Abstract: The inflatable apparatus, such as an air bag for a vehicle, includes an inflatable body structure which is folded along predetermined lines into a compact shape and volume when the body structure is collapsed or deflated. The valve means is operably connected to the inflatable body structure to facilitate inflation of the apparatus. The inflatable structure is formed and folded in such a fashion that upon operation of the valve, the body structure inflates in a manner wherein the folds puff up simultaneously effecting an even, smooth inflation of the structure to a very large shape and volume which is much greater than the compact predetermined folded shape and volume. One version of the air bag is utilized for the driver of the vehicle, and a second version of the air bag is utilized to accommodate two passengers simultaneously.

Abstract: One embodiment of this invention is a specially folded steering wheel safety bag adapted to be mounted in a steering column of a vehicle to cushion the driver. Another embodiment is a specially folded passenger safety bag adapted to be mounted in the dashboard or in another area of the vehicle to cushion a passenger. Both the steering wheel safety bag and the passenger safety bag include: a plurality of adjacent first-pleats; a plurality of between-first-pleat-folds; and a plurality of cross-pleat-folds. Each first-pleat has a first-pleat-fold. One such between-first-pleat-fold is disposed between adjacent first-pleats. The cross-pleat-folds are disposed substantially transverse to the first-pleats, the first-pleat-folds and the between-first-pleat-folds. The steering wheel safety bag may have from six to twenty such first-pleats and from one to four such cross-pleat-folds.

Abstract: The inflatable apparatus, such as an air bag for a vehicle, includes an inflatable body structure which is folded along predetermined lines into a compact shape and volume when the body structure is collapsed or deflated. The valve means is operably connected to the inflatable body structure to facilitate inflation of the apparatus. The inflatable structure is formed and folded in such a fashion that upon operation of the valve, the body structure inflates in a manner wherein the folds puff up simultaneously effecting an even, smooth inflation of the structure to a very large shape and volume which is much greater than the compact predetermined folded shape and volume. One version of the air bag is utilized for the driver of the vehicle, and a second version of the air bag is utilized to accommodate two passengers simultaneously.