Driver side air bag

1. An air bag ( 20 ) usable to protect the driver of the vehicle comprising:

a face panel ( 22 );

a rear panel ( 30 ) of generally the same shape as the face panel and secured to the face panel along its periphery;

the rear panel including a centrally located opening ( 32 ) configured to receive an air bag inflator that introduces gas into the space formed by the face and rear panels;

a tether ( 70 ) of elongated shape having first ( 74 ) and second ( 76 ) ends and a center region ( 78 ), the center region is secured to the face panel proximate a geometric center of the face panel;

wherein the center region of the tether is formed into a Z-shaped configuration, portions of which are secured to the face panel.

2. The air bag according to claim 1 wherein the tether ( 70 ) is of one-piece construction.

3. The air bag according to claim 1 wherein the first and second ends of the tether are secured to the rear panel proximate the centrally located opening.

4. The air bag according to claim 3 further including an annular shaped reinforcement panel ( 50 ) secured to the rear panel and located on a side or surface of the rear panel that does not include the first and second end.

5. The air bag according to claim 4 further including a heat shield ( 60 ) secured to the rear panel and overlaying the first and second ends of tether.

6. The air bag according to claim 5 wherein the heat shield ( 60 ) is rectangularly shaped having at least a first and a second corner diagonally opposite one another and wherein the first corner of the heat shield is configured to overlay the first end of the tether and the second corner of the heat shield is configured to overlay a second end of the tether.

7. The air bag according to claim 5 wherein the heat shield is fabricated of a heat-resistant material.

8. An air bag ( 20 ) usable to protect the driver of the vehicle comprising:

a face panel ( 22 );

a rear panel ( 30 ) of generally the same shape as the face panel and secured to the face panel along its periphery;

the rear panel including a centrally located opening ( 32 ) configured to receive an air bag inflator that introduces gas into the space formed by the face and rear panels;

a tether ( 70 ) of elongated shape having first ( 74 ) and second ( 76 ) ends secured about the centrally located opening to the rear panel and a center region ( 78 ), the center region is configured into a Z-shaped configuration via access through the centrally located opening and secured to the face panel proximate a geometric center of the face panel.

9. The air bag according to claim 8 wherein first and second ends of the tether are oppositely positioned about the centrally located opening of the rear panel.

10. A method of assembling an air bag of the type having a face panel, a rear panel, a tether of elongated shape having a first and a second end and a center region, the steps comprising:

a) securing the first and second ends of the tether to the rear panel opposite one another about the centrally located opening;

b) joining the face and rear panels together along a joint or seam at their aligned peripheries;

c) inverting the air bag by pulling the face panel through the centrally located opening;

d) manipulating the tether so it is positioned beneath the centrally located opening;

e) securing the center region of the tether to the face panel; and

f) manipulating the center region of the tether into a Z-shaped configuration;

g) accessing the Z-shaped configuration below the centrally located opening and

h) securing the Z-shaped configuration to the face panel.