초록 ▼

First and second lateral flaps depending from the central portion of a panel of air bag material are folded inwards towards the central portion so as to form a duct of a deflector which is closed along a top portion thereof. The duct is located inside an air bag between an inflator mounted from the

First and second lateral flaps depending from the central portion of a panel of air bag material are folded inwards towards the central portion so as to form a duct of a deflector which is closed along a top portion thereof. The duct is located inside an air bag between an inflator mounted from the outside of the air bag, and a retaining structure located within the duct, wherein the outlet end of the inflator extends through the openings in the air bag, the duct, and the retaining structure so as to provide for discharging inflation gas into the duct, which directs the gas downwardly into the airbag through an outlet proximate to a bottom edge of the panel. Holes in the lateral flaps are aligned so as to receive inflator mounting fasteners of the retaining structure, and so as to form the duct.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An occupant protection apparatus, comprising a panel constructed of air bag material, wherein said panel comprises: a. a central portion, wherein said central portion comprises a bottom edge; b. first and second lateral flaps, wherein said first and second lateral flaps are o

What is claimed is: 1. An occupant protection apparatus, comprising a panel constructed of air bag material, wherein said panel comprises: a. a central portion, wherein said central portion comprises a bottom edge; b. first and second lateral flaps, wherein said first and second lateral flaps are on opposing lateral sides of said central portion, said first and second lateral flaps are each adapted to fold inward toward each other and toward said central portion so as to provide for forming a resulting folded panel, a first surface of said airbag material faces towards a cavity at least partially surrounded by said central portion and said first and second lateral flaps, said cavity is open along said bottom edge of said central portion, said cavity is closed along a top portion of said cavity, and said first and second lateral flaps are adapted to be secured inside an air bag between an exterior panel of said air bag and either an air bag inflator retaining structure or an air bag inflator when said air bag inflator is attached to said air bag; and further comprising a top flap, wherein said top flap is above said central portion, said top flap is adapted to fold inward toward said central portion so as to provide for further forming said folded panel, said cavity is closed along said top portion of said cavity by said top flap, and said top flap is adapted to be secured inside said air bag between said exterior panel of said air bag and either said air bag inflator retaining structure or said air bag inflator when said air bag inflator is attached to said air bag; wherein said top flap comprises at least one first hole adapted to receive a corresponding at least one fastener used to attach an air bag to said air bag inflator, and at least one of said first and second lateral flaps comprise at least one second hole adapted to receive a corresponding said at least one fastener or another at least one fastener used to attach said air bag to said air bag inflator; wherein said cavity is closed along said top portion of said cavity with at least one stitch proximate to a top edge of said central portion and proximate to top edges of said first and second lateral flaps, wherein said at least one stitch joins a top portion of said central portion to top portions of said first and second lateral flaps. 2. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said air bag material comprises a fabric. 3. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said fabric is coated with a coating material on at least said first surface of said air bag material. 4. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said fabric is coated with a silicone coating material on at least said first surface of said air bag material. 5. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said panel is shaped so as to provide at least one cut-out region, wherein said at least one cut-out region is bounded by said central portion, said top flap and one of said first or second lateral flaps, and said at least one cut-out region defines a corresponding at least one corner region of said folded panel. 6. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said at least one cut-out region comprises a substantially rectangular shape. 7. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said at least one cut-out region are located at approximately one-two and ten-eleven o'clock positions relative to said bottom edge of said central portion. 8. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein a top edge of said top flap, and respective outboard edges of said first and second lateral flaps are shaped so as to define an opening when said first and second lateral flaps, and said top flap are folded inward toward each other and toward said central portion of said panel. 9. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising said retaining structure adapted to be located on an inside of said cavity of said folded panel so as to provide for securing said air bag inflator to said air bag and to said folded panel located within said air bag, wherein said retaining structure comprises a plate portion adapted to clamp against said first and second lateral flaps of said folded panel, said plate portion comprises an opening that is shaped so as to provide for receiving a portion of said air bag inflator therethrough. 10. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein either said retaining structure or said air bag inflator comprises a deflection ring adapted to deflect inflation gas generated by said air bag inflator, and said deflection ring extends towards in inside of said cavity from said plate portion of said retaining structure. 11. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said retaining structure further comprises an alignment tab extending from said plate portion of said retaining structure, and said alignment tab is adapted to cooperate with said air bag inflator and said folded panel so as to align said air bag inflator relative to said folded panel. 12. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein either said first lateral flap or said second lateral flap comprises a hole adapted to cooperate with said alignment tab of said retaining structure. 13. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising said air bag, wherein said air bag comprises an opening adapted to receive said air bag inflator, wherein said air bag inflator is adapted extend through said opening in said air bag into an interior of said air bag, and to generate inflation gas so as to provide for inflating said air bag, portions of said first and second lateral flaps of said folded panel are located between said retaining structure and said air bag, and said bottom edge of said panel is oriented so as to face substantially downward with respect to said folded panel when said air bag is installed in a vehicle. 14. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 13, further comprising said air bag inflator, wherein a portion of said air bag proximate to said opening therein, and said portions of said first and second lateral flaps of said folded panel located between said retaining structure and said air bag, are clamped between said retaining structure and a flange of said air bag inflator with at least said first and second fasteners, and an outlet end of said air bag inflator is extended through said opening in said air bag and said opening in said plate portion of said retaining structure so that said outlet end of said air bag inflator is located within said cavity of said folded panel. 15. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one heat shield adapted to be located between an inside of said folded panel and either said retaining structure or said air bag inflator, wherein said at least one heat shield is constructed of air bag material, and said at least one heat shield comprises an opening that is shaped so as to provide for receiving a portion of said air bag inflator therethrough. 16. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said at least one heat shield comprises a plurality of heat shields located adjacent to one another between said folded panel and either said retaining structure or said air bag inflator. 17. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said air bag material of said at least one heat shield comprises a fabric coated with a coating material on at least one surface. 18. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said air bag material of said at least one heat shield comprises a fabric coated with a silicone coating material on at least one surface. 19. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein at least one of an external perimeter of said at least one heat shield and an internal perimeter of said opening in said at least one heat shield comprises at least one witness element adapted to provide for aligning a woven fibers of said at least one heat shield with respect to said folded panel. 20. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said at least one heat shield is sewn to at least one of said first or second lateral flaps, or a top flap above said central portion. 21. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein when folded, said top flap and at least one of said first and second lateral flaps overlap one another and provide for engaging said at least one fastener with at least one said first hole aligned with at least one said second hole. 22. An occupant protection apparatus, comprising a panel constructed of air bag material, wherein said panel comprises: a. a central portion, wherein said central portion comprises a bottom edge; b. first and second lateral flaps, wherein said first and second lateral flaps are on opposing lateral sides of said central portion, said first and second lateral flaps are each adapted to fold inward toward each other and toward said central portion so as to provide for forming a resulting folded panel, a first surface of said airbag material faces towards a cavity at least partially surrounded by said central portion and said first and second lateral flaps, said cavity is open along said bottom edge of said central portion, said cavity is closed along a top portion of said cavity, and said first and second lateral flaps are adapted to be secured inside an air bag between an exterior panel of said air bag and either an air bag inflator retaining structure or an air bag inflator when said air bag inflator is attached to said air bag; and further comprising a top flap, wherein said top flap is above said central portion, said top flap is adapted to fold inward toward said central portion so as to provide for further forming said folded panel, said cavity is closed along said top portion of said cavity by said top flap, and said top flap is adapted to be secured inside said air bag between said exterior panel of said air bag and either said air bag inflator retaining structure or said air bag inflator when said air bag inflator is attached to said air bag; herein said top flap comprises at least first and second holes adapted to receive corresponding first and second fasteners used to attach said air bag to said air bag inflator, said first lateral flap comprises at least a third hole adapted to receive said corresponding first fastener used to attach said air bag to said air bag inflator, and said second lateral flap comprises at least a fourth hole adapted to receive said corresponding second fastener used to attach said air bag to said air bag inflator, wherein when folded, said first lateral flap and said top flap overlap one another and provide for engaging said first and third holes with said first fastener, and said second lateral flap and said top flap overlay one another and provide for engaging said second and fourth holes with said second fastener; wherein the panel is configured so that gas introduced into the cavity will preferentially exit the opening at the bottom edge of the central portion to preferentially fill a lower portion of the air bag. 23. