Abstract: An airbag module for a motor vehicle is provided. The airbag module comprising a first subassembly which may be arranged on a motor vehicle, an airbag of the first subassembly which may be inflated for protecting a person, which comprises an interior which may be filled with gas for inflating the airbag, a housing of the first subassembly, for receiving the airbag, a gas generator of the first subassembly for inflating the airbag with gas, an additional second subassembly and a reservoir of the second subassembly (for storing a coolant which is designed and provided for cooling gases located in the interior of the airbag. The additional second subassembly is separate from the first subassembly and is designed and provided to be arranged at a distance from the first subassembly on the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An air bag module (10) comprises an air bag (12), an inflator (14) and a gas distributing member (16) for distributing the gas escaping from the inflator (14) into different directions of flow. The gas distributing member (16) is configured so that it is deformed by the pressure exerted by the escaping gas such that thereby the distribution of the gas to the different directions of flow is influenced.

Abstract: An airbag module includes a bag wrap, a retainer, an airbag, and an inflator to inflate the airbag. The airbag includes at least one vent hole, and a deployment control flap to change trajectory of the airbag such that the airbag will deploy upwards and laterally to left and right sides. The deployment control flap is fixed at both ends to the retainer, airbag, or bag wrap.

Abstract: A gas flow distributor for an airbag module for the specific distribution of a gas flow through which the released gas flows during inflation of the airbag is provided. The gas flow distributor comprises at least two sleeve parts which are made of a flexible material and are connected to one another by a seam. The seam absorbs the forces which are exerted on the sleeve by the gas flowing through it. An additional releasable connection of both sleeve parts is provided in at least some sections in order to absorb the forces exerted by the gas on the sleeve, wherein the additional connection cooperates with the sleeve for limiting the forces to be absorbed by the seam in such a manner that said connection is released when gas passes through the sleeve.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of airbag cushions including diffuser panels to redirect inflation gas within the cushion. In an embodiment particularly suited for use as a knee airbag cushion, a diffuser panel is positioned over the inflator opening and in between the front and rear faces of an airbag cushion panel. The diffuser panel defines a plurality of channels such that, upon inflation of the airbag cushion through the inflator opening, the channels redirect inflation gas towards the top corners and sides of the interior of the airbag cushion.

Abstract: An inflator assembly is disclosed for use in an automobile. The inflator assembly features a slide-on housing around an inflator.

Abstract: An inflator capable of directing inflation gas into the cushion of an airbag module is thrust neutral during shipping, handling and installation. The inflator's thrust-neutral feature can be rendered inoperable for use with the airbag module. A thrust-balancing portion of the inflator has a circumferentially continuous sidewall that encloses an elongated passageway and has a proximal end configured to receive inflation gas from the inflator and a distal end configured to release a primary portion of the inflation gas into the cushion. In the event of unintended discharge during shipping or handling, an elongated secondary discharge aperture formed through the sidewall releases to the exterior of the thrust-balancing portion a secondary portion of the inflation gas that imposes thrust on the inflator directed oppositely from thrust imposed by release of the primary portion of the inflation gas stabilizing the inflator during shipping, handling and installation.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus of a vehicle includes a curtain airbag configured to be deployed from a first location proximate to an upper portion of a side window of the vehicle, the curtain airbag configured to extend to a lower portion of the side window when the curtain airbag is inflated, and a side airbag configured to be deployed from a second location proximate to the lower portion of the side window, wherein the side airbag is arranged to suppress a movement of the curtain airbag when the curtain airbag and the side airbag are inflated.

Abstract: A side impact protection airbag system includes an inflator, a retainer and an airbag. An interior space of the airbag is divided into a pelvis portion protecting chamber and a chest portion protecting chamber by a dividing part. A gas ejecting part of the inflator and an opening in the retainer are provided between a fixing end portion of the airbag and an end portion (a connecting portion) of the dividing part which lies a side facing the fixing end portion. A circumferential portion on a wall part which is separate from the opening is made to constitute an interruption wall which interrupts the passage of an inflation gas to the dividing part side, and the interruption wall is provided between the gas ejecting part and the connecting portion.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (16) of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable from a deflated condition to an inflated condition. An inflator (32) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (14). A retainer (70) has an opening (78) for receiving the inflator (32). The retainer (70) includes a base portion (72) and an annular wall (74) that extends transversely from the base portion (72). The annular wall (74) has a deflector portion (88) and a retaining portion (86). The deflector portion (88) is positioned radially outward from the retaining portion (86) and extends substantially orthogonal to the base portion (72) to direct inflation fluid from the inflator (32) into the protection device (14) in a direction substantially parallel to a central axis (37) of the inflator (32).

