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An apparatus (10) helps protect an occupant (14) of a vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (22) inflatable between a steering wheel (30) of the vehicle (12) and the vehicle occupant (14). A housing (26) helps support the protection device (22) on

An apparatus (10) helps protect an occupant (14) of a vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (22) inflatable between a steering wheel (30) of the vehicle (12) and the vehicle occupant (14). A housing (26) helps support the protection device (22) on the steering wheel (30). A cover (40) helps conceal the protection device (22) in a stored condition on the steering wheel (30). The housing (40) includes a retainer element (132) that extends from a side wall (124) of the housing. The retainer element (132) includes a base portion (232) and a head portion (234). The cover (40) includes a retainer aperture (230) through which the head portion (234) is extendable to help secure the cover to the housing (26). The head portion (234) has a dimension that is greater than a diameter of the retainer aperture (230). The cover (40) is configured to deform elastically to enlarge the retainer aperture (230) to fit over the head portion (234) and thereafter return to its non-deformed condition to form an interference that helps retain the cover on the retainer element (132).

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable between a steering wheel of the vehicle and the vehicle occupant; a housing for helping to support the protection device on the steering w

We claim: 1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable between a steering wheel of the vehicle and the vehicle occupant; a housing for helping to support the protection device on the steering wheel; and a cover for helping to conceal the protection device in a stored condition on the steering wheel; the housing comprising a retainer element extending from a side wall of the housing, the retainer element comprising a base portion and a head portion; the cover comprising a retainer aperture through which the head portion is extendable to help secure the cover to the housing, the head portion having a dimension that is greater than a diameter of the retainer aperture, the cover being configured to deform elastically to enlarge the retainer aperture to fit over the head portion and thereafter return to its non-deformed condition to form an interference that helps retain the cover on the retainer element. 2. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the head portion has a generally oblong configuration with a length that extends along a major axis of the head portion, the retainer aperture having a generally circular configuration with a diameter smaller than the length of the head portion, the retainer aperture deforming when the cover deforms to permit the head portion to pass through the retainer aperture. 3. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the base portion of the retainer element has a cylindrical configuration with a diameter greater than or about equal to the diameter of the retainer aperture, the base portion projecting perpendicularly from the side wall of the reaction plate, the head portion having a major axis that extends perpendicular to the base portion. 4. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the base portion and head portion of the retainer element define a hook configured to counteract deployment forces that tend to disengage the cover from the housing. 5. The apparatus recited in claim 4, wherein the hook is configured to face opposite a deployment direction of the protection device. 6. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a base plate connectable with the vehicle steering wheel and a reaction plate to which the protection device is secured, the apparatus further comprising a threaded fastener for connecting the base plate with the reaction plate, the threaded fastener having an outer surface over which one of the base plate and reaction plate may move to thereby permit relative movement between the base plate and reaction plate. 7. The apparatus recited in claim 6, wherein the threaded fastener comprises a shoulder nut. 8. The apparatus recited in claim 6, further comprising a stud that extends through aligned fastener receiving apertures in the reaction plate and the base plate, the threaded fastener being connectable with the stud to help secure the reaction plate to the base plate, the reaction plate being clamped between the stud and a terminal end surface of a sleeve portion of the threaded fastener, the base plate being movable over an outer surface of the sleeve portion to permit relative movement between the sleeve portion and the base plate. 9. The apparatus recited in claim 6, further comprising a spring member that biases the base plate and reaction plate away from each other. 10. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a base plate connectable with the vehicle steering wheel and a horn circuit supported on the base plate, the base plate having a one piece molded construction and including a connector portion that defines a space in which one or more electrical connector pins of the horn circuit are disposed, the connector portion being configured to receive a mating connector member in the space to form an electrical connection between the horn circuit and a vehicle mounted circuit. 11. The apparatus recited in claim 10, wherein the connector portion and the connector member have portions configured to interlock with each other when the connector member is received in the connector portion. 12. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable between a steering wheel of the vehicle and the vehicle occupant; a base plate connectable with the vehicle steering wheel; a reaction plate to which the protection device is secured; a retainer for securing the protection device to the reaction plate; a stud that extends through aligned fastener receiving apertures in the base plate and reaction plate; and a shoulder nut connectable with the stud for connecting the base plate with the reaction plate, the shoulder nut comprising a sleeve portion that receives the stud and extends through the fastener receiving opening in the base plate, the retainer and reaction plate being clamped between a head portion of the stud and a terminal end portion of the sleeve portion, the base plate being retained on the sleeve portion by a shoulder portion of the shoulder nut and being movable over an outer surface of the sleeve portion to permit the reaction plate to move relative to the base plate, the apparatus further comprising: a cover for helping to conceal the protection device in a stored condition on the steering wheel; and a retainer element extending from a side wall of the reaction plate, the retainer element comprising a base portion and a head portion; the cover comprising a retainer aperture through which the head portion is extendable to help secure the cover to the housing, the head portion having a dimension that is greater than a diameter of the retainer aperture, the cover being configured to deform elastically to enlarge the retainer aperture to fit over the head portion and thereafter return to its non-deformed condition to form an interference that helps retain the cover on the retainer element. 13. The apparatus recited in claim 12, further comprising a spring member that biases the base plate and reaction plate away from each other. 14. The apparatus recited in claim 12, wherein the head portion has a generally oblong configuration with a length that extends along a major axis of the head portion, the retainer aperture having a generally circular configuration with a diameter smaller than the length of the head portion, the retainer aperture deforming when the cover deforms to permit the head portion to pass through the retainer aperture. 15. The apparatus recited in claim 12, further comprising a horn circuit supported on the base plate, the base plate having a one piece molded construction and including a connector portion that defines a space in which one or more electrical connector pins of the horn circuit are disposed, the connector portion being configured to receive a mating connector member in the space to form an electrical connection between the horn circuit and a vehicle mounted circuit. 16. The apparatus recited in claim 12, wherein the base portion and head portion of the retainer element define a hook configured to counteract deployment forces that tend to disengage the cover from the housing. 17. The apparatus recited in claim 16, wherein the hook is configured to face opposite a deployment direction of the protection device.