Abstract: A middle pillar trim and a rear pillar trim positioned to the front and rear of a side window glass are each harder than a roof trim. A curtain air bag fixed to a rear pillar is deployed in a vehicle cabin while a predetermined end edge of the front of the rear pillar trim in the widthwise direction of a vehicle is deformed toward the front. The separation distance of the curtain air bag in a stored state from the side window glass in the widthwise direction of the vehicle is L1 (L2) in the portion of the curtain air bag along the rear edge of the side window glass, and L4 in the portion of the curtain air bag at the upper edge of the side window glass near the middle pillar trim, and the separation distance L1(L2) is smaller than the separation distance L4.

Abstract: A middle pillar trim PT3 and a rear pillar trim PT4 positioned to the front and rear of a side window glass G3 are each harder than a roof trim RT. A curtain air bag KB fixed to a rear pillar P4 is deployed in a vehicle cabin while a predetermined end edge 26a of the front of the rear pillar trim PT4 in the widthwise direction of a vehicle is deformed toward the front. The separation distance of the curtain air bag KB in a stored state from the side window glass G3 in the widthwise direction of the vehicle is L1 (L2) in the portion of the curtain air bag KB along the rear edge of the side window glass G3, and L4 in the portion of the curtain air bag KB at the upper edge of the side window glass G3 near the middle pillar trim PT3, and L1 (L2)<L4 is satisfied.

Abstract: A safety air bag apparatus is disposed behind an instrument panel having an instrument panel opening which is inclined with respect to a direction of air bag expansion relative to an opening of an air bag container. The safety air bag apparatus has a lid which covers the instrument panel opening so as to be flush with the instrument panel and to have an outer surface with a profile matching an outer profile of the instrument panel. The lid opens upwards to uncover the instrument panel opening. The safety air bag apparatus is further provided with a control device which brings the air bag, during expansion, into contact with a lower portion of the lid no later than it is brought into contact with an upper portion of the lid.