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim22, further comprising: a fifth hole in said first lateral flap, wherein said fifth hole is adapted to receive a corresponding third fastener used to attach said air bag to said air bag inflator; and a sixth hole in said second lateral flap, wherein said sixth hole is adapted to receive a corresponding fourth fastener used to attach said air bag to said air bag inflator. 24. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 23, wherein said first, second, third and fourth fasteners comprise corresponding first, second, third and fourth studs secured to a plate portion of said retaining structure. 25. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein said first and second fasteners comprise corresponding first and second studs secured to a plate portion of said retaining structure. 26. An occupant protection apparatus, comprising a panel constructed of air bag material, wherein said panel comprises: a. a central portion, wherein said central portion comprises a bottom edge; b. first and second lateral flaps, wherein said first and second lateral flaps are on opposing lateral sides of said central portion, said first and second lateral flaps are each adapted to fold inward toward each other and toward said central portion so as to provide for forming a resulting folded panel, a first surface of said airbag material faces towards a cavity at least partially surrounded by said central portion and said first and second lateral flaps, said cavity is open along said bottom edge of said central portion, said cavity is closed along a top portion of said cavity, and said first and second lateral flaps are adapted to be secured inside an air bag between an exterior panel of said air bag and either an air bag inflator retaining structure or an air bag inflator when said air bag inflator is attached to said air bag; and further comprising a top flap, wherein said top flap is above said central portion, said top flap is adapted to fold inward toward said central portion so as to provide for further forming said folded panel, said cavity is closed along said top portion of said cavity by said top flap, and said top flap is adapted to be secured inside said air bag between said exterior panel of said air bag and either said air bag inflator retaining structure or said air bag inflator when said air bag inflator is attached to said air bag; wherein said top flap and said first lateral flap cooperate with one another and with said central portion of said panel so as to define a first corner region of said folded panel, and said top flap and said second lateral flap cooperate with one another and with said central portion of said panel so as to define a second corner region of said folded panel, and said cavity is open at at least one of said first and second corner regions; wherein the panel is configured so that gas introduced into the cavity will preferentially exit the opening at the bottom edge of the central portion to preferentially fill a lower portion of the air bag. 27. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 26, wherein said cavity is open at both of said first and second corner regions. 28. An occupant protection apparatus, comprising a panel constructed of air bag material, wherein said panel comprises: a. a central portion, wherein said central portion comprises a bottom edge; b. first and second lateral flaps, wherein said first and second lateral flaps are on opposing lateral sides of said central portion, said first and second lateral flaps are each adapted to fold inward toward each other and toward said central portion so as to provide for forming a resulting folded panel, a first surface of said airbag material faces towards a cavity at least partially surrounded by said central portion and said first and second lateral flaps, said cavity is open along said bottom edge of said central portion, said cavity is closed along a top portion of said cavity, and said first and second lateral flaps are adapted to be secured inside an air bag between an exterior panel of said air bag and either an air bag inflator retaining structure or an air bag inflator when said air bag inflator is attached to said air bag; and further comprising a top flap, wherein said top flap is above said central portion, said top flap is adapted to fold inward toward said central portion so as to provide for further forming said folded panel, said cavity is closed along said top portion of said cavity by said top flap, and said top flap is adapted to be secured inside said air bag between said exterior panel of said air bag and either said air bag inflator retaining structure or said air bag inflator when said air bag inflator is attached to said air bag; wherein said top flap and said first lateral flap cooperate with one another and with said central portion of said panel so as to define a first corner region of said folded panel, said top flap and said second lateral flap cooperate with one another and with said central portion of said panel so as to define a second corner region of said folded panel, and wherein said cavity is closed at least one of said first and second corner regions; further comprising at least one corner flap, wherein said at least one corner flap is located between said top flap and at least one of said first and second lateral flaps, said at least one corner flap is adapted to fold inward toward said central portion so as to provide for closing at least one of said first and second corner regions. and said at least one corner flap incorporates at least one hole adapted to receive a corresponding at least one fastener used to attach said air bag to said air bag inflator. 29. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 28, wherein said top flap, said first lateral flap, and said central portion are sewn together proximate to said first corner region so that said first corner region is substantially closed. 30. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 28, wherein said cavity is closed at both of said first and second corner regions. 31. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 30, wherein said top flap, said first lateral flap, and said central portion are sewn together proximate to said first corner region so that said first corner region is substantially closed, and said top flap, said second lateral flap, and said central portion are sewn together proximate to said second corner region so that said second corner region is substantially closed. 32. An occupant protection apparatus. comprising a panel constructed of air bag material, wherein said panel comprises: a. a central portion, wherein said central portion comprises a bottom edge; b. first and second lateral flaps, wherein said first and second lateral flaps are on opposing lateral sides of said central portion, said first and second lateral flaps are each adapted to fold inward toward each other and toward said central portion so as to provide for forming a resulting folded panel. a first surface of said airbag material faces towards a cavity at least partially surrounded by said central portion and said first and second lateral flaps. said cavity is open along said bottom edge of said central portion, said cavity is closed along a top portion of said cavity, and said first and second lateral flaps are adapted to be secured inside an air bag between an exterior panel of said air bag and either an air bag inflator retaining structure or an air bag inflator when said air bag inflator is attached to said air bag; and further comprising a top flap, wherein said top flap is above said central portion, said top flap is adapted to fold inward toward said central portion so as to provide for further forming said folded panel, said cavity is closed along said top portion of said cavity by said top flap, and said top flap is adapted to be secured inside said air bag between said exterior panel of said air bag and either said air bag inflator retaining structure or said air bag inflator when said air bag inflator is attached to said air bag: wherein said top flap and said first lateral flap cooperate with one another and with said central portion of said panel so as to define a first corner region of said folded panel, said top flap and said second lateral flap cooperate with one another and with said central portion of said panel so as to define a second corner region of said folded panel, and wherein said cavity is closed at least one of said first and second corner regions: wherein said cavity is closed at both of said first and second corner regions; further comprising first and second corner flaps, wherein said first corner flap is located between said top flap and said first lateral flap, said second corner flap is located between said top flap and said second lateral flap, said first and second corner flaps are adapted to fold inward toward said central portion so as to provide for respectively closing said first and second corner regions, and said first and second corner flaps each incorporate at least one hole adapted to receive a corresponding fastener used to attach said air bag to said air bag inflator. 33. An occupant protection apparatus, comprising a panel constructed of an air bag material, wherein said panel comprises: a. a central portion, wherein said central portion comprises a bottom edge; b. first and second lateral flaps, wherein said first and second lateral flaps are on opposing lateral sides of said central portion, said first and second lateral flaps are each adapted to fold inward toward each other and toward said central portion so as to provide for forming a resulting folded panel, a first surface of said airbag material faces towards a cavity at least partially surrounded by said central portion and said first and second lateral flaps, said cavity is open along said bottom edge of said central portion, said cavity is closed along a top portion of said cavity, and said first and second lateral flaps are adapted to be secured inside an air bag between an exterior panel of said air bag and either an air bag inflator retaining structure or an air bag inflator when said air bag inflator is attached to said air bag; and further comprising a top flap, wherein said top flap is above said central portion, said top flap is adapted to fold inward toward said central portion so as to provide for further forming said folded panel, said cavity is closed along said top portion of said cavity by said top flap, and said top flap is adapted to be secured inside said air bag between said exterior panel of said air bag and either said air bag inflator retaining structure or said air bag inflator when said air bag inflator is attached to said air bag; wherein said top flap comprises at least one first hole adapted to receive a corresponding at least one fastener used to attach an air bag to said air bag inflator, and at least one of said first and second lateral flaps comprise at least one second hole adapted to receive a corresponding said at least one fastener or another at least one fastener used to attach said air bag to said air bag inflator; wherein said panel is shaped so as to provide at least one cut-out region, wherein said at least one cut-out region is bounded by said central portion, said top flap and one of said first or second lateral flaps, and said at least one cut-out region defines a corresponding at least one corner region of said folded panel; wherein said at least one cut-out region is bounded by a first edge of said top flap, a second edge of said central portion, and a third edge of a corresponding said first or said second lateral flap, and said at least one cut-out region is adapted so that said first, second and third edges are substantially aligned with one another in said folded panel. 