Abstract: A flexible airbag flap of an airbag module, in particular for use in motor vehicles, where the airbag module is arranged on a frame, preferably a metal frame, connected with a decor carrier of an instrument panel, and attached to the decor carrier but not to a cross member supporting the instrument panel. The flexible airbag flap can essentially be supported by the airbag arranged in the airbag module. The decor carrier is designed as one piece with the flexible airbag flap and in the area of the flexible airbag flap has a reduced wall thickness. Also disclosed is a method for production of such a flexible airbag flap with the steps of arranging the frame and preferably an additional layer covering the frame in a forming tool, and connecting the frame with a material, preferably a foaming material, that forms the decor carrier and the flexible airbag flap.

Abstract: A case of an airbag unit includes a case body for forming a storage room for accommodating an airbag, and a movable component attached to the case body for forming at least a part of an edge of an opening of the case body. The movable component has a lower end portion bent in a direction away from the case body. The movable component is movable toward the bottom when an external force is applied to the case.

Abstract: A case of an airbag unit has a case body for forming a storage room for accommodating an airbag. The case body has a bottom section, a pair of first side walls, and a pair of second side walls. The case also has a movable component disposed adjacent to an outer surface of one of the first side walls, and retractable toward a base end along the case body in response to an external force applied to the case. One of the first side walls has a plurality of pillars extending upwardly from the bottom to form cut-off portions therebetween extending downwardly from the upper opening.

Abstract: In a knee protecting airbag device (M1), an airbag (26) folded and housed below a steering column (3) is expanded and inflated while rising from the lower side of the steering column (3) along a column cover lower surface (9a) during an inflation process. The shape of the airbag having completed the inflation is in a generally plate shape capable of covering at least the lower surface of the column cover. Even if the knee of the driver comes close to the column cover when the driver depressing a brake pedal, therefore, the airbag being expanded and inflated goes smoothly into the clearance between the knee of the driver and the column cover lower surface. The airbag having completed the expansion and inflation protects the knee of the driver properly so that the knee may not interfere with the column cover.

Abstract: The knee protecting airbag device is assembled such that a retainer and an attachment bracket clamp the peripheral portion of a gas inlet opening of an airbag, bag holding wall parts of a case, and a gas providing inflator. This inflator is provided with a diffuser for covering the gas discharge port of a body. The retainer and the attachment bracket are connected by inserting bolts and connecting members through the airbag and the case, by retaining retaining portions on the retaining portions of the connecting members, and by inserting the bolts into through holes and fastening them with nuts. At this connecting time, guide portions of the retainer and the diffuser are fitted on each other to form a guide passage for guiding the gas into the airbag.

Abstract: An instrument panel has a passenger airbag system such that, in the deployment of the airbag, an airbag cover on the top side of the instrument panel adjacent to the windshield is upwardly displaceable in the direction of the windshield about a transverse pivot axis. Thereby, a passage for the actual airbag of the passenger airbag module is cleared. In order to prevent damage to the windshield due to the airbag cover being pivoted upward when the airbag is deployed, a transverse intended breaking line is provided on the airbag cover at a distance from the pivot axis so that the airbag cover is bent upward about this intended breaking line when it comes to rest against the windshield.

Abstract: An inflatable cushion for an air bag module, the inflatable cushion comprising: an inflation opening for providing fluid communication to an interior of the inflatable cushion; a first tether having a cushion securement end and a mounting end, the cushion securement end being fixedly secured to the inflatable cushion and the mounting end having a mounting member, the mounting member being capable of pivotal movement with respect to the mounting end, wherein the mounting member is an integral portion of the first tether folded and secured upon itself to define the mounting member; and wherein the mounting member is capable of being positioned between a first position and a second position, the first position being orthogonal to a portion of the first tether and the second position being parallel to a portion of the first tether.

Abstract: An airbag ring for mounting an airbag assembly to an instrument panel including an airbag ring portion having a first aperture. The first aperture being dimensioned to allow an airbag to pass through the first aperture during airbag deployment and a duct mounting portion integral with the airbag ring portion, the duct mounting portion having a second aperture.

