Patent ID: 7475906
Filing Date: 2009-01-13
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An airbag apparatus comprising: an airbag inflatable with inflation gas from a folded and housed state and provided with an exhaust hole for releasing part of inflation gas; an open/close mechanism that controls opening and closing of the exhaust hole; and a flap element joined to a periphery of the exhaust hole of the airbag and connected with the open/close mechanism for openably closing the exhaust hole, the flap element being foldable together with the airbag and including: the sewn seam extends generally straightly from a root end toward a leading end of the joint portion and is configured such that a first terminal of the sewn seam disposed on the part of the root end of the joint portion is located farther away from the open/close mechanism relative to a second terminal disposed on the part of the leading end of the joint portion upon airbag inflation; and the sewn seam is configured to keep joining the joint portion of the adjusting belt and the flap such that the exhaust hole remains closed when the airbag inflates with the adjusting belt released from the open/close mechanism and is configured to tear out from the first terminal by breakage of sewing thread to separate the joint portion from the flap and allow the flap to uncover the exhaust hole when the airbag inflates with the adjusting belt engaged with the open/close mechanism.