Patent ID: 7648166
Filing Date: 2010-01-19
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An occupant protection apparatus, comprising: an air bag comprising at least one first panel constructed of air bag material and at least one second panel constructed of air bag material, wherein said at least one second panel comprises a first inflator opening adapted to receive an end portion of an air bag inflator, said at least one first panel is attached to said at least one second panel with at least one seam so as to form a first assembly, said at least one seam defines a portion of a perimeter of a cavity bounded by said at least one first panel and said at least one second panel, said cavity is open along at least one unseamed portion extending along said at least one first panel and said at least one second panel between endpoints of said at least one seam, wherein at least one of said unseamed portions is oriented substantially downwards when said first assembly is installed within said air bag and said air bag is installed in a vehicle so that a substantial portion of inflation gas produced by the air bag inflator is directed in a downward direction into the air bag so that the air bag is configured to initially inflate predominantly in a downward direction, wherein said air bag is assembled in an air bag inflator module adapted to be installed in a steering wheel of a vehicle, said air bag inflator module comprising a cover, said cover including a tear seam so as to provide for at least a portion of said air bag to inflate downwards relative to said air bag inflator module, said cover comprising a lower door portion located on a bottom side of said cover and front door portions located on a face panel of the cover that faces an occupant, wherein the lower door portion is configured so that the lower door portion opens and deploys before the front door portions, during a normal operation of the occupant protection apparatus.