Patent ID: 7690681

Claim:
An airbag assembly for a vehicle, comprising: an airbag having an airbag venting hole, the airbag being deployable and inflatable for providing a cushioning surface upon deployment; an inflator being connected to the airbag, the inflator for generating gases that cause inflation of the airbag; a housing substantially enclosing the airbag and the inflator, the housing having a vent hole, which is in substantial alignment with the airbag venting hole for venting gases generated by the inflator; an airbag tether having at least a first and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the airbag; a venting member configured to cover the vent hole and being moveable with respect to the vent hole, the venting member having the second end of the airbag tether connected thereto; and an actuator coupled to the venting member, the venting member moving away from the vent hole upon inflation of the airbag during a first stage of a vehicular event, thereby uncovering the vent hole for the passage of gases through the vent hole, the actuator being configured to cause release of the second end of the airbag tether from the venting member during an adaptive venting stage, wherein the airbag is in a substantially full deployment condition.