Abstract: An airbag and an airbag apparatus are provided which can absorb an impact to be applied to an occupant sufficiently. An airbag includes a right airbag section to be inflated at the right side ahead of the occupant, a left airbag section to be inflated at the left side ahead of the occupant, and a rear chamber communicating between the base ends of the right airbag section and the left airbag section. In a state in which the airbag is inflated, an extending member such as a tie panel does not exist between the tip portions of the right airbag section and the left airbag section, and a space formed between the tip portions of the bags opens toward the occupant. The left airbag section has a larger capacity having a larger lateral width in the inflated state.

Abstract: A ventilation device for a vehicle includes an instrument panel having a front passenger region with a front instrument panel wall region facing a windshield and a rear instrument panel wall region as a potential head-impact instrument panel wall region. An individual vent air-feeding duct, which is covered by the instrument panel, extends below the potential head-impact instrument panel wall region and extends there essentially in a direction of the transverse axis of the vehicle. A front passenger airbag module can therefore be positioned away from the potential head-impact region in a free space formed in front of the individual vent air-feeding duct. The front instrument panel wall region has, at least in some regions, air passage openings for a diffuse ventilation of the vehicle interior. Starting from the individual vent air-feeding duct, at least one branch duct is guided to a region below the air passage openings.

Abstract: A volume-filling mechanical structure for modifying a crash including: a bolster system defined by an outer bolster and an inner bolster; a honeycomb celled material expandable from a dormant state to a deployed state, the honeycomb celled material disposed intermediate the outer and inner bolsters cooperatively positioned with the honeycomb celled material to cover surfaces defining the honeycomb celled material in the deployed and dormant states; a means for deploying the honeycomb celled material from the dormant state to the deployed state causing the outer bolster to translate away from the inner bolster; and a tether operably connecting one end of the honeycomb celled material to the means for deploying the honeycomb celled material from the dormant state to the deployed state.

Abstract: An airbag device for front passenger's seat of the present invention includes an airbag folded and housed in a case. A rear side face of the airbag as completely deployed confronts an occupant and serves as a restraint face. The airbag includes an upper inflatable portion and a lower inflatable portion arranged vertically at airbag inflation. Rear side faces of each of the upper and lower inflatable portions define upper part and lower part of the restraint face. A lower wall of the upper inflatable portion and a top wall of the lower inflatable portion contact and overlap with each other as the airbag is completely inflated, and contacting face of the top wall and the lower wall is wide enough to stay contacted even when either the upper inflatable portion or the lower inflatable portion restrains a part of occupant.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for controlling a multistage actuatable occupant restraining system (14, 18) of a vehicle includes a crash sensor (32) sensing crash acceleration at a substantially central location of the vehicle. A crush zone accelerometer (40, 42) is provides a crush zone crash acceleration signal. A controller (50) a crash velocity value and a crash displacement value in response to the crash acceleration signal. A plurality a predetermined crash velocity as a function of crash displacement threshold maps (152-172) is provided, two of the plurality of threshold maps (170, 172) relating to a second stage (92, 96) of said multistage actuatable occupant restraining system. The selects one of the two threshold maps relating to the second stage of in response to the crush zone acceleration signal and controls second stage actuation in response to a comparison of the crash velocity signal against the selected one of the two threshold maps (170, 172).

Abstract: An airbag apparatus for a vehicle includes an interior panel, an airbag; an inflater, a frame, and a pair of reinforcement members. When the airbag inflates, a fracture-opening section of the interior panel is ruptured and divided into two fracture-opening subsections, which are turned outward about hinge portions of the reinforcement members in a manner of a casement. Hinge motion restricting members are provided on the frame. When the fracture-opening subsections are turned, the hinge motion restricting members come into engagement with the hinge portions. This configuration eliminates interference between the fracture-opening subsections and the interior panel, which interference would otherwise occur when the fracture-opening subsections are opened in the manner of a casement.

Abstract: An air bag cover includes a mounting leg having an enlarged foot captured between the base plate and the inner plate. The base plate has a channel formed along its outer edge. The inner plate overlies the base plate and has an outer end portion that partially overlies the channel to capture and retain the foot of the mounting leg within the channel both prior to and upon opening movement of the air bag cover during air bag deployment. The base plate, the inner plate and the leg are configured such that the initial opening movement of the airbag cover is obtained by rotation of the enlarged foot within the channel, and then the continuing opening movement of the cover is obtained by bending of the mounting leg while the enlarged foot is constrained against further rotation within the channel. Auxiliary tear lines may be provided in the cover, particularly at or near the corners of an air bag flap to further enable low force opening of the cover.

