Abstract: A method of folding an air bag (10) includes locating the air bag in a first configuration with front and back parts (140, 142) overlying each other and with a side part (70) folded and extending outwardly from the front and back parts. First and second portions (150, 152) of the air bag (10) are on opposite sides of a top to bottom centerline (154). A retainer (114) is located adjacent the top edge (144) of the configuration. The air bag (10) is folded from bottom to top to a second configuration in which it overlies and has a height corresponding to the height of the retainer (114). The first and second portions (150, 152) of the air bag (10) have portions (151, 153) that project laterally beyond the sides (124, 126) of the retainer (114). The laterally projecting portions (151, 153) are moved laterally inward to overlie the retainer (114), and the air bag (10) has a width corresponding to the width of the retainer.

Abstract: A method of folding an air bag (10) includes locating the air bag in a first configuration with front and back parts (140, 142) overlying each other and with a side part (70) folded and extending outwardly from the front and back parts. First and second portions (150, 152) of the air bag (10) are on opposite sides of a top to bottom centerline (154). A retainer (114) is located adjacent the top edge (144) of the configuration. The air bag (10) is folded from bottom to top to a second configuration in which it overlies and has a height corresponding to the height of the retainer (114). The first and second portions (150, 152) of the air bag (10) have portions (151, 153) that project laterally beyond the sides (124, 126) of the retainer (114). The laterally projecting portions (151, 153) are moved laterally inward to overlie the retainer (114), and the air bag (10) has a width corresponding to the width of the retainer.

Abstract: A vehicle safety apparatus (10) includes an air bag (20) having an axis (100) and a retainer (16) for supporting the air bag on the vehicle. When the air bag (20) is in a first folded condition, first and second parts (110, 120) of the air bag extend outward from a centerline (78) of the retainer (16) along the axis (100) on opposite sides of the retainer. When the air bag (20) is in a second folded condition, the first part (110) of the air bag (20) is folded along spaced apart first fold lines (130-134) to define a plurality of first folded portions (136-140) of the air bag which overlie each other. In the second folded condition, the second part (120) of the air bag (20) is folded along spaced apart second fold lines (150, 152) to define a plurality of second folded portions (154, 156) which overlie each other. An outermost first folded portion (136) is disposed closer to the vehicle occupant than any other of the first folded portions when the air bag (20) is mounted in the vehicle.