Abstract: A frontal air bag system for a vehicle including an inflator mounted to vehicle structure and an air bag operatively connected to the inflator and mounted to a pillar of the vehicle. The frontal air bag system also includes a trim molding covering the air bag and mounted to the pillar. The air bag, inflated by the inflator, is extended downward and sideways in front of an occupant seated in the vehicle.

Abstract: This present invention provides a device for retaining an inflator within an air bag module housing in a sealing manner. In a first embodiment, the device comprises an inflator seal member and an inflator seal retainer. The inflator seal member is disposed about an outer surface of the inflator by disposing the inflator through a central opening formed in the inflator seal member. The inflator seal member further has a flange which is received within a retaining groove formed in the module housing for partially locating the inflator within an internal cavity formed in the module housing. The inflator seal retainer is designed to provide high quality seal retention between the inflator and the module housing. In a broad sense, the inflator seal retainer comprises a symmetric star shaped member having spring-like properties. The inflator seal retainer is formed so that it includes a plurality of peaks radially disposed about an opening defined by the inflator seal retainer.

Abstract: A frontal air bag system for a vehicle including an inflator mounted to vehicle structure and an air bag operatively connected to the inflator and mounted to a pillar of the vehicle. The frontal air bag system also includes a trim molding covering the air bag and mounted to the pillar. The air bag, inflated by the inflator, is extended downward and sideways in front of an occupant seated in the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle has an upper front interior corner and at least one seating position for a vehicle occupant. An air bag assembly includes an inflator for generating gas; and an air bag deployable upon generation of gas by the inflator. The air bag is stored in the upper front interior corner of the vehicle, and the air bag is a single integral air bag having a frontal portion and a side portion. The frontal portion and the side portion are in fluid communication with each other. Upon air bag deployment, the frontal portion deploys downwardly and in front of the vehicle occupant and the side portion deploys downwardly and to the side of the vehicle occupant such that the air bag wraps around the occupant during deployment. Preferably, the frontal portion and the side portion are generally 90 degrees relative to each other. Also preferably, the vehicle has air bag assemblies in opposite front upper interior corners that are mirror images of each other for commonization of parts.