Vehicle occupant restraint apparatus

Apparatus comprising:

• a housing having a deployment opening, a movable part, and means for defining a first locking surface which moves with said movable part;
• an inflatable air bag having a stored condition in which said air bag is contained within said housing, said air bag having an inflated condition in which said air bag extends outward through said deployment opening;
• inflating means including a source of fluid for inflating said air bag from said stored condition to said inflated condition, said inflating means expanding said air bag and moving said air bag against said movable part of said housing to move said movable part of said housing when said air bag is inflating;
• and
• a door having a closed position in which said door extends across said deployment opening and an open position in which said door does not extend across said deployment opening;
• said door having means for defining a second locking surface that engages said first locking surface when said door is in said closed position, said first and second locking surfaces establishing a mechanical interlock between said door and said housing when said second locking surface is engaged with said first locking surface, said mechanical interlock securing said door in said closed position and being releasable to release said door for movement from said closed position, said first locking surface being moved out of engagement with said second locking surface to release said mechanical interlock upon movement of said movable part of said housing by said air bag;
• said movable part of said housing comprising a movable wall panel which is inclined into the path of movement of said air bag.