34. An occupant protection apparatus, comprising a panel constructed of air bag material, wherein said panel comprises: a. a central portion, wherein said central portion comprises a bottom edge; b. first and second lateral flaps, wherein said first and second lateral flaps are on opposing lateral sides of said central portion, said first and second lateral flaps are each adapted to fold inward toward each other and toward said central portion so as to provide for forming a resulting folded panel, a first surface of said airbag material faces towards a cavity at least partially surrounded by said central portion and said first and second lateral flaps, said cavity is open along said bottom edge of said central portion, said cavity is closed along a top portion of said cavity, and said first and second lateral flaps are adapted to be secured inside an air bag between an exterior panel of said air bag and either an air bag inflator retaining structure or an air bag inflator when said air bag inflator is attached to said air bag; and further comprising a top flap, wherein said top flap is above said central portion, said top flap is adapted to fold inward toward said central portion so as to provide for further forming said folded panel, said cavity is closed along said top portion of said cavity by said top flap, and said top flap is adapted to be secured inside said air bag between said exterior panel of said air bag and either said air bag inflator retaining structure or said air bag inflator when said air bag inflator is attached to said air bag; wherein a top edge of said top flap, and respective outboard edges of said first and second lateral flaps are shaped so as to define an opening when said first and second lateral flaps, and said top flap are folded inward toward each other and toward said central portion of said panel; wherein said opening is adapted to receive an end of said air bag inflator; herein the panel is configured so that gas introduced into the cavity will preferentially exit the opening at the bottom edge of the central portion to preferentially fill a lower portion of the air bag. 35. An occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 34, wherein said top edge of said top flap, and said respective outboard edges of said first and second lateral flaps are adapted to provide for clearance between said air bag inflator inserted through said opening and each of said top edge of said top flap and said respective outboard edges of said first and second lateral flaps. 36. An occupant protection apparatus, comprising a panel constructed of air bag material, wherein said panel comprises: a. a central portion, wherein said central portion comprises a bottom edge; b. first and second lateral flaps, wherein said first and second lateral flaps are on opposing lateral sides of said central portion, said first and second lateral flaps are each adapted to fold inward toward each other and toward said central portion so as to provide for forming a resulting folded panel, a first surface of said airbag material faces towards a cavity at least partially surrounded by said central portion and said first and second lateral flaps, said cavity is open along said bottom edge of said central portion, said cavity is closed along a top portion of said cavity, and said first and second lateral flaps are adapted to be secured inside an air bag between an exterior panel of said air bag and either an air bag inflator retaining structure or an air bag inflator when said air bag inflator is attached to said air bag; and further comprising a top flap, wherein said top flap is above said central portion, said top flap is adapted to fold inward toward said central portion so as to provide for further forming said folded panel, said cavity is closed along said top portion of said cavity by said top flap, and said top flap is adapted to be secured inside said air bag between said exterior panel of said air bag and either said air bag inflator retaining structure or said air bag inflator when said air bag inflator is attached to said air bag; wherein a top edge of said top flap, and respective outboard edges of said first and second lateral flaps are shaped so as to define an opening when said first and second lateral flaps, and said top flap are folded inward toward each other and toward said central portion of said panel; wherein said top edge of said top flap, and said respective outboard edges of said first and second lateral flaps are arcuately shaped so as to provide for a substantially circular said opening; wherein the panel is configured so that gas introduced into the cavity will preferentially exit the opening at the bottom edge of the central portion to preferentially fill a lower portion of the air bag. 37. An occupant protection apparatus, comprising a panel constructed of air bag material, wherein said panel comprises: a. a central portion, wherein said central portion comprises a bottom edge; b. first and second lateral flaps, wherein said first and second lateral flaps are on opposing lateral sides of said central portion, said first and second lateral flaps are each adapted to fold inward toward each other and toward said central portion so as to provide for forming a resulting folded panel, a first surface of said airbag material faces towards a cavity at least partially surrounded by said central