Morton International, Inc.

Primrose, Inc.

Attila Szigethy

Marc D Folsom

Brian C Jenkins

A retainer ring having expandable sides for attaching a passenger side air bag to a air bag module canister. The retainer ring accommodates slight variations in the canister thus permitting the air bag cushion to be securely fastened to the canister without the formation of gaps between the air bag cushion and the canister. This reduces gas leakage from the canister during deployment of the air bag cushion. A self-locking mechanism is also provided to permit assembly of the retainer ring without the need for fasteners or special tools.

Sliding cushion retainer with self-locking device

A connector for an air bag module or assembly which removably mounts the module to a mounting plate provided by a steering wheel or other support structure. A first embodiment of the connector movably mounts the module to the steering wheel, and provides a horn actuation feature. The module is biased to a normal position wherein a first horn switch contact provided by the steering wheel is spaced from a second horn switch contact provided by the module. The bias is overcome by user-applied force which moves the module inwardly relative to the steering wheel and thereby brings the first and second contacts into engagement and actuates the horn. The connectors of the first embodiment include first and second telescopingly related members and a biasing spring which tends to maintain the second member projecting from the first member. The second member includes a series of spaced-apart resilient arms which cooperate to provide a discontinuous annular or circumferential groove which receives a mounting plate provided by the steering wheel. The arms are radially deformable to disconnect the module from the steering wheel.

Growing community of inventors

Rocky River, OH, United States of America

Attila Szigethy