Patent ID: 6547272
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant, comprising:an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; an inflator for providing inflation fluid to inflate said inflatable device; a cover for at least partially enclosing said inflatable device and said inflator, said cover having a front panel facing the vehicle occupant and side panels laterally surrounding said inflatable device; a reaction plate having a base plate portion to which said inflatable device, said inflator, and said cover are attached; said reaction plate having at least one projection extending from said base plate portion, said at least one projection overlying at least a portion of at least one of said side panels of said cover to resist deformation of said at least one side panel laterally away from said inflator as said inflatable device inflates; said at least one projection having a T-shaped portion including a stem and a crossbar, said at least one side panel having a V-shaped projection aligned with said T-shaped portion and including a pair of legs, said crossbar of said T-shaped portion engaging and resiliently deflecting said legs of said V-shaped projection laterally inward toward said inflatable device as said crossbar and said front panel of said cover move toward each other during assembly, said legs of said V-shaped projection interlocking under said crossbar of said T-shaped portion, and said stem of said T-shaped portion being disposed between said legs of said V-shaped projection.