PATENT ABSTRACT
Enhanced airbag covers are disclosed. Each of the covers permits deployment of a compacted airbag cushion along multiple axes, thereby decreasing the momentum of the vehicle occupant relative to the airbag, and enhancing the ability of the cushion to protect vehicle occupants who are out of their nominal positions. Covers may include a plurality of frontal portions separated by a frontal seam or seams that tear open to permit emergence of the cushion between the frontal portions. In some implementations, each cover has a peripheral skirt and/or a junction between the frontal portions and peripheral skirt that opens to permit emergence of the folded cushion along additional axes. The peripheral skirt and/or junction may open consistently, regardless of whether the frontal portions have separated.

PATENT DESCRIPTION
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/104,236 filed on Mar. 20, 2002 and entitled Airbag Cover with Multi-Axis Deployment, which is incorporated herein by this reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to systems and methods for protecting vehicle occupants from injury. More specifically, the present invention relates to covers that permit multi-axis deployment of inflatable cushions.  
           [0004]    2. Technical Background  
           [0005]    The inclusion of inflatable safety restraint devices, or airbags, is now a legal requirement for many new vehicles. Airbags are typically installed in the steering wheel and in the dashboard on the passenger side of a car. Additionally, airbags may be installed to inflate beside the passenger to provide side impact protection, in front of the knees to protect the knees from impact, or at other strategic locations.  
           [0006]    In the event of an accident, an accelerometer within the vehicle measures the abnormal deceleration and triggers the ignition of an explosive charge. Expanding gases from the charge fill the airbags, which immediately inflate to protect the driver and/or passengers from impact against the interior surfaces of the vehicle. During normal vehicle operation, airbags are typically stowed behind covers to protect them from tampering and provide a more attractive interior facade for the vehicle.  
           [0007]    Unfortunately, vehicle occupants may move considerably from optimal impact positions. For example, a passenger may be adjusting the radio or air conditioning settings, tending to a child in the rear seat, reclining in the seat, or otherwise moving in a manner that positions part of their body outside the protection zone of a conventional airbag. Hence, when impact occurs, a part of the person&#39;s body may strike the vehicle interior outside the perimeter of the airbag, or the person may even be injured in some manner by the inflating airbag. Also, occupants that are small, such as children, may move outside the protected area of a conventional airbag in a collision.  
           [0008]    This shortcoming is caused, at least in part, by the fact that many known airbags inflate only in a single direction, which is often toward the person. For example, front impact airbags typically inflate primarily in a rearward direction, directly toward the driver or passenger. Hence, interior surfaces of the vehicle that surround the airbag when it is in a stowed position may not be sufficiently covered by the airbag by the time the person&#39;s body moves toward them. Thus, such surfaces are exposed to receive impact with parts of the person&#39;s body that are not aligned with the inflating cushion.  
           [0009]    Furthermore, the momentum of the deploying cushion can also be a source of injury to vehicle occupants. When the majority of the gas produced is directed toward the occupant, the mass of the gas will create significant momentum in the deploying cushion. The momentum of the bag toward the person has an additive effect on the momentum of the person toward the bag, potentially making the impact more dramatic.  
           [0010]    The deployment of known cushions or curtains is often determined, at least in part, by the configuration of the covers that contain them. Many known covers have seams arranged to permit emergence of the cushion in essentially a single direction. Lateral or transverse deployment of the cushion is restricted by walls of the cover.  
           [0011]    Accordingly, a need exists for airbag covers that permit deployment of a folded cushion along multiple directions. Such covers are needed for a wide variety of airbag types, including driver&#39;s side airbags, passenger&#39;s side airbags, side impact airbags or “inflatable curtains,” and knee airbags. Multi-axis deployment should preferably occur in normal operation of the cover, and not simply in the event that deployment toward the person is obstructed. Furthermore, such a cover should preferably be easily manufactured and installed in a vehicle.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    The apparatus of the present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available airbag systems. Thus, it is an overall objective of the present invention to provide airbag covers that permit consistent multi-axis deployment. These covers provide enhanced protection for vehicle occupants that are outside their nominal positions when impact occurs without unduly adding to the momentum of the person&#39;s impact with the cushion.  
           [0013]    In a first embodiment of the present invention, the cover has a generally pentagonal shape. However, the cover could be formed in other shapes such as an elongated rectangle or a rounded disk. A folded cushion is disposed within the cover.  
           [0014]    The cover has a frontal direction generally directed toward a protected occupant of a vehicle in which the cover is placed. The cover also includes one or more lateral directions that are generally perpendicular to the frontal direction. The cover further includes semi-lateral directions that are generally directed between the frontal direction and the lateral directions.  
           [0015]    The cover includes an attachment portion designed to be attached to the interior of the vehicle or housing, and a deployment portion that opens to permit emergence of the folded cushion. The deployment portion includes a frontal region and a peripheral skirt. The frontal region is divided into a plurality of frontal portions by frontal frangible seams. In response to expansion of the cushion, the frontal frangible seams break to permit the frontal portions to separate from each other so that the cushion can deploy in a frontal direction.  
           [0016]    In this embodiment, the frontal frangible seams are formed in a T-shaped configuration to define a first, second, and third frontal portion. The first frontal portion has a generally rectangular in shape, while the second and third portions have a generally trapezoidal shape. The T-shaped seam configuration can be oriented in various directions and positioned at various locations on the frontal region. Alternatively, the frontal seams may be formed in other configurations that define three or more frontal portions, such as a Y-shaped configuration.  
           [0017]    The deployment portion also includes a junction between the frontal region and the peripheral skirt. The frontal region and the peripheral skirt meet at approximately a right angle. However, the junction can include rounded or angled transitions from the frontal region to the peripheral skirt. The junction is comprised of junction seams, hinged junctions, and/or fixed junctions. The junction seams break in response to expansion of the cushion to permit the frontal portion to separate from the peripheral skirt. Separation of the frontal portion from the peripheral skirt permits the cushion to emerge in one or more semi-lateral directions. The hinged junctions allow an attached frontal portion to rotate with respect to the peripheral skirt. The fixed junctions maintain a generally fixed relationship between an attached frontal portion and the peripheral skirt during expansion of the cushion. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the position and size of the junction seams, hinged junctions, and fixed junctions may be varied within the scope of this invention.  
           [0018]    In certain implementations of the cover, the peripheral skirt is divided into a plurality of skirt portions by skirt seams. The skirt seams break in response to expansion of the cushion to permit the skirt portions to separate from each other. Separation of the skirt portions from each other permits the cushion to emerge from the cover in one or more lateral directions. Also, skirt hinges permit rotation of the skirt portions relative to adjacent parts of the peripheral skirt. The position and size of the skirt hinges and seams may be varied within the scope of this invention.  
           [0019]    The cover includes a boundary between the attachment portion and the peripheral skirt. The boundary is comprised of fixed boundaries, boundary seams, and/or hinged boundaries. A fixed boundary maintains a generally fixed relationship between the attachment portion and an attached part of the peripheral skirt during expansion of the cushion. The boundary seams break in response to expansion of the cushion to permit separation of the attachment portion from the peripheral skirt so that the cushion can deploy in a lateral direction. The hinged boundaries allow portions of the peripheral skirt to rotate with respect to the attachment portion during expansion of the cushion. By varying the position and size of the fixed boundaries, boundary seams, and/or hinged boundaries the first embodiment may be made in a number of different ways.  
           [0020]    A second embodiment of the cover has a generally square or rectangular shape. As in the first embodiment, the frontal frangible seams are formed in a T-shaped configuration to define three frontal portions. Each of the frontal portions is generally square or rectangular in shape. The frontal frangible seams break to enable emergence of the cushion in a frontal direction. As in the first embodiment, the T-shaped seam configuration can be oriented in various directions and positioned at various locations on a frontal region within the scope of this invention.  
           [0021]    As in the first embodiment, junction seams may be positioned at various locations to enable deployment of a covered cushion in one or more semi-lateral directions. Also, the position and size of skirt seams and boundary seams can be varied to provide for deployment of the cushion in one or more lateral directions.  
