Air bag reaction canister having softened edges

In an automotive air bag reaction canister comprising an extruded fabricated trough-shaped body part having first and second side walls each having an edge and an end plate mounted to each end of the side walls to form a housing for at least an air bag inflator, with the side walls and end plates also forming an air bag chute for housing a stored air bag and guiding the air bag upon deployment, the canister being adapted for installation behind, and adjacent an automotive panel in the head impact region thereof, the improvement which comprises:

• an element formed of resilient, impact energy absorbing material joined to and extending adjacent to the edge of the first side wall whereby impact energy resulting from a low speed frontal collision of the automotive vehicle and imparted to the automotive panel in the head impact region is absorbed, said element comprising first and second walls with at least said first wall comprising an extension of said air bag chute, said first and second walls being joined together by means of at least one truss member, said truss member joining a midpoint of said first wall with a midpoint of said second wall and forming at least one hollow in said element to enhance the energy absorption capacity thereof, said element being sufficiently resilient to absorb at least 5 millimeters of linear displacement with said element comprising a smooth surface adjacent the air bag upon deployment.