a curtain-like air bag cushion according to
the present invention mounted along the roof rail portion of the
vehicle frame generally to the side of and above an occupant to be
protected;
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a curtain-like air bag
cushion according to the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a representative view of an attachment arrangement
between the air bag cushion illustrated in FIG. 2 and the roof rail
portion of the vehicle frame;
[0011] FIG. 3A is a representative view of an attachment
arrangement between the air bag cushion illustrated in FIG. 2 and
the roof rail portion of the vehicle frame;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a representative view of the deployment of a
curtain-like air bag cushion according to the present invention
mounted using the attachment arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3;
and
[0013] FIG. 4A is a representative view of the deployment of a
curtain-like air bag cushion mounted incorporating the attachment
arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3A.
[0014] While the invention has been illustrated and generally
described above and will hereinafter be described in connection
with certain potentially preferred embodiments, constructions and
practices, it is to be understood that in no event is the invention
to be limited to such illustrated and described embodiments,
constructions or practices. On the contrary, it is intended that
the present invention shall extend to all alternatives and
modifications as may embrace the broad principles of this invention
within the true spirit and scope thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] Turning now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals
have been utilized to designate like components throughout the
various views, in FIG. 1, there is illustrated a vehicle 10 such as
an automobile as will be well known to those of skill in the art.
It is to be appreciated that while the invention will hereinafter
be described in reference to operation within an automobile, it is
contemplated that the invention is likewise applicable to any
number of other transportation vehicles including by way of example
only, aircraft, buses and railroad cars. In the illustrated
environment of use, the vehicle 10 includes a front seat 12 which
may be used to support a front seated vehicle occupant 14. The
vehicle 10 may further include a rear seat 16 which may be used to
support a rear occupant (not shown). While the front seat 12 and
the rear seat 16 are illustrated as being located on the driver's
side of the vehicle 10, it is to be appreciated that the present
invention is also useful in the protection of an occupant (not
shown) seated in either the front seat or rear seat on the
passenger side of the vehicle 10.
[0016] In order to provide visibility to the occupant 14, the
vehicle 10 is provided with a windshield 18 as well as with one or
more side windows 20. As illustrated, the side windows 20 are
located generally adjacent to the seats 12, 16 to the sides of the
occupants seated therein. The vehicle 10 preferably also includes
one or more doors 22 which extend adjacent to the seats 12, 16
towards a roof 26.
[0017] As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the
vehicle 10 preferably includes a structural frame formed from an
arrangement of structural support members including a roof rail 30
disposed generally at the intersection between the doors 22 and the
roof 26. The vehicle 10 also preferably includes a series of
structural support members 32, 34, 36 which extend downwardly from
the roof rail 30. The structural support pillar 32 which extends
between the windshield 18 and the side window 20 adjacent to the
front seat 12 is commonly referred to as the "A" pillar. The
structural support pillar 34 disposed intermediate the side windows
20 is commonly referred to as the "B" pillar. The structural
support pillar 36 disposed rearward of the side window 20 adjacent
to the rear seat 16 is commonly referred to as the "C" pillar. As
will be appreciated, each of the structural support pillars 32, 34,
36 is preferably covered by a trim piece which extends in elongate
fashion away from the roof rail 30. The roof rail 30 is likewise
preferably covered by a trim piece or headlining material 38 as
shown in FIG. 4 so as to permit the egress of an air bag cushion in
the manner as described hereinafter.
[0018] As illustrated in FIG. 1, it is contemplated that an air bag
cushion in the form of an inflatable curtain structure 40 may be
stored in rolled or folded fashion in attached relation to the
vehicle frame along at least a portion of the roof rail 30. It is
also contemplated that portions of the inflatable curtain structure
may be stored along portions of the "A" pillar 32 and/or along
portions of the "C" pillar 36. As shown, the inflatable curtain
structure 40 is preferably in fluid communication with a gas
discharging inflator 42. As is well known to those of skill in the
art such that gas may be discharged from the inflator 42 and into
an inlet opening 44 (FIG. 2) to effect deployment of the inflatable
curtain structure 40. As illustrated, the inflatable curtain
structure 40 may also be attached to tethering elements 46 secured
at locations to promote the desired deployment path for the
inflatable curtain structure upon inflation by the inflator 42. As
will be appreciated, the inflatable curtain structure 40, inflator
42, and tethering elements are preferably hidden from view by the
overlying trim.