           [0022]    A third embodiment of the cover has a generally square or rectangular shape. Unlike previous embodiments, the frontal frangible seams are formed in an I-shaped configuration to define four frontal portions. The frontal frangible seams break to enable emergence of the cushion in a frontal direction. Each of the frontal portions is generally rectangular or square in shape. The I-shaped seam configuration may be oriented in various directions on the frontal region. Alternatively, the frontal seams can be formed in other configurations that define four or more frontal portions. As in the first and second embodiments, the junction seams, skirt seams, and/or boundary seams can be positioned in various locations to enable deployment of the cushion in one or more semi-lateral and/or lateral directions.  
           [0023]    In view of the foregoing, through the use of the covers of the present invention, vehicle occupants may be more fully protected against injury. Occupants who are out of their nominal positions may obtain greater protection from cushions that inflate laterally and transversely as well as toward them. Additionally, multi-axis inflation may relieve a portion of the momentum imparted to the person by the airbag, thereby decreasing the possibility of injury due to impact with the airbag cushion.  
           [0024]    These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    In order that the manner in which the advantages and features of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention summarized above will be rendered by reference to the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings illustrate only selected embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting in scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an airbag cover in a stowed configuration with a folded cushion disposed within the cover;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first implementation of the first embodiment of the airbag cover in a partially deployed position;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second implementation of the first embodiment of the airbag cover in a partially deployed position;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third implementation of the first embodiment of the airbag cover in a partially deployed position;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an airbag cover in a stowed configuration with a folded cushion disposed within the cover;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first implementation of the second embodiment of the airbag cover in a partially deployed position;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second implementation of the second embodiment of the airbag cover in a partially deployed position;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third implementation of the second embodiment of the airbag cover in a partially deployed position;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an airbag cover in a stowed configuration with a folded cushion disposed within the cover;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a first implementation of the third embodiment of the airbag cover in a partially deployed position;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second implementation of the third embodiment of the airbag cover in a partially deployed position; and  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a third implementation of the third embodiment of the airbag cover in a partially deployed position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0038]    The preferred embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to FIGS.  1 - 12 . The members of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures, can be implemented in a wide variety of configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in the Figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of presently preferred embodiments of the invention.  
         [0039]    Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a first embodiment of an airbag cover  10  in a stowed configuration is shown. As illustrated, the airbag cover  10  has a generally pentagonal shape. The cover  10  may be used, for example, for a front impact airbag designed to protect a head and torso of an occupant of a vehicle, such as a driver&#39;s side airbag or a passenger&#39;s side airbag. Alternatively, the cover  10  can be used for an airbag designed to protect a different part of the body of an occupant, such as a knee airbag or inflatable curtain. As such, the cover  10  may be embodied in a number of different shapes. For instance, the cover  10  could be formed in the shape of an elongated rectangle or a rounded disk.  
         [0040]    A folded cushion  12  is shown in phantom, disposed within the cover  10 . The folded cushion  12  can be folded in a systematic or arbitrary manner. An inflator (not shown) is coupled to the folded cushion  12  to expel inflation gases into the folded cushion  12  to induce expansion of the cushion  12  in response to a collision. Expansion of the cushion  12  forces the cover  10  to open along frangible seams, which will be described below.  
         [0041]    The cover  10  has a frontal direction  14  generally directed toward a protected occupant of a vehicle in which the cover  10  is placed in a vehicle (not shown). The cover  10  also has one or more lateral directions  16  that are generally perpendicular to the frontal direction  14 . The cover  10  includes semi-lateral directions  18  that are generally directed between the frontal direction  14  and the lateral directions  16 .  
         [0042]    The cover  10  includes a vehicle attachment portion  22  designed to be attached to the interior of the vehicle, and a deployment portion  24  that opens to permit emergence of the folded cushion  12 . The vehicle attachment portion  22  has a rim  26  disposed around the perimeter of the cover  10 . A plurality of tabs  28  are positioned around the rim  26 . The tabs  28  have holes  30  or other features designed to be affixed to suitable receiving features within the vehicle. If desired, the rim  26  can be disposed within a socket sized slightly larger than the cover  10 , and the tabs  28  can then be attached to the interior of the socket through the use of mechanical fasteners such as bolts, nuts, clamps, clips, and the like.  
         [0043]    The deployment portion  24  includes a frontal region  32  and a peripheral skirt  34 . The frontal region  32  is generally in the shape of a pentagon. The frontal region  32  generally faces a protected occupant of a vehicle when the cover  10  is disposed within a vehicle and, thus, is generally perpendicular to the frontal direction  14 . The frontal region  32  is divided into a plurality of frontal portions  36  by frontal frangible seams  38 . The frontal frangible seams  38  may be contiguous with each other. In response to expansion of the cushion  12 , the frontal frangible seams  38  break to permit the frontal portions  36  to separate from each other. The frontal frangible seams  38  are formed in a T-shaped configuration. The T-shaped seam configuration can be oriented in various directions on the frontal region  32 . Alternatively, the frontal seams  36  may be formed in other configurations that define three or more frontal portions  36 , such as a Y-shape configuration.  
         [0044]    The frontal region  32  optionally includes a cut out portion  50 . The cut out portion  50  enables placement of an emblem or other styling on approximately the center of the cover  10 .  
         [0045]    The deployment portion  24  also includes a junction  52  between the frontal region  32  and a peripheral skirt  34 . As illustrated, the frontal region  32  and the peripheral skirt  34  meet at approximately a right angle. However, the junction  52  may include rounded or angled transitions from the frontal region  32  to the peripheral skirt  34 . The junction  52  may be comprised of junction seams, hinged junctions, and/or fixed junctions. The junction seams break in response to expansion of the cushion  12  to permit the frontal portion  36  to separate from the peripheral skirt  34 . Separation of the frontal portion  36  from the peripheral skirt  34  permits the cushion  12  to emerge in one or more semi-lateral directions  18 . The hinged junctions allow an attached frontal portion  36  to rotate with respect to the peripheral skirt  34 . The fixed junctions maintain a generally fixed relationship between an attached frontal portion  36  and the peripheral skirt  34  during expansion of the cushion  12 . The junction  52  will be discussed and illustrated further in connection with FIGS.  2 - 4 .  
         [0046]    As stated, the deployment portion  24  of the cover  10  also includes a peripheral skirt  34 . The peripheral skirt  34  is attached to the perimeter of the frontal region  32  and extends between the frontal region  32  and the attachment portion  22 . The peripheral skirt  34  is generally perpendicular to the frontal region  32 . Alternatively, the peripheral skirt  34  can be disposed at a different angle with respect to the frontal region  32 . For instance, the peripheral skirt  34  may be disposed at an angle such that the peripheral skirt  34  becomes wider as it nears the attachment portion  24 .  
         [0047]    In certain implementations, the peripheral skirt  34  is divided into a plurality of skirt portions  60  by skirt seams  62 . The skirt seams  62  break in response to expansion of the cushion  12  to permit the skirt portions  60  to separate from each other. Separation of the skirt portions  60  permits the cushion  12  to emerge from the cover  10  in one or more lateral directions  16 .  
         [0048]    The cover  10  also includes a boundary  90  between the attachment portion  22  and the peripheral skirt  34 . The boundary  90  may be comprised of fixed boundaries, boundary seams, and/or hinged boundaries. A fixed boundary maintains a generally fixed relationship between the attachment portion  22  and the peripheral skirt  34  during expansion of the cushion  12 . The boundary seams break in response to expansion of the cushion  12  to permit the attachment portion  22  to separate from the peripheral skirt  34  to permit deployment of the cushion  12  in a lateral direction  16 . The hinged boundaries allow the peripheral skirt  34  to rotate with respect to the attachment portion  22  during expansion of the cushion  12 .  
