Airbag cushion and airbag inflator retention device

An airbag inflator assembly comprising:

• A) an airbag inflator having an elongated sidewall extending from a first end to a second end and a mounting stud extending outwardly from the first end;
• and
• B) an inflator and cushion retention device including
• 1) an elongated open trough receiving and supporting the sidewall of the airbag inflator, the trough having two opposing sides and a bottom extending from an endwall to an open end,
• 2) an opening defined by the trough endwall receiving the mounting stud extending outwardly from the first end of the airbag inflator for preventing the first end of the inflator from lifting out of the trough,
• 3) a first arm extending from one side of the trough adjacent the open end opposite the endwall and a second arm extending from the other side of the trough generally opposite the first arm adjacent the open end opposite the endwall, the arms bent over the sidewall of the inflator and overlapping,
• 4) means locking the first and second arms together preventing the second end of the inflator from lifting out of the trough,
• 5) means preventing the airbag inflator from sliding out of the open end of the trough, and
• 6) at least one mount extending from the trough for mounting the inflator and cushion retention device and the airbag inflator within a motor vehicle as part of an airbag module also including an airbag cushion.

An airbag module comprising:

• A) an airbag inflator assembly including
• 1) an airbag inflator having an elongated sidewall forming gas exhaust ports and extending from a first end to a second end with a mounting stud extending from the first end, and
• 2) an inflator and cushion retention device including an elongated open trough having two opposed sides, a bottom, an endwall and an open end opposite the endwall, an opening defined by the endwall receiving the mounting stud extending from the first end of the inflator for preventing the first end of the inflator from lifting out of the trough, said retention device mounting and supporting the airbag inflator therein with the elongated sidewall of the inflator spaced apart from the sides and bottom of the trough, a first arm extending from one side of the trough adjacent the open end opposite the endwall and a second arm extending from the other side of the trough generally opposite the first arm adjacent the open end opposite the endwall, the arms bent over the inflator and overlapping;
• means locking the first and second arms together to prevent the second end of the inflator from lifting out of the trough;
• means for preventing the airbag inflator from sliding out of the open end of the trough;
• and at least two spaced-apart studs extending from the bottom of the trough, and
• B) an inflatable airbag cushion containing the airbag inflator assembly and defining an aperture for each of the spaced-apart studs allowing the studs to extend from the trough through the airbag cushion for mounting the airbag inflator assembly and airbag cushion to a vehicle.