[0019] It is to be understood that while the inflatable curtain
structure 40 is illustrated as being attached substantially between
the "A" pillar 32 and the "C" pillar 36, storage may in fact take
place over either a longer or a shorter region if desired. By way
of example only, in the event that the vehicle 10 incorporates only
a front seat 12, the inflatable curtain structure 40 may be
attached between the "A" pillar 32 and the "B" pillar 34. Likewise,
in the event that the vehicle 10 incorporates additional rows of
seats (not shown), the inflatable curtain structure may be attached
between opposing pillar elements at either end of the vehicle 10.
Moreover, while the vehicle 10 is illustrated as incorporating only
a single inflatable curtain structure 40 for coverage of the region
adjacent to the seats 12, 16 it is likewise contemplated that two
or more such curtain structures 40 may be utilized if desired to
cooperatively cover portions of the vehicle interior.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 2, an inflatable curtain structure 40
according to the present invention is illustrated. As previously
indicated, the inflatable curtain structure 40 preferably includes
a gas inlet opening 44 in fluid communication with the inflator 42
so as to permit the introduction of a gaseous inflation medium into
the inflatable curtain structure 40 upon the occurrence of
predetermined vehicle conditions such as rapid deceleration or
angular tilt exceeding certain levels. According to the potentially
preferred practice of the present invention, the inflatable curtain
structure is formed by adjoining panels of substantially pliable
material in a pattern so as to form a substantially gas tight
enclosure to contain the inflation gas exiting the inflator 42
during an extended roll-over event.
[0021] As best illustrated through reference to FIG. 4, it is
contemplated that the inflatable curtain structure 40 preferably
includes a front impact surface 50 which faces towards the occupant
14 to be protected during a collision event and a rear surface 52
which faces generally away from the occupant to be protected during
the collision event and toward the adjacent side window 20. The
front impact surface 50 and the rear surface 52 bound a gas
containment chamber within the main body portion 54 of the
inflatable curtain structure 40. In addition, as best illustrated
in FIG. 2, it is contemplated that the inflatable curtain structure
40 may include a pattern of regions of substantially non inflatable
character 56 formed by joining together the front impact surface 50
and the rear surface 52 in areas where inflation is not desired
thereby precluding expansion of the cushion in those regions and
reducing the total volume of inflating gas necessary to achieve
complete inflation.
[0022] The materials forming the inflatable curtain structure 40
are preferably of a substantially pliable character so as to permit
the inflatable curtain structure 40 to be rolled or folded into a
compact space beneath the trim 38 covering the roof rail 30.
Textile fabrics may be preferred. Woven or knitted fabrics of nylon
or polyester may be particularly preferred. It is contemplated that
the air bag cushion 40 may be formed from two or more substantially
discrete panels of material which are thereafter seamed together or
may be formed as a substantially unitary structure if desired. That
is, since the air bag cushion 40 according to the present invention
is of a relatively simple substantially two-dimensional
configuration incorporating two opposing layers of material, it is
possible to form the cushion using either traditional cutting and
sewing techniques or by using patterned weaving or knitting
techniques to form the air bag cushion 40 directly on the weaving
loom or other formation apparatus simultaneous with the
construction of the fabric or other material from which the air bag
cushion is made. The ability to utilize such on loom formation may
be beneficial in reducing processing steps and labor needed to form
the air bag cushion 40. Moreover, as explained further hereinafter,
despite a relatively simple construction, the air bag cushion 40 is
nonetheless capable of providing substantial coverage over a
relatively complex geometric surface both above and below its
position of attachment to the vehicle 10.
[0023] In order to retain the inflating gas during an extended
roll-over event, it is contemplated that the materials forming the
inflatable curtain structure 40 are preferably substantially
impermeable to the inflation gas. In this regard it is contemplated
that such low gas permeability may be achieved by providing a
permeability blocking coating in the form of a film or dispersion
of suitable material such as silicone, polyurethane, polyamides,
acrylics and mixtures thereof across the inflatable portions of the
front impact surface 50 and the rear surface 52.
[0024] As indicated, according to the illustrated and potentially
preferred embodiment, the inflatable curtain structure 40 includes
the inflatable main body portion 54 defining the gas containment
chamber bounded between the front impact surface 50 and the rear
surface 52. As illustrated in FIG. 4, upon deployment, the main
body portion 54 is deployed generally downwardly away from the roof
rail 30. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the inflatable curtain structure
40 also includes an inflatable upper portion 60. The main body
portion 54 is preferably separated from the inflatable upper
portion 60 by a zone of separation 62 such as a gap extending along
a portion of the length of the inflatable curtain structure 40. As
illustrated, the separation between the main body portion 54 and
the inflatable upper portion 60 is preferably terminated at a
location adjacent the inlet opening 44 such that both the main body
portion 54 and the upper portion are in common fluid communication
with the inlet opening 44. Such common fluid communication
facilitates the use of a single inflator 42 to inflate both the
main body portion 54 and the inflatable upper portion 60. However,
inflation gas need not travel through the main body portion 54 in
order to reach the upper portion 60. Of course, it is to be
appreciated that the main body portion 54 and the inflatable upper
portion 60 may be separated by means other than a gap such as by a
web structure or the like if desired.