         [0049]    The first embodiment of the cover  10  may be implemented in a number of different ways. For instance, different configurations may be created by altering the length and position of junction seams, hinged junctions, or fixed junctions in the cover  10 . Also, fixed boundaries, boundary seams, hinged boundaries, and skirt seams  62  may also be varied. The relative tear strength of the frontal frangible seams  38 , skirt seams  62 , and/or junction seams may be modified to provide for deployment of the cushion  12  in frontal, lateral, and/or semi-lateral directions  14 ,  16 ,  18 . Specific, non-exhaustive implementations of the first embodiment are illustrated below in connection with FIGS.  2 - 4 .  
         [0050]    With reference to FIG. 2, a perspective view of a first implementation  111  of the first embodiment of the airbag cover  10  in a partially deployed position is illustrated. The cushion  12  is omitted from FIG. 2 for clarity.  
         [0051]    This implementation  111  of the cover  10  includes an attachment portion  22  and a deployment portion  124 . The deployment portion  124  of the first implementation  111  opens to permit emergence of the cushion  12  from the cover  10  in a frontal direction  14  and one or more semi-lateral directions  18 . The deployment portion  124  includes a frontal region  32  and a peripheral skirt  134 . The frontal region  32  is generally perpendicular to the frontal direction  14 . The peripheral skirt  134  is a variation of the peripheral skirt  34  described in connection with FIG. 1 and will be explained below.  
         [0052]    The frontal region  32  includes a plurality of frontal portions  36  defined by frontal frangible seams  38 . More specifically, a first, second, and third frontal portion  140 ,  142 ,  144  are defined in this implementation  111 . The first frontal portion  140  includes a cut out portion  50  and is generally rectangular in shape. The second and third frontal portions  142 ,  144  are generally trapezoidal in shape and may include recesses from which the cut out portion  50  is taken.  
         [0053]    In FIG. 2, the frontal frangible seams  38  are shown in a broken or open position. Accordingly, the frontal portions  36  are separated from each other to permit emergence of the cushion  12  between the frontal portions  36  in a frontal direction  14 .  
         [0054]    The deployment portion  124  also includes a junction  152  between the frontal region  32  and the peripheral skirt  134 . The junction  152  includes junction seams  154  and hinged junctions  156 . Breaking the junction seams  154  permits the frontal portions  36  to separate from the peripheral skirt  134  to permit the cushion  12  to emerge in a semi-lateral direction  18 . In FIG. 2, the junction seams  154  are shown in an open or broken position.  
         [0055]    The hinged junctions  156  permit the frontal portions  36  to rotate with respect to the peripheral skirt  34  in response to expansion of the cushion  12 . As illustrated in FIG. 2, rotation of each of the frontal portions  36  has already commenced.  
         [0056]    A hinged junction  156  connects one side of each of the frontal portions  36  to the peripheral skirt  134 . When the cover  10  is in a stowed position, the remainder of the frontal portion  36  that contacts the junction  152  is connected to the peripheral skirt  134  using a junction seam  154 . As illustrated, these junction seams  154  break in response to expansion of the cushion  12 . A hinged junction  156  may attach to various locations on a particular frontal portion  36 . As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the illustrated location of a hinged junction  156  relative to a particular frontal portion  36  is not limiting of the scope of this invention.  
         [0057]    The peripheral skirt  134  of this implementation  111  is a solid peripheral skirt  134  because the skirt  134  has no skirt portions  60  or skirt seams  62  (shown in FIG. 1). Accordingly, in this implementation  111 , the peripheral skirt  134  is designed not to “open” in response to emergence of the cushion  12 .  
         [0058]    In this implementation  111 , the boundary  190  between the peripheral skirt  134  and the attachment portion  22  is a fixed boundary  194 . Accordingly, the peripheral skirt  134  is designed not to separate from the attachment portion  22  in response to emergence of the cushion  12 .  
         [0059]    Referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of a second implementation  211  of the first embodiment of the airbag cover  10  in a partially deployed position is shown. The cushion  12  is omitted from FIG. 3 for clarity. This implementation  211  of the cover  10  opens to permit emergence of the cushion  12  in a frontal direction  14  and one or more lateral or semi-lateral directions  16 ,  18 . An attachment portion  22  may be used to attach the cover  10  to a vehicle (not shown).  
         [0060]    A deployment portion  224  of this implementation  211  includes a frontal region  32  and a peripheral skirt  234 . The frontal region  32  is configured in the same manner as the frontal region  32  of the first implementation  111 . Accordingly, frontal frangible seams  38  define a first, second, and third frontal portion  140 ,  142 ,  144  and may further define a cut out portion  50 .  
         [0061]    A junction  152  is disposed between the frontal region  32  and the peripheral skirt  234 . The junction  152  of the second implementation  211  includes junction seams  154  and hinged junctions  156 . The junction seams  154  and hinged junctions  156  are shaped and positioned similarly in both the first and second implementations  111 ,  211 . The junction  152  permits each of the frontal portions  36  to separate from the peripheral skirt  234  and rotate away from the cushion  12  in response to emergence of the cushion  12 .  
         [0062]    Unlike the first implementation  111 , the peripheral skirt  234  of the second implementation  211  includes a plurality of skirt portions  60  defined by skirt seams  62 . As explained above, the skirt seams  62  break in response to emergence of the cushion  12  to permit the skirt portions  60  to separate from each other so that the cushion can deploy in one or more lateral directions  16 . A junction seam  154  connects each of the skirt portions  60  to the frontal region  32 . Each such junction seam  154  breaks in response to expansion of the cushion  12 . In this implementation  211 , the peripheral skirt  234  includes a first, second, third, and fourth skirt portion  274 ,  276 ,  278 ,  280 . As shown in FIG. 3, each of the skirt portions  60  is generally rectangular in shape.  
         [0063]    A skirt hinge  285  connects each of the skirt portions  60  to another portion of the peripheral skirt  234 . Each skirt hinge  285  permits an associated skirt portion  60  to rotate away from the cushion  12  in response to emergence of the cushion  12 .  
         [0064]    The peripheral skirt  234  also includes a first, second, and third skirt segment  286 ,  287 ,  288 . The skirt segments  286 ,  287 ,  288 , in contrast to the skirt portions  60 , do not separate from each other in response to emergence of the cushion  12 . In this implementation  211 , a hinged junction  156  connects each of the skirt segments  286 ,  287 ,  288  to a frontal portion  36 . Also, a skirt hinge  285  connects each skirt portion  60  to one of the skirt segments  286 ,  287 ,  288 .  
         [0065]    The boundary  290  includes fixed boundaries  194 , boundary seams  292 , and hinged boundaries  296 . In this implementation  211 , when the cover  10  is in a stowed position, a boundary seam  292  connects each of the skirt portions  60  to the attachment portion  22 . As illustrated in FIG. 3, the boundary seams  292  break in response to emergence of the cushion  12  to permit the skirt portions  60  to separate from the attachment portion  22  so that the cushion  12  may emerge in one or more lateral directions  16 .  
         [0066]    A hinged boundary  296  connects the first skirt segment  286  to the attachment portion  22 . As a result, the first skirt segment  286  rotates with respect to the attachment portion  22  in response to expansion of the cushion  12 . The first and second skirt portions  274 ,  276  and the first frontal portion  140 , each of which is attached to the first skirt segment  286 , and the first skirt segment  286  rotate away from the cushion  12  in response to emergence of the cushion  12 .  
         [0067]    As illustrated in FIG. 3, a fixed boundary  194  connects the second and third skirt segments  287 ,  288  to the attachment portion  22 . As a result, the second and third skirt segments  287 ,  288  maintain a generally fixed position with respect to the attachment portion  22  during expansion of the cushion  12 .  
         [0068]    In an alternative implementation, a skirt seam  62  is disposed between the second and third skirt segments  287 ,  288 . Also, a hinged boundary  296  connects each of the second and third skirt segments  287 ,  288  to the attachment portion  22 . As such, the second and third skirt segments  287 ,  288  could be designated as skirt portions  60  and separate from each other and rotate away from the cushion  12  in response to expansion of the cushion  12 .  
