Patent ID: 8177256

Claim:
A seat comprising: a frame member; an airbag module supported on the frame member, the airbag module including a first housing part and a second housing part having respective portions that are disposed adjacent to one another at a joint seam, the airbag module further including an airbag that is deployable from a non-expanded position, wherein the airbag is disposed within the first and second housing parts, to an expanded position, wherein the airbag extends outwardly from the first and second housing parts through an opening defined at the joint seam by separation of the respective portions of the first and second housing parts; a deflector including a main panel that is supported on the frame and an end panel that extends at an angle from the main panel, the end panel being disposed adjacent to the joint seam of the first and second housing parts when the airbag is in the non-expanded position; a trim cover having a portion that includes a tear seam; and a pad having a portion that is disposed between the end panel of the deflector and the tear seam of the trim cover when the airbag is in the non-expanded position, wherein: the deflector is made of a material that is sufficiently rigid such that it can support itself and maintain its formed shape during normal operation of the seat, yet is flexible enough such that portions of the deflector flex when the airbag is deployed from the non-expanded position to the expanded position; and wherein the deflector is spaced apart from the tear seam and not connected to the trim cover such that when the airbag is deployed from the non-expanded position to the expanded position, the flexing of the deflector moves the portion of the pad away from the air bag.