Patent ID: 6439598
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and being inflatable into a position to help protect the vehicle occupant; and a housing for mounting in the vehicle, said housing including a chamber receiving said inflatable device in the deflated condition; said housing including a first housing part having a locking rib and a second housing part having a locking groove and an opening into said locking groove; said locking rib being movable in a first direction through said opening into said locking groove for releasably closing said housing with said inflatable device inside said chamber; said first housing part having a tool receiving portion adjacent said locking rib, said tool receiving portion having a first tool receiving surface extending perpendicularly from a main body portion of said first housing part, said second housing part including a second tool receiving surface coextensive with a main body portion of said second housing part, said locking groove extending perpendicularly from said main body portion of said second housing part, said first and second tool receiving surfaces being for receiving an assembly tool for applying force to move said locking rib in said first direction through said opening into said locking groove.