         [0069]    In yet another implementation, a hinged boundary  296  could connect a skirt portion  60  to the attachment portion  22 . Each such skirt portion  60  could be bounded by two skirt seams  62  and a junction seam  154  to allow the skirt seams  62  to rotate about the hinged boundary  296  in response to emergence of the cushion  12 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that this and many similar variations come within the scope of this invention.  
         [0070]    With reference to FIG. 4, a perspective view of a third implementation  311  of the first embodiment of the airbag cover  10  in a partially deployed position is illustrated. As with FIGS. 2 and 3, the cushion  12  is omitted from FIG. 4 for clarity. This implementation  211  of the cover  10  opens to permit emergence of the cushion  12  in a frontal direction  14  and one or more lateral or semi-lateral directions  16 ,  18 . The cover  10  includes an attachment portion  22  and a deployment portion  324 .  
         [0071]    The deployment portion  324  includes a frontal region  32  and a peripheral skirt  334 . The frontal region  32  is configured in the same manner as the frontal region  32  of the first implementation  111 . Accordingly, the frontal frangible seams  38  define a first, second, and third frontal portion  140 ,  142 ,  144  and may further define a cut out portion  50 .  
         [0072]    The junction  352  between the frontal region  32  and the peripheral skirt  334  is composed entirely of fixed junctions  358 . The fixed junctions  358  maintain a generally fixed relationship between each of the frontal portions  36  and attached parts of the peripheral skirt  334  during expansion of the cushion  12 .  
         [0073]    The peripheral skirt  334  includes a plurality of skirt portions  60  defined by skirt seams  62 . In particular, in this implementation  311 , a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth skirt portion  274 ,  276 ,  278 ,  280 ,  382 ,  384  are defined. As shown, the skirt seams  62  are contiguous with frontal seams  38 . A fixed junction  358  fixedly connects each skirt portion  60  to the adjacent frontal portion  36 . This fixed relationship is maintained during emergence of the cushion  12 . Accordingly, a generally fixed relationship is maintained between the second frontal portion  142 , the third skirt portion  278 , and the fifth skirt portion  382  during emergence of the cushion  12 . Also, a generally fixed relationship is maintained between the third frontal portion  144 , the fourth skirt portion  280 , and the sixth skirt portion  384  during emergence of the cushion  12 .  
         [0074]    As in the second implementation  211 , the peripheral skirt  334  includes a skirt segment  286 . Again, the skirt segment  286  does not separate from adjacent parts of the peripheral skirt  334  during expansion of the cushion  12 . A fixed junction  358  connects the skirt segment  286  to the first frontal portion  140 . As such, a generally fixed relationship is maintained between the skirt segment  286 , the first skirt portion  274 , the second skirt portion  276 , and the first frontal portion  140  during emergence of the cushion  12 .  
         [0075]    A boundary  390  is disposed between the peripheral skirt  334  and the attachment portion  22 . The boundary  390  includes boundary seams  292  and hinged boundaries  296 . When the cover  10  is in a stowed position, a boundary seam  292  connects the first, second, third, and fourth skirt portions  274 ,  276 ,  278 ,  280  to the attachment portion  22 . These boundary seams  292  are shown in an open position in FIG. 4. The boundary seams  292  break in response to expansion of the cushion  12  to permit the cushion  12  to emerge between the attachment portion  22  and the first, second, third, and fourth skirt portions  274 ,  276 ,  278 ,  280  in lateral directions  16 .  
         [0076]    A hinged boundary  296  is disposed between the attachment portion  22  and the skirt segment  286 , the fifth skirt portion  382 , and the sixth skirt portion  384 . As a consequence, in response to expansion of the cushion  12 , the skirt segment  286 , the fifth skirt portion  382 , and the sixth skirt portion  384  will rotate away from the cushion  12 . The skirt portions  60  and frontal portions  36  attached to these items  286 ,  382 ,  384  will also rotate in response to expansion of the cushion  12 .  
         [0077]    In an alternative implementation, a hinged boundary  296  connects the third skirt portion  278  to the attachment portion  22 , and a boundary seam  292  connects the fifth skirt portion  382  to the attachment portion  22 . Accordingly, in response to emergence of the cushion  12 , the third skirt portion  278 , fifth skirt portion  382 , and second frontal portion  142  rotate about the hinged boundary  296  disposed between the third skirt portion  278  and the attachment portion  22 . Other similar variations come within the scope of this invention.  
         [0078]    Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective view of a second embodiment of an airbag cover  410  in a stowed configuration with a folded cushion  412  disposed within the cover  410  is illustrated. As illustrated, the airbag cover  410  has a generally square or rectangular shape. The cover  410 , like the cover  10  of the first embodiment, may be used, for example, for a front impact airbag or as a knee airbag or inflatable curtain. As such, the cover  410  may be embodied in a number of different shapes.  
         [0079]    A folded cushion  412  is shown in phantom, disposed within the cover  410 . An inflator (not shown) is coupled to the folded cushion  412  to expel inflation gases into the folded cushion  412  and to induce expansion of the cushion  412  in response to a collision. As in the first embodiment, expansion of the cushion  412  forces the cover  410  to open along frangible seams. The cover  410  includes a frontal direction  414 , lateral directions  416 , and semi-lateral directions  418 .  
         [0080]    As in the first embodiment, the cover  410  has a vehicle attachment portion  422  designed to be attached to the interior of the vehicle, and a deployment portion  424  that opens to permit emergence of the folded cushion  412 . The vehicle attachment portion  422  has a rim  426  disposed around the perimeter of the cover  410 . A plurality of tabs  428  having holes  430  are disposed around the rim  426 .  
         [0081]    The deployment portion  424  includes a frontal region  432  and a peripheral skirt  434 . The frontal region  432  is generally in the shape of a square or rectangle. The frontal region  432  generally faces a protected occupant of a vehicle when the cover  410  is disposed within a vehicle and, thus, is generally perpendicular to the frontal direction  414 . The frontal region  432  is divided into a plurality of frontal portions  436  by frontal frangible seams  438 . The frontal frangible seams  438  may be contiguous with each other. In response to expansion of the cushion  412 , the frontal frangible seams  438  break to permit the frontal portions  436  to separate from each other. The frontal frangible seams  438  are formed in a T-shaped configuration. The T-shaped seam configuration can be oriented in various directions on the frontal region  432 . Alternatively, the frontal seams  438  may be formed in other configurations that define three or more frontal portions  436 , such as a Y-shape configuration. As in the first embodiment, the frontal region  432  optionally includes a cut out portion  450 .  
         [0082]    The deployment portion  424  also includes a junction  452  between the frontal region  432  and a peripheral skirt  434 . As illustrated, the frontal region  432  and the peripheral skirt  434  meet at approximately a right angle. However, the junction  452  may include rounded or angled transitions from the frontal region  432  to the peripheral skirt  434 . As in the first embodiment, the junction  452  may be comprised of junction seams, hinged junctions, and/or fixed junctions. The junction  452  will be discussed and illustrated further in connection with FIGS.  6 - 8 .  
         [0083]    As stated, the deployment portion  424  of the cover  410  also includes a peripheral skirt  434 . The peripheral skirt  434  is attached to the perimeter of the frontal region  432  and extends between the frontal region  432  and the attachment portion  422 . The peripheral skirt  434  is generally perpendicular to the frontal region  432 . Alternatively, the peripheral skirt  434  is positioned at a different angle relative to the frontal region  432 . For instance, the peripheral skirt  434  may be disposed at an angle such that the peripheral skirt  434  becomes wider as it nears the attachment portion  424 .  
         [0084]    In certain implementations, the peripheral skirt  434  is divided into a plurality of skirt portions  460  by skirt seams  462 . The skirt seams  462  break in response to expansion of the cushion  412  to permit the skirt portions  460  to separate from each other. Separation of the skirt portions  460  permits the cushion  412  to emerge from the cover  410  in one or more lateral directions  416 .  
