Abstract: An air bag assembly adapted for use in opposing relation to a vehicle occupant. The assembly includes one or more tethering elements which may be selectively released from a first restrained condition to a second restrained condition in a predefined manner so as to control the inflated profile of the air bag cushion based upon vehicle and/or occupant conditions while nonetheless maintaining tension within the tethering elements in both the first and second restrained conditions.

Abstract: An air bag safety system for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event. The safety system includes a variable depth inflatable air bag cushion inflated by a gas emitting inflator within an inflator housing. A cover element of substantially pliable material is located in adjustable relation to a vent opening across a wall of the housing. The cover element is selectively displaceable relative to the vent opening in response to the inflation depth of the air bag cushion so as to adjust venting characteristics across the housing.

Abstract: An air bag safety system for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event. The safety system includes a variable depth inflatable air bag cushion having at least one vent opening. A cover element of substantially pliable material is located in overlying relation to the vent opening. The cover element is selectively displaceable relative to the vent opening in response to the inflation depth of the air bag cushion so as to adjust venting characteristics.

Abstract: An air bag assembly including an inflatable air bag cushion operatively attached to one or more profile restricting tether elements having an operative length which may be adjusted to provide desired inflation and impact response characteristics. The tether elements may be of actuated or self adjusting operative length to provide desired tension characteristics for various impact conditions.

Abstract: An air bag assembly adapted for use in opposing relation to a vehicle occupant. The assembly includes one or more tethering elements which may be selectively released from a first restrained condition to a second restrained condition in a predefined manner so as to control the inflated profile of the air bag cushion based upon vehicle and/or occupant conditions while nonetheless maintaining tension within the tethering elements in both the first and second restrained conditions.

Abstract: An air bag safety system for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event. The safety system includes a variable depth inflatable air bag cushion inflated by a gas emitting inflator within an inflator housing. A cover element of substantially pliable material is located in adjustable relation to a vent opening across a wall of the housing. The cover element is selectively displaceable relative to the vent opening in response to the inflation depth of the air bag cushion so as to adjust venting characteristics across the housing.

Abstract: An air bag safety system for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event. The safety system includes a variable depth inflatable air bag cushion having at least one vent opening. A cover element of substantially pliable material is located in overlying relation to the vent opening. The cover element is selectively displaceable relative to the vent opening in response to the inflation depth of the air bag cushion so as to adjust venting characteristics.

Abstract: This present invention provides a deformable air bag module for use in an instrument panel or door panel of a vehicle. The air bag module has a deformable housing with an inflator and an air bag cushion being disposed within the deformable housing. The module housing has a neck portion defining an opening formed at a first side, wherein the first side is coupled to the instrument panel. The instrument panel includes first and second instrument panel sections and the module housing is disposed about the first and second instrument panel sections so that deployment of the air bag cushion causes deformation of the module housing resulting in the first and second instrument panel sections separating and deployment of the air bag cushion therebetween. When a tear seam is used to define the first and second instrument panel sections, the present invention permits the tear seam to be formed thicker in size and more durable.

Abstract: An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event. The air bag assembly includes an inflator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions and an air bag cushion including an interior surface in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state. At least one profile restraining tether element is operatively connected to the air bag cushion such that the profile restraining tether element restrains the expansion of the air bag cushion upon introduction of the inflation gas to the air bag cushion.

Abstract: An air bag module having an inflator with an inflator flange, a plurality of mounting studs depending outwardly from the inflator flange. An air bag cushion is positioned about the inflator flange. The air bag cushion allows a portion of the inflator to be inserted into the air bag cushion and the plurality of mounting studs passing through openings in the air bag cushion. An air bag cover having a plurality of retaining members is secured to the inflator flange, the retaining members sandwich a portion of the air bag cushion in between the inflator flange and the retaining members. A base plate having a plurality of securement members is secured to the cover portion and the plurality of mounting studs.

Abstract: A frangible cover for a vehicle air bag assembly having a displaceable flap portion of controlled flexibility for rotation in hinging fashion generally away from a tear seam at the interior of the cover and towards the perimeter of the cover to form an opening across the cover for egress of an underlying air bag cushion. One or more stiffness reducing members are arranged at the flap portion to control the internal stiffness of the flap portion and to facilitate ease of outward rotational displacement of the flap portion. Such stiffness reducing members may be arranged in a pattern extending in the region between the outer edge of the cover and a portion of an interior tear seam.

