U.S. patent application number 10/621142 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-20 for two-dimensional tether retainer with accompanying tooling assembly.
Invention is credited to Dominssini, David L..
Application Number | 20050011057 10/621142 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34062927 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050011057 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dominssini, David L. |
January 20, 2005 |
Two-dimensional tether retainer with accompanying tooling
assembly
Abstract
A tether retainer is provided which includes a base and a flap
having a slot. The flap is attached to the base. A locking tab is
positioned on the base and is constructed to pass through the slot
and cause the retainer to enclose a portion of a tether. The
retainer may also be nested within a tooling assembly. Preferably,
the tooling assembly is designed such that when the retainer is
nested in the tooling assembly, the retainer is positioned on a
receiving portion. A positioning blade and a press may also be
added to the tooling assembly. The positioning blade is designed to
pass through the slot whereas the press is designed to contact
and/or push against the flap.
Inventors: |
Dominssini, David L.; (Allen
Park, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Sally J. Brown
AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
3350 Airport Road
Ogden
UT
84405
US
|
Family ID: |
34062927 |
Appl. No.: |
10/621142 |
Filed: |
July 16, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/570 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 2021/23386
20130101; B60R 21/233 20130101; B60R 21/232 20130101; B60R 21/2338
20130101; Y10T 24/44983 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/570 |
International
Class: |
A44B 021/00 |
Claims
What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters
Patent is:
1. A tether retainer comprising: a base; a flap attached to the
base, the flap having a slot; and a locking tab positioned on the
base, the locking tab constructed to pass through the slot and
cause the retainer to enclose a portion of a tether.
2. A retainer as in claim 1 wherein the retainer encloses the
tether between the base and the flap.
3. A retainer as in claim 1 further comprising a tear seam.
4. A retainer as in claim 1 wherein the flap folds over the
base.
5. A retainer as in claim 1 wherein the retainer is constructed to
be mounted on an interior vehicle surface.
6. A retainer as in claim 1 further comprising a mounting portion
having one or more bolt holes.
7. A retainer as in claim 6 wherein the retainer is mounted on an
interior vehicle surface via one or more fasteners that pass
through the bolt holes.
8. A retainer as in claim 1 further comprising a clearance
hole.
9. A retainer as in claim 8 wherein the clearance hole is
positioned proximate one or more gripping tabs.
10. A retainer as in claim 1 wherein the locking tab further
comprises one or more tips.
11. The retainer of claim 1 wherein the locking tab may be raised
into an extended position.
12. The retainer of claim 1 wherein a tooling assembly may
mechanically enclose the tether within the retainer.
13. The tether as in claim 1 wherein the retainer is constructed
such that it may be nested within a tooling assembly.
14. A retainer as in claim 13 wherein the tooling assembly
comprises a positioning blade that may be passed through the
slot.
15. A retainer as in claim 13 wherein the tooling assembly
comprises an alignment pin.
16. A retainer as in claim 13 wherein the tooling assembly
comprises a receiving portion that is designed such that when the
retainer is nested in the tooling assembly, the retainer is
positioned on the receiving portion.
17. A retainer as in claim 13 wherein the tooling assembly further
comprises a press that is configured to contact the retainer.
18. A retainer as in claim 17 wherein the press contacts the
retainer by pushing against the flap.
19. A tether retainer comprising: a base; a flap attached to the
base, the flap having a slot; and a locking tab positioned on the
base, the locking tab constructed to pass through the slot and
cause the retainer to enclose a portion of the tether between the
base and the flap.
20. A retainer as in claim 19 further comprising a tear seam.
21. A retainer as in claim 19 wherein the retainer is constructed
to be mounted on an interior vehicle surface.
22. A retainer as in claim 19 further comprising a mounting portion
having one or more bolt holes.
23. A retainer as in claim 19 further comprising a clearance
hole.
24. A retainer as in claim 19 wherein the locking tab further
comprises one or more tips.
25. A retainer of claim 19 wherein the locking tab may be raised
into an extended position.
26. A retainer as in claim 19 wherein the retainer is constructed
such that it may be nested within a tooling assembly.
27. A retainer as in claim 19 wherein a tooling assembly may
mechanically enclose the tether within the retainer.
28. A tooling assembly designed to nest a tether retainer having a
base, a flap attached to the base, the flap having a slot, and a
locking tab positioned on the base, the locking tab constructed to
pass through the slot and cause the retainer to enclose a portion
of a tether, the tooling assembly comprising: a receiving portion
constructed such that when the retainer is nested, the retainer is
positioned on the receiving portion; a positioning blade positioned
on the receiving portion; and a press constructed such that it may
contact the retainer.