         [0085]    The cover  410  also includes a boundary  490  between the attachment portion  422  and the peripheral skirt  434 . As in the first embodiment, the boundary  490  may be comprised of fixed boundaries, boundary seams, and/or hinged boundaries.  
         [0086]    The second embodiment of the cover  410  may be implemented in a number of different ways. For instance, different configurations may be created by altering the length and position of junction seams, hinged junctions, or fixed junctions in the cover  410 . Also, fixed boundaries, boundary seams, hinged boundaries, and skirt seams  462  may also be varied. The relative tear strength of the frontal frangible seams  438 , skirt seams  462 , and/or junction seams may be modified to provide for deployment of the cushion  412  in frontal, lateral, and/or semi-lateral directions  414 ,  416 ,  418 . Specific, non-exhaustive implementations of the second embodiment are illustrated below in connection with FIGS.  6 - 8 .  
         [0087]    With reference to FIG. 6, a perspective view of a first implementation  511  of the second embodiment of the airbag cover  410  in a partially deployed position is shown. The cushion  412  is omitted from FIG. 6 for clarity.  
         [0088]    This implementation  511  of the cover  410  includes an attachment portion  422  and a deployment portion  524 . The attachment portion  422  permits the cover  410  to be attached to a vehicle (not shown). The deployment portion  524  of the first implementation  511  opens to permit emergence of the cushion  412  from the cover  410  in a frontal direction  414  and one or more semi-lateral directions  418 . The deployment portion  524  includes a frontal region  432  and a peripheral skirt  534 .  
         [0089]    The frontal region  432  includes a plurality of frontal portions  436  defined by frontal frangible seams  438 . More specifically, a first, second, and third frontal portions  540 ,  542 ,  544  are defined in this implementation  511 . The first frontal portion  540  includes a cut out portion  450  and is generally rectangular in shape. The second and third frontal portions  542 ,  544  are generally rectangular or square in shape and may include recesses from which the cut out portion  450  is taken.  
         [0090]    In FIG. 6, the frontal frangible seams  438  are shown in a broken or open position. Accordingly, the frontal portions  436  are separated from each other to permit emergence of the cushion  412  between the frontal portions  436  in a frontal direction  414 .  
         [0091]    The junction  552  between the frontal region  432  and the peripheral skirt  534  of this implementation  511  may include junction seams  554  and hinged junctions  556 . In FIG. 6, the junction seams  554  are shown in an open or broken position. The hinged junctions  556  permit the frontal portions  436  to rotate with respect to the peripheral skirt  434  in response to expansion of the cushion  412 .  
         [0092]    A hinged junction  556  connects one side of each of the frontal portions  436  to the peripheral skirt  534 . When the cover  410  is in a stowed position, the remainder of the frontal portion  436  that contacts the junction  552  is connected to the peripheral skirt  534  using a junction seam  554 . As illustrated, these junction seams  554  break in response to expansion of the cushion  412 . A hinged junction  556  can attach to various locations on a particular frontal portion  436 . As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the illustrated location of a hinged junction  556  relative to a particular frontal portion  436  is not limiting of the scope of this invention.  
         [0093]    As in the first implementation  111  of the first embodiment, the peripheral skirt  534  of this implementation  511  is a solid peripheral skirt  534  because the skirt  534  has no skirt portions  460  or skirt seams  462  (shown in FIG. 5). Accordingly, in this implementation  511 , the peripheral skirt  534  is designed not to “open” in response to emergence of the cushion  412 .  
         [0094]    A boundary  590  is disposed between the peripheral skirt  534  and the attachment portion  422 . In this implementation  511 , the boundary  590  is a fixed boundary  594 . Accordingly, the peripheral skirt  534  is designed not to separate from the attachment portion  422  in response to emergence of the cushion  412 .  
         [0095]    Referring to FIG. 7, a perspective view of a second implementation  611  of the second embodiment of the airbag cover  410  in a partially deployed position is illustrated. An attachment portion  422  can be used to attach the cover  410  to a vehicle. The cushion  412  is omitted for clarity.  
         [0096]    A deployment portion  624  opens to permit emergence of the cushion  412  in a frontal direction  414  and one or more lateral and semi-lateral directions  416 ,  418 . The deployment portion  624  includes a frontal region  432  and the peripheral skirt  634 . The frontal region  432  is configured in the same manner as the first implementation  511  and, accordingly, includes a first, second, and third frontal portion  540 ,  542 ,  544  and optionally includes a cut out portion  450  defined by frontal frangible seams  438 .  
         [0097]    A junction  552  is disposed between the frontal region  432  and the peripheral skirt  634 . The junction  552  of the second implementation  611  includes junction seams  554  and hinged junctions  556 . The junction seams  554  and hinged junctions  556  are shaped and positioned similarly in both the first and second implementations  511 ,  611 . The junction  552  permits each of the frontal portions  436  to separate from the peripheral skirt  634  and rotate away from the cushion  412  in response to emergence of the cushion  412 .  
         [0098]    Unlike the first implementation  511 , the peripheral skirt  634  of the second implementation  611  includes a plurality of skirt portions  460  defined by skirt seams  462 . As explained above, the skirt seams  462  break in response to emergence of the cushion  412  to permit the skirt portions  460  to separate from each other to permit the cushion  412  to deploy in one or more lateral directions  416 . A junction seam  554  connects each of the skirt portions  460  to the frontal region  432 . Each such junction seam  554  breaks in response to expansion of the cushion  412 . In this implementation  611 , the peripheral skirt  634  includes a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth skirt portions  674 ,  676 ,  678 ,  680 ,  682 ,  684 . As shown in FIG. 7, each of the skirt portions  460  is generally rectangular in shape.  
         [0099]    A skirt hinge  685  connects each of the skirt portions  460  to another portion of the peripheral skirt  634 . Each skirt hinge  685  permits an associated skirt portion  460  to rotate away from the cushion  412  in response to emergence of the cushion  412 .  
         [0100]    The peripheral skirt  634  also includes a skirt segment  686 . The skirt segment  686 , in contrast to the skirt portions  460 , does not separate from another portion of the skirt  634  in response to emergence of the cushion  412 . In this implementation  611 , a hinged junction  556  connects the skirt segment  686  to the first frontal portion  540 . A skirt hinge  685  connects the skirt segment  686  to the first and second skirt portions  674 ,  676 .  
         [0101]    The boundary  690  disposed between the attachment portion  422  and the peripheral skirt  634  comprises boundary seams  692  and hinged boundaries  696 . In this implementation  611 , when the cover  410  is in a stowed position, a boundary seam  692  connects the first, second, fifth, and sixth skirt portions  674 ,  676 ,  682 ,  684  to the attachment portion  422 . As illustrated in FIG. 7, the boundary seams  692  break in response to emergence of the cushion  412  to permit these skirt portions  674 ,  676 ,  682 ,  684  to separate from the attachment portion  422  and permit the cushion  412  to emerge in one or more lateral directions  416 .  
         [0102]    A hinged boundary  696  connects the third and fourth skirt portions  678 ,  680  and the skirt segment  686  to the attachment portion  422 . As a result, the third and fourth skirt portions  678 ,  680  and the skirt segment  686  rotate with respect to the attachment portion  422  in response to expansion of the cushion  412 .  
         [0103]    With reference to FIG. 8, a perspective view of a third implementation  711  of the second embodiment of the airbag cover  410  in a partially deployed position is shown. As with FIGS. 6 and 7, the cushion  412  is omitted from FIG. 8 for clarity. The cover  410  includes an attachment portion  422  and a deployment portion  724 .  
         [0104]    The deployment portion  724  opens to permit emergence of the cushion  412  in a frontal direction  414  and one or more lateral and semi-lateral directions  416 ,  418 . The deployment portion  724  includes a frontal region  432  and a peripheral skirt  734 . The frontal region  432  is configured in the same manner as the first and second implementations  511 ,  611  and, accordingly, includes a first, second, and third frontal portion  540 ,  542 ,  544  and optionally includes a cut out portion  450  defined by frontal frangible seams  438 .  
