an air bag assembly may have curved air bag lids that are reliably opened and that are more stiffly supported . a member which connects the lids to a casing is formed of a plastically deformable member having a bent portion . this member supports the lids on the casing with considerable stiffness . when the air bag inflates , the bent portion is plastically deformed to extend outwardly of the instrument panel . as the lids open , the member does not restrict movement to rotate about a center point .