Air bag deployment bias apparatus

A new and improved apparatus for biasing the direction of air bag deployment includes a box-shaped guide member, preferably of fabric construction, and attached to the air bag module and folded to overlie the folded air bag. The box-shaped guide member has an open bottom and is erected to the box shape upon deployment of the air bag through the air bag opening. The box-shape has an open end wall at the inboard side thereof to define a lateral deployment opening through which the air bag may be deployed laterally, and a top deployment opening through which the air bag may deploy upwardly and rearwardly toward the occupant. The box-shape also includes a top flap which selectively closes off the top deployment opening of the box to bias and divert the deploying air bag through the lateral opening until the top flap is unfolded to an extended position opening the top opening to permit the further deployment of the air bag through the top opening.