29. A tooling assembly as in claim 28 wherein the positioning blade
raises the locking tab into an extended position.
30. A tooling assembly as in claim 28 wherein the positioning blade
is designed to pass through the slot.
31. A tooling assembly as in claim 28 wherein the positioning blade
extends upwards from the receiving portion.
32. A tooling assembly as in claim 28 further comprising an
alignment pin.
33. A tooling assembly as in claim 32 wherein the alignment pin is
constructed to pass through a clearance hole in the retainer.
34. A tooling assembly as in claim 32 wherein the alignment pin
extends upwards from the receiving portion.
35. A tooling assembly as in claim 28 wherein the tooling assembly
is made of metal.
36. A tooling assembly as in claim 28 wherein the retainer encloses
a portion of the tether between the base and the flap.
37. A tooling assembly as in claim 28 wherein the press pushes
against the flap and ensures that the positioning blade and the
locking tab pass through the slot.
38. A tooling assembly as in claim 28 wherein the tooling assembly
mechanically encloses the tether within the retainer.
39. A method for retaining a tether comprising the steps of:
obtaining a tether retainer, the retainer comprising a base, a flap
attached to the base, the flap having a slot, and a locking tab
positioned on the base, the locking tab constructed to pass through
the slot and cause the retainer to enclose a portion of a tether;
placing the tether on the base; and enclosing a portion of the
tether within the retainer.
40. A method as in claim 39 wherein the enclosing step comprises
passing the locking tab through the slot.
41. A method as in claim 39 further comprising the step of folding
the flap over the base.
42. A method as in claim 39 wherein the portion of the tether is
enclosed between the base and the flap.
43. A method for retaining a tether comprising the steps of:
obtaining a tether retainer, the retainer comprising a base, a flap
attached to the base, the flap having a slot, and a locking tab
positioned on the base, the locking tab constructed to pass through
the slot and cause the retainer to enclose a portion of a tether;
nesting the tether retainer on a tooling assembly comprising a
receiving portion, a positioning blade positioned on the receiving
portion, and a press; placing the tether on the base; and enclosing
a portion of the tether within the retainer.
44. A method as in claim 43 wherein the enclosing step comprises
passing the locking tab through the slot.
45. A method as in claim 43 wherein the portion of the tether is
enclosed between the base and the flap.
46. A method as in claim 43 wherein the locking tab is positioned
into an extended position when the retainer is nested in the
tooling assembly.
47. A method as in claim 43 comprises passing the positioning blade
through the slot.
48. A method as in claim 43 wherein the tooling assembly further
comprises an alignment pin.
49. A method as in claim 48 wherein alignment pin passes through a
clearance hole in the retainer when the retainer is nested in the
tooling assembly.
50. A method as in claim 43 wherein the enclosing step comprises
folding the flap of the over the tether that has been placed on the
base.
51. A method as in claim 50 wherein the enclosing step further
comprises passing the locking tab through the slot.
52. A method as in claim 51 wherein the enclosing step further
comprises the step of lowering the press onto the retainer.
53. A method as in claim 52 wherein the lowering step ensures that
the locking tab passes through the slot.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a tether retainer that
restrains a tether used as part of a side-airbag system. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a novel tether
retainer that is designed to retain the tether by enclosing a
portion of the tether within the retainer.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Inflatable airbags are well accepted for use in motor
vehicles and have been credited with preventing numerous deaths and
injuries. In fact, the inclusion of inflatable safety restraint
devices, or airbags, is now a legal requirement for many new
vehicles. Airbags are typically installed throughout the passenger
cabin of a vehicle, including the steering wheel. In the event of
an accident, an accelerometer within the vehicle measures the
abnormal deceleration and triggers the expulsion of rapidly
expanding gases from an inflator. The expanding gases fill the
airbags, which quickly inflate in front of the driver and passenger
to protect them from impact against the windshield, dashboard,
steering wheel, or other portions of the vehicle. Side impact
airbags, such as curtain airbags, have also been developed in
response to the need for protection from impacts in a lateral
direction or against the side of the vehicle.
