Alliedsignal Inc.

Michael J Watson

Daniel G Zelenak, Jr

Mark F Wehner

Alexander Madrigal

A method of folding an airbag is provided for limiting allowable travel of the first portion of the airbag face panel as the airbag is deployed and for causing complete filling of the airbag prior to engagement with a vehicle occupant. The airbag includes a first end adapted to envelop an inflator. The airbag is laid substantially flat, with the first portion of the airbag face panel closely adjacent the first end. The remainder of the airbag is subsequently collapsed over the first portion while the first portion remains closely adjacent the first end.

Method of folding an airbag

An air bag and method of folding same, the air bag including material defining a top, front, and bottom portions and side panels and an open inlet end, comprising the steps of: securing the inlet end about a retainer, positioning the material so that is lays relatively flat with the top or bottom portion laid upon the folding surface, with the retainer slightly above the surface and with a first portion of the air bag extending to the right of the first end, a second portion extending to the left of the second end of the retainer a middle portion therebetween, folding over the first portion inwardly, toward a second fold line, about a first fold line defining a first folded over portion; folding over the first folded over portion outwardly toward the first fold line about the second fold line, continuing folding the first portion about the first and second fold lines, repeating the above steps to fold the second portion of the air bag, positioning the folded over portions resulting from the folding of the first and second portions of the air bag parallel to one another, and then forming a plurality of pleats and folds forming a pleated end and placing the pleated end adjacent the retainer. Folding material extending from the pleated end against the pleated end and securing the air bag in its folded configuration.

Air bag and folding technique

A method of folding an air bag and an air bag having a main panel 20 defining a top (26), front (24), and bottom (28) portions and side panels (44a,b) the top and bottom portions defining a neck 30 narrower than the front portion; comprising the steps of: laying bag with bottom portion (28) of main panel (22) flat and as fully extended as possible; flattening the front portion (24) of the main panel (20) to over the flattened bottom portion to form a first lateral extending fold (80) between the bottom (28) and front portions (24) of the bag; maintaining a portion of the front panel (24), proximate the bottom panel (28), relatively flat and folding over the front portion with the top portion to define a second lateral fold (82) between a top portion and the front portion with the top portion flattened and extended as fully as possible, aligning edges (86) of opposing top and bottom portions; placing bag material towards a centerline (70) of bag to form on each side of the bag (20) first (90) and second (92) exterior fore-aft folds and a first interior fold (94); moving the first interior fold out to the aligned edges, between the first and second fore-aft folds, to form a third fore-aft fold (94'); defining on the top (26) and bottom (28) portions of the air bag (20) respective sets of top and bottom fold lines (100a,b), the lateral spacing being approximately equal in dimension to the neck portion (30); moving the first, second and third fore-aft folds and associated air bag material toward the bag centerline and placing same between and aligned with a respective set of top and bottom fold lines forming a top fold (102) and bottom fold (104).

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Clarkston, MI, United States of America

Michael J Watson