Method of assembly of a combustion cup, filter, and diffuser cup for a vehicle occupant restraint inflator

A method of assembling an inflator for use in inflating an occupant restraint, said method comprising the steps of:

• positioning a first filter in a chamber in a diffuser cup for directing gas to the occupant restraint;
• securing a second filter around the outside of a combustion member with the combustion member and second filter spaced from the diffuser cup and first filter, the second filter and the combustion member thereby forming a unit;
• and,
• thereafter, positioning the unit of the second filter and the combustion member in the chamber;
• wherein said step of positioning the second filter around the outside of the combustion member includes gripping the combustion member with the second filter by radially contracting a surface of the second filter.

A method of assembling an inflator for use in inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said method comprising the steps of:

• positioning a annular filter around the outside of a combustion cup;
• gripping the combustion cup with the filter by radially contracting a surface of the filter after performing said step of positioning the annular filter around the outside of the combustion cup;
• and,
• thereafter, positioning the combustion cup and the filter as a unit in a diffuser cup with the filter between the combustion cup and the diffuser cup;
• and further comprising the step of
• positioning a second filter in the diffuser cup, said step of positioning the combustion cup and filter in the diffuser cup including positioning the combustion cup in the second filter.