[0005] Recently, airbag technology has continued to advance such
that curtain airbags are now enlisted to provide roll-over
protection. During a roll-over accident, the vehicle occupants can
be jostled considerably, thereby causing the occupant to impact
various parts of the vehicle interior. Even worse, the occupant may
be ejected from the vehicle. Alternatively, a head or limb of an
occupant may extend outside the vehicle during the roll-over. Such
"occupant excursion" during roll-over accidents is a common cause
of automotive fatality, particularly in the case of vehicle
occupants that are not wearing a seat belt during the
roll-over.
[0006] Conventional curtain airbags attempt to combat the dangers
of side impact or roll-over accidents by having a curtain airbag
unroll or unfold downward from the roof of the vehicle and then
inflate beside the person as a means of preventing the person from
hitting the door, the window, or the side of the vehicle during
lateral impact. Since a vehicle occupant may be leaning forward,
reclined in the seat, or at any position in between, such airbags
are typically long enough to cover the whole interior side of the
vehicle, protecting occupants in both the front and rear occupant
seats.
[0007] Generally, the curtain airbags must be sized to hold large
volumes of inflation gas and descend below the window sill.
Consequently, when not inflated the curtain airbag includes a
significant amount of material. This material is then rolled,
folded, or otherwise gathered to form a tight, tubular bundle. A
sock that fits around the curtain is also added to ensure that the
curtain airbag is kept rolled or folded.
[0008] Additionally, the curtain airbag is also connected to
tethers that tethers that extend from the ends of the airbag to
anchoring points within the vehicle. These tethers are designed to
protect the occupant by applying tension to the inflatable cushion
to secure the inflatable cushion between the occupant and the
lateral surface of the vehicle during the crash. More specifically,
the tethers are designed to secure the inflatable curtain in the
proper position, thereby preventing the inflatable curtain from
becoming positioned in a location that does not render maximum
impact protection to the vehicle occupant during a crash.
[0009] The tethers are preferably attached to the vehicle interior
through the use of one or more tether retainers. These retainers
are usually extruded, punched components such as brackets, jigs,
and the like that are attached and/or fit to the body of the
vehicle. Preferably, the retainers are designed to engage and hold
the tether in the proper position so that the tether may be
permanently affixed to the vehicle via bolts, screws, nails, and/or
other types of fasteners.
[0010] Experience with tethering systems has shown that in order
for the tether to properly tension the inflatable curtain during a
crash, the tether must be adequately retained and/or captured by
the retainer. One method of accomplishing this retention of the
tether is by constructing the retainer such that a portion of the
tether may be taped or otherwise connected to a portion of the
retainer. However, such a method of retaining the tether has a
significant disadvantage in that as the connection between the
tether and the retainer may deteriorate, there is an inherent risk
that the retainer will not satisfactorily retain the tether over
the life the vehicle.
[0011] More recent designs of retainer have attempted to retain the
tether within the retainer through the use of a lock. This lock is
a portion or section of the retainer that is designed to close or
trap a portion of the tether. More specifically, the lock is
designed such that during the assembly and/or installation process,
an airbag installer can manually close the lock and bind a portion
of the tether within the retainer.
[0012] As with previous designs however, significant limitations
and drawbacks arise in using a retainer having a manually closing
lock. For example, in most of these retainers having locks, the
process by which the airbag installer may close the lock around a
portion of the tether is a very arduous, time-consuming, and labor
intensive. Even working together, it will likely take multiple
employees several minutes to install each airbag unit using these
known retainers or they will have to position the tether within the
retainer, close each lock around the tether, and then permanently
attach to the retainer and the tether to the vehicle. As the
manufacturer incurs costs for every moment that passes during the
manufacturing process, these several minutes drastically raise the
total production costs and reduce the manufacturer's overall profit
margin.
[0013] Additionally, because the process of closing the locks
around the tether is very difficult and arduous, using retainers
having locks increases the likelihood that the retainer and/or the
tethering system will be improperly installed onto the vehicle.
Such improper installation may cause the tethering system to
malfunction and/or fail to provide a vehicle occupant with optimal
impact protection.
[0014] Known tether retainers that use locks to enclose a portion
of the tether have a further limitation in that the locks used in
such retainers are not foolproof. Even when properly installed and
closed around a tether, these locks have a tendency to open or
break due to the stresses and vibrations associated with a crash
and/or the normal operation of the vehicle. If this lock opens or
breaks, the retainer will be incapable of sufficiently retaining
the tether and any possible safety benefits of the tethering system
is effectively eliminated.
[0015] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a novel tether
retainer that addresses and/or solves one or more of the
above-listed problems. Such a device is disclosed herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The apparatus of the present invention has been developed in
response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in
response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet
been fully solved by currently available tether retainers. Thus,
the present invention to provides a tether retainer that is
designed such that all or a portion of a tether may be enclosed
within the retainer.
