Fabric cover/chute for airbag modules

Claim 1

A device for guiding the deployment of a passenger side automotive safety cushion comprising: first and second pairs of flexible spaced side walls defining a chute in an unfolded condition, said chute having top and bottom openings, first and second pairs of side walls having a top edge, a bottom edge, side edges, a top portion, a bottom portion, and a hinge means between said top and bottom portion, said second pair of side walls are joined to said first pair of side walls along side edges thereof, wherein said top portions of said first pair of side walls are folded inwardly toward each other at said hinge means and said top portions of said second pair of side walls are folded inwardly toward each other at said hinge means covering said inwardly folded top portions of said first side walls, thereby forming a top panel having an infer side and an outer side; a folded inflatable occupant restraint cushion covered by said inner side of said chute top panel, said inflatable occupant restraint cushion having an inlet for a has for inflating and thereby deploying said cushion; a vehicle air bag canister having an inside and an outside including a wall defining a cavity for a gas generator and at least part of a folded inflatable occupant restraint cushion, said wall further defiling an opening to said cavity in said canister, the gas generator being actuable to generate a gas under pressure in said cavity, said folded inflatable occupant restraint cushion within said cavity of said vehicle air bag canister; and wherein upon said gas generator being actuated to generate a gas under a pressure in said cavity thereby expanding said cushion which engages said top panel of said chute whereupon said inwardly folded top portions of said first walls and said inwardly folded top portions of said second walls are returned to their unfolded condition thus reforming said chute thereby guiding the deployment of said cushion.

Claim 2

A device for guiding the deployment of a passenger side automotive safety cushion comprising: first and second pairs of flexible spaced side walls defining a chute in an unfolded condition, said chute having top and bottom openings, first and second pairs of side walls having a top edge, a bottom edge, side edges, a top portion, a bottom portion, and a hinge means between said top and bottom portion, said second pair of side walls are joined to said first pair of side walls along side edges thereof, wherein said top portions of said first pair of side walls are folded inwardly toward each other at said hinge means and said top portions of said second pair of side walls are folded inwardly toward each other at said hinge means covering said inwardly folded top portions of said first side walls, thereby forming a top panel having an infer side and an outer side; a folded inflatable occupant restraint cushion covered by said inner side of said chute top panel, said inflatable occupant restraint cushion having an inlet for a has for inflating and thereby deploying said cushion; a vehicle air bag canister having an inside and an outside including a wall defining a cavity for a gas generator and at least part of a folded inflatable occupant restraint cushion, said wall further defiling an opening to said cavity in said canister, the gas generator being actuable to generate a gas under pressure in said cavity, said folded inflatable occupant restraint cushion within said cavity of said vehicle air bag canister; and wherein upon said gas generator being actuated to generate a gas under a pressure in said cavity thereby expanding said cushion which engages said top panel of said chute whereupon said inwardly folded top portions of said first walls and said inwardly folded top portions of said second walls are returned to their unfolded condition thus reforming said chute thereby guiding the deployment of said cushion.