         [0105]    In this implementation  711 , the junction  752  is composed entirely of fixed junctions  758 . The fixed junction  758  maintains a generally fixed relationship between each of the frontal portions  436  and attached parts of the peripheral skirt  734  during expansion of the cushion  412 .  
         [0106]    The peripheral skirt  734  includes a plurality of skirt portions  460  defined by skirt seams  462 . In particular, in this implementation  711 , a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth skirt portion  674 ,  676 ,  678 ,  680 ,  682 ,  684  are defined. As shown, the skirt seams  462  are contiguous with the frontal seams  438 . A fixed junction  758  fixedly connects each skirt portion  460  to the adjacent frontal portion  436 . As such, this fixed relationship is maintained during emergence of the cushion  412 . Accordingly, a generally fixed relationship is maintained between the second frontal portion  542 , the third skirt portion  678 , and the fifth skirt portion  682  during emergence of the cushion  412 . Also, a generally fixed relationship is maintained between the third frontal portion  544 , the fourth skirt portion  680 , and the sixth skirt portion  684  during emergence of the cushion  412 .  
         [0107]    As in the second implementation  611 , the peripheral skirt  734  includes a skirt segment  686  that does not separate from adjacent parts of the peripheral skirt  734  during expansion of the cushion  412 . A fixed junction  758  connects the skirt segment  686  to the first frontal portion  540 . A generally fixed relationship is maintained between the skirt segment  686 , the first skirt portion  674 , the second skirt portion  676 , and the first frontal portion  540  during emergence of the cushion  412 .  
         [0108]    In this implementation  711 , the boundary  690  between the peripheral skirt  734  and attachment portion  422  includes boundary seams  692  and hinged boundaries  696 . When the cover  410  is in a stowed position, a boundary seam  692  connects the first, second, fifth, and sixth skirt portions  674 ,  676 ,  682 ,  684  to the attachment portion  422 . These boundary seams  692  are shown in an open position in FIG. 8. The boundary seams  692  break in response to expansion of the cushion  412  to permit the cushion  412  to emerge between the attachment portion  422  and the first, second, fifth, and sixth skirt portions  674 ,  676 ,  682 ,  684  in a lateral direction  416 .  
         [0109]    A hinged boundary  696  connects the attachment portion  422  to the skirt segment  686 , the third skirt portion  678 , and the fourth skirt portion  680 . As a consequence, in response to expansion of the cushion  412 , the skirt segment  686 , the third skirt portion  678 , and the fourth skirt portion  680  will rotate away from the cushion  412 . The skirt portions  460  and frontal portions  436  attached to these items,  678 ,  680 ,  686  will also rotate in response to expansion of the cushion  412 .  
         [0110]    In an alternative implementation, a hinged boundary  696  connects the fifth skirt portion  682  to the attachment portion  422 , and a boundary seam  692  connects the third skirt portion  678  to the attachment portion  422 . Accordingly, in response to emergence of the cushion  412 , the third skirt portion  678 , fifth skirt portion  682 , and second frontal portion  542  rotate about the hinged boundary  696  that connects the fifth skirt portion  682  to the attachment portion  422 . Other variations in placement of the hinged boundary  696  similarly come within the scope of this invention.  
         [0111]    Referring to FIG. 9, a perspective view of a third embodiment of an airbag cover  810  in a stowed configuration with a folded cushion  812  disposed within the cover  810  is shown. As illustrated, the airbag cover  810  has a generally square or rectangular shape. As in the first and second embodiments, the cover  810  of this embodiment is used, for example, for a front impact airbag designed to protect a head and torso of an occupant of a vehicle, such as a driver&#39;s side airbag or a passenger&#39;s side airbag. Alternatively, the cover  810  can be used for an airbag designed to protect a different part of the body of an occupant, such as a knee airbag or inflatable curtain. As such, the cover  810  may be embodied in a number of different shapes. For instance, the cover  810  could be formed in the shape of an elongated rectangle or a rounded disk.  
         [0112]    A folded cushion  812  is shown in phantom, disposed within the cover  810 . An inflator (not shown) is coupled to the folded cushion  812  to expel inflation gases into the folded cushion  812  and induce expansion of the cushion  812  in response to a collision. Expansion of the cushion  812  forces the cover  810  to open along frangible seams, which will be described below. The cover  810  includes a frontal direction  814 , lateral directions  816 , and semi-lateral directions  818 .  
         [0113]    The cover  810  has a vehicle attachment portion  822  designed to be attached to the interior of the vehicle, and a deployment portion  824  that opens to permit emergence of the folded cushion  812 . As in the first and second embodiments, the vehicle attachment portion  822  has a rim  826  disposed around the perimeter of the cover  810 . A plurality of tabs  828  having holes  830  are disposed around the rim  826 .  
         [0114]    The deployment portion  824  includes a frontal region  832  and a peripheral skirt  834 . The frontal region  832  is generally in the shape of a rectangle or square. The frontal region  832  generally faces a protected occupant of a vehicle when the cover  810  is disposed within a vehicle and, thus, is generally perpendicular to the frontal direction  814 . The frontal region  832  is divided into a plurality of frontal portions  836  by frontal frangible seams  838 . In response to expansion of the cushion  812 , the frontal frangible seams  838  break to permit the frontal portions  836  to separate from each other. The frontal frangible seams  838  are formed in an I-shaped configuration. The I-shaped seam configuration may be oriented in various directions on the frontal region  832 . Alternatively, the frontal seams  838  may be formed in other configurations that define four or more frontal portions  836 . As in the first and second embodiments, the frontal region  832  optionally includes a cut out portion  850  for placement of an emblem or other styling on approximately the center of the cover  810 .  
         [0115]    The deployment portion  824  also includes a junction  852  between the frontal region  832  and a peripheral skirt  834 . As illustrated, the frontal region  832  and the peripheral skirt  834  meet at approximately a right angle. However, the junction  852  may include rounded or angled transitions from the frontal region  832  to the peripheral skirt  834 . The junction  852  may be comprised of junction seams, hinged junctions, and/or fixed junctions. The junction  852  will be discussed and illustrated further in connection with FIGS.  10 - 12 .  
         [0116]    As stated, the deployment portion  824  of the cover  810  also includes a peripheral skirt  834 . The peripheral skirt  834  is attached to the perimeter of the frontal region  832  and extends between the frontal region  832  and the attachment portion  822 . The peripheral skirt  834  is generally perpendicular to the frontal region  832 . Alternatively, the peripheral skirt  834  is disposed at a different angle relative to the frontal region  832 . For instance, the peripheral skirt  834  may be disposed at an angle such that the peripheral skirt  834  becomes wider as it nears the deployment portion  824 .  
         [0117]    In certain implementation, the peripheral skirt  834  is divided into a plurality of skirt portions  860  by skirt seams  862 . The skirt seams  862  break in response to expansion of the cushion  812  to permit the skirt portions  860  to separate from each other. Separation of the skirt portions  860  permits the cushion  812  to emerge from the cover  810  in one or more lateral directions  816 .  
         [0118]    The cover  810  also includes a boundary  890  between the attachment portion  822  and the peripheral skirt  834 . The boundary  890  may be comprised of fixed boundaries, boundary seams, and/or hinged boundaries.  
         [0119]    The third embodiment of the cover  810  may be implemented in a number of different ways. For instance, different configurations can be created by altering the length and position of junction seams, hinged junctions, or fixed junctions in the cover  810 . Also, fixed boundaries, boundary seams, hinged boundaries, and skirt seams  862  may also be varied. The relative tear strength of the frontal frangible seams  838 , skirt seams  862 , and/or junction seams can be modified to provide for deployment of the cushion  812  in frontal, lateral, and/or semi-lateral directions  814 ,  816 ,  818 . Specific, non-exhaustive implementations of the third embodiment are illustrated below in connection with FIGS.  10 - 12 .  
         [0120]    With reference to FIG. 10, a perspective view of a first implementation  911  of the third embodiment of the airbag cover  810  in a partially deployed position is illustrated. The cushion  812  is omitted from FIG. 10 for clarity.  
