Patent ID: 7083191

Claim:
A vehicle occupant protection apparatus comprising: an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and an inflated condition to which said vehicle occupant protection device is deployed by inflation fluid; a support member having a first vent opening for enabling flow of inflation fluid away from said protection device; a vent member movable relative to said first vent opening between a first condition in which said vent member does not close said first vent opening that enables flow of inflation fluid away from said protection device and a second condition in which said vent member at least partially blocks said flow of inflation fluid through said first vent opening and away from said protection device; a tether having a first portion connected for movement with said protection device as said protection device is deployed; said tether being associated with said vent member and causing said vent member to move relative to said first vent opening from the first condition to the second condition as said protection device is deployed, wherein said vent member is a door supported for pivotal movement relative to said first vent opening between the first and second conditions.