Abstract: A side airbag has at least one strap, which can be connected at its first end via a fastening portion to the airbag and at its second end to a vehicle part. The fastening portion of the strap and a second portion adjoining it each have constant cross-sections and a tapered portion is constructed between them. The cross-sectional width of the fastening portion is larger than the cross-sectional width of the second portion and the tapered portion forms a transition between them. The strap is constructed from a constant number of individual fibers extending substantially along the longitudinal axis of the strap.

Abstract: An airbag module has a base plate, an inflator and an airbag. To manufacture the airbag module in the most cost effective manner, the airbag is attached to the base plate or the inflator with a clamping connection. The inflator is attached to the base plate by a clamping connection. Alternatively, at least one through opening is located in the base plate, a through opening via which during the manufacture of the airbag module at least one bar can be inserted, to stretch the airbag fastened to the base plate prior to folding the airbag.

Abstract: A side impact airbag (10) and a method of folding. The airbag (10) comprises a head and a thorax compartment (5,6) separated by a panel (4) of airbag fabric and pneumatically linked by a vent hole (13) in the panel (4). On inflation the panel is adjacent the shoulder of an average occupant. The airbag (10) may be made of two or three pieces of fabric. If only two pieces are used then the dividing panel (4) is formed from part of one or both of the other two pieces. The inflation profile of the airbag (10) may be controlled by tethers (8) or by mounting it at 10°-40° to the horizontal. Tethers and stitching may also be used. The two compartments (5,6) may be of different weight and denier; a higher weight fabric for the lower, thorax, compartment (6), and a lower weight fabric for the upper head compartment (5). An airbag folding method is also described.

Abstract: An airbag (1) for a vehicle safety restraint and particularly a method of folding an airbag comprising laying the airbag (1) generally flat, making folds in the flat airbag to form a polygon (such as a square) in plan view, folding all of the sides of the polygon upwardly and inwardly of the polygon considered in plan view so that at least one point on each side meets a point on at least one other side at a position generally above the centre of the polygon so that the corners of the polygon form upstanding ears (7), and subsequently rolling (E) the upstanding corner ears of the polygon to form the airbag into a cylindrical shape. An airbag folded in this way is very compact and will fit into a housing of smaller diameter than was hitherto possible. The invention applies particularly to a driver's side airbag.