         [0121]    This implementation  911  of the cover  810  includes an attachment portion  822  and a deployment portion  924 . The attachment portion  822  permits the cover  810  to be attached to a vehicle (not shown). The deployment portion  924  of the first implementation  911  permits emergence of the cushion  812  from the cover  810  in a frontal direction  814  and one or more semi-lateral directions  818 . The deployment portion  924  includes a frontal region  832  and a peripheral skirt  934 .  
         [0122]    The frontal region  832  includes a plurality of frontal portions  836  defined by frontal frangible seams  838 . More specifically, a first, second, third, and fourth frontal portion  940 ,  942 ,  944 ,  946  are defined in this implementation  911 . The third frontal portion  944  includes a cut out portion  850  and is generally rectangular in shape. The first, second, and fourth frontal portions  940 ,  942 ,  946  are generally rectangular or square in shape, and the second frontal portion  942  may include a recess from which the cut out portion  850  is taken.  
         [0123]    In FIG. 10, the frontal frangible seams  838  are shown in a broken or open position. Accordingly, the frontal portions  836  are separated from each other to permit emergence of the cushion  812  between the frontal portions  836  in a frontal direction  814 .  
         [0124]    The junction  952  between the frontal region  832  and the peripheral skirt  934  of this implementation  911  includes junction seams  954  and hinged junctions  956 . Breaking the junction seams  954  permits the frontal portions  836  to separate from the peripheral skirt  934  to permit the cushion  812  to emerge in a semi-lateral direction  818 . In FIG. 10, the junction seams  954  are shown in an open or broken position. The hinged junctions  956  permit the frontal portions  836  to rotate with respect to the peripheral skirt  934  in response to expansion of the cushion  812 .  
         [0125]    A hinged junction  956  connects one side of each of the frontal portions  836  to the peripheral skirt  934 . When the cover  810  is in a stowed position, the remainder of the frontal portion  836  that contacts the junction  952  is connected to the peripheral skirt  534  using a junction seam  954 . As illustrated, these junction seams  954  break in response to expansion of the cushion  812 . A hinged junction  956  may attach to various locations on a particular frontal portion  836 . As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the illustrated location of a hinged junction  956  relative to a particular frontal portion  836  is not limiting of the scope of this invention.  
         [0126]    As in the first implementation  111  of the first embodiment, the peripheral skirt  934  of this implementation  911  is a solid peripheral skirt  934  because the skirt  934  has no skirt portions  860  or skirt seams  862  (shown in FIG. 9). Accordingly, in this implementation  911 , the peripheral skirt  934  is designed not to “open” in response to emergence of the cushion  812 .  
         [0127]    A boundary  990  is disposed between the peripheral skirt  934  and the attachment portion  822 . In this implementation  911 , the boundary  990  is a fixed boundary  994 . Accordingly, the peripheral skirt  934  is designed not to separate from the attachment portion  822  in response to emergence of the cushion  812 .  
         [0128]    Referring to FIG. 11, a perspective view of a second implementation  1011  of the third embodiment of the airbag cover  810  in a partially deployed position is shown. An attachment portion  822  can be used to attach the cover  810  to a vehicle. The cushion  812  is omitted for clarity.  
         [0129]    A deployment portion  1024  opens to permit emergence of the cushion  812  in a frontal direction  814  and one or more lateral and semi-lateral directions  816 ,  818 . The deployment portion  1024  of this implementation  1011  includes a frontal region  832  and a peripheral skirt  1034 . The frontal region  832  is configured in the same manner as the first implementation  911  and, accordingly, includes a first, second, third, and fourth frontal portion  940 ,  942 ,  944 ,  946  and optionally includes a cut out portion  850  defined by frontal frangible seams  838 .  
         [0130]    As in the first implementation  911  of the third embodiment, a junction  952  is disposed between the frontal region  832  and the peripheral skirt  1034 . The junction  952  of the second implementation  1011  includes junction seams  954  and hinged junctions  956 . The junction seams  954  and hinged junctions  956  are shaped and positioned similarly in both the first and second implementations  911 ,  1011 .  
         [0131]    Unlike the first implementation  911 , the peripheral skirt  1034  of the second implementation  1011  includes a plurality of skirt portions  860  defined by skirt seams  862 . As explained above, the skirt seams  862  break in response to emergence of the cushion  812  to permit the skirt portions  860  to separate from each other to permit the cushion to deploy in one or more lateral directions  816 . A junction seam  954  connects each of the skirt portions  860  to the frontal region  832 . Each such junction seam  954  breaks in response to expansion of the cushion  812 . In this implementation  1011 , the peripheral skirt  1034  includes a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth skirt portions  1074 ,  1076 ,  1078 ,  1080 ,  1082 ,  1084 . As shown in FIG. 11, each of the skirt portions  860  is generally rectangular in shape.  
         [0132]    A skirt hinge  1085  connects each of the skirt portions  860  to another portion of the peripheral skirt  1034 . Each skirt hinge  1085  permits an associated skirt portion  860  to rotate away from the cushion  812  in response to emergence of the cushion  810 .  
         [0133]    The peripheral skirt  1034  also includes a first and second skirt segment  1086 ,  1087 . The skirt segments  1086 ,  1087 , in contrast to the skirt portions  860 , do not separate from another portion of the skirt  1034  in response to emergence of the cushion  812 . In this implementation  1011 , a hinged junction  956  connects the first skirt segment  1086  to the first frontal portion  940 . A skirt hinge  1085  connects the first skirt segment  1086  to the first and second skirt portions  1074 ,  1076 . As illustrated in FIG. 11, the second skirt segment  1087  is similarly configured.  
         [0134]    The boundary  1090  between the attachment portion  822  and the peripheral skirt  1034  comprises boundary seams  1092  and hinged boundaries  1096 . The boundary seams  1092  break in response to expansion of the cushion  812 . The hinged boundaries  1096  permit rotation of the attached portion of the skirt  1034  when the cushion  812  expands.  
         [0135]    In this implementation  1011 , when the cover  810  is in a stowed position, a boundary seam  1092  connects the first, second, fifth, and sixth skirt portions  1074 ,  1076 ,  1082 ,  1084  to the attachment portion  822 . As illustrated in FIG. 11, the boundary seams  1092  break in response to emergence of the cushion  812  to permit these skirt portions  1074 ,  1076 ,  1082 ,  1084  to separate from the attachment portion  822  and permit the cushion  812  to emerge in one or more lateral directions  816 .  
         [0136]    A hinged boundary  1096  connects the third and fourth skirt segments  1078 ,  1080  to the attachment portion  822 . As a result, the segments  1078 ,  1080  rotate with respect to the attachment portion  822  in response to expansion of the cushion  812 .  
         [0137]    With reference to FIG. 12, a perspective view of a third implementation  1111  of the third embodiment of the airbag cover  810  in a partially deployed position is shown. As with FIGS. 10 and 11, the cushion  812  is omitted from FIG. 12 for clarity. This implementation includes a frontal direction  814  and lateral directions  816 . The cover  810  includes an attachment portion  822  and a deployment portion  1124 .  
         [0138]    The deployment portion  1124  opens to permit emergence of the cushion  812  in a frontal direction  814  and one or more lateral and semi-lateral directions  816 ,  818 . The deployment portion  1124  includes a frontal region  832  and a peripheral skirt  1134 . The frontal region  832  is configured in the same manner as the first and second implementations  911 ,  1011  and, accordingly, includes a first, second, and third frontal portion  940 ,  942 ,  944 ,  946  and optionally includes a cut out portion  850  defined by frontal frangible seams  838 .  
         [0139]    In this implementation  1111 , the junction  1152  comprises hinged junctions  956  and fixed junctions  1158 . The hinged junctions  956  allow an attached frontal portion  836  to rotate with respect to the peripheral skirt  1134 . The fixed junction  1158  maintains a generally fixed relationship between each of the frontal portions  836  and attached parts of the peripheral skirt  1134  during expansion of the cushion  812 .  
