Side airbag system

A side airbag system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a seatback frame having a front side, a rear side, and an outboard side;
• a foam cushion padding disposed adjacent to said front side of said seatback frame, said foam cushion padding having a side padding portion that extends from said front side of said seatback frame forward in a lengthwise direction of the vehicle and outboard in a widthwise direction of the vehicle;
• a seatback trim covering both said foam cushion padding and said outboard side of said seatback frame;
• an airbag module disposed adjacent to said outboard side of said seatback frame external to said seatback trim, said airbag module extending from said seatback frame substantially outboard, said airbag module including a side airbag and an inflator device positioned for deploying said airbag substantially forward;
• and
• a rear cover panel coupled to said seatback frame, said rear cover panel having a panel portion for covering said rear side of said seatback frame and a flange portion for covering said outboard side of said seatback frame;
• wherein said inflator device deploys said airbag in a substantially forward direction causing said airbag to deform said side padding portion of said foam cushion padding;
• and
• wherein said inflator device is coupled to a mounting bracket positioned for deploying said airbag substantially forward, with said mounting bracket including at least one outboard-extending tab for mounting said inflator device thereon.