Abstract: An air bag assembly adapted for use in opposing relation to a vehicle occupant. The assembly includes one or more tethering elements which may be selectively released from a first restrained condition to a second restrained condition in a predefined manner so as to control the inflated profile of the air bag cushion based upon vehicle and/or occupant conditions while nonetheless maintaining tension within the tethering elements in both the first and second restrained conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for customizing the pressure within an inflatable cushion of an air bag module is provided. The method comprises determining whether additional venting of an air bag is required. A sensing and diagnostic module will receive its relative inputs from a plurality of sensors and will determine whether vents in an inflatable cushion should be opened to allow diffusion of an inflation gas. The apparatus allowing vents to open at specified times to allow for diffusion of the inflation gas.

Abstract: A badge is disclosed having a metallic emblem having a thickness about 0.01 to about 1 mm, adhesively attached to a mounting frame by an adhesive polymeric resin having a Shore D hardness about 20 to about 90. Also disclosed is a vehicular sub-assembly including a substrate with the badge attached thereto. Methods of making the badge and the sub-assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An air bag assembly adapted for use in opposing relation to a vehicle occupant. The assembly includes one or more tethering elements which may be selectively released from a first restrained condition to a second restrained condition in a predefined manner so as to control the inflated profile of the air bag cushion based upon vehicle and/or occupant conditions while nonetheless maintaining tension within the tethering elements in both the first and second restrained conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for customizing the pressure within an inflatable cushion of an air bag module is provided. The method comprises determining whether additional venting of an air bag is required. A sensing and diagnostic module will receive its relative inputs from a plurality of sensors and will determine whether vents in an inflatable cushion should be opened to allow diffusion of an inflation gas. The apparatus allowing vents to open at specified times to allow for diffusion of the inflation gas.

Abstract: A badge is disclosed having a metallic emblem having a thickness about 0.01 to about 1 mm, adhesively attached to a mounting frame by an adhesive polymeric resin having a Shore D hardness about 20 to about 90. Also disclosed is a vehicular sub-assembly including a substrate with the badge attached thereto. Methods of making the badge and the sub-assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An air bag module having an inflator with an inflator flange, a plurality of mounting studs depending outwardly from the inflator flange. An air bag cushion is positioned about the inflator flange. The air bag cushion allows a portion of the inflator to be inserted into the air bag cushion and the plurality of mounting studs passing through openings in the air bag cushion. An air bag cover having a plurality of retaining members is secured to the inflator flange, the retaining members sandwich a portion of the air bag cushion in between the inflator flange and the retaining members. A base plate having a plurality of securement members is secured to the cover portion and the plurality of mounting studs.

Abstract: A frangible cover for a vehicle air bag assembly having a displaceable flap portion of controlled flexibility for rotation in hinging fashion generally away from a tear seam at the interior of the cover and towards the perimeter of the cover to form an opening across the cover for egress of an underlying air bag cushion. One or more stiffness reducing members are arranged at the flap portion to control the internal stiffness of the flap portion and to facilitate ease of outward rotational displacement of the flap portion. Such stiffness reducing members may be arranged in a pattern extending in the region between the outer edge of the cover and a portion of an interior tear seam.

Abstract: An air bag module having an inflator with an inflator flange, a plurality of mounting studs depending outwardly from the inflator flange. An air bag cushion is positioned about the inflator flange. The air bag cushion allows a portion of the inflator to be inserted into the air bag cushion and the plurality of mounting studs passing through openings in the air bag cushion. An air bag cover having a plurality of retaining members is secured to the inflator flange, the retaining members sandwich a portion of the air bag cushion in between the inflator flange and the retaining members. A base plate having a plurality of securement members is secured to the cover portion and the plurality of mounting studs.

Abstract: A frangible cover for a vehicle air bag assembly having a displaceable flap portion of controlled flexibility for rotation in hinging fashion generally away from a tear seam at the interior of the cover and towards the perimeter of the cover to form an opening across the cover for egress of an underlying air bag cushion. One or more stiffness reducing members are arranged at the flap portion to control the internal stiffness of the flap portion and to facilitate ease of outward rotational displacement of the flap portion. Such stiffness reducing members may be arranged in a pattern extending in the region between the outer edge of the cover and a portion of an interior tear seam.