Abstract: An improved air cushion restraint system utilizes a gas flow-regulating valve having an inner membrane, an outer membrane, a pucker formed therebetween, and a flow passage from the air bag inflation chamber to the pucker for expulsion through an outer membrane aperture. The inner membrane is extensible in response to occupant impact with the air bag which exceeds a threshold value such that the inner membrane extends in response to such load where it is brought into nested engagement with the outer membrane pucker which flow restricts the aperture and stiffens the air bag.

Abstract: An air cushion restraint system (ACRS) providing enhancements in the strength of the attachment between an air bag and associated support structure and further providing improvements in the fabrication and assembly of such systems. ACRS systems in accordance with this invention incorporate an air bag with a retainer ring member which reinforces the inflation or mounting opening which is provided to enable inflation gases to be vented into the bag and to mount the bag to the associated vehicle structure. The retainer ring is sewn directly to the air bag at the inflation opening and is preferably made of a polymeric material.

Abstract: An air bag occupant protection device for use in motor vehicles having an air bag made from a single piece of flat foldable fabric material. The air bag according to this invention is formed by gathering the free edge of a flat piece of sheet stock to define radial pleats at a small opening provided for inflation gases to enter the inside of the bag. Various approaches for gathering the free edge of the material are disclosed including the use of a retaining ring having posts which engage apertures in the free edge of the material, a cord for gathering the free edge, and various other means of gathering the edge and sewing it in place. The invention avoids the cost of fabricating an air bag from multiple pieces of cut fabric and further avoids the failure modes of a fabricated air bag caused by the presence of seams which can constitute a local weakness in the air bag assembly.