Air bag apparatus for automotive vehicle

In combination, an air bag apparatus for an automotive vehicle and an instrument panel having a panel opening behind which said air bag apparatus is disposed comprising:

• an upper instrument panel portion extending substantially horizontally;
• a lower instrument panel portion extending downward at an angle relative to said upper instrument panel portion, said instrument panel including a panel opening defined in a portion thereof between said upper instrument panel portion and said lower instrument panel portion;
• an air bag disposed, when folded, behind the instrument panel;
• gas generator means disposed behind the instrument panel for generating a pressurized gas to inflate said air bag;
• an air bag container for housing said air bag and said gas generator means, said air bag container having an air bag container opening, said air bag expanding horizontally into the automotive vehicle through the air bag container opening and the panel opening when the automotive vehicle is subjected to a collision;
• lid means for covering the panel opening, said lid means having an outer surface which is inclined with respect to both said upper instrument panel portion and said lower instrument panel portion and located therebetween, said lid means having a profile matching an outer profile of the instrument panel, said lid means being capable of opening upwards to uncover the panel opening;
• at least one hinge member mounting said lid means on said air bag container for swinging movement;
• and
• gas distribution control means for (a) bringing said air bag, during inflation and expansion, into contact with a lower portion of said lid means disposed below a laterally extending line passing through a center of gravity of said lid means no later than it is brought into contact with an upper portion of said lid means disposed above said laterally extending line, (b) causing said air bag to apply a substantially uniform pressure over a whole inner surface area of said lid means and (c) pivoting said lid means upwards about the at least one hinge member.