Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Daniel Patrick Faust

Scott David Thomas

Michael John Wolanin

Darrell O Rogers

An air bag system for an automotive vehicle is disclosed. The air bag system includes a housing substantially enclosing a gas emitting inflator and a compact undeployed air bag. The system further includes a moveable member that controls flow of gas into the air bag by controlling items such as tether elements and venting openings that, in turn, control the amount of gas released into the bag and the shape of the bag upon deployment.

Automotive vehicle air bag system

Energy is absorbed by bending a sheet metal strip around three rollers as the strip is pulled by one end. Two of the rollers turn on fixed shafts and are spaced so that the third roller cannot pass between them. The sheet metal strip is bent around the floating roller and both ends of the strip are passed between the two rollers on fixed shafts. Applying a force to one end of the strip draws the floating roller against the other two rollers with the strip between them. Continued force application draws the strip through the rollers, first bending it in one direction, then the opposite and back again.

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Howell, MI, United States of America

Daniel Patrick Faust