# US 8,783,711 B2 · Low mass passenger airbag design > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,711 B2 - Document ID: US8783711B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/716,917 - Filed: 2012-12-17 - Published: 2014-06-19 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-17 - Assignees: Chrysler Group LLC - Applicants: James Webber - Inventors: James Webber - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783711B2 ## CPC - B60R 21/2155: with complex motion of the cover; Retraction under the lining during opening - B60R 21/215: characterised by the covers for the inflatable member {(B60R21/2176 takes precedence)} - B60R 21/2165: characterised by a tear line for defining a deployment opening - B60R 21/217: Inflation fluid source retainers, e.g. reaction canisters; Connection of bags, covers, diffusers or inflation fluid sources therewith or together - B60R 21/205: in dashboards - B60R 2021/21652: {the tearing being done or assisted by cutters} - B60R 2021/2177: {Reaction canisters characterised by material} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract An airbag module including a housing, an airbag disposed within the housing, and a chute enclosing the airbag within the housing. The chute includes a seam formed therein that is operable to open during deployment of the airbag, wherein the chute includes a projection that extends toward the housing, and the housing includes a grasping feature that engages with the projection during deployment of the airbag to assist in opening the seam. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An airbag module, comprising: a housing; an airbag disposed within the housing; and a chute enclosing the airbag within the housing, the chute including a seam formed therein that is operable to open during deployment of the airbag, wherein the housing includes a primary housing and a secondary housing that extends over the primary housing, the second housing including a focus plate aligned with the seam that includes a first slot and a second slot, the primary housing being coupled to the first slot, and wherein the chute includes a projection that extends toward the focus plate and engages with the second slot during deployment of the airbag to assist in opening the seam. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the projection is an inwardly extending lip, the secondary housing includes a grasping feature formed as a flange, and the flange engages the inwardly extending lip during deployment of the airbag. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the projection is an inwardly extending lip, and the inwardly extending lip and the second slot cooperate to open the seam during deployment of the airbag. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the focus plate includes a mating feature. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The airbag module of claim 4, wherein the mating feature includes a male connection that cooperates with a female connection. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The airbag module of claim 4, wherein the mating feature includes a latching portion that engages with a slot portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the second housing includes a plurality of perforations. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the primary housing is formed of a fiberglass fabric. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the projection is a triangular-shaped rib that is operable as a lever during deployment of the airbag. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the focus plate includes a grasping feature, the grasping feature including a plurality of barbs that engage with the chute during deployment of the airbag. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The airbag module of claim 1, wherein the housing is formed of a steel material having a thickness in the range of 0.25 mm to 0.5 mm. ### Claim 12 An airbag module, comprising: a housing having a pair of connection portions; a focus plate including a first pair of slots that correspond to and engage with the pair of connection portions; an airbag disposed within the housing; and a chute including a seam that encloses the airbag within the housing, the chute includes a pair of projections that extend toward an interior of the housing toward the focus plate, wherein the focus plate includes a pair of second slots that correspond to and engage with the pair of projections formed on the chute such that during deployment of the airbag, the pair of projections and pair of second slots cooperate to open the seam. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The airbag module of claim 12, wherein the focus plate includes a mating feature. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The airbag module of claim 12, wherein the focus plate is unitary with a secondary housing that extends over the housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The airbag module of claim 12, wherein the projections are triangular-shaped ribs that, during deployment of the airbag, engage each other to act as a pair of levers that open the seam. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The airbag module of claim 12, wherein the focus plate includes a plurality of barbs that engage the chute during deployment of the airbag. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The airbag module of claim 12, wherein the housing is formed from at least one of a perforated steel material and a fiberglass fabric material.