Abstract: An airbag assembly is disclosed. The airbag assembly includes an inflatable cushion having a recess in its lower portion. The recess may form split sections in the lower portion of the cushion. The recess may be configured to receive a rear-facing child car seat during deployment. The airbag assembly may further include a tethering system to control deployment of the split sections of the cushion.

Abstract: An airbag device is provided to prevent an airbag from being deployed or to reduce the deployment force of an airbag when an airbag device or a vehicle-body component adjacent to the airbag device is leaned against by a vehicle occupant. In one form, a passenger-seat airbag device is set in an instrument panel and includes a bracket which is fixed to a vehicle-body member with, for example, a bolt. A strain gauge is attached to the bracket. When a lid covering the front side of a retainer is leaned against by a vehicle occupant, the weight of the occupant is transmitted to the bracket via the retainer, such that a small strain is generated in the bracket. Such a strain is detected by the strain gauge to allow the deployment force of the airbag to be reduced.

Abstract: An airbag module including a module housing and cover is disclosed. The cover may include a molded-in channel to engage a flange extending from the module housing. The interaction between the channel and flange permit limited movement of the cover with respect to the module housing. The airbag module may further include hook and window engagement mechanisms as well as locking tab and window engagement mechanisms to couple the cover to the housing.

Abstract: A knee airbag system for a vehicle is disclosed. The knee airbag system may include a reaction plate having a plurality of apertures. The knee airbag system may include an airbag. The airbag may have a plurality of locations that are disposed to correspond to the plurality of apertures if the airbag is positioned for attachment to the reaction plate. The knee airbag system may also include a plurality of protrusions. The plurality of protrusions may extend through the plurality of apertures for securing the reaction plate to the airbag.

Abstract: Disclosed are a passenger airbag door structure in which a pad deploying part and an airbag door part are integrally formed and a method of making the same.

Abstract: A passenger airbag system is designed for an automotive vehicle with a passenger compartment, a windshield and an instrument panel disposed between the passenger compartment and the windshield. The instrument panel has a top portion with a surface which is more horizontal than vertical and generally directed toward the windshield and a mid-portion with a surface that is more vertical than horizontal and generally directed toward an occupant of the passenger compartment. The system includes a single airbag housing that is disposed in the instrument panel and extends from the top portion to the mid-portion. The airbag cushion is deployable from the housing through the instrument panel along a predetermined path for direct contact with an occupant seated in the passenger compartment. The predetermined path is generally radial with respect to the surface of the instrument panel.

Abstract: A method for designing a PAB door for an invisible airbag provided to a passenger-side seat of a vehicle includes defining levels of a noise factor depending on a process condition of laser scoring for forming a tearseam on an inner surface of an instrument panel. Control factors and levels of each control factor are defined that affect stress distribution and deformation rate of the tearseam. A combination is arranged that includes levels of the control factors according to an experimental design, inputting each noise factor to each combination and measuring a minimum impulse ‘X’ that is able to tear the tearseam, and a maximum impulse ‘Z’ that is unable to tear the tearseam in the case of a head impact. The level of each control factor is selected based on the measured minimum impulse ‘X’ and the measured maximum impulse ‘Z’.

Abstract: An airbag module and instrument panel assembly for a motor vehicle having at least one ventilation outlet and a ventilation duct attached thereto and arranged behind an instrument panel. The airbag module is fastened behind the instrument patent and has a gas generator and a folded airbag arranged within its housing wherein a ventilation outlet is closed by a grid that opens when the airbag module is triggered and is provided within the instrument panel for the unfolding airbag. The airbag module is arranged adjacent to the ventilation duct in such a manner that when the airbag module is triggered, the airbag unfolds into the ventilation duct and from there unfolds out of the instrument panel through the ventilation outlet. The pressure of the unfolding airbag moves away from the ventilation outlet which is arranged within the instrument panel.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention relates an airbag assembly comprising a panel having a tear seam forming at least one airbag door, and a door chute assembly comprising a laterally extending flange connected to the panel proximate the airbag door. The door chute assembly includes a chute depending from the flange away from the panel and the chute has at least one opening. The airbag assembly further comprises a door panel assembly including at least one door panel disposed within the chute and connected to the airbag door. The door panel has a downwardly depending flange having at least one projection extending laterally through the at least one opening of the chute. The airbag assembly further comprises an inflatable airbag mounted on the door chute.