Abstract: An inflator includes a generant chamber that houses a quantity of gas generant. The chamber has a plurality of gas exit holes that are positioned along the length of the generant chamber. A filter is added exterior of the chamber. In fact, the filter may be positioned on the exterior of the generant chamber. Straps may encircle the inflator. The straps are attached to studs that will operate to mount the inflator. The position of the straps may be adjusted and tailored to apportion the amount of inflation gas that is directed into each chamber of a multi-chambered or two-chambered airbag.

Abstract: An inflatable side airbag has an inflatable duct for the delivery of inflation gas. The inflatable duct of the inflatable side airbag provides for rapid deployment of a multi-chamber air bag while controlling the rate of inflation and the relative pressure of the chambers. The inflatable duct allows a single inflator to inflate a high pressure pelvis chamber and a lower pressure thorax chamber while preventing fluid communication between the two chambers upon completion of inflation.

Abstract: An airbag module includes a bag wrap, a retainer, an airbag, and an inflator to inflate the airbag. The airbag includes at least one vent hole, and a deployment control flap to change trajectory of the airbag such that the airbag will deploy upwards and laterally to left and right sides. The deployment control flap is fixed at both ends to the retainer, airbag, or bag wrap.

Abstract: There is provided an airbag device for allowing a holding member to firmly hold an outer circumference part and a peripheral edge part of an airbag during the airbag assembling work and to reduce the assembling work time. The airbag device comprising a holding member (14) for holding an airbag (10) in a state as folded and contained therein, and pressing down a side face of the airbag (10) on the outer circumference thereof. The holding member (14) is made of a woven cloth, and an anticipated rupture part (14k) to be ruptured by a gas generated from an inflator (30) is formed at the position corresponding to the part of the airbag (10), inflating in the initial stage of the expansion thereof.

Abstract: The airbag apparatus is provided with a retainer that includes a hold-down portion for attachment of a periphery of a gas inlet of an airbag to the case, a cover wall surrounding an inflator body, deflectors and catches. The cover wall includes a plurality of outlet ports for releasing inflation gas exited discharge ports of the inflator body radially. The deflectors deflect the inflation gas exited the outlet ports in a range of angle from a direction orthogonal to an axis of the inflator body to a downward direction extending toward the hold-down portion. The catches capture residual particles contained in the inflation gas when the gas deflected by the deflectors hit them.

Abstract: An air bag includes a bag base wall having a mouth registering with an inflator and extending rearward along an instrument panel and toward the seated occupant. Spaced apart left and right sidewalls connect the bag base wall with a top wall and an occupant facing wall, thereby defining upper and lower torso restraining portions. An internal baffle has a baffle base wall sewn to the bag base wall rearwardly of the mouth and a left side baffle portion and a right side baffle portion attached to and extending from the baffle base wall and attached to the sidewalls of the air bag so that inflation gas impinges on the baffle and divides into left and right flow streams flowing on opposite sides of the baffle base wall and directed downwardly into the lower torso restraining portion and away from the upper torso restraining portion.

Abstract: There is provided an airbag device being excellent in performance of protection of an occupant wherein a folded airbag (10) undergoes sequential and orderly expansion starting from a region where the expansion ought to be started. It is characterized in that a gas rectification member (12?) for rectifying and guiding a gas generated from an inflator (30) up to the vicinity of a part of the airbag (10), inflating in the initial expansion thereof, is provided substantially at the central part of the airbag (10).

