Patent ID: 7731233

Claim:
An airbag module, comprising: an airbag module housing, wherein the airbag module housing comprises at least one housing opening; an inflatable airbag cushion disposed inside the airbag module housing, at least one vent tube protruding outwardly through the housing opening such that the at least one vent tube is open and can move relative to the at least one housing opening; a protrusion stop coupled to the at least one vent tube and the inflatable airbag cushion, wherein the protrusion stop is positioned to engage an inner surface of the airbag module housing around the housing opening to limit the outward protrusion of the vent tube through the at least one housing opening and prevent more than a predetermined amount of the vent tube from protruding through the housing opening during and after packaging of the inflatable airbag cushion and prior to deployment of the inflatable airbag cushion; whereby during deployment of the inflatable airbag cushion with obstruction, the at least one vent tube remains open, continues to extend outwardly through the at least one housing opening, and vent inflation gas; and during inflatable airbag cushion deployment without obstruction, inflation gas causes the inflatable airbag cushion to become tensioned to inwardly null at least a section of the at least one vent tube through the at least one housing opening and against the one housing opening so that the at least one vent tube at least partially closes.