Abstract: An instrument panel assembly for a vehicle including a lower housing having a first portion and an upper panel separate from and attached to the lower housing. The upper panel defines a front edge and a rear edge. The rear edge is adjacent to the first portion of the lower housing and faces a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The upper panel is attached relative to the lower housing at first and second attachment locations. The rear edge and a portion of the upper panel are adapted to deform and move in a direction outwardly from the first portion of the lower housing to define a gap between the rear edge and the first portion of the lower housing to permit passage of a deployed air bag through the gap such that the upper panel remains attached to the lower housing at the first and second attachment locations.

Abstract: An occupant protection device on a passenger side of a vehicle includes a gas bag (16) having a front wall (18) facing an interior of the vehicle. The occupant protection device further includes a tether strap (26) arranged inside the gas bag (16). The tether strap (26) has a first fastening section (32) and an elongated second fastening section (40). The first and second fastening sections (32, 40) are fastened to the front wall (18) of the gas bag (16). The second fastening section (40) extends substantially vertically in an unfolded state of the gas bag (16).

Abstract: An airbag assembly is provided including an instrument panel substrate with an outer display surface and a panel opening formed therein. A door panel is positioned over the panel opening. A chute element is positioned behind and mounted to the instrument panel substrate. It includes an upper chute mating surface mounted to the instrument panel substrate, a chute chamber orientated coincident with the panel opening, and a plurality of chute sidewalls. A living hinge assembly includes a hinge sidewall portion slidably engaged to one of the chute sidewalls, a hinge door portion attached to the hinge sidewall portion by a living hinge portion allowing them to relatively rotate. The hinge door portion is mounted to the door panel. An airbag module is mounted to the chute element and deploys upward through the chute chamber. The living hinge assembly slides upward during deployment to clear the outer display surface.

Abstract: An air-bag is formed using two substantially identical, but inverted, fabric elements. Each element defines a generally rectangular region having, at one narrow end thereof, a generally triangular extension, one side of which is co-extensive with one side of the rectangular region. The other side of the rectangular region has a triangular or thumb-like projection. The two elements are substantially superimposed with the rectangular regions thereof aligned. If the ends of the rectangular regions carrying the triangular extensions are separated, the projections or thumbs may be folded to form side-walls, and the triangular projections may be folded inwardly to form an end region. A single peripheral seam may seal the two elements together to form an air-bag.

Abstract: A restraint system that evaluates factors such the type of collision an automotive vehicle is experiencing and then, based on that evaluation, deploys a knee airbag and/or a head/torso airbag. A knee airbag is also disclosed with an upper portion and a lower portion.

Abstract: A hidden air bag apparatus for a passenger-side seat of a vehicle includes an inflator disposed in a lower side of an instrument panel of the vehicle, a mounting bracket secured to a cowl cross bar and supporting the inflator, and an air bag configured to be inflated by the inflator. The inflator and the air bag are installed within a defroster air duct disposed under a windshield glass of the vehicle. Because the tearseam formed in the instrument panel can be spaced from where a passenger's head may impact, danger of injury caused by impact between the air bag door and the windshield can be prevented.

Abstract: A selectively deployable airbag apparatus for vehicles includes: an impact detection sensor; a seat belt sensor; a first inflator and a second inflator; an airbag supplied with gas emitted from the first inflator and the second inflator and having a base chamber and a chest chamber separated from each other by a partition with at least one inner vent hole such that the base chamber and the chest chamber fluidly communicate with each other; and a controller receiving signals from the impact detection sensor and the seat belt sensor and operating the airbag to deploy, and determining whether to deploy the chest chamber or not based on whether the passenger has fastened the seat belt or not and an impact force.

Abstract: An airbag chute assembly for a vehicle. The airbag chute assembly includes a chute portion, an inflator housing, and a coupling member that facilitates coupling and decoupling of the inflator housing.

Abstract: A bracket is provided for connecting an airbag module to a structural member in an automotive vehicle. The bracket provides three degrees to freedom to allow the fit and finish of the interior panels to be determined without being affected by the rigid connection between the airbag module and the structural member. Holes are also provided in the bracket for tuning energy management.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint device has a gas bag module with a housing and a gas bag having a free exit end, the gas bag moving into its fully deployed position with the free exit end first. At least one control element is provided which engages the gas bag and forces the gas bag to extend generally in an arc shape from the housing up to the free exit end in the deployed state.

