Air bag module with an integral shield

An apparatus ( 10 ) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( 12 ). An inflator ( 14 ) provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device ( 12 ). The inflation fluid flow from the inflator ( 14 ) is transverse to a central axis ( 16 ) of the inflator. A shield ( 70 ) includes a piece of material ( 72 ) folded about the inflator ( 14 ) and having a wall portion ( 102 ) that is interposed between at least a portion of the inflator and the protection device ( 12 ) and against which inflation fluid initially exiting from the inflator at least partially impinges. The wall portion ( 102 ) has a plurality of tear seams ( 76 ) that rupture due to inflation fluid pressure acting on the shield ( 70 ) to enable the wall portion to form a plurality of flaps ( 80 ) within the protection device ( 12 ). Each flap ( 80 ) moves away from the central axis ( 16 ) of the inflator ( 14 ) about a respective axis that extends transverse to the central axis ( 16 ) of the inflator to block inflation fluid contact with portions of the protection device ( 12 ).