Energy absorbing tether clip

Abstract

A releasable fastener includes a tether and a clip adapted to be coupled to a first member. The tether has a first end releasably coupled to the clip, a second end adapted to be coupled to a second member that is moveable relative to the first member and a flexible member having first and second strands interconnecting the first and second ends of the tether. The second strand is frangible.

1 . A releasable fastener, comprising:
 a clip adapted to be coupled to a first member; and   a tether having a first end releasably coupled to the clip, a second end adapted to be coupled to a second member that is moveable relative to the first member and a flexible member having first and second strands interconnecting the first and second ends of the tether, wherein the second strand is frangible.   
   
   
       2 . The fastener of  claim 1  further including third and fourth strands positioned in parallel with the first and second strands, wherein the second, third and fourth strands are constructed to sequentially separate under tensile load. 
   
   
       3 . The fastener of  claim 2  wherein the first, second, third and fourth strands each have a different length. 
   
   
       4 . The fastener of  claim 3  wherein one of the second, third and fourth strands has a locally reduced cross-sectional size. 
   
   
       5 . The fastener of  claim 4  wherein one of the second, third and fourth strands separates at a location proximate the reduced cross-sectional size. 
   
   
       6 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein one end of the tether includes a pin and the other end includes a receptacle in receipt of the pin, wherein the pin is released from engagement with the receptacle prior to separating the second strand. 
   
   
       7 . The fastener of  claim 6  wherein the clip includes a channel in slidable receipt of the first end of the tether. 
   
   
       8 . The fastener of  claim 7  wherein the first end includes a deflectable tab retaining the first end to the clip. 
   
   
       9 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein the second strand is adapted to separate upon application of a tensile force provided by the second member moving relative to the first member. 
   
   
       10 . The fastener of  claim 9  wherein the first strand is adapted to not separate and restrict movement of the second member relative to the first member. 
   
   
       11 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein the first strand is adapted to maintain the interconnection between the first and second members after the second strand separates. 
   
   
       12 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein the second strand is shorter than the first strand. 
   
   
       13 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein the second strand is positioned in parallel with the first strand. 
   
   
       14 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein the second strand has a recess formed therein to reduce a cross-sectional size of the second strand at the recess location. 
   
   
       15 . A releasable fastener, comprising:
 a first connector having a male pin;   a second connector flexibly tethered to the first connector, the second connector having a receptacle and at least one biasing element operable to releasably engage the male pin; and   a clip releasably engageable with the second connector, wherein the flexible tether includes first and second strands, each strand having one end proximate to the first connector and an opposite end proximate to the second connector, wherein the second strand is separable under a predetermined tensile load, the first strand remaining interconnecting the first and second connectors when subject to the predetermined tensile load.   
   
   
       16 . The fastener of  claim 15  wherein the second strand is positioned in parallel with the first strand. 
   
   
       17 . The fastener of  claim 16  wherein the clip further comprises a plurality of deflectable wings. 
   
   
       18 . The fastener of  claim 17  wherein the plurality of deflectable wings comprises a first, a second and a third deflectable wing, the first deflectable wing opposing both the second and the third deflectable wings. 
   
   
       19 . The fastener of  claim 15  further including third and fourth strands positioned in parallel with the first and second strands, wherein the second, third and fourth strands are constructed to sequentially separate under the tensile load. 
   
   
       20 . The fastener of  claim 19  wherein the first, second, third and fourth strands each have a different length. 
   
   
       21 . The fastener of  claim 20  wherein one of the second, third and fourth strands has a locally reduced cross-sectional size. 
   
   
       22 . The fastener of  claim 15  wherein the second connector further comprises a deflectable tab operable to releasably engage the clip, wherein the deflectable tab is elastically deflectable to receive the clip and returns by spring force to retain the clip. 
   
   
       23 . The fastener of  claim 15  wherein the first connector includes a hooked end adapted to releasably connect to a first component of a vehicle and wherein the clip is adapted to releasably connect to a second component of a vehicle. 
   
   
       24 . A method of manufacturing a releasable fastener, comprising:
 releasably coupling a first end of a tether to a first component;   coupling a clip to a second component;   releasably coupling a second end of the tether to the clip;   releasably coupling the first end of the tether to the second end of the tether;   interconnecting the first tether end and the second tether end with a flexible member having a first strand and a second strand; and   separating the second strand upon relative movement between the first and second components.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  maintaining an interconnection between the first and second components with the first strand after the second strand separates.