An air bag puncture device extends from the torso of a vehicle occupant
and has a pointed outer end. Upon inflation of an air bag against the
torso of the occupant, the device punctures the air bag to soften the
outer surface of the air bag and thereby prevent injury to the occupant.
The puncture device is mounted on a resilient clip for removable mounting
to the shoulder harness of a vehicle seat belt system and comprises a
cylindrical cutting device having a serrated outer end opposite the
resilient clip for puncturing the inflating air bag. A spring-loaded
hollow cylindrical collar which normally shields the serrated outer end
of the cutting device is pushed out of the way by the inflating air bag,
allowing the serrated outer end of the cutting device to puncture the bag
in controlled fashion.