Patent ID: 7597356

Claim:
An airbag module, comprising: an inflatable airbag cushion comprising a cushion membrane that defines an interior of the inflatable airbag cushion, at least one closeable vent configured to optionally vent gas out of the interior of the inflatable airbag cushion via a vent aperture; a tether comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the closeable vent and the second end is positioned such that the tether is slack and the closeable vent is open when deployment of the inflatable airbag cushion is initiated, such that the tether does not fully extend and the closeable vent remains open when obstruction is encountered after deployment of the inflatable airbag cushion, and such that the tether extends and at least partially closes the closeable vent upon deployment of the inflatable airbag cushion without obstruction; and a gas deflector positioned in the interior of the inflatable airbag cushion to direct inflation gas from an inflator, wherein the gas deflector has an arm configured to permit gas to be re-directed from an inflator to the closeable vent, wherein the arm of the gas deflector and the closeable vent are configured to move together during expansion of the inflatable airbag cushion while permitting the tether to separately move.