Abstract: An air bag assembly having an inflatable cushion selectively deployable to a controlled geometry with a controlled venting character. The venting characteristics are adjusted by selective displacement of vent blocking elements based upon measured occupant and/or crash severity characteristics such that an air bag cushion of desired volume and venting capacity is available to protect a range of occupants under different conditions during impact events of various levels of severity.

Abstract: An air bag assembly having an inflatable cushion selectively deployable to a controlled geometry with a controlled venting character. The venting characteristics are adjusted by selective displacement of vent blocking elements based upon measured occupant and/or crash severity characteristics such that an air bag cushion of desired volume and venting capacity is available to protect a range of occupants under different conditions during impact events of various levels of severity.

Abstract: An air bag has a cushion which is inflated by a gas which is generated in an inflator. The gas has a high velocity and temperature. An integral gas direction device or strap is incorporated in a driver side air bag. The gas direction device is formed in a retainer plate to which the inflator is secured. The gas direction device has a dome top and two upstanding side walls which partially surround the inflator. The side wall and dome top direct the high velocity heated gas generated in the inflator to control the impact of the gas on the cushion. The strap will also restrict the gas deployment of the cushion toward the vehicle operator.

Abstract: An air bag module and steering wheel assembly having an air bag module including a horn switch and a circuit for grounding the switch through a steering wheel in which it is assembled. The air bag module includes a base plate upon which an air bag is mountable, and a plurality of cylindrical mounting members and a membrane horn switch. The base plate is affixed to the steering wheel insert by the cylindrical mounting members which are received in apertures in the steering wheel insert. The horn switch is electrically connected to a power source and the base plate. A conical spring surrounds at least one of the mounting members and engages both the base plate and the steering wheel insert to provide a ground path between them, eliminating the need for a ground wire directly between the air bag module and the steering wheel insert.

Abstract: An air bag cover assembly includes a container having a substrate layer and an outer layer covering the substrate layer. The substrate layer includes a switch aperture extending therethrough. A membrane horn switch is positioned substantially within the switch aperture and adjacent the outer layer. A backing plate is mounted to the substrate layer and overlies the switch aperture such that the membrane horn switch is captured between the outer layer and the backing plate. Thus, the membrane horn switch is easily actuated only by the compression of the outer layer of the container without compression of the substrate layer.