Patent ID: 6929281
Filing Date: 2005-08-16
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An airbag assembly for a vehicle having an interior panel defining an exit opening for an airbag, said airbag assembly to be mounted behind the exit opening away from the vehicle interior, said airbag assembly comprising a housing having a first region adjacent the exit opening and extending away from the exit opening and a second region remote from the exit opening, an airbag mounted in the first region, a gas generator mounted in the second region, a pair of airbag flaps each having a first portion and a second portion, said first portions of said airbag flaps, when mounted in said vehicle lying adjacent to and extending across the exit opening, said second portions of said airbag flaps together forming a tapered inward shape, said second portions being pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the airbag such that during inflation the airbag will contact the second portions end pivot the second portions outwardly away from each other while moving the first portions away from each other and partially beneath the vehicle panel to free the exit opening and allow the inflating airbag passage into the vehicle interior.