Patent ID: 6241283
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising:an inflator;an air bag comprising a front panel and a back panel having generally circular outer peripheral portions sewn to each other;said front panel of said air bag having a retainer portion defining a central opening through which said inflator extends, said retainer portion of said air bag having a plurality of fastener openings spaced apart around said central opening of said retainer portion;said air bag further comprising a tether extending inside said air bag between said front panel and said back panel, said tether having opposite front and back end portions;said front end portion of said tether having a configuration extending around said central opening of said front panel and around said inflator, said front end portion of said tether having an opening through which said inflator extends;said apparatus further comprising a plurality of fasteners extending through said fastener openings in said retainer portion of said front panel to secure said front panel of said air bag to said inflator;said fasteners securing said front end portion of said tether to said retainer portion of said front panel without sewing, said retainer portion of said front panel being free of stitching openings.