Method and device for inserting an airbag into a sheath

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for inserting a folded airbag into an oblong cover, which is characterized in that the airbag, before or during insertion, is compressed into an insertion tool and is then inserted into the oblong cover by means of said insertion tool.

1 . A method for inserting a folded airbag into an elongated sheath, the method comprising the airbag before or during placement in an insertion aid is compressed and then inserted into the elongated sheath by the insertion aid.  
     
     
         2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , for inserting a folded airbag into an elongated sheath comprising the steps: 
 a) gripping the airbag with a gripper;    b) compressing the airbag;    c) inserting the airbag into an insertion aid in the form of a U-shaped inserter rail;    d) inserting the U-shaped inserter rail into the elongated sheath; and    e) retaining the airbag in the elongated sheath whilst withdrawing the inserter rail from the elongated sheath.    
     
     
         3 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the flattened tubular sheath is used as the elongated sheath, the one end of which is opened by an opener.  
     
     
         4 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the flattened tubular sheath is used as the elongated sheath which is opened over its full length by an opener.  
     
     
         5 . The method as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the opener sucks the two layers of the flattened tubular sheath away from each other in thereby opening the flattened tubular sheath.  
     
     
         6 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a device for inserting the folded airbag into the elongated sheath, the device comprising: 
 a) a gripper;    b) an inserter rail; and    c) a retainer for retaining the airbag in the elongated sheath while the inserter rail is being extracted from the elongated sheath.    
     
     
         7 . A device for inserting a folded side airbag into an elongated sheath, the device comprising: 
 a) a gripper;    b) an inserter rail; and    c) a retainer for retaining the airbag in the elongated sheath while the inserter rail is being extracted from the elongated sheath.    
     
     
         8 . The device as set forth in  claim 7 , further comprising an opener with which one end of the elongated sheath is employed as the flattened tubular sheath can be opened.  
     
     
         9 . The device as set forth in  claim 7 , further comprising an opener with which the elongated sheath is employed as a flattened tubular sheath which can be opened full-length.  
     
     
         10 . The device as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the opener comprises a suction device by means of which the two layers of the flattened tubular sheath are sucked away from each other in thereby opening the flattened tubular sheath.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising an elongated sheath made of non-woven, knitted or woven material being componented with a folded airbag.  
     
     
         12 . A method for inserting a folded airbag into an elongated sheath, the method comprising: 
 a) slipping the elongated sheath over an insertion aid in the form of a round rectangular or polygonal inserter rail;    b) gripping the airbag with a gripper;    c) inserting the airbag in the inserter rail and compressing the airbag via a funnel; and    d) retaining the airbag in the elongated sheath while withdrawing the inserter rail from the elongated sheath.    
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein a flattened tubular sheath is used as the elongated sheath, the one end of which is opened by an opener.  
     
     
         14 . The method as set forth in  claim 12 , further comprising a flattened tubular sheath is used as the elongated sheath which is opened over its full length by an opener.  
     
     
         15 . The method as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the opener sucks the two layers of the flattened tubular sheath away from each other in thereby opening the flattened tubular sheath.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising using a device for inserting the folded airbag into the elongated sheath, the device comprising: 
 a) a gripper;    b) a round, rectangular or polygonal inserter rail; and    c) a retainer for retaining the airbag in the elongated sheath while the inserter rail is being extracted from the elongated sheath.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising inserting the folded airbag into the elongated sheath with: 
 a) a gripper;    b) an inserter rail; and    c) a retainer for retaining the airbag in the elongated sheath while the inserter rail is being extracted from the elongated sheath.    
     
     
         18 . The method as set forth in  claim 17 , further comprising an opener with which one end of the elongated sheath is employed as the flattened tubular sheath which can be opened.  
     
     
         19 . The method as set forth in  claim 17 , further comprising an opener with which the elongated sheath employed as the flattened tubular sheath can be opened full-length.  
     
     
         20 . The method as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein the opener which comprises a suction device by means of which the two layers of the flattened tubular sheath are sucked away from each other in thereby opening the flattened tubular sheath.