Abstract: An air bag module includes an air bag and an inflator for generating gas to inflate the air bag. An air bag retainer is secured to the air bag. A bias flap is formed separate from the air bag and guides deployment of the air bag. The bias flap includes opposing side walls and at least one tether extending therebetween and connecting the side walls. The air bag and air bag retainer are located between the side walls of the bias flap and the tether extends beneath the air bag and air bag retainer to securely anchor the bias flap to the air bag during air bag deployment.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel and air bag module assembly includes a steering wheel and an air bag module. The steering wheel has a hub portion and a rim portion and at least one spoke portion connecting the hub portion to the rim portion. The air bag module is mounted to the hub portion and includes an air bag, an inflator for generating gas to inflate the air bag, and a bias apparatus. The bias apparatus is a flexible sheet of material attached to the air bag module and having an upper portion folded atop the air bag such that when the inflation of the deploying air bag is blocked, the upper portion of the bias apparatus biases the air bag partially underneath the rim portion of the steering wheel. In addition, when the inflation of the deploying air bag is unrestrained, the bias apparatus drops downwardly away from the deploying air bag permitting the air bag to freely deploy.

Abstract: A particulate impingement device is carried by the air bag and has an impingement surface overlying the vent hole at a spaced relationship away from the vent hole so that the inflation gas exiting the air bag through the vent hole impinges on the impingement surface to deposit particulate by-products within the inflation gas upon the impingement surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite piston assembly for an automotive air conditioning compressor includes providing 1018 steel alloy, solid connecting rod with an aluminum alloy head. An axial receiving bore is provided in the piston head, which is also fabricated of solid bar stock, and includes a frusto-conically-shaped counterbore. The connecting rod includes a positioning collar that defines a tenon received in said bore. A cold swaged tip of the connecting rod flares outward so as to conform to and fill the counterbore and provide a strong fixed attachment joint between the connecting rod and piston head.