Abstract: An air bag comprising: an upper panel (102) and a lower panel (104) both of woven material sewn together forming a generally circular structure and a tether unit or assembly (116, 118a, 118b, 130a, 130b) of the same material as one of the upper and lower panels for controlling the shape of the air bag as same is inflated by inflation gas and for absorbing a shock load created upon inflation. The tether assembly comprises a central portion (116) secured to the upper panel and only two tethers (118a, 188b) extending oppositely therefrom all of integral construction and being of sufficient strength such that each tether can separately withstand the shock load created upon inflation without being damaged. Fabric reinforcements (130a, 130b) are also provided to secure the tethers to the lower panel.

Abstract: A device (20) for inflating an air bag (37) comprising: a pressure vessel (34) formed by a vessel part (22) and a generator body assembly (30). The generator body assembly is received within opposing openings (24, 26) in the vessel part (22) and secured thereto to provide a gas tight seal (28). The generator body assembly (30) includes: a first bore (38) to receive a quantity of propellant (150) and initiator assembly (120) to cause the propellant (150) to burn in response to a control signal indicative of a vehicle crash. Various passages are provided in the gas generator assembly and oriented to permit the products of combustion of the burning propellant to impinge on inner walls of the pressure vessel to reduce particulate emission.

Abstract: A device (60) for inflating an air bag (36) adapted within a steering wheel comprising: a pressure vessel (66; 166; 210) formed of a length of narrow tubing for storing a quantity of inert gas under pressure and a rupturable disk (80) for enclosing a first end of the tubing; an activator or initiator such as a squib (120) responsive to a control signal indicative of a vehicular crash situation for opening the seal means to permit the pressurized gas to inflate the air bag and a manifold (50) for communicating released gas to an air bag.

Abstract: An air bag (60) employing a method of fabrication in which the air bag is placed in an initially folded configuration and thereafter compressed and/or heated in a manner that the air bag achieves a set such a reduced size or volume is achieved.