Patent ID: 8020890

Claim:
A control device for modifying the deployment characteristics of an inflatable cushion of an airbag module, the control device comprising: a releasable retention device releasably secured to an inner surface of the inflatable cushion at a first location and an actuator at a second location, the releasable retention device being configured to limit deployment of the inflatable cushion in a first direction when the releasable retention device is secured to the first location of the inflatable cushion and the actuator; a venting system disposed within and comprising a portion of the inflatable cushion, the venting system providing at least one vent opening in the inflatable cushion when the releasable retention device is secured to the first location of the inflatable cushion and the actuator and the inflatable cushion is inflated by an inflation gas; a pair of sealing members each being disposed over a respective opening in the inflatable cushion, each sealing member being configured for movement between a first sealing position wherein the sealing member covers the opening and essentially prevents fluid flow through the opening and a second open position wherein the sealing member is spaced away from the opening to provide a fluid path between the sealing member and the inflatable cushion; and a connecting member secured to each of the pair of sealing members and the releasable retention device, the connecting member being configured to move the sealing members from the first sealing position towards the second open position when the inflatable cushion is inflated by the inflation gas and when the releasable retention device is secured to the first location of the inflatable cushion and the actuator; wherein the releasable retention device is secured to the first location of the inflatable cushion via a securement feature, wherein the releasable retention device is loop of material looped around the connecting member, the securement feature and the actuator, and wherein the actuator is configured to release the loop of material from the actuator thereby releasing the loop from the connecting member and the securement feature.