Bias flap for air bag module
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An air bag module comprising:
- an air bag;
a bias flap for guiding deployment of the air bag includinga generally U-shaped flap member including opposing side walls interconnected by an end wall, anda brace member including opposing side portions interconnected by at least one tether extending therebetween, the side portions of the brace member being upwardly extending and connected to the respective side walls of the flap member; and
the air bag being located between the side walls of the bias flap and the side walls being partially folded atop the air bag.
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Abstract
An air bag module includes an air bag and an inflator for generating gas to inflate the air bag. An air bag retainer is secured to the air bag. A bias flap is formed separate from the air bag and guides deployment of the air bag. The bias flap includes opposing side walls and at least one tether extending therebetween and connecting the side walls. The air bag and air bag retainer are located between the side walls of the bias flap and the tether extends beneath the air bag and air bag retainer to securely anchor the bias flap to the air bag during air bag deployment.
24 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An air bag module comprising:
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an air bag; a bias flap for guiding deployment of the air bag including a generally U-shaped flap member including opposing side walls interconnected by an end wall, and a brace member including opposing side portions interconnected by at least one tether extending therebetween, the side portions of the brace member being upwardly extending and connected to the respective side walls of the flap member; and the air bag being located between the side walls of the bias flap and the side walls being partially folded atop the air bag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An air bag module comprising:
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an air bag; an air bar retainer secured to the air bag, the air bag retainer including a plurality of outwardly projecting tabs extending out through the air bag; and a bias flap for guiding deployment of the air bag, the bias flap including a plurality of slits therein, the slits of the bias flap being hooked over respective tabs of the air bag retainer such that the tabs extend out beyond the bias flap whereby the bias flap is attached to the air bag retainer, the bias flap including opposing side walls interconnected by at least one tether extending therebetween, the at least one tether being located beneath the air bag and air bag retainer when the bias flap is connected to the air bag retainer and the slits being located on the side walls of the bias flap. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. An air bag module comprising:
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an air bag; an air bag retainer secured to the air bag, the air bag retainer including a plurality of outwardly projecting tabs extending out through the air bag; and a bias flap for guiding deployment of the air bag, the bias flap including a plurality of slits therein, the slits of the bias flap being hooked over respective tabs of the air bag retainer such that the tabs extend out beyond the bias flap whereby the bias flap is attached to the air bag retainer, the bias flap including a flap member having opposing side walls and the bias flap including a brace member having opposing side portions interconnected by at least one tether extending therebetween, and the side portions of the brace member being joined to the side walls of the flap member and the slits of the bias flap extending through both the side portions of the brace member and the side walls of the flap member. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. An air bag module comprising:
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an air bag; an air bag retainer secured to the air bag, the air bag retainer including a plurality of outwardly projecting tabs extending out through the air bag; and a bias flap for guiding deployment of the air bag, the bias flap including a plurality of slits therein, the slits of the bias flap being hooked over respective tabs of the air bag retainer such that the tabs extend out beyond the bias flap whereby the bias flap is attached to the air bag retainer, the bias flap including an upper flap member folded atop the air bag and forming a chute through which the air bag deploys, the bias flap including a lower brace member connected to the flap member, the brace member including at least one tether extending beneath the air bag and air bag retainer, and the slits extending through the brace member and the flap member, and the bias flap being attached to the air bag retainer by stretch-fitted insertion of the tabs of the air bag retainer through corresponding slits in the bias flap whereby the bias flap is secured around the air bag retainer and the at least one tether is pulled taut beneath the air bag.
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12. A method of assembling an air bag module including an air bag comprising the steps of:
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a) providing an air bag retainer having a plurality of outwardly projecting tabs thereon; b) attaching the air bag retainer to the air bag with the tabs extending out through the air bag; c) folding the air bag; d) providing a bias deployment flap having opposing side walls interconnected by at least one tether; e) providing slits in the side walls of the bias flap; f) inserting the air bag retainer and air bag between the side walls of the bias deployment flap and atop the at least one tether; and g) hooking the slits of the bias flap onto respective tabs of the air bag retainer and folding the side walls of the bias flap atop the air bag.
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Specification