Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12), an inflator (14), a cover (16), and a reaction plate (18). The inflator (14) provides inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device (12). The cover (16) at least partially encloses the inflatable device (12) and the inflator (14). The cover (16) has a front panel (20), which faces a vehicle occupant, and side panels (22), which laterally surround the inflatable device (12). The reaction plate (18) has a base plate portion (56) to which the inflatable device (12), the inflator (14), and the cover (16) are attached. The reaction plate (18) has at least one projection (77, 88) extending from the base plate portion (56). The at least one projection (77, 88) overlies at least a portion of at least one of the side panels (22) of the cover (16) to resist deformation of the at least one side panel laterally away from the inflator (14) as the inflatable device (12) inflates.

Abstract: A cover assembly (10) for covering an inflatable occupant protection device (30) comprises a cover (50). The cover (50) has an inner surface (70) for facing the inflatable occupant protection device and a manually depressible outer surface (72). An electrical switch (110) is actuatable by manual depression of the outer surface (72). A backer plate (120) supports the electrical switch (110) adjacent the inner surface (70). A plurality of openings (122) extend through the backer plate (120). A rib (94) extends from the inner surface (70) of the cover (50) around at least a portion of the periphery of the electrical switch (110). A plurality of stakes (92) extend from the inner surface (70) through the plurality of openings (122) in the backer plate (120). Each of the plurality of stakes (92) has a portion (130) connected with the rib (94) to hold the backer plate (120) on the cover (50).

Abstract: In one embodiment, an inflator module (10) includes an air bag (16), an inflator (14), and a reaction canister (12). The reaction canister (12) includes a first member (64), which has open axial ends, and second and third members (66 and 68) which are each adapted to mate with a respective one of the open ends of the first member (64). The first member (64) has an axially extending wall portion (98) which clamps the inflator (14) to prevent movement of the inflator (14) relative to the reaction canister (12). The inflator (14) is secured relative to the reaction canister (12) only by the clamping of the axially extending wall portion (98). The inflator (14) has an elongate housing (36) with inflation fluid openings (48) at one end portion (46). The axially extending wall portion (98) has projections (102) which engage the inflator (14) to space part of the wall portion (98) away from the inflator (14) and permit flow along the length of the inflator (14).