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: A side impact air bag cushion which incorporates a flow barrier of inverted T-Shaped geometry at the interior. The flow barrier which may be in the form of a zero length tether includes a base portion and a leg portion extending away from the base portion. The base portion provides a partial barrier between the thorax protection portion of the air bag cushion and the head protection portion. The structure promotes desirable early inflation of the thorax protection portion of the air bag cushion as well as the substantially vertical inflated orientation of the head protection portion.

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: A side impact air bag cushion which incorporates a flow barrier of inverted T-Shaped geometry at the interior. The flow barrier which may be in the form of a zero length tether includes a base portion and a leg portion extending away from the base portion. The base portion provides a partial barrier between the thorax protection portion of the air bag cushion and the head protection portion. The structure promotes desirable early inflation of the thorax protection portion of the air bag cushion as well as the substantially vertical inflated orientation of the head protection portion.

Abstract: An instrument panel cover arrangement is used for covering an air bag module mounted beneath an instrument panel cover in a vehicle. The arrangement includes a rigid substrate forming the instrument panel cover and a cover plate overlying the substrate in the location of the underlying air bag module and securely attached to the substrate. The cover plate includes outer plate edges. The substrate includes a plurality of cut lines generally defining an air bag deployment opening and extending entirely through the substrate. The cut lines are at a location spaced inwardly from the outer plate edges of the cover plate such that upon air bag deployment, the outer plate edges are separated from the substrate by the force of the deploying air bag. Preferably, the cut lines extend entirely through the substrate to define a major substrate portion and a minor substrate portion.

Abstract: An air bag module and steering wheel assembly includes an air bag module and a steering wheel. The air bag module includes a base plate and an air bag. At least one mounting member extends from the base plate and through the air bag to attach the air bag to the base plate. A cover has at least one vertically extending side wall including at least one cover slot in which the air bag and base plate are loosely seated therein while leaving the cover free for manual removal from the base plate. The air bag is trapped in the cover slot between side wall and the base plate. The steering wheel has a receiving area for receiving the module therein for attachment to the steering wheel. An upstanding capture plate forms a vertically extending wall generally surrounding the receiving area.