Air bag system

An air bag system, comprising:

• an inflator operable to release inflation fluid;
• an inflatable cushion, said cushion being inflatable upon release of inflation fluid from said inflator;
• an air bag housing substantially surrounding said cushion, said housing having a vent for venting inflation fluid released by said inflator;
• a first plate including a first portion defining at least a first opening and a second portion defining at least a second opening;
• and
• a switch changeable from a first state to a second state;
• wherein said first plate is movable from a first position, wherein said first opening is aligned with said vent, to a second position, wherein said second opening is aligned with said vent;
• and
• wherein movement of said first plate from said first position to said second position changes said switch from one of said first state and said second state to the other of said first state and said second state.

An air bag system, comprising:

• an inflator operable to release inflation fluid;
• an inflatable cushion, said cushion being inflatable upon release of inflation fluid from said inflator;
• an air bag housing substantially surrounding said cushion, said housing having a vent for venting inflation fluid released by said inflator;
• a first plate including a first portion defining at least a first opening and a second portion defining at least a second opening;
• a second plate including a first portion defining at least a first opening and a second portion defining at least a second opening;
• and
• a movement prevention feature extending through said first plate and said second plate to prevent movement of said second plate prior to movement of said first plate,
• wherein said first plate is movable from a first position, wherein said first opening of said first plate is aligned with said vent, to a second position, wherein said second opening of said first plate is aligned with said vent;
• wherein said second plate is movable from a first position, wherein said first opening of said second plate is aligned with said vent, to a second position, wherein said second opening of said second plate is aligned with said vent;
• and
• wherein movement of said first plate from said first position of said first plate to said second position of said first plate disengages said movement prevention feature.

An air bag system comprising:

• an inflator operable to release inflation fluid;
• an inflatable cushion, said cushion being inflatable upon release of inflation fluid from said inflator;
• an air bag housing substantially surrounding said cushion, said housing having a vent for venting inflation fluid released by said inflator;
• a first plate moveable relative to said air bag housing and including a first portion defining at least a first opening with a nonzero area and a second portion defining at least a second opening with a nonzero area, said first plate being movable from a first position wherein said first opening of said first plate is aligned with said vent to a second position wherein said second opening of said first plate is aligned with said vent;
• a second plate moveable relative to said air bag housing and including a first portion defining at least a first opening with a nonzero area and a second portion defining at least a second opening with a nonzero area, said second plate being movable from a first position wherein said first opening of said second plate is aligned with said vent to a second position wherein said second opening of said second plate is aligned with said vent;
• wherein said first plate and said second plate interact to define at least four distinct vent areas.