Patent ID: 7540529

Claim:
A vehicle seat assembly, comprising: a frame; a cushion disposed proximate the frame, the cushion having a corner portion; a trim cover disposed proximate the cushion; an air bag module disposed proximate the frame, the air bag module having an air bag, an inflator adapted to provide an inflation gas to inflate the air bag from a stored condition to an inflated condition, and a housing disposed completely around the air bag when the air bag is in the stored condition, wherein the housing contacts the air bag and the frame and does not contact the cushion when the air bag is in the stored condition; and a back panel configured to conceal the air bag module, the back panel being spaced apart from the housing and having a free end detached from and disposed proximate to the trim cover when the air bag is in the stored condition; wherein the back panel flexes but does not sever to create a gap between the free end and the trim cover through which the air bag deploys when the air bag is inflated; and wherein the back panel covers the corner portion and does not contact the cushion when the air bag is in the stored condition and wherein the corner portion is compressed by the air bag when the air bag is inflated.