Abstract: An airbag for a motor vehicle capable of adjusting its internal pressure to the size of a vehicle occupant and to the accident situation. This adaptation is achieved by purely passive means. The airbag includes an airbag cover enclosing a gas chamber and also has at least one venting arrangement which connects the gas chamber with an external environment. Gas flow through the venting arrangement is throttled or blocked when a certain area of the airbag cover meets an obstacle. The venting arrangement includes at least one opening in the airbag cover and a tube which is connected with the airbag cover. The at least one opening ends in the tube, and the tube includes an exit opening to the external environment.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (28) of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) to a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and the vehicle occupant (28). The apparatus (10) further includes a fill tube (22) for delivering inflation fluid to the protection device (14). The protection device (14) includes an opening (104) through which the fill tube (22) extends and a portion (106) adjacent the opening that forms a friction fit around the fill tube (22). The friction fit forms an effective seal for preventing inflation fluid leakage through the opening (104).

Abstract: An airbag apparatus includes a tether interconnecting a front fabric of an airbag and an inflator to retain the airbag in an occupant restraining deployed configuration. Back fabric of the airbag has an opening portion for discharging gas, ejected from the inflator into the airbag, to outside the airbag. A fabric member that has an outward peripheral portion greater in size than the opening portion of the back fabric is mounted to the inflator, and the fabric member is disposed within the airbag.

Abstract: An airbag assembly comprises an airbag cushion, an inflator to provide inflation gas to inflate the airbag cushion, and a diffuser provided between the inflator and the airbag cushion. The diffuser includes a plurality of panels. The plurality of panels force the inflation gas to change flow direction at least two times before the inflation gas exits into the airbag. The panels each include openings for inflation gas to pass through. Openings in a first panel are not aligned with the openings in a second panel.

Abstract: A knee protecting air bag apparatus M1 is mounted to a column cover 16 for covering a column cover 16 for covering a steering column. In operating the apparatus M1, a contained air bag 45 is supplied with an expanding gas G and is projected from the column cover 16 to be able to protect the knee of a driver while being expanded to develop. The column cover 16 includes a door portion 34 opened by being pressed by the air bag to be able to form a projecting opening 22 of the air bag 45 at two left ad right side faces 18b, 18c from a side of a lower face 18a. Inside of the air bag 45 is arranged with a gas flow restricting member 64 such that the expanding gas G is made to flow to a left door portion 36 and a right door portion 37 of the door portion 34 by being directed in outer directions of both left and right sides.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an airbag having first and second portions formed by seaming silicon coated cloths where the second portion has a vent. The airbag is folded in a seatback, deploys to a side of an occupant by a gas supply, and receives an occupant lumbar at the first portion and a chest at the second portion. An inflator extends across the first and second portions towards a rear of the vehicle and includes a gas injector in the first portion. A gas distributing member has a discharge port opening into the first portion and a passage opening into the second portion between the distributing member and a surface of the inflator. The distributing member is fitted to the surface and distributes gas from the inflator to the airbag so the flow rate is higher in the first portion. A communicating portion transfers gas between the first and second portions.

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) including a baffle system (42) for modifying the temperature and pressure of a gas generated by the system, and to remove particulates from the gas. The gas generating system includes a first combustion chamber (34a), a second combustion chamber (36a), and the baffle system (42) adjacent both the first and second combustion chambers so as to enable fluid communication with the combustion chambers upon activation of the gas generating system. In another aspect of the present invention, a baffle system (42) is provided including a first end plate (44) having an opening (44b) formed therein for enabling fluid communication with a first fluid source (34a), a second end plate (46) having an opening (46b) formed therein for enabling fluid communication with a second fluid source (36a), and a sequence of baffle elements (48) extending between the first and second end plates.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus includes an airbag with a first hole and a second hole; a tube vent disposed outside the airbag, wherein a proximal end portion of the tube vent is connected to a portion of the airbag, which is located around the first hole, so that communication is provided between an inside of the tube vent and an inside of the airbag through the first hole, and a distal end portion of the tube vent is inserted from the outside of the airbag into the inside of the airbag through the second hole; and a holding portion that holds the distal end portion of the tube vent from the inside of the airbag, wherein when the airbag is inflated and deployed, and the holding portion releases the tube vent, the distal end portion of the tube vent moves out of the second hole.

