Patent ID: 6431583
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An airbag system for restraining and protecting an occupant of a vehicle comprising:an inflatable airbag; an inflator for inflating the airbag, the inflator in communication with the airbag; a housing configured to contain the airbag and inflator; a load distributor configured to be disposed between the airbag and the occupant when the airbag system is installed in the vehicle, the load distributor movable between a stored position prior to the inflation of the airbag and a deployed position following inflation of the airbag; a tether external to the inflatable airbag, connected to the load distributor and the housing; and a breakaway stitch attached to the tether for holding the tether in place when the load distributor is in the stored position, the breakaway stitch allowing for movement of the load distributor to the deployed position upon inflation of the inflatable airbag.