Patent ID: 7384064
Filing Date: 2008-06-10
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An air bag module for installation on a steering wheel assembly comprising: an inner plate; a base plate attachable to said inner plate; a cover; an inflatable cushion, said inner plate being receivable within said cushion, said cushion and inner plate being receivable within said cover, said cover containing said cushion prior to inflation thereof; a portion of said cushion and a portion of said cover abutting one another and being sandwiched directly between said inner plate and said base plate such that said portion of said cover is retained between said base plate and said inner plate; a fastener element adapted to extend through said inner plate, said cushion and said base plate, thereby attaching said inner plate and said base plate; and an inflator, said inflator having a mounting flange, said fastener element being adapted to further extend through said mounting flange, thereby attaching said inflator with said cushion, said inner plate, said base plate and said cover; wherein said cushion, said inner plate and said base plate are each formed with an alignable inflator opening adapted to receive a portion of said inflator, wherein said mounting flange of said inflator abuts an outer surface of said base plate when said inflator is received within said aligned inflator openings and is attached with said cushion, said inner plate, and said base plate by said fastener element; and wherein said air bag module is a preassembled unit configured such that said cushion, cover, and attached inner plate and base plate are attached sufficiently to one another prior to installation on the steering wheel assembly so as to be retained to one another when said cushion is inflated independent of any additional attachment to the steering wheel assembly.