Abstract: An airbag gas flow apparatus for a steering wheel includes a housing and a rotatable gas guide positioned within the housing. The housing includes a base and a diffuser, the diffuser comprising at least one opening. The rotatable gas guide includes at least one open portion and a closed portion. A weight is added to the gas guide and is positioned diametrically opposite the closed portion. The weight remains substantially at the 6 o'clock position and the closed portion is positioned substantially at the 12 o'clock position regardless of the rotational position of the steering wheel. As the steering wheel is rotated, the gas guide rotates relative to the housing and readjusts within the apparatus such that the weight remains positioned substantially at the 6 o'clock position and the closed portion remains positioned substantially at the 12 o'clock position.

Abstract: An air bag assembly comprising: an inflator for providing a source of inflation gas, and an air bag having a first end and a second end and a first side and a second side, the air bag configured to have a first inflatable chamber proximate the first end, a second inflatable chamber proximate the second and a non-inflatable region therebetween; the air bag including an inlet communicated with the inflator, the air bag further including a plurality of joints or seams, which connect selective regions of the first and second sides together thereby controlling the inflatable volume of the air bag, a top portion of each of the plurality of joints or seams located a determinable distance from a top of the air bag to form within the air bag an integral gas flow path or channel, the inlet generally positioned spaced from a top of the air bag and generally located between the first inflatable chamber and second Inflatable chamber.

Abstract: An airbag assembly is disclosed for use in an automobile. The disclosed airbag assembly adaptively vents gas from the interior of the airbag depending on whether an obstruction is encountered during airbag deployment.

Abstract: A passenger-seat airbag includes a left airbag and a right airbag. A root portion connects a left-airbag root portion and a right-airbag root portion. An accordion-folded portion with relatively small folding widths is formed by accordion-folding both side portions of the root portion, whereby at least a gas-injection hole closest to each of both ends of an inflator in a longitudinal direction among a plurality of the gas-injection holes of the inflator is prevented from being closed by the root portion when the passenger-seat airbag is provided in a vehicle.

Abstract: Airbag inflator system includes an inflatable airbag, a flexible housing, and a gas generating system for generating gas which is directed from the housing to the interior of the airbag. The housing may be made by an extrusion process to provide it with its flexible cl of plastic. An aspirating structure or nozzle may be arranged between the gas generating system and an interior of the airbag, which nozzle is varied as a function of temperature. The aspirating structure or arrangement enables air from the passenger compartment of the vehicle to mix with the generated gas prior to being directed into the airbag.

Abstract: A baffle system (30) for use in a gas generating system (10). The baffle system (30) includes a plurality of adjacent plates (82a, 82b, 86), each plate of the plurality of adjacent plates having at least one through orifice formed therein. Each orifice in any given plate of the plurality of adjacent plates (82a, 82b, 86) is in fluid communication with at least one orifice in each plate adjacent the given plate so as to provide at least one gas flow path extending through the plurality of adjacent plates. A gas generating system (10) incorporating the baffle system (30), and a vehicle occupant protection system (180) incorporating the gas generating system (10), are also described.

Abstract: A filter for a gas generator in which the manufacture is simple, which has an adequate filter performance and cooling performance and, furthermore, which has high reliability with little damage caused in actuation of the gas generator, is provided. The filter for an air bag gas generator comprises a first layer formed from helically wound wire rods having a cross-sectional area of 0.03 to 0.8 mm2, in such a way that the pitch angle of wire rods vertically superposed in the radial direction is symmetrical, and a second layer that exists on the outer side of the first layer in the radial direction and is formed to have a finer filter particle size than the first layer using a wire rod narrower than the wire rod that forms the first layer.

Abstract: An example airbag inflator manifold assembly includes a cap portion establishing a plurality of apertures that are operative to communicate flow from an inflator to an airbag interior. A baffle portion redirects at least some of the flow from the plurality of apertures. A mounting face extends radially from the cap portion and is securable to a flange extending radially from the inflator to hold the cap portion and the baffle portion relative to the inflator.

Abstract: An inflator for a restraining system for a vehicle includes: an inflator housing storing a gas generation source, a diffuser having a plurality of gas discharge holes for discharging gas provided within the inflator housing, a gas discharge channel member including a gas outlet port and being attached to cover an outer surface of the diffuser, the gas discharge channel member having a gas-introducing port communicating with at least one of the gas discharge holes and a pin-introducing port communicating with at least one of the remaining gas discharge holes, and the diffuser and the gas discharge channel member, fixed by a fixing pin inserted into both of the at least one of the remaining gas discharge holes and the pin-introducing port.

