Patent ID: 6279944
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An air bag assembly comprising:a side impact air bag (50), which when inflated is adapted to be positioned between an occupant to be protected and a side of a vehicle, having an inflatable first chamber (50a) formed of two joined together first (52a) and second (52b) panels of material, the first chamber including a forward part (26) with a first side and an opposite rear part (60) with a second side;an inflator (26) for generating inflation gas to inflate the air bag, the inflator including exit ports (26a) which channel the inflation gas into the rear part of the first chamber in a determinable direction, the inflator positioned adjacent the second side;the air bag further including a flow diverter (70, 90) positioned to receive inflation gas and to divert at least a significant portion of the inflation gas to flow generally perpendicular to the determinable direction, the flow diverter including a side wall spaced from the inflator, the side wall including an open top at one end of the side wall and a bottom at an opposite end of the side wall, the open top positioned adjacent the second side and wherein the inflation gas flows through the open top and wherein the bottom is closed.