[0017] In general, the retainer comprises two sections or portions:
a base and a flap. The flap is attached to the base. Preferably,
the flap is positioned below the base and is constructed such that
it may be folded over the base along a tear seam.
[0018] The retainer further comprises a slot and a locking tab.
More than one slot and/or more than one locking tab may also be
used. The slot is positioned on the flap whereas the locking tab is
positioned on the base. The locking tab is cut or otherwise
configured such that it may be raised or bent into an extended
position that is perpendicular and/or angled with respect to the
base.
[0019] The locking tab is constructed to pass through the slot and
cause the retainer to enclose a portion of a tether. More
specifically, the locking tab is constructed such that if it is
raised into the extended position, the locking tab may pass through
the slot and cause the retainer to enclose the tether between the
base and the flap.
[0020] A mounting portion may additionally be added to the
retainer. The mounting portion positioned proximate the base and
may include one or more bolt holes. Preferably, the mounting
portion and the bolt holes are configured such that one or more
bolts may mount the retainer to an interior vehicle surface by
passing through the bolt holes.
[0021] The retainer may further include a clearance hole. More than
one clearance hole may also be used. The clearance hole is
positioned on the base proximate one or more gripping tabs. The
clearance hole and the gripping tabs are designed to orient and/or
align to ensure that the retainer is properly aligned during the
assembly and/or the installation process.
[0022] Preferably, the retainer is constructed such that it may be
nested in a tooling assembly. As used herein, the term "nested in
the tooling assembly" means that the retainer has been positioned,
placed, or otherwise fit onto the tooling assembly.
[0023] The tooling assembly includes a receiving portion. The
receiving portion is a portion or section of the tooling assembly
that is designed to receive the retainer. More specifically, the
receiving portion is designed such that when the retainer is nested
in the tooling assembly, all or a portion of the retainer contacts
and/or is positioned upon the receiving portion.
[0024] The tooling assembly further comprises a positioning blade
that is added to the receiving portion. More than one positioning
blade may also be used. The positioning blade is designed to
position the locking tab. Preferably, the positioning blade extends
upwardly away from the receiving portion such that when the
retainer is nested in the tooling assembly, the positioning blade
raises and/or moves the locking tab into the extended position.
[0025] An alignment pins may also be added to the tooling assembly.
More than one alignment pin may also be used. The alignment pin is
positioned on or proximate to the receiving portion. Preferably,
the alignment pin extends upwardly away from the receiving portion
such that when the retainer is nested in the tooling assembly, the
alignment pin passes through the clearance hole.
[0026] Once the retainer is nested in the tooling assembly, a
tether may be positioned on the retainer. Preferably, the tether is
positioned on the retainer such that all or a portion of the tether
is situated on the base. The flap may then be folded over the base
along the tear seam such that a portion of the tether becomes
enclosed within the retainer between the flap and the base.
[0027] After the flap has been folded over the base, the locking
tab and the positioning blade may be passed through the slot. This
may be accomplished by using a press. The press is a component of
the tooling assembly that may be lowered and/or moved such that it
contacts the retainer. Preferably, the press is constructed such
that when it contacts the retainer, the press pushes against the
flap and ensures that the positioning blade and/or the locking tab
pass through the slot.
[0028] In some embodiments, one or more tips may also be added to
the locking tab. The tips are corners or sections of the locking
tab and extend past the edge of the slot. Preferably, the tips are
constructed such that once the locking tab passes through the slot,
the tips engage the flap and ensure that the tether remains
enclosed between the flap and the base.
[0029] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will become more fully apparent from the following
description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice
of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] In order that the manner in which the above-recited and
other features and advantages of the invention are obtained will be
readily understood, a more particular description of the invention
briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific
embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.
Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments
of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be
limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tether retainer according
to the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the retainer of FIG. 1 in
which the retainer has been nested in a tooling assembly;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the retainer of FIG. 2 after
the retainer's flap has been folded over the retainer's base;
[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the retainer of FIG. 3 in
which the tooling assembly's press has been lowered onto the
retainer;
[0035] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the retainer of FIG. 4 in
which a tether has been enclosed within the retainer; and
[0036] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of manner in which the retainer
of FIG. 5 may be mounted to an interior surface of a vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0037] The presently preferred embodiments of the present invention
will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like
parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be
readily understood that the components of the present invention, as
generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be
arranged and designed in a wide variety of different
configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of
the embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method of the present
invention, as represented in FIGS. 1 through 6, is not intended to
limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely
representative of presently preferred embodiments of the
invention.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a tether retainer
10 according to the present invention is depicted. The retainer 10
is made of a thin (0.030) plastic or other comparable material and
is designed such that all or a portion of a tether (not shown) may
be enclosed and retained within the retainer 10.