Abstract: An air bag door construction for air bag deployment comprises a trim panel and air bag door of unitary construction, at least a portion of the door defined by an area of reduced cross-section outlining at least a portion of the periphery thereof. One or more tethers are formed in the panel, outlined by an area of reduced cross-section, preferably in a dovetail shape which does not direct the propagation of tearing into the tether. A tear stop may be formed at the ends of the tether. The improvement comprises a stiffening frame that is attached to the backside of the panel just outboard of the air bag door periphery but not located across the tethers to improve deployment performance.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus cover has a module cover with a module cover main body, and a door frame with a door frame movable member and a door frame fixed member. When an inflator discharges gas, the door frame movable member is moved upward by an expanding airbag. The module cover is broken along a tear line, and a door portion is cut off and separated from the surrounding module cover. The door portion is moved farther upward with the door frame movable member, and a tear line of the door portion is burst as it is pressed by the airbag. The door portion and its lining plate portions open like a door, and the airbag is expanded into a vehicle cabin. The fixed member, the movable member, and the module cover are integrally formed by a double-shot molding process, which facilitates the manufacture of the cover with high dimensional accuracy.

Abstract: An air-bag structure includes a tear seam that forms an air-bag door. The tear seam is not broken by shock applied from a passenger room, but the tear seam is easily broken upon expansion of the air-bag to secure smooth and reliable deployment of the air-bag operation and provides a sturdy air-bag structure against the shock from a passenger room.

Abstract: The airbag apparatus for a front passenger's seat includes an airbag provided on its rear side with a protection portion contactable with a passenger. The airbag internally includes a vertical tether for controlling the contour of the airbag upon inflation depending on a passenger. The protection portion includes each one left and right shoulder restraining portion disposed side by side along the lateral direction for contact with left and right shoulders of the passenger. The vertical tether works to vary a distance between the shoulder restraining portions in the lateral direction at the complete airbag inflation into a wide distance correspondent to a large passenger and a narrow distance correspondent to an undersized passenger.

Abstract: In the knee protection air bag apparatus, the air bag cover is assembled to a case which stores therein an air bag and an inflator and also includes an opening formed in the vehicle backward direction portion thereof such that the air bag cover is movable with respect to the case in the vehicle back-and-forth direction, in the vehicle vertical direction and in the vehicle right and left direction and, at the same time, the air bag cover is mounted on its adjoining vehicle interior part (a lower panel). A projecting streak provided on the air bag cover regulates the movement of the air bag cover in the vehicle backward direction with respect to the case, whereby the expanding and developing power of the air bag can be properly transmitted to a breaking portion formed in the lid portion of the air bag cover.

Abstract: A glove box airbag system is disclosed that may be used to protect the knees and/or legs of a vehicle occupant during a crash. The airbag assembly includes a glove box and a housing that encases a knee airbag. The housing is positioned below the glove box. The entirety of the housing may be positioned below the entirety of the glove box. The airbag assembly also has a front member that covers the glove box and the housing. The front member may include a glove box door that covers the glove box and an airbag door that covers the housing. Alternatively, the front member may be a glove box door that covers both the housing and the glove box. Further, the front member may include a glove box door that covers the glove box and an aperture that is positioned in front of the housing. A hinge and/or a latch mechanism that allow the glove box door to move between a closed position and an open position may also be added.

Abstract: An airbag assembly is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. In one embodiment, the airbag assembly includes a cover with one or more ribs. A tray defines a cavity for housing an airbag and includes one or more channels that each receive a corresponding rib. An end of the cover is secured to an end of the tray. Upon deployment of an airbag, the cover pulls from the tray and dislodges the ribs from the channels.

Abstract: A motor vehicle structure that includes a hidden airbag door and an integrated airbag chute. The structure may be selected from instrument panel assemblies, seat shields, airbag covers, pillar garnishes, side curtain shields, door trim, knee bolsters, or a combination of one or more of the foregoing structures. The structure is designed to include a retainer having a first surface and a second surface, a deployment chute, and a door portion defined by a tear seam notch in at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the retainer. The deployment chute is attached to and integrated with the retainer. Additionally, the deployment chute and the retainer are constructed and arranged from the same material. The motor vehicle structure may be made by integrally forming the deployment chute with the retainer and defining a door portion using a tear seam notch in at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the retainer.

