Patent ID: 6561541
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An inflatable air bag cushion for expansion within a transportation vehicle in side relation to a vehicle occupant upon introduction of inflation gas from a gas emitting inflator, the air bag cushion comprising:a mouth opening for fluid communication with the inflator; and an inflatable body comprising a pair of substantially opposing surfaces, wherein the inflatable body includes a thorax protection portion and a head protection portion in fluid communication with the thorax protection portion, the thorax protection portion being disposed intermediate the mouth opening and the head protection portion such that upon introduction of inflation gas from the inflator, at least a portion of the inflation gas travels through the thorax protection portion and into the head protection portion and wherein the inflatable body includes a gas blocking barrier structure having a substantially inverted T-shaped geometry adjoining the pair of substantially opposing surfaces across the inflatable body such that upon introduction of the inflation gas from the inflator, the gas blocking barrier structure partially blocks the flow of inflation gas from the thorax protection portion into the head protection portion.