Interlocking airbag attachment and module assembly

In a passenger side airbag module assembly including an inflatable passenger side airbag cushion having a gas inlet opening, a generally elongated cylindrical passenger side inflator having oppositely spaced first and second ends with a main axis extending therebetween and which inflator upon actuation is adapted to provide inflation gas to inflate the airbag cushion and a passenger side reaction housing formed of stamped steel adapted to house both the inflator and the inflatable airbag cushion in stored conditions, the improvement comprising:

• the airbag cushion including a plurality of spaced apart attachment apertures adjacent the cushion gas inlet opening,
• the reaction housing is free of welds and includes:
• a base member having first and second spaced apart elongated sides and first and second opposite ends, each of the first and second sides including a free end having a plurality of spaced apart attachment openings,
• a first elongated side wall having a base end having a plurality of spaced apart attachment projections corresponding to the spaced apart attachment openings of the first side of the base member, with each of the first side wall attachment projections passed through a corresponding cushion attachment aperture and base member first side attachment opening in interlocking joinder to secure the airbag cushion between the base member and the first side wall,
• a second elongated side wall having a base end having a plurality of spaced apart attachment projections corresponding to the spaced apart attachment openings of the second side of the base member, with each of the second side wall attachment projections passed through a corresponding cushion attachment aperture and base member second side attachment opening in interlocking joinder to secure the airbag cushion between the base member and the second side wall,
• first and second end closures joined to a respectively associated opposite end of the base member with each of the first and second end closures including a generally planar portion having first and second sections, the first sections of the first and second end closures together with the base member at least in part defining a first volume adapted to receive the inflator and the second sections of the first and second end closures together with the first and second side walls at least in part defining a second volume adapted to normally store the airbag cushion.