Abstract: An air bag restraint system is used for restraining a rear seat occupant having an upper head portion and a lower knee portion. The restraint system includes a front seat including an upstanding seat frame and a reaction plate attached to the seat frame. An inflator is mounted on the reaction plate and the inflator discharges inflator gas. An air bag is mounted on the reaction plate and is in fluid communication with the inflator for receiving inflator gas therein to inflate the air bag. A deployment door is mounted rearward the reaction plate, inflator and air bag and is movably secured to the reaction plate and releasably secured to the seat. Advantageously, the deployment door also serves as a rearward trim panel for the seat.

Abstract: An air bag module has an inflator for generating gas and an air bag deployable upon generation of gas by the inflator. The air bag includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The module also includes a tether being external to the air bag. The tether includes an upper end connected to the upper portion of the air bag and a lower end connected to the lower portion of the air bag. The tether is also located adjacent a vehicle occupant when the air bag is deployed. Upon air bag deployment, the occupant engages the tether and the tether pulls the air bag towards the occupant.

Abstract: An air bag module in a vehicle includes an inflator for generating gas to inflate an air bag. The air bag has a first portion adjacent the inflator and operatively connected to the inflator for receiving the inflator gas therein. The air bag has a second portion extending from the first portion and spaced apart from the inflator by the first portion. The second portion is unidirectionally rolled to define a rolled portion. Prior to air bag inflation, the first portion is stored atop the inflator and the rolled portion is stored atop the first portion. Preferably, the rolled second portion forms a pinch point between the first portion and the second portion such that the first portion partially inflates prior to unrolling of the second portion. Preferably, the first portion is folded in manner to inflate more readily than the rolled second portion such that the first portion inflates and forces the rolled second portion outwardly away from the inflator prior to unfolding of the rolled second portion.