Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making an air bag comprising joining pieces of fabric together by stitching in substantially straight lines so as to facilitate automated machine stitching of the pieces. Preferable a generally rectangular piece is stitched to four triangular pieces. Preferably there are two large triangular and two small triangular pieces and each are irregular triangles with three different sides though the large and small triangular pieces may have one side the same length as another side. The total sum of the lengths of the other four sides should equal the length of the long side of the rectangle.

Abstract: An air bag system for use as a vehicle safety restraint, and a method for installing an air bag in a vehicle. The system comprises a folded air bag, means for securing the air bag to an instrument panel armature of the vehicle (e.g. by studs), a gas generator for inflating the air bag, a flexible air bag cover, a layer of foam preferably bonded to the cover, and layer of skin preferably bonded to the foam. The skin is of a material and finish consistent with the decorative finish to the vehicle and has a line of weakness adapted to split when subjected to a predetermined pressure such as that generated by the air bag inflating, to release the inflating air bag through the cover and the foam and skin layers. Preferably the line of weakness is arranged to perpendicularly intersect the direction of gas flow from the inflator so that release of the gas applies a point pressure on the line of weakness causing the skin to effectively zipper open and release the air bag.