Cylindrical inflator retainer ring

Claim 1

A combination comprising: an elongated tubular gas generator having a substantially constant diameter, said gas generator having a smooth outer surface, a first end, and a second end; an air bag canister having a first end wall and a second end wall and defining a cavity for said gas generator and at least part of a folded automotive air bag cushion, said second end wall having a second aperture therein having a diameter greater than the diameter of said gas generator, said gas generator being actuable to generate a gas under a pressure in said cavity; and a coupling ring having an outer wall, a first surface defining a first end and a second surface defining a second end, said first surface and said second surface being substantially parallel to one another, said first and second surfaces having circular cross-sections, a first rim adjacent to said first surface, a second rim adjacent to said second surface, and an internal aperture having a diameter less than the diameter of said gas generator, said first rim having an outer diameter which is greater than the diameter of said second aperture, said second rim having a second outer diameter which is greater than the diameter of said second aperture and less than the outer diameter of said first rim, and an indentation between said first rim and said second rim, said indentation defining a diameter which is less than said outer diameter of said second rim; wherein said second end of said gas generator is inserted through said second end of said coupling ring such that said coupling ring is inserted onto said second end of said gas generator, and said gas generator and coupling ring are inserted into said air bag canister through said second aperture such that said canister second end wall is contained between said first rim and said second rim thereby holding said gas generator to said canister.