[0025] As previously indicated, the inflatable curtain structure 40
is preferably attached to the frame of the vehicle 10 along a
portion of the roof rail 30. Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 2
and 3, according to one potential embodiment, the inflatable
curtain structure 40 is provided with a first series of fastening
apertures 64 arranged along the upper edge of the main body portion
54 adjacent the zone of separation 62 between the main body portion
54 and the inflatable upper portion 60. A second series of
corresponding fastening apertures 66 is preferably arranged along
the lower edge of the inflatable upper portion 60 in substantially
direct alignment with the first series thereby providing a dual set
of fastening apertures 64, 66. The incorporation of such a dual set
of fastening apertures 64, 66 facilitates the mounting of the
inflatable curtain structure 40 to the roof rail 30 so as to
provide the ability to control the deployment orientation of the
inflatable upper portion 60 without altering the deployment
characteristics of the main body portion 54.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, according to a first mounting
arrangement, the inflatable upper portion 60 may be pulled towards
the main body portion to effect substantial alignment between the
fastening apertures 64, 66. This alignment permits the insertion of
a common fastening element 70 such as a screw or snap fastener
through each aligned pair of fastening apertures 64, 66 for
attachment to the roof rail 30. Of course a plurality of such
fastening elements 70 extending through corresponding pairs of
fastening apertures 64, 66 is arranged along the attachment zone.
As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the attachment arrangement utilized
in FIG. 3 promotes the generally upward deployment of the
inflatable upper portion 60 along the header portion of the roof
rail 30.
[0027] An alternative fastening arrangement is illustrated in FIG.
3A. As shown, in this arrangement, the inflatable upper portion 60
is folded in substantially flap-like fashion in juxtaposed relation
to the main body portion 54. This folding operation is carried out
so as to substantially align the corresponding fastening apertures
64, 66 of the main body portion 54 and inflatable upper portion 60
respectively. Such alignment permits the insertion of a single
fastening element 70 for connection to the roof rail 30. The
resultant deployment characteristics of the attachment arrangement
illustrated in FIG. 3A are illustrated in FIG. 4A. As shown, the
attachment arrangement of FIG. 3A causes the inflatable upper
portion 60 to be biased outwardly in a more lateral position which
may provide added cushioning in the region immediately opposing the
position of attachment to the roof rail 30. Such performance
characteristics may be desirable in some instances depending upon
the actual configuration of the roof rail 30. Such versatility
facilitates the use of common inflatable curtain structure designs
over a broad range of vehicle types.
[0028] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 4A it is contemplated that the
inflatable upper portion 60 of the inflatable curtain structure 40
may be arranged in stored relation along the roof rail 30 behind a
covering layer of headlining material 38 such that it deploys from
a position generally behind the headlining material 38. As
illustrated, such an arrangement forces the headlining material 38
away from the roof rail 30 during deployment. It is likewise
contemplated that the inflatable upper portion 60 may be deployed
in front of the headlining material 38 if desired. By way of
example only, and not limitation, such deployment characteristics
may be realized by storing the inflatable curtain structure 40
behind a roof rail trim element (not shown) which hinges downwardly
and outwardly (i.e. towards the windows 20) as it is forced away
from the roof rail 30 by the deploying inflatable curtain structure
40. Such a configuration has the benefit of allowing the headlining
material 38 to remain substantially intact during the deployment
event which may provide additional coverage over the header portion
of the roof rail 30.
[0029] It is to be understood that while the present invention has
been illustrated and described in relation to certain potentially
preferred embodiments, constructions and procedures, that such
embodiments, constructions and procedures are intended to be
illustrative only and that the present invention is in no event to
be limited thereto. Rather, it is contemplated that modification
and variations embodying the principles of this invention will no
doubt occur to those of skill in the art. It is thus contemplated
and intended that the present invention shall extend to all such
modifications and variations as may incorporate the broad aspects
of the invention within the full spirit and scope of the appended
claims and all equivalents thereto.
* * * * *