Inflator having snap fit initiator

Claim 1

An inflator assembly for a passenger restraint system comprising: a housing including an inner cylindrical wall wall member, said inner cylindrical wall member being provided with a hole, said housing being so constructed and arranged to hold gas generating material; an initiator provided for setting off said gas generating material, said initiator including an outer initiator cylindrical wall, said initiator cylindrical wall and said inner cylindrical wall member cooperating to form an interference fit for supporting said initiator in said hole, said outer initiator wall having a plurality of flexible fingers disposed peripherally around and extending radially away from said outer initiator wall, said fingers being deflected and biased radially inwardly against the inner cylindrical wall member when said initiator is inserted into said hole; said inner cylindrical wall member having an annular groove disposed peripherally around said hole with said fingers snapping into said groove after said initiator is inserted into said hole; said flexible fingers and said annular groove cooperating to lock said initiator in a locked position in said hole to prevent said initiator from moving out of said hole; and said initiator further including an annular shoulder axially spaced from said fingers, said assembly further comprising an O-ring disposed between said shoulder and said inner cylindrical wall mounting for biasing said initiator.