Ring bracket for snap-lock engagement verification

A method to verify passenger airbag module to instrument panel chute snap-lock engagement comprising:

• snap-fitting a passenger airbag module with an instrument panel chute using a plurality of snap-locks and a plurality of tabs;
• placing a ring bracket around an outer perimeter of the passenger airbag module and the instrument panel chute along at least a portion of the plurality of snap-locks and the plurality of tabs, wherein if the plurality of snap-locks and the plurality of tabs are fully engaged, then the ring bracket fully seats against a lip on the instrument panel chute and if at least one of the plurality of snap-locks and at least one of the plurality of tabs are not fully engaged the ring bracket is not fully seated against the lip on the instrument panel chute;
• screwing a first screw and a second screw through the ring bracket into the passenger airbag module;
• and
• wherein if the ring bracket is fully seated against the instrument panel chute, the first screw and the second screw are torqued to a predetermined range and if the ring bracket is not fully seated against the instrument panel chute, at least one of the first screw or the second screw cannot be torqued to the predetermined range.

A product comprising:

• a ring bracket comprising a front portion, a rear portion, a first side portion, a second side portion, an inner surface, an outer surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the first side portion includes a first opening defined by a surface of the first side portion which extends through the top surface to the bottom surface and the second side portion includes a second opening defined by a surface of the second side portion which extends through the top surface to the bottom surface;
• wherein the inner surface of the ring bracket is constructed and arranged to contour an outer perimeter of a passenger airbag module and instrument panel chute assembly engagement area;
• a passenger airbag module having a plurality of snap-locks;
• an instrument panel chute having a plurality of chute tabs;
• wherein the plurality of chute tabs and the plurality of snap-locks are snap-fit together;
• wherein the ring bracket surrounds an engagement area between the plurality of chute tabs and the plurality of snap-locks;
• and
• wherein a first screw extends through a first end of the ring bracket and the passenger airbag module and a second screw extends through a second end of the ring bracket and the passenger airbag module.