Air bag module

An air bag module comprising:

• an inflator for generating gas;
• an air bag deployable upon generation of gas by the inflator;
• and
• a clamshell container having a first half and a second half pivotally connected to each other by a closure hinge portion, the clamshell container housing the air bag and inflator therein, the first and second halves of the clamshell container each including a deployment end portion opposite the closure hinge portion, the deployment end portions being releasably connected to each other such that upon air bag deployment, the deployment end portions break apart from each other to permit deployment of the air bag therebetween, at least one of the deployment end portions being hingedly connected to the clamshell container by a deployment hinge portion and the deployment hinge portion being stronger than the releasable connection between the deployment end portions whereby upon air bag deployment, the inflating air bag breaks apart the deployment end portions and the deployment hinge portion remains intact and permits rotation of the corresponding deployment end portion.

An air bag module comprising:

• an inflator for generating gas;
• an air bag deployable upon generation of gas by the inflator;
• and
• a clamshell container having a first half and a second half pivotally connected to each other by a closure hinge portion, the clamshell container housing the air bag and inflator therein, the first and second halves each having a forward deployment edge pivotally connected thereto whereby upon air bag inflation the forward deployment edges rotate open for deployment of the air bag therethrough.

An air bag module comprising:

• an inflator for generating gas;
• an air bag deployable upon generation of gas by the inflator;
• and
• a clamshell container having a first half and a second half pivotally connected to each other by a closure hinge portion, the clamshell container housing the air bag and inflator therein, the first and second halves of the clamshell container each including a deployment edge opposite the closure hinge portion, the deployment edges of the clamshell container being releasably connected to each other such that upon air bag deployment, the air bag breaks open and deploys between the deployment edges of the clamshell container, and at least one of the deployment edges being hingedly connected to the corresponding one of the first and second halves of the clamshell container.

An air bag module comprising:

• an inflator for generating gas;
• an air bag deployable upon generation of gas by the inflator;
• and
• a clamshell container having a first half and a second half pivotally connected to each other by a closure hinge portion, the clamshell container housing the air bag and inflator therein, the first and second halves of the clamshell container each including a deployment end portion opposite the closure hinge portion, and at least one of the deployment end portions being hingedly connected to the corresponding one of the first and second halves of the clamshell container.