Abstract: A release mechanism of efficient construction and operation is provided to hold profile restraining air bag tethers in a shortened operative condition under a first set of predetermined conditions and to extend such tethers under a second set of predetermined conditions. The extension of the restraining tethers may be carried out in conjunction with the delivery of an increased volume of inflating gas to the air bag cushion utilizing a gas emitting inflator in conjunction with a dynamic variable inflation device to effect delivery of a proper volume of inflation gas while releasing the tethers from a restrained length condition.

Abstract: An air bag module for protection of an occupant within a vehicle during an impact event. The module includes an inflator for generating an inflation gas, an air bag cushion stored in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon generation of the inflation gas the air bag cushion is deployable substantially to the side of the vehicle occupant between the vehicle occupant and the adjacent interior portions of the vehicle. The air bag module further includes a biasing element of flexible character such as a woven or non woven textile which is folded and stored in overlying relation to the air bag cushion. The biasing element is expelled from its stored position upon deployment of the air bag cushion such that the biasing element is disposed between the occupant and the air bag cushion in leading relation to the air bag cushion along the path of deployment of the air bag cushion between the occupant and adjacent interior portions of the vehicle.

Abstract: This present invention provides a deformable air bag module for use in an instrument panel or door panel of a vehicle. The air bag module has a deformable housing with an inflator and an air bag cushion being disposed within the deformable housing. The module housing has a neck portion defining an opening formed at a first side, wherein the first side is coupled to the instrument panel. The instrument panel includes first and second instrument panel sections and the module housing is disposed about the first and second instrument panel sections so that deployment of the air bag cushion causes deformation of the module housing resulting in the first and second instrument panel sections separating and deployment of the air bag cushion therebetween. When a tear seam is used to define the first and second instrument panel sections, the present invention permits the tear seam to be formed thicker in size and more durable.

Abstract: A release mechanism of efficient construction and operation is provided to hold profile restraining air bag tethers in a shortened operative condition under a first set of predetermined conditions and to extend such tethers under a second set of predetermined conditions. The extension of the restraining tethers may be carried out in conjunction with the delivery of an increased volume of inflating gas to the air bag cushion utilizing a gas emitting inflator in conjunction with a dynamic variable inflation device to effect delivery of a proper volume of inflation gas while releasing the tethers from a restrained length condition.

Abstract: A containment structure for housing an inflatable air bag cushion and inflator. Extrusion processes are used to form the portion of the containment structure which houses the inflatable air bag cushion while non-extrusion processes are used to form the portion of the containment structure which houses the inflator in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion. The portion of the containment structure which houses the inflatable air bag cushion is preferably formed from a lightweight, readily deformable material and will preferably be formed from extruded aluminum or plastic. The portion of the containment structure housing the inflator is preferably formed by a deep drawing or molding process so as to include an integral chamber sized for the acceptance and storage of the inflator therein.

Abstract: An air bag module having an inflator with an inflator flange, a plurality of mounting studs depending outwardly from the inflator flange. An air bag cushion is positioned about the inflator flange. The air bag cushion allows a portion of the inflator to be inserted into the air bag cushion and the plurality of mounting studs passing through openings in the air bag cushion. An air bag cover having a plurality of retaining members is secured to the inflator flange, the retaining members sandwich a portion of the air bag cushion in between the inflator flange and the retaining members. A base plate having a plurality of securement members is secured to the cover portion and the plurality of mounting studs.

Abstract: An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event. The air bag assembly includes an inflator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions and an air bag cushion including an interior surface in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state. At least one profile restraining tether element is operatively connected to the air bag cushion such that the profile restraining tether element restrains the expansion of the air bag cushion upon introduction of the inflation gas to the air bag cushion.

Abstract: An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event. The air bag assembly includes an inflator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions and an air bag cushion including an interior surface in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state. At least one profile restraining tether element is operatively connected to the air bag cushion such that the profile restraining tether element restrains the expansion of the air bag cushion upon introduction of the inflation gas to the air bag cushion.

Abstract: A containment structure for housing an inflatable air bag cushion and inflator. Extrusion processes are used to form the portion of the containment structure which houses the inflatable air bag cushion while non-extrusion processes are used to form the portion of the containment structure which houses the inflator in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion. The portion of the containment structure which houses the inflatable air bag cushion is preferably formed from a lightweight, readily deformable material and will preferably be formed from extruded aluminum or plastic. The portion of the containment structure housing the inflator is preferably formed by a deep drawing or molding process so as to include an integral chamber sized for the acceptance and storage of the inflator therein.