# US 9,517,745 B1 · Airbag cushion to housing retaining feature and related methods and systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,517,745 B1 - Document ID: US9517745B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 14/788,451 - Filed: 2015-06-30 - Published: 2017-01-05 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2015-06-30 - Assignees: Autoliv ASP, Inc. - Applicants: Autoliv ASP, Inc. - Inventors: David Keyser; Donald Paxton; Michael Brian Kutchey - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517745B1 ## CPC - B60R 21/217: Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together - B60R 21/205: in dashboards - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract Apparatus, methods, and systems for retaining an airbag cushion to an airbag housing. Some embodiments may comprise an airbag housing comprising an outer surface, an airbag coupling ring configured to fit over the outer surface of the airbag housing, and an airbag cushion positioned in between the airbag housing and the airbag coupling ring such that the airbag cushion is pinched between the airbag coupling ring and the outer surface of the airbag housing so as to retain the airbag cushion to the airbag housing during deployment of the airbag cushion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An airbag assembly, comprising: an airbag housing comprising an outer surface and configured to receive an airbag cushion therein; an airbag coupling ring configured to fit over the outer surface of the airbag housing; and an airbag cushion positioned in between the airbag housing and the airbag coupling ring such that the airbag cushion is directly pinched between the airbag coupling ring and the outer surface of the airbag housing so as to retain the airbag cushion to the airbag housing during deployment of the airbag cushion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the airbag coupling ring comprises a B-ring. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the airbag coupling ring further comprises means for coupling the airbag assembly to a vehicle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The airbag assembly of claim 3, wherein the means for coupling the airbag assembly to a vehicle comprises means for coupling the airbag assembly to an instrument panel of a vehicle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The airbag assembly of claim 3, wherein the means for coupling the airbag assembly to a vehicle comprises a plurality of hooks extending about an exterior surface of the airbag coupling ring. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the airbag housing comprises a bottom wall and an open end opposite from the bottom wall, the open end defined by a peripheral edge of the airbag housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The airbag assembly of claim 6, wherein the bottom wall defines an opening, and wherein the opening is configured to receive an inflator. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The airbag assembly of claim 1, wherein the airbag housing comprises an engagement feature configured to lock the airbag coupling ring in place with respect to the airbag housing. ### Claim 9 An airbag assembly, comprising: an airbag housing comprising an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface; an airbag coupling ring configured to be slidably positioned adjacent to at least one of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the airbag housing; and an airbag cushion contained within the airbag housing, wherein the airbag cushion is positioned in between at least one of the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the airbag housing and the airbag coupling ring such that the airbag cushion is directly pinched between the airbag coupling ring and the airbag housing so as to retain the airbag cushion to the airbag housing during deployment of the airbag cushion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The airbag assembly of claim 9, wherein the airbag coupling ring is positioned adjacent to the outer peripheral surface of the airbag housing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The airbag assembly of claim 9, wherein the airbag housing comprises an engagement feature configured to lock the airbag coupling ring in place with respect to the airbag housing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The airbag assembly of claim 11, wherein the airbag coupling ring comprises an engagement feature configured to engage with the engagement feature of the airbag housing to lock the airbag coupling ring in place with respect to the airbag housing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The airbag assembly of claim 12, wherein the engagement feature of the airbag housing comprises an opening in the airbag housing, and wherein the engagement feature of the airbag coupling ring comprises a projection configured to fit within the opening in the airbag housing to lock the airbag coupling ring in place with respect to the airbag housing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The airbag assembly of claim 11, wherein the engagement feature comprises at least one of a projection formed on the airbag housing, a spring finger extending from the airbag housing, and an opening formed within the housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The airbag assembly of claim 9, wherein the airbag cushion is wrapped around an edge of the airbag coupling ring, and wherein at least a portion of the airbag coupling ring extends through the airbag cushion. ### Claim 16 A method for assembly of an airbag assembly, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining an airbag housing comprising a bottom wall, the bottom wall defining an opening for receipt of an inflator; obtaining an airbag coupling ring; obtaining an airbag cushion comprising a throat and a closed end opposite from the throat; positioning a first end of the airbag housing into the throat of the airbag cushion; sliding the airbag coupling ring over the airbag cushion and the airbag housing such that a periphery of the airbag cushion is positioned between the airbag coupling ring and the airbag housing; and locking the airbag coupling ring to the airbag housing to secure the coupling ring to the airbag housing and retain the airbag cushion to the airbag housing during deployment of the airbag cushion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the step of locking the airbag coupling ring to the airbag housing comprises extending the airbag coupling ring either up to or past an engagement feature to lock the airbag coupling ring in place with respect to the airbag housing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the step of locking the airbag coupling ring to the airbag housing comprises extending a plurality of projections extending from the airbag coupling ring through a plurality of openings in the airbag cushion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the plurality of projections are configured to allow for coupling the airbag assembly to a vehicle. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising positioning the inflator into the opening and coupling the inflator with the airbag housing. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the step of sliding the airbag coupling ring over the airbag cushion and the airbag housing such that a periphery of the airbag cushion is positioned between the airbag coupling ring and the airbag housing comprises sliding the airbag coupling ring over the airbag cushion and the airbag housing such that a portion of the airbag cushion is directly pinched between the airbag coupling ring and the airbag housing.