Takata Restraint Systems, Inc.

Jonathon P Hurford

Michael Joseph Lachat

Brian K Genslak

Mohammed Boumarafi

An air bag system and method of making the same are provided including a reinforced cover for a vehicle seat having an air bag module hidden therein. The reinforced cover includes cover material that is stretchable and a backing reinforcement material that is stiffer than the cover material. The reinforcement material is attached to the cover material to provide a repeatable deployment path for the air bag as it inflates so that the air bag breaks through the seat cover at a preferred location thereon, e.g. bolster seam. The reinforced cover will not expand as the bag inflates as its stiffness or rigidity as provided by the reinforcement material will cause the bag to seek out the area of greater weakness in the cover at the bolster seam which the reinforcement material does not block. As the reinforcement cover provides the repeatable deployment path for the air bag to the bolster seam, there is no need for complicated and expensive modifications to the air bag module for proper and timely deployment thereof simplifying the installation of the present air bag system.

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Lake Orion, MI, United States of America

Jonathon P Hurford