Abstract: An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes a diffuser tethered to the membrane of the cushion. The airbag cushion partially expands when an obstruction is encountered and fully expands when no obstruction is encountered. The tethered diffuser is controlled by expansion of the cushion. This permits the cushion to vary the amount of gas vented from the cushion to adjust for out-of-position conditions and normal restraint conditions.

Abstract: A gas flow distributor for an airbag module for the specific distribution of a gas flow through which the released gas flows during inflation of the airbag is provided. The gas flow distributor comprises at least two sleeve parts which are made of a flexible material and are connected to one another by a seam. The seam absorbs the forces which are exerted on the sleeve by the gas flowing through it. An additional releasable connection of both sleeve parts is provided in at least some sections in order to absorb the forces exerted by the gas on the sleeve, wherein the additional connection cooperates with the sleeve for limiting the forces to be absorbed by the seam in such a manner that said connection is released when gas passes through the sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps to protect an occupant of a vehicle. The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14), an inflation fluid source (26), and a diffuser plate (200). The inflation fluid source (26) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The diffuser plate (200) is disposed between the inflation fluid source (26) and the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The diffuser plate (200) includes a main body portion (210) and a plurality of raised portions (230). The raised portions (230) define slots (232) for allowing inflation fluid to flow from the inflation fluid source (26) to the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14).

Abstract: A new type of airbag inflator that may be used in an airbag system is disclosed. The inflator will generally include a housing and two initiators. Accordingly, the inflator is a “dual-stage” inflator. The two stages are disposed within the housing. The second initiator is disposed within a second stage generant cup. A cap is also used to engage the second stage cup. The cap maintains seated engagement with the second stage cup, even during deployment of the second stage. The second stage will also include one or more perforations, which constitute openings through which gas may flow. When the second initiator is in the unactuated state, these perforations will be isolated from the generant by the cap. Actuation of the second initiator unseals the one or more perforations but does not unseat the cap from the cup, due to constraints put in place to prevent such unseating.

Abstract: A new type of inflator that may be used to inflate an airbag is disclosed. The inflator will have a longitudinal axis, a first chamber, and a filter. The filter may be positioned outside of the first chamber. A first quantity of gas generant is positioned within the first chamber. A first strainer having a plurality of gas flow holes is also positioned within the first chamber. The first quantity of gas generant is located exterior of the strainer. Upon combustion of the first quantity of gas generant produces a first quantity of gas that flows towards the longitudinal axis while passing through the gas flow holes, enters the filter, and then flows away from the longitudinal axis while passing through the filter.

Abstract: A filter is provided defining an enclosure having a volume that is resiliently variable responsive to an internal pressure within the enclosure. A gas generating system, an airbag system, and a vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the filter are also disclosed.

Abstract: An airbag can include a covering that surrounds an interior space that can be filled with gas, a gas-conducting pipe which is stretched longitudinally along a direction of extent, and a contact region of the covering that surrounds the inflow opening and encloses the gas-conducting pipe in a sealing manner along a circumferential direction of the gas-conducting pipe that encircles the direction of extent. A protective layer of the covering can be arranged, at least in some sections in the interior space of the covering, with respect to the gas-conducting pipe so that damage to the covering during filling of the interior space of the covering with hot gas can be prevented by the protective layer. At least one fastening region of the protective layer, via which the protective layer can be connected to the covering, can be connected to the contact region of the covering.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle airbag assembly and method for deployment. An inflator is connected to an airbag wherein the inflator generates gases that cause inflation of the airbag. A housing substantially encloses the airbag and the inflator. The housing includes a vent hole for venting gases. An airbag tether is included having at least a first and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the airbag and the second end is attached to a venting member. The venting member, being configured to cover the vent hole, is moveable with respect to the housing. During a first airbag deployment stage, the venting member is forced away from the vent hole as the inflator generates gases. An actuator releases the second end of the airbag tether from the venting member during a second airbag deployment stage for the passage of gases through the vent hole.

