Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

Bezan P Madon

Douglas M Gould

An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an airbag, an inflator, a first deployment flap, and fasteners. The airbag includes an upper portion and a lower portion. In a stored condition of the airbag, the lower portion is rolled and/or folded and positioned at least partially overlying the inflator, the upper portion is rolled and/or folded separately from the lower portion and positioned at least partially overlying the lower portion, and the first deployment flap extends from the fasteners and has a portion positioned between the upper and lower portions of the airbag. The first deployment flap is at least one of formed from and coated with a material that provides a frictional engagement between the first deployment flap and the lower portion sufficient to at least partially restrict and delay the initial deployment of the lower portion.

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Washington, MI, United States of America

Bezan P Madon