Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ray Hudd

Tim Scott

Ray Trebes

A steering wheel airbag assembly ( ) for a motor vehicle with a driver airbag module ( ), in which the module snaps into an aligned engagement with the steering wheel during manufacture of the steering wheel. The assembly ( ) includes an airbag supporting portion ( ) with a plurality of apertures therein ( ) and a driver airbag module ( ) attached to the supporting portion ( ) and having a plurality of legs ( ), each of which extends slidingly into a corresponding aperture ( ) being movable towards and away from the supporting portion ( ). Engagement barbs ( ) between each leg ( ) and aperture ( ) limits said movement and keeps the module ( ) and supporting portion ( ) attached. A spring ( ) between the module ( ) and the supporting portion ( ) spring biases the module away from the supporting portion ( ). A leg ( ) has a first pair of outwardly opposed surfaces ( ) that form a loose sliding fit with the aperture ( ), and a second pair of outwardly opposed surfaces ( ) that form a tight sliding fit with corresponding surfaces ( ) of said aperture in order to locate the module ( ) transversely on the supporting portion ( ) as the module ( ) is moved relatively towards and away from the supporting portion ( ).

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Essex, United Kingdom

Ray Hudd