Abstract: An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle comprising an inflatable curtain airbag configured to deploy between an occupant and an interior side of the vehicle; an inflator for providing inflation gas for the airbag; a housing configured to surround the airbag; and a strap configured to retain the airbag in the housing prior to inflation and deployment of the airbag; wherein at least one end of the strap is connected to the housing.

Abstract: An airbag module for protecting an occupant of a vehicle comprising an inflatable curtain airbag configured to deploy between an occupant and an interior side of the vehicle; an inflator for providing inflation gas for the airbag; a housing configured to surround the airbag; and a strap configured to retain the airbag in the housing prior to inflation and deployment of the airbag; wherein at least one end of the strap is connected to the housing.

Abstract: An airbag module assembly 10 comprises a module housing 12 closed by an airbag module door assembly 15. A panel 16 forms an airbag module door 16? for release of an airbag 14 upon activation of the airbag module assembly 10. Attachment members 28, 30 are connected to opposing peripheral edges 20 and 22 of the panel 16. In another aspect, a tear seam 46 may be incorporated on an attachment member 30 adjacent the peripheral edge 22 of the door 16?, rather than on the panel 16. In yet another aspect, slots 48 within the attachment member 30 with upwardly angled surfaces 48.1 adjacent the edge 22 interface with corresponding arms 50 protruding from the edge 52 of the instrument panel 18, which provides enhanced leverage for a smooth tear along the attachment member 30 and a smooth deployment of the airbag 14.

Abstract: An airbag module assembly 10 contains a module housing 12 closed by an airbag module door assembly 15. A panel 16 forms an airbag module door for release of an airbag 14 upon activation of module assembly 10. Attachment members 28 and 30 are connected to opposing peripheral edges 20 and 22 of the panel 16. In another aspect, a tear seam 46 may be incorporated on an attachment member 30 adjacent the peripheral edge 22 of the door 16, rather than on the panel 16. By providing upwardly angled slots 48 within the attachment member 30 and adjacent the edge 22, that converge toward the edge 42 and interface with corresponding instrument panel arms 52 protruding from the vehicle structure 18. The combination therefore provides enhanced leverage for a smooth tear along the attachment member 30 and a smooth deployment of the airbag 14. The tear seam 46 need not therefore be conventionally formed within the panel 16.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) for inserting into and covering an opening (22) of an instrument panel (12) comprises an air bag module (14). The air bag module (14) has an air bag (50), which is inflatable through the opening (22) in the instrument panel (12) for protecting a vehicle occupant during a crash condition. The apparatus (10) further comprises a door (16) for covering the opening (22) in the instrument panel (12). The door (16) is attached to the air bag module (14) and is movable relative to the air bag module (14) to locate the door (16) relative to the instrument panel (12). The door (16) and the instrument panel (12) have respective interlocking portions (34 and 90), which snap together to attach the door (16) to the instrument panel (12). The interlocking portions (34 and 90) snap together when the air bag module (14) is inserted into the opening (22) in the instrument panel (22) and the door (16) is moved relative to the air bag module (14) into a position to cover the opening (22).