portion and said first and second lateral flaps, said cavity is open along said bottom edge of said central portion, said cavity is closed along a top portion of said cavity, and said first and second lateral flaps are adapted to be secured inside an air bag between an exterior panel of said air bag and either an air bag inflator retaining structure or an air bag inflator when said air bag inflator is attached to said air bag; and further comprising a top flap, wherein said top flap is above said central portion, said top flap is adapted to fold inward toward said central portion so as to provide for further forming said folded panel, said cavity is closed along said top portion of said cavity by said top flap, and said top flap is adapted to be secured inside said air bag between said exterior panel of said air bag and either said air bag inflator retaining structure or said air bag inflator when said air bag inflator is attached to said air bag; wherein a top edge of said top flap, and respective outboard edges of said first and second lateral flaps are shaped so as to define an opening when said first and second lateral flaps, and said top flap are folded inward toward each other and toward said central portion of said panel; wherein at least one of said top edge of said top flap, and said respective outboard edges of said first and second lateral flaps comprise at least one witness element adapted to provide for aligning said folded panel during an associated assembly operation of an associated air bag assembly or a portion thereof; wherein the panel is configured so that gas introduced into the cavity will preferentially exit the opening at the bottom edge of the central portion to preferentially fill a lower portion of the air bag. 38. A method of providing an occupant protection apparatus, comprising: a. forming or constructing a panel of air bag material comprising a central portion, and at least first and second lateral flaps, wherein said first and second lateral flaps are adapted to fold inwards toward said central portion; b. folding said first and second lateral flaps inwards toward said central portion so as to form a folded panel comprising a duct, wherein said duct comprises first and second lateral boundaries formed by said first and second lateral flaps; c. closing a top portion of said duct at a top boundary thereof; d. placing a retaining structure inside a cavity of said duct; e. placing said folded panel on an inside surface of a first exterior panel portion of an air bag, wherein said folded panel is oriented so that an outlet of said duct proximate to a bottom edge of said panel comprising said duct is oriented substantially downwards relative to said air bag; f. placing an air bag inflator through a first opening in said air bag, through a second opening formed by edges said first and second lateral flaps, and through a third opening in said retaining structure; and g. clamping a portion of said air bag proximate to said first opening, and portions of said first and second lateral flaps proximate to said second opening, between a flange of said air bag inflator and a plate portion of said retaining structure, wherein an outlet of said air bag inflator is located within said cavity of said duct formed by said folded panel; wherein said panel of air bag material further comprises a top flap adapted to fold inwards toward said central portion, the operation of closing said top portion of said duct comprises folding said top flap inward toward said central portion so as to form said top boundary of said duct, said second opening is further formed by an edge of said top flap, and the operation of clamping said portion of said air bag comprises clamping a portion of said top flap proximate to said second opening between said flange of said air bag inflator and said plate portion of said retaining structure; wherein the panel is configured so that gas introduced into the cavity of the duct will preferentiallY exit the outlet at a bottom edge of the central portion to preferentially fill a lower portion of the air bag. 39. A method of providing an occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 38, further comprising adapting said top flap and at least one of said first and second lateral flaps to be co-located about at least one fastener used to attach said air bag inflator to said air bag. 40. A method of providing an occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 38, further comprising adapting said top flap and said first and second lateral flaps to be co-located about first and second fasteners used to attach said air bag inflator to said air bag. 41. A method of providing an occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 38, further comprising locating at least one heat shield between said retaining structure and said portions of said first and second lateral flaps proximate to said second opening. 42. A method of providing an occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 38, wherein said retaining structure is adapted to deflect inflation gas generated by the air bag inflator away from said retaining structure. 43. A method of providing an occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 38, further comprising providing for at least one tether in said air bag operative between a region proximate to said first opening in said air bag and a second exterior panel portion of said air bag. 44. A method of providing an occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 38, further comprising assembling said air bag in an air bag inflator module, wherein said air bag inflator module comprises an air bag module cover. 45. A method of providing an occupant protection apparatus as recited in claim 44, wherein said air bag inflator module is adapted to be installed in a steering wheel of a vehicle, further comprising assembling said air bag inflator module in said steering wheel of said vehicle.