Trw Limited

Peter A Kennedy

Brian R Pitstick

Todd R Bailey

An air bag inflator (10) includes an igniter (142) for actuating the inflator in response to receiving an electrical signal. The igniter (142) has a pair of electrical terminals (144, 146) for electrical contact with an electrical connector (152) to receive the electrical signal from the electrical connector. A retainer (150) supports the igniter (142) adjacent the inflator (10). A shorting clip (200) establishes a short circuit between the terminals (144, 146) of the igniter (142) when the electrical connector (152) is not in electrical contact with the terminals. A crimp portion (180) of the retainer (150) engages the shorting clip (200) to block movement of the shorting clip relative to the retainer. The shorting clip (200) includes means (240, 242) for maintaining the electrical connector (152) in electrical contact with the electrical terminals (144, 146). Different shorting clips (200, 420) can alternatively be used with the same retainer (150) and igniter (142), to enable the inflator (10) to be electrically connected with different electrical connectors (152, 410).

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Scottsdale, AZ, United States of America

Peter A Kennedy