Patent ID: 7654612

Claim:
A vehicle seat assembly comprising a frame, a seat pad associated with the frame, a trim cover extending at least partially over the seat pad and including a first and a second end portion forming a release seam, a brace extending between the first and second portions of the trim cover at the release seam to maintain the release seam in a closed position before air bag deployment, an air bag assembly at least partially within the trim cover, the air bag assembly being in a spaced relationship from the release seam, the air bag assembly housing an inflator and an air bag that is inflated by the inflator to unfold and project outwardly through the release seam: a tear strap with a first stationary end portion and a second end portion that is affixed to the center of the release seam of the trim cover, the tear strap passing between the frame and the air bag assembly; a guide member through which the tear strap may slidingly pass; and a tether having a first stationary end and a second end that engages the guide member so that movement of the guide member is constrained thereby, the tether passing at least partially around the air bag assembly, the tear strap being movable in response to inflation of the air bag with sufficient force applied to the center of the release seam of the trim cover to rupture the brace at the release seam, thereby allowing the release seam to open and allow the air bag to pass therethrough.