[0039] In general, the retainer 10 comprises two sections or
portions: a base 12 and a flap 14. The flap 14 is attached to the
base 12. Preferably, the flap 14 is positioned below the base 12
and is constructed such that it may be folded over the base 12
along a tear seam 16.
[0040] In FIG. 1, the base 12 and the flap 14 are both shown as
being substantially rectangular in shape. Those of skill in the art
will recognize that these structures may have a wide variety of
shapes within the scope of the invention. Specifically, the base 12
and the flap 14 may have a variety of shapes, sizes, and
configurations including, round, triangular, quadrilateral,
polygonal, or any other desired shape.
[0041] The retainer 10 further comprises a slot 18. More than one
slot 18 may also be used. The slot 18 is an aperture or hole in the
retainer 10 that is added to the flap 14. In the embodiments shown
in FIG. 1, the slot 18 is generally rectangular in shape and is
positioned proximate the lower edge of the flap 14. Of course,
other embodiments may also be made in which the slot 18 is shaped
and/or positioned differently on the flap 14.
[0042] A locking tab 20 is also added to the retainer 10. The
locking tab 20 is positioned on the base 12. Preferably, the
locking tab 20 is cut or otherwise configured such that it may be
raised or bent into an extended position that is perpendicular
and/or angled with respect to the base 12 (see FIG. 2).
[0043] The locking tab 20 is further constructed to pass through
the slot 18 and cause the retainer 10 to enclose a portion of a
tether (not shown). More specifically, the locking tab 20 is
constructed such that if it is raised into the extended position,
the locking tab 20 may pass through the slot 18 and cause the
retainer 10 to enclose the tether between the base 12 and the flap
14.
[0044] Referring still to FIG. 1, a mounting portion 26 may
additionally be added to the retainer 10. The mounting portion 26
positioned proximate the base 12 and may include one or more bolt
holes 28. Preferably, the mounting portion 26 and the bolt holes 28
are configured such that one or more bolts (not shown) may mount
the retainer 10 to an interior vehicle surface (not shown) by
passing through the bolt holes 28.
[0045] The retainer 10 may further include a clearance hole 30.
More than one clearance hole 30 may also be used. The clearance
hole 30 is positioned on the base 12 proximate one or more gripping
tabs 32. The clearance hole 30 and the gripping tabs 32 are
designed to orient and/or align to ensure that the retainer 10 is
properly aligned during the assembly and/or the installation
process.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 2, the retainer 10 of FIG. 1 is shown
on a tooling assembly 40. More specifically, in FIG. 2, the
retainer 10 has been nested in the tooling assembly 40. As used
herein, the term "nested in the tooling assembly" means that the
retainer 10 has been positioned, placed, or otherwise fit onto the
tooling assembly 40.
[0047] The tooling assembly 40 is made of metal, plastic, and the
like and includes a receiving portion 42. The receiving portion 42
is a portion or section of the tooling assembly 40 that is designed
to receive the retainer 10. More specifically, the receiving
portion 42 is designed such that when the retainer 10 is nested in
the tooling assembly 40, all or a portion of the retainer 10
contacts and/or is positioned upon the receiving portion 42.
[0048] In FIG. 2, the receiving portion 42 is shown as a surface
that is larger than the retainer 10. Those of skill in the art will
recognize that this structure may have a variety of sizes, shapes
and/or configurations within the scope of the invention.
Specifically, embodiments may be made in which the receiving
portion 42 is a surface that is smaller than the retainer 10. Still
further embodiments may be made in which the receiving portion 42
only contacts a portion of the retainer 10. Still further
embodiments may be made in which the receiving portion 42 is curved
or bowed section of the tooling assembly 40.
[0049] The tooling assembly 40 further comprises a positioning
blade 44 that is added to the receiving portion 42. More than one
positioning blade 44 may also be used. The positioning blade 44 is
made of metal, plastic, and the like and is designed to position
the locking tab 20. Preferably, the positioning blade 44 extends
upwardly away from the receiving portion 42 such that when the
retainer 10 is nested in the tooling assembly 40, the positioning
blade 44 raises and/or moves the locking tab 20 into the extended
position.
