Abstract: An airbag module is provided. The module includes a housing, an inflator, an inflatable cushion, a vent aperture defined in the housing, and a gas deflecting member. The vent aperture places the interior of the housing in fluid communication with the exterior of the housing. The vent aperture is offset from exhaust ports of the inflator. The gas deflecting member is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a first portion of the deflecting member deflects a first amount of the inflation gas to the exterior of the housing. In the second position, a second portion of the deflecting member deflects the inflation gas towards the inflatable cushion. A second amount of the inflation gas is ventable from the housing through the vent aperture when the deflecting member is in the second position.

Abstract: A variable tether system adapted for use in an inflatable cushion of an airbag module having a first pair of tether elements each having a first end and a second end, the first ends each being secured to inner portions of the inflatable cushion and the second ends each being secured to inner portions of the inflatable cushion, the first ends each being secured to the inflatable cushion at positions remote from the second ends and the second ends being secured to the inflatable cushion at a location closer to an inflation opening of the inflatable cushion than the first ends, wherein each of the first pair of tether elements has a portion between each of the first and second ends which is not secured to the inflatable cushion; and a second pair of tether elements each having a first side and a second side, the first side of one of said second pair of tether elements being secured to a portion of one of the first pair of tether elements and the first side of the other one of the second pair of tether elements b

Abstract: An airbag module is provided. The module includes a housing, an inflator, an inflatable cushion, a vent aperture defined in the housing, and a gas deflecting member. The vent aperture places the interior of the housing in fluid communication with the exterior of the housing. The vent aperture is offset from exhaust ports of the inflator. The gas deflecting member is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a first portion of the deflecting member deflects a first amount of the inflation gas to the exterior of the housing. In the second position, a second portion of the deflecting member deflects the inflation gas towards the inflatable cushion. A second amount of the inflation gas is ventable from the housing through the vent aperture when the deflecting member is in the second position.

Abstract: A door for an airbag module having a housing, an inflatable cushion, the airbag module being adapted to be used in a vehicle having an instrument panel with an airbag module opening, the door having an inner surface and an outer surface adapted to match the instrument panel, comprising: a first member depending away from the inner surface of the door, the first member being movably secured to the airbag module for relative movement therebetween and remains secured to the module during deployment of the inflatable cushion; a pair of second members depending away from the inner surface of the door, the pair of second members each having an opening for receiving a guiding member depending away from the housing; wherein the configuration of the first member and the openings of the pair of second members allows the door of the airbag module to deploy in a first direction until the first member reaches a point of maximum movement in the first direction, wherein the door continues to deploy in a second direction tha

Abstract: A deployment flap for use with an inflatable cushion is provided. The deployment flap includes a fabric or other flexible, foldable material; a plurality of securement tabs each having a weakened area; and a cover area defined in the fabric. The fabric is connectable to the inflatable cushion to cause the inflatable cushion to be biased in a selected direction upon inflation of the inflatable cushion. The cover area covers the inflatable cushion prior to inflation of the inflatable cushion. The securement tabs secure the fabric to a retainer. The weakened area releases the fabric from the retainer upon the inflation of the inflatable cushion.

Abstract: A door for an airbag module having an inflatable cushion, the airbag module being adapted to be used in a vehicle having an instrument panel with an airbag module opening, the door having an inner surface and an outer surface adapted to match the instrument panel, comprising: a first member depending away from the inner surface of the door, the first member being movably secured to the airbag module and remains secured to the module during deployment of the inflatable cushion; a second member depending away from the inner surface of the door, the second member being received within a flange opening of the airbag module; and a plurality of latch hooks depending away from the inner surface of the door, the plurality of latch hooks being configured to engage an opening in the airbag module, wherein the first member, the second member and the plurality of latch hooks are each configured to allow movement of the door in three separate directions with respect to the airbag module and wherein the second member and t

Abstract: A horn blowing switch arrangement includes a supported mounted within the hub portion of a steering wheel and having a plurality of bolts, each of which supports a sleeve member. The bolts thread into an inflatable restraint module and springs between the support and the restraint module space the sleeves from the support. Depression of the restraint module engages the sleeve members with the support to complete a circuit across a source of power and blow the vehicle horn.