Abstract: An air bag system and method of making the same are provided including a reinforced cover for a vehicle seat having an air bag module hidden therein. The reinforced cover includes cover material that is stretchable and a backing reinforcement material that is stiffer than the cover material. The reinforcement material is attached to the cover material to provide a repeatable deployment path for the air bag as it inflates so that the air bag breaks through the seat cover at a preferred location thereon, e.g. bolster seam. The reinforced cover will not expand as the bag inflates as its stiffness or rigidity as provided by the reinforcement material will cause the bag to seek out the area of greater weakness in the cover at the bolster seam which the reinforcement material does not block.

Abstract: An airbag folding pattern in which a portion of the airbag deploys vertically above or vertically below the airbag module retainer is folded so that it is located forward of the portion of the airbag that deploys directly forward of the retainer. By locating the portion of the bag that is vertically displaced forward of the remaining portion of the bag, the time necessary to deploy the airbag to position is reduced.