Abstract: A filter for use in absorbing heat from gases generated in a gas generating system is disclosed. The filter includes a plurality of discrete, continuous gas flow passages extending therethrough. In one embodiment, the filter is incorporated into an inflator used for inflating an inflatable element of a vehicle occupant protection system. A gas generator incorporating the filter and a vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the filter are also described.

Abstract: An airbag assembly comprising a housing with an inflatable airbag cushion disposed therein and at least one vent aperture attached to the inflatable airbag cushion, wherein during inflatable airbag cushion deployment with an obstruction, the at least one vent aperture remains open, and during inflatable airbag cushion deployment without an obstruction, the at least one vent aperture at least partially closes.

Abstract: An airbag module for protecting a vehicle occupant is provided. The airbag module comprises at least one airbag. A gas generator is in fluid communication with the airbag to inflate the airbag with a gas. A deformable ribbon interfaces with the fluid communication between the gas generator and the airbag. The deformable ribbon has a spiral form with a first radial end covering a second radial end when the gas generator is deactivated.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an air bag module, in particular for a knee air bag. The air bag module includes an air bag housing, a air bag cushion, a tubular gas generator, a air bag cushion holding device, and a gas guiding device, to which the tubular gas generator is fastened. The gas guiding device is integrally formed with the air bag cushion holding device.

Abstract: An airbag having an airbag fabric skin (10) enclosing an interior gas space with a first edge (11) extending from a first end (11a) to a second end (11b), whereby an accommodation area (A) for a gas generator (20) is located at the first edge outside the gas spaced extending parallel the first edge (11), which exhibits an area (32) of a deflector element 930) which accommodates the gas generator. In order to ensure that the airbag unit consisting of gas generator and airbag halves in a thrust-neutral manner in case of a fire, deflector element (30) consists of a tubular, flexible element, whereby the deflector element (30) exhibits an upper and lower area (32, 36) whose lower area (36) is located inside the gas space (G). The deflector element is connected with the airbag skin in an intermediate area (34) which is located between upper and lower areas.

Abstract: An air bag for a driver's seat of a vehicle that utilizes an inflator gas of low and high pressures, in which a twofold tether composed of first and second tethers is established inside the air bag for a driver's seat that is unfolded toward the driver when the vehicle collides with a collision object and the sewn portions of the first and second tethers are burst selectively according to the high and low pressures of gas generated from an inflator.

Abstract: First and second panels of air bag material are secured to one another with at least one seam defining a portion of a perimeter of a cavity bounded by the first and second panels, which is open along at least one unseamed portion extending along the first and second panels between endpoints of at least one seam. An opening in the second panel receives an end portion of an air bag inflator. Inflation gas generated by the air bag inflator is discharged into the air bag through the at least one unseamed portion, at least one of which is oriented downwards when installed in a vehicle. An air bag module cover incorporates first and second laterally opening door portions and a lower downward opening door portion that provide for a downward and outward initial deployment of the air bag.

Abstract: A unidirectional clutch of the hyperboloidal type is provided having an inner race member defining an inner race surface, an outer race member defining an outer race surface and a plurality of thrust transmitting cylindrical rollers therebetween. Each of the rollers makes line contact with the inner race surface and line contact with the outer race surface along generators of these surfaces. A biasing member is provided for biasing the inner and outer race surfaces axially toward one another to maintain the rollers in line contact with both inner and outer race surfaces. The inner race member is connected to a driven member and the outer race member is connected to a driving member. Torque is transmitted between the driven and driving members causing the biasing member to impose a net axial force on the inner race member tending to urge the inner and outer race surfaces toward one another axially.

Abstract: An occupant knee protection system for a vehicle (10) has an airbag (11), which is folded and stored in a part of a vehicle, inflate and deploy in front of the occupant's knees by gas supplied from an inflator (12), so as to protect the occupant's knees. The airbag (11) has in its inside a tether (11c) (gas flow dividing portion whose front and rear end portions are connected to front and rear walls (11a, 11b) of the airbag (11), both walls being arranged in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, so as to appropriately regulate a longitudinal thickness (D) of the airbag (11)) for dividing a gas flow from the inflator (12) in right and left directions of the vehicle.