Abstract: An air bag module including a canister and a cover coupled to said canister. One of the cover and canister has a projection and the other of the cover and canister has an opening. The projection is disposed in the opening and engages the other of the cover and canister to restrict movement of the cover relative to the canister and create a frictional force acting to resist movement of the cover relative to the canister.

Abstract: The airbag unit is disposed inside the rear upper face portion of the instrument panel near the difference-in-level portion. The lid portion is configured to open substantially forward around the hinge member without hitting against the difference-in-level portion. Herein, the hinge member is configured such that the lid portion can open beyond the difference-in-level portion to the position where the lid portion is substantially located on the front upper face portion of the instrument panel when the airbag is inflated to its maximum opening state. Accordingly, the proper protection of the passenger seated in the assistant seat can be performed.

Abstract: An airbag assembly for a motor vehicle does not require any heat stakes and permits a deployment door to be formed in the interior panel without the need for scoring or other pre-weakening thereof. The airbag chute is constructed of plastic and includes a substrate facing surface. A door assembly includes a metal door and a plastic door plate. The door plate is positioned between the substrate and the door portion, and has a substrate facing surface. The substrate facing surfaces of the airbag chute and the plastic door plate are attached to the substrate. The substrate facing surface of the plastic door plate engages the substrate over a contact area to distribute a force imposed on the plastic door plate from the deployment of the airbag.

Abstract: An airbag device includes an interior panel as a part of an inner surface of a vehicle cabin; a door portion formed in the interior panel and opening toward an inner side of the vehicle cabin; a retainer disposed behind a backside of the interior panel; an airbag accommodated in the retainer in a folded state; an inflator for inflating the airbag; and a door frame arranged between the retainer and the interior panel. The door frame includes a door frame movable member having a backing plate and a leg portion projecting from the backing plate; and a door frame fixed member having a flange portion and a leg portion projecting from the flange portion. The leg portion of the door frame fixed member has a height smaller than that of the leg portion of the door frame movable member.

Abstract: A cover body of a vehicle air bag apparatus, being comprised of a covering portion which is formed integrally with an interior panel body and which has a door portion defined by a tear seam formed in a back of the interior panel body, and, a backing portion joined to a back of the covering portion. The covering portion is made of polyolefin resin having a flexual elastic modulus of from 1500 to 3500 MPa, a tensile strength of from 17 to 40 MPa, an Izod impact strength of from 3.0 to 15.0 kJ/m2, and an elongation of 400% or less. The backing portion is made of thermoplastic olefin which is softer and has a greater elongation. The backing portion is comprised of a reinforcing portion at a back of the door portion, a surrounding base at the back of the covering portion, and a hinge portion joining the reinforcing portion and the surrounding base.

Abstract: An air bag assembly, for use with a vehicle having a panel with a breakaway door, includes an air bag housing having first and second housing portions. Each housing portion has a connection flange, and the connection flanges are positioned adjacent each other and secured together. An air bag and inflator are disposed within the air bag housing, and the inflator is operable to inflate the air bag. The assembly further includes a tether having a first end adapted to be secured to the breakaway door of the panel and a second end that is secured between the connection flanges.

Abstract: An interior vehicle trim panel includes a substrate having a front face and an under face. The under face has a tear seam to allow an airbag to exit the substrate when the airbag is deployed. The tear seam defines an airbag door. The outer layer is bonded to the front face of the substrate. A portion of the outer layer defines a hinge member for the airbag door. The outer layer is preferably mechanically bonded to the substrate in a mold, thereby forming an overmolded interior vehicle trim panel. Preferably, the hinge member of the outer layer is thicker relative to a region of the outer layer adjacent the airbag door.

Abstract: An airbag of the knee-protecting airbag device according to the present invention includes a cover area which covers the lower side or the back side of key accessories and is contactable with the accessories. The airbag includes a bag-shaped airbag body with a driver's side wall and a column side wall, a protecting cloth, and a retainer cloth. The protecting cloth is joined at its lower end to an area in the column side wall below the cover area, while leaving its upper end as free end. The retainer cloth is so joined at its lower end to the driver's side wall as to be capable of covering the upper end part of the protecting cloth as extended to the driver's side wall. The airbag is transversely folded and housed in the housing in a condition that the upper end part of the protecting cloth is extended to the driver's side wall and then the retainer cloth is superposed thereon.