[0050] The tooling assembly 40 may additionally comprises an
alignment pin 50. More than one alignment pin 50 may also be used.
The alignment pin 50 is positioned on or proximate to the receiving
portion 42 and is made of metal, plastic, and the like. Preferably,
the alignment pin 50 extends upwardly away from the receiving
portion 42 such that when the retainer 10 is nested in the tooling
assembly 40, the alignment pin 50 passes through the clearance hole
30.
[0051] As seen in FIG. 2, a tether 52 may also be positioned on the
retainer 10. The tether 52 is added after the retainer 10 has been
nested in the tooling assembly 40. Preferably, the tether 52 is
positioned on the retainer 10 such that all or a portion of the
tether 52 is situated on the base 12.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 3, the process by which the retainer
10 nested in the tooling assembly 40 may be used to mechanically
enclose the tether 52 within the retainer 10 is illustrated in
greater detail. Once the tether 52 is positioned on the retainer
10, the flap 14 is folded over the base 12. More specifically, the
flap 14 is folded over the base 12 along the tear seam 16 such that
a portion of the tether 52 is enclosed within the retainer 10
between the flap 14 and the base 12.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 4, the next step in the process by
which the tether 52 may be enclosed within the retainer 10 is
illustrated. Once the flap 14 is folded over the base 12, the
locking tab 20 and the positioning blade 44 are passed through the
slot 18 in the flap 14. This may be accomplished by using a press
60. The press 60 is a component of the tooling assembly 40 that may
be lowered and/or moved such that it contacts the retainer 10.
Preferably, the press 60 is constructed such that when it contacts
the retainer 10, the press 60 pushes against the flap 14 and
ensures that the positioning blade 44 and/or the locking tab 20
pass through the slot 18.
[0054] In FIG. 4, the press 60 is shown as two rectangular shaped
shafts that may be lowered onto the retainer 10. Those of skill in
the art will recognize that this depiction is representative a
variety of differing shapes, configurations, structures, and
materials that may be used to construct the press 60. In
particular, any structure or element that is capable of contacting
the retainer 10 and/or ensuring that the positioning blade 44 and
the locking tab 20 pass through the slot 18 may be used as the
press 60.
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 5, the retainer 10 is shown after the
positioning blade 44 and/or the locking tab 20 have passed through
the slot 18. More specifically, FIG. 5 shows the retainer 10 nested
in the tooling assembly 40 after the press 60 has pushed against
the flap 14 and/or ensured that the locking tab 20 and the
positioning blade 44 have passed through the slot 18.
[0056] As can be seen in FIG. 5, one or more tips 62 may be added
to the locking tab 20. The tips 62 are corners or sections of the
locking tab 20 and extend past the edge of the slot 18. Preferably,
the tips 62 are constructed such that once the locking tab 20
passes through the slot 18, the tips 62 engage the flap 14 and
ensure that the tether 52 remains enclosed between the flap 14 and
the base 12.
[0057] Referring now to FIG. 6, the retainer 10 with the enclosed
tether 52 may be removed from the tooling assembly and mounted to
an interior vehicle surface 70. This may be accomplished through
the use of a fastener 72. More than one fastener 72 may also be
used. Preferably, the fastener 72 passes through the bolt hole 28
and engages and/or is inserted into an opening 74 on the interior
vehicle surface 70 such that the retainer 10 becomes mounted to the
interior vehicle surface 70.
[0058] Referring now to FIGS. 1-6 generally, the present invention
also provides an easy and efficient method for retaining a tether
52. First, a tether retainer 10 is obtained. Next, the tether 52 is
placed on the base 12. Finally, the tether 52 is enclosed within
the retainer 10. Preferably, this enclosing step is accomplished by
folding the flap 14 over the base 12 and by passing the locking tab
20 through the slot 18.
[0059] In an alternate embodiment, the method for retaining a
tether 52 may further comprises the step of nesting the tether
retainer 10 in a tooling assembly 40. Preferably, the nesting step
is accomplished before the tether 52 is placed on the base 12.
Additionally, further embodiments may be made in which the
enclosing step also comprises lowering the press 60 onto the
retainer 10 to ensure that the locking tab 20 passes through the
slot 18.
[0060] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its structures, methods, or other
essential characteristics as broadly described herein and claimed
hereinafter. The described embodiments are to be considered in all
respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims,
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
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