Abstract: An airbag module may have an inflator, a cushion, and a housing that contains the inflator and the cushion. The housing has an outer wall formed of a flexible material and a bracket designed to be attached to a vehicle. During deployment, the cushion is expelled out of the housing through the bracket. The inflator remains in the housing and inflation gas is conveyed to the cushion through the housing. The inflator may be retained by flaps wrapped around the inflator and secured to a perpendicularly oriented diffuser of the inflator. Alternatively, the diffuser may extend through an orifice formed in a fabric wall within the housing, and retention portions of the outer wall may be wrapped around the opposite side of the inflator. The airbag module may be mounted in an instrument panel to provide front seat, passenger's side impact protection without requiring a rigid module housing.

Abstract: The inflatable cushion of the present invention includes at least two panels and one or more heat shield strips. Each panel has an inflatable region, an attachment region, and a peripheral edge. The attachment region is positioned between the peripheral edge and the inflatable region of each panel. An inward fold is disposed between the inflatable region and the attachment region of each panel. The attachment regions of each panel are disposed proximate each other. A heat shield strip is disposed on a portion of the attachment region and the inflatable region of the same panel. A secure fastener secures the attachment regions of each adjacent panel together and secures the heat shield strip to the attachment region on which it is disposed. A frangible fastener secures the heat shield strip to the adjacent inflatable region on which it is positioned.

Abstract: A three piece bag construction for an air bag cushion adapted to be deployed in the event of a collision has reduced stress at corners of the mouth. An elongated central main panel 10 totally surrounds the two side panels 12 and 14 and has end portions which form a transition section leading from the mouth 16 to the interior of the cushion. No part of the side panels 12 or 14 extends to the mouth 16. Seams extending from the four corners of the bag mouth 16 through the mouth/attach area to the side panels 52 and 54 found in traditional bags where high stress occurs, are not used in the present invention. A novel rod and rod pocket assembly facilitates attachment of the cushion to a conventional module.

Abstract: The strain of increased airbag snap is alleviated in a throat and mouth construction of the type employing rod pockets in opposed sides of a rectangular airbag mouth. This is achieved by forming the throat material by folding and sewing so that the layers of throat material increase by steps from the single layer adjacent the bag to multiple layers forming the rod pockets.

Abstract: A heat resistant fabric shield that protects the inside surfaces of the top and side sections of an air bag cushion is disclosed. The fabric shield is attached to the air bag cushion adjacent to the gas inlet opening. Upon deployment of the cushion the fabric shield is moved into position by the flow of hot gases from the inflator to protect the inside surfaces of the cushion from the hot gases. After deployment the fabric shield falls into position on top of the inflator thus protecting and insulating the cushion from the hot inflator.