Patent ID: 6422597
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact events the air bag assembly comprising:an inflator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions; an air bag cushion including an interior surface in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state from a location of deployment in substantially opposing relation to the occupant; at least one profile restraining tether element operatively connected to the air bag cushion such that the profile restraining tether element restrains the expansion of the air bag cushion upon introduction of the inflation gas to the air bag cushion, the profile restraining tether element further being releasably anchored to a substantially stationary retaining member so as to shorten the operative length of the profile restraining tether element such that the air bag cushion is inflatable to a first restrained depth when the profile restraining tether element is anchored to the retaining member, the profile restraining tether element being releasable from the retaining member upon the occurrence of predetermined occupant conditions at the time the air bag cushion is deployed such that the air bag cushion is inflatable to a second depth which is greater than said first restrained depth when said predetermined occupant conditions occur, wherein the profile restraining tether element extends from fixed points of connection on the air bag cushion through one or more loop elements at the interior surface of the air bag cushion.