AIRBAG WITH MULTI-STATE VENT

1 . An air bag having a tri-state vent, in an initial state the vent is configured to be closed, the vent in a medial state configured to be at least partially open or fully open as the air bag is starting to inflate, permitting some inflation gas to exit through the vent and the vent in a final state configured to be at least partially closed or fully closed as the air bag continues to inflate.

2 . The air bag according to claim 1 wherein the vent includes a first vent hole which is located in a portion of the air bag, the vent includes a flap secured onto the air bag on one side of the first vent hole, in the initial state, the flap is configured to lie across the first vent hole to close the vent.

3 . The air bag according to claim 2 wherein the air bag is configured to permit pressurized gas to press upon the flap and the flap is configured to move through the first vent opening in response to this pressure to partially open or fully open the vent.

4 . The air bag according to claim 3 further including a sliding member located on an interior side of the flap, the sliding member including a sliding panel movable independently of the flap, the sliding member further includes a tether, the panel is initially configured in a folded or compact configuration remote from the first vent hole so as not to impede gas flow through the first vent hole, the tether having a first end secured to the sliding panel and a second end secured to a location of the air bag that will move as the air bag inflates, the tether initially configured to lie across the vent opening and configured to minimally restrict any gas flow across the tether and through the first vent hole.

5 . The airbag according to claim 1 wherein the air bag includes a panel with at least a first vent hole, a flap having a first and second end and a medial region therebetween, the second end secured to the air bag on a side of the first vent hole furthest away from an air bag inflator, the first and a medial portion of the flap configured to be moved through the first vent opening by a buildup of pressure in the bag above a first level; a protective jacket secured to an inside surface of the air bag, the jacket being larger than the first vent opening, the jacket including a second vent hole aligned with the first vent hole; the vent mechanism including a sliding member located between the flap and jacket, the sliding member including a panel and tether, the tether extending through a tether opening in the jacket and secured to a portion of the airbag, the sliding member movable in response to tension applied to the tether as the bag inflates, the sliding member configured to be in a stored orientation away from the first and second vents.

6 . The air bag according to claim 5 wherein the panel of the sliding member is configured in a folded or rolled configuration on a side of the first vent opening closed to the inflator, the tether extending across the first vent.