Abstract: A tethered cover airbag system is provided for motor vehicles and the like having a panel formed with an opening in the vicinity of an occupant's seat and including an inflatable airbag mounted in a housing or canister for containing the bag in a deflated condition. The housing has an open end aligned with a panel opening to permit the airbag to pass outwardly when deployed for cushioning support for an occupant in the adjacent seat. A cover is provided for normally closing the panel opening to protect the airbag and is bodily movable to uncover the opening during airbag deployment. A flexible tether is interconnected between the cover and the panel edge or the housing for limiting the movement of the cover away from the panel during deployment. A suitable attachment system is provided for spreading the load exerted by the tether over a large area of the cover for reducing stress exerted on the cover during airbag deployment.

Abstract: An arrangement for providing an opening in an interior trim structure of an automotive vehicle for the deployment of an air bag therethrough which minimizes the visual and/or tactile impression of the presence of the closure and the air bag deployment opening thereunder and which is not susceptible to significant fragmentation and projection of such fragments into the passenger compartment upon the opening thereof.

Abstract: An air bag module door and installation method whereby an air bag module door is joined to an air bag module unit by of one or more flexible legs. The flexible leg(s) permit the so joined module door to be desirably positioned within an opening in a vehicular interior trim. Once so positioned, the module unit is rigidly secured to the vehicle.