Patent ID: 6648371
Filing Date: 2003-11-18
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An air bag safety system for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event, the safety system comprising:an inflatable air bag cushion having at least one vent opening; an inflator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions; a displaceable vent blocking element supported at a surface of the air bag cushion and normally disposed in blocking relation to said at least one vent opening so as to at least partially obstruct the passage of inflation gas through to said at least one vent opening, wherein the vent blocking element is operatively connected to a releasable anchor structure such that the vent blocking element is normally held in tension when the air bag cushion is inflated; and an actuation mechanism selectively activatable based upon measurements from one or more sensors measuring conditions of the occupant to release the vent blocking element from the releasable anchor structure when increased venting capacity is desired, and wherein the vent blocking element is adapted to at least partially open said at least one vent opening when the vent blocking element is released from the releasable anchor structure.