         [0140]    The peripheral skirt  1134  includes a plurality of skirt portions  860  defined by skirt seams  862 . In particular, in this implementation  1111 , a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth skirt portion  1074 ,  1076 ,  1078 ,  1080 ,  1082 ,  1084  are defined. As shown, the skirt seams  862  are contiguous with the frontal seams  838 . As such, this fixed junction  1158  fixedly connects the first, second, fifth, and sixth skirt portion  1074 ,  1076 ,  1082 ,  1084  to the adjacent frontal portion  836 . This fixed relationship is maintained during emergence of the cushion  812 . Accordingly, a generally fixed relationship is maintained between the first frontal portion  940 , the first skirt portion  1074 , and the second skirt portion  1076  during emergence of the cushion  812 . Also, a generally fixed relationship is maintained between the fourth frontal portion  946 , the fifth skirt portion  1082 , and the sixth skirt portion  1184  during emergence of the cushion  812 .  
         [0141]    The peripheral skirt  1134  includes a first and a second skirt segment  1086 ,  1087 . Again, the skirt segments  1086 ,  1087  do not separate from adjacent parts of the peripheral skirt  1134  during expansion of the cushion  812 . A fixed junction  1158  connects the first skirt segment  1086  to the first frontal portion  940 . A generally fixed relationship is maintained between the first skirt segment  1086 , the first skirt portion  1074 , the second skirt portion  1076 , and the first frontal portion  940  during emergence of the cushion  812 . A fixed junction  1158  connects the second skirt segment  1087  to the fourth frontal portion  946 . As a result, a generally fixed relationship is maintained between the second skirt segment  1087 , the fifth skirt portion  1082 , the sixth skirt portion  1084 , and the fourth frontal portion  946  during emergence of the cushion  812 .  
         [0142]    The boundary  1090  between the peripheral skirt  1134  and the attachment portion  822  includes boundary seams  1092  and hinged boundaries  1096 . When the cover  810  is in a stowed position, a boundary seam  1092  connects the first, second, fifth, and sixth skirt portions  1074 ,  1076 ,  1082 ,  1084  to the attachment portion  822 . These boundary seams  1092  are shown in an open position in FIG. 12. The boundary seams  1092  break in response to expansion of the cushion  812  to permit the cushion  812  to emerge between the attachment portion  822  and the first, second, fifth, and sixth skirt portions  1074 ,  1076 ,  1082 ,  1084  in a lateral direction  816 .  
         [0143]    A hinged boundary  1096  connects the attachment portion  822  to the first skirt segment  1086 , the second skirt segment  1087 , the third skirt portion  1078 , and the fourth skirt portion  1080 . As a consequence, in response to expansion of the cushion  812 , the first skirt segment  1086 , the second skirt segment  1087 , the third skirt portion  1078 , and the fourth skirt portion  1080  rotate away from the cushion  812 . The skirt portions  860  and frontal portions  836  attached to these items  1078 ,  1080 ,  1086 ,  1087  will also rotate in response to expansion of the cushion  812 .  
         [0144]    In an alternative implementation, a hinged boundary  1096  connects the first skirt portion  1074  to the attachment portion  822 , and a boundary seam  1092  connects the second skirt portion  1076  and the first skirt segment  1086  to the attachment portion  822 . Accordingly, in response to emergence of the cushion  812 , the first skirt portion  1074 , second skirt portion  1076 , first skirt segment  1086 , and first frontal portion  940  rotate about the hinged boundary  1096  that connects the first skirt portion  1074  to the attachment portion  822 . Other variations in placement of the hinged boundary  1096  similarly come within the scope of this invention.  
         [0145]    A number of characteristics can be varied within the scope of this invention. For instance, the frangible seams, such as the frontal frangible seams  38 ,  438 ,  838 , skirt seams  62 ,  462 ,  862 , junction seams  154 ,  554 ,  954 , and boundary seams  292 ,  692 ,  1092 , may be embodied in a number of different ways. The frangible seams may be thinned regions, perforated regions, fissures across which the material of the cover has been attached together through sewing or other adhesive bonding, or any other configuration that provides a desired tear strength. The frangible seams may be regions of comparatively thin cover material formed through a method such as mechanical scoring, laser scoring, or ultrasonic scoring.  
         [0146]    In one implementation, only non-perforated seams are used to avoid potential contamination of the cover  10 ,  410 ,  810  or inflator. Non perforated seams are seams that do not include any openings. As such the non-perforated seams limit the entry of foreign substances, such as a spilled soft drink, through a perforation.  
         [0147]    Also, by varying the relative tear strength of the seams deployment of a cushion  12 ,  412 ,  812  may be modified. For instance, increasing the tear strength of the frontal frangible seams  38 ,  438 ,  838  relative to the junction seams  154 ,  554 ,  954  tends to favor deployment of the cushion  12 ,  412 ,  812  in a semi-lateral direction  18 ,  418 ,  818 . Making the tear strength of the frontal frangible seams  38 ,  438 ,  838  approximately equal to the tear strength of the junction seams  154 ,  554 ,  954  provides for generally simultaneous deployment of a cushion in both a frontal direction  14 ,  414 ,  814  and a semi-lateral direction  18 ,  418 ,  818 . Also, increasing the tear strength of the frontal frangible seams  38 ,  438 ,  838  relative to the skirt seams  62 ,  462 ,  862  or boundary seams  292 ,  692 ,  1092  tends to favor deployment of the cushion  12 ,  412 ,  812  in a lateral direction  16 ,  416 ,  816 .  
         [0148]    Also the hinges, such as hinged junctions  156 ,  556 ,  956 , skirt hinges  285 ,  685 ,  1085 , hinged boundaries  296 ,  696 ,  1096 , may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the hinges may comprise thin portions of the cover  10 ,  410 ,  810 . These thin portions, however, may be sufficiently strong to prevent tearing as a result of expansion of the cushion  12 ,  412 ,  812 . Alternatively, the hinges may include mechanical hinges or pieces of flexible fabric attached to adjoining portions of the cover  10 ,  410 ,  810 .  
         [0149]    The orientation of the cover  10 ,  410 ,  810  as illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 12  does not indicate the orientation of the cover  10 ,  410 ,  810  when installed in a vehicle. The cover  10 ,  410 ,  810  may be positioned at various orientations when installed in a vehicle. For example, the T-shaped frontal frangible seam configuration of the first or second embodiment may be oriented upside down, right side up, or at another angle when viewed from the perspective of a protected occupant of a vehicle.  
         [0150]    As explained above, in response to expansion of the cushion  12 ,  412 ,  812 , each frontal portion  36 ,  436 ,  836  rotates about a hinged junction  156 ,  556 ,  956 . As those skilled in the art will recognize, a hinged junction  156 ,  556 ,  956  may be positioned at various locations on a particular frontal portion  36 ,  436 ,  836  within the scope of this invention. Also, each skirt portion  60 ,  460 ,  860  may rotate about either a skirt hinge  285 ,  685 ,  1085  or a hinged boundary  296 ,  696 ,  1096  in response to expansion of the cushion. Similarly, those skilled in the art will recognize that with respect to a particular skirt portion  60 ,  460 ,  860 , either a skirt hinge or a hinged boundary  296 ,  696 ,  1096  may be positioned at various locations on the skirt portion within the scope of this invention. Also, a skirt portion  60 ,  460 ,  860  may rotate about a hinged junction  156 ,  556 ,  956 .  
         [0151]    The covers and associated methods of the present invention provide a significant advancement in airbag design. By allowing inflatable cushions to inflate to cover a larger area, the covers of the present invention may provide enhanced protection for occupants disposed outside their nominal positions within the vehicle. Furthermore, through the use of mass distribution and momentum redirection, inflatable cushions may decrease the likelihood of injury as a result of impact of the vehicle occupant with the cushion. Thus, the overall effectiveness of airbags may be enhanced through the use of the covers and associated methods of the invention.  
         [0152]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its scope or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only illustrative, not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.