Air bag inflator for snap-on attachment to a steering wheel

• Main Authors: SORENSON, JANIEL, RICKS, MERLE K, DURAN, JOHN A
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 27.12.2000
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS; MOTOR VEHICLES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRAILERS; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL; VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISEPROVIDED FOR

A new and improved air bag inflator module adapted for quick action, snap-on, permanent mounting or attachment onto a support (26) provided in a motor vehicle such as a steering wheel requires the use of no tools for permanent installation. The module is pre-positioned in front of the support and is then thrust into place until locked. The inflator module includes a base (14) facing and movable in one direction directly toward the support (26) for establishing a permanent fixed attachment thereto. A fastening system including a plurality of quick action, snap-on type fasteners (32) is provided and the fasteners extend between the base and the vehicle support for securing the inflator module permanently locked in place. The base of the module or the vehicle support is provided with openings (26b) for each fastener for receiving a first portion (40) of the fastener extended therethrough as the inflator module is pushed into place on the steering wheel with a unidirectional thrust. Each fastener includes a second portion (38) permanently mounted on the base (14) or the support opposite an opening for supporting the first portion of the fastener projecting outwardly thereof. A snap-action, annular compressible and expandable holding skirt (42) is provided on the first portion (40) of each fastener for engaging an opposite surface (26c) on the base or the support when expanded after the first portion (40) of the fastener (32) is fully inserted through an opening (26b). The holding skirt (42) is initially compressed when passed through an opening and once through, the opening automatically springs back and expands to engage the opposite side (26c) of the base or support for permanently retaining the fastener in interconnecting relation therebetween. Each fastener is releasable using an ordinary hand tool such as a screw driver and this permits the inflator module to be bodily removed or detached from the support for service and/or reinstallation. Thereafter, the module can be reattached or remounted on the support, in the same manner with uni-directional thrust until the fasteners are snapped into place on the steering wheel. An ordinary hand tool may be used for reassembling each fastener for interconnecting the first (40) and second (38) portions prior to mounting the inflator module in place on the steering wheel.