Protective devices for the human head

Abstract

A protection device (10) for a human head is described that includes an airbag (12) having an envelope surrounding a gas space (26), the inflated airbag (12) covering at least a portion of the human's face.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective device according to the preamble of claim 1, to a protective equipment comprising such a protective device and a helmet according to claim 16, to an airbag suitable for use as such a protective device or part of a protective equipment according to claim 17, to a method for manufacturing such an airbag according to claim 25, to an airbag according to claim 26 and to an airbag according to claim 32.

[0002] The invention relates in particular to a protection device intended to be used by cyclists, but may also be applied to riders of other types of vehicles, in particular those without a body, i.e. where the rider / operator's head is not surrounded by a portion of the vehicle. For linguistic simplicity, reference will be made primarily to the case of cyclists. [Background technology]

[0003] It is a known fact that the head of a cyclist is the most vulnerable part of the body in case of an accident. The most common means for protecting the head of a cyclist is a helmet, which mainly covers the top and rear of the head and mainly protects the entire head except for the face. Although such helmets provide good protection, they have the drawback that many cyclists feel uncomfortable when wearing such helmets, especially at higher temperatures.

[0004] From the general WO 2007 / 050024 A1 a protection device in the form of an "inflatable helmet" is known. Using the terminology of this patent application, this protection device for the human head comprises an airbag having an outer skin enclosing a gas space (like any airbag). Additionally, this protection device comprises, like a typical airbag device, an inflator and triggering means for triggering this inflator, such that the inflator inflates the airbag when an accident is detected (usually by detecting an abnormally high acceleration / deceleration). The inflated airbag essentially has the shape of a helmet covering most of the rider's head but not the face. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Starting from this prior art, the present invention aims to provide a protection device that offers a new kind of protection for the rider.

[0006] This object is solved by a protection device having the features of claim 1. A protection apparatus, including such a protection device and a helmet, is defined in claim 16, an airbag suitable for use in such a protection device or in a protection apparatus is defined in claims 17, 26 and 32, and a method for manufacturing the airbag is defined in claim 25.

[0007] Although conventional bicycle helmets provide good protection for the rider's head in the majority of accidents, a significant number of accidents occur in which the cyclist strikes the face directly against an obstacle (which may be, for example, the roof rail of a car), and conventional helmets or the protective device generally described in WO 2007 / 050024 A1 prove to offer little or no protection. A direct strike of the face against an obstacle (not surprisingly) has significant adverse effects on the cyclist, which may lead to severe injuries such as diffuse brain trauma, basilar skull fractures, as well as facial fractures.

[0008] Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the inflated airbag covers at least a portion of the person's face, providing direct protection to the face by dissipating and redirecting impact forces and energy.

[0009] To provide maximum protection, it may be preferable for the inflated airbag to cover substantially the entirety of a person's face.

[0010] Typically, it is preferred that the inflated airbag not substantially cover any other part of the human head, or cover any other part of the human head except for the temples, so as not to interfere with the helmet.

[0011] Since a deployed airbag can be quite distracting to a cyclist if it obstructs the cyclist's vision, it is often preferred that the airbag be provided with a viewing area that is positioned in front of the human eyes when the airbag is deployed.

[0012] Alternatively, it is possible for the airbag not to extend to a position in front of the human eyes when it is deployed.

[0013] The protective surface of the envelope which faces the human face when the airbag is deployed is preferably essentially flat or concave in at least one direction to encompass the face.

[0014] To define the contour of the airbag, an internal tether may be included and / or the gas volume may be divided into multiple sub-volumes.

[0015] The inflatable airbag may be made in a one-piece weaving process.

[0016] Of course, the protection device will typically comprise an inflator and triggering means for triggering the inflator.

[0017] Furthermore, the protective device typically includes attachment means for attaching the protective device to the human body, clothing, a backpack, or a helmet.

[0018] In order to provide better positioning, it may in some cases be preferable for the protection device to further comprise at least one outer tether element connecting the inflatable airbag with the attachment means, or an element to which the attachment means is attached.

[0019] In order to provide a single protective apparatus that protects both the face and the remainder of the head, the protective device may be mounted to the helmet in a manner that, inter alia, positions the undeployed airbag substantially in front of the user's forehead and deploys the airbag in a direction toward the chin.

[0020] As mentioned above, it is often preferred that the airbag skin has a protective surface (the surface that faces the human face when the airbag is deployed) that is essentially flat, or has a concave fillet shape, or is essentially dish-shaped. A dish shape is particularly preferred, as it often provides the best protection. In this case, the deployed airbag covers the face (or a portion thereof) in a substantially "baseball glove-like" manner.

[0021] One possibility to create a concave shape in front of the rider's face by simple means is to provide at least one inner connection in the airbag connecting at least two locations of the first layer to the inner side of the first layer and / or at least one second inner connection connecting at least two locations of the second layer to the inner side of the second layer.

[0022] Another possibility of generating such a shape by simple means, in particular the "baseball glove shape", is to make the airbag from a flat airbag main element to which at least one external connection has been applied. The airbag main element comprises a filling section extending in a first direction from the inflator-side end to the inflator-distal end and in a second direction from the first lateral end to the second lateral end. This filling section comprises a filling chamber forming a part of the gas space. A first set of lateral sections extends from the first lateral end of the filling section. This first set of lateral sections comprises at least two lateral sections each including a lateral chamber of the gas space. Adjacent lateral chambers are separated by non-inflatable gaps. At least one of these gaps, preferably all of them, is at least partially closed by a connection after a folding or bending step, such that the deployed airbag has the desired shape despite the fact that the airbag main element is flat. Preferably, the airbag main element is symmetrical such that the filled section forms a central section and the airbag main element is "palm" shaped or "oak leaf" shaped.

[0023] It is possible to combine inner and outer connections. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] The invention will now be described by way of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a bicycle accident and the working principle of a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is substantially as shown in FIG. 1, but on an enlarged scale. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the protection device with the airbag in a fully inflated state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the invention in a representation according to FIG. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention in the representation according to FIGS. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the airbag of the embodiment in the representation according to FIGS. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a variation of that shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a further variation of what is shown in FIGS. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention in the representation according to FIGS. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a sixth embodiment of the invention in the representation according to FIGS. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a protection device intended to be attached to a helmet (and thus similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4). [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows the protection device of FIG. 11 with the airbag inflated. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows an airbag with an inner connection. [Figure 13a] FIG. 13a is a schematic diagram of an inner connection. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an airbag main element for an airbag adapted to be used as a face protection airbag. [Figure 14a] FIG. 14a is a cross-sectional view along plane AA of FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is the airbag main element of FIG. 14 after a folding or bending step. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 shows the airbag element of FIG. 15 after the connecting seams have been applied, and thus the completed airbag. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 shows the airbag of FIG. 16 in its deployed state.

[0025] As the figures show a male individual, the embodiments will be described from the perspective of a male bicycle rider, however, of course, all descriptions apply equally to a female rider or child. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] 1 shows diagrammatically a bicycle accident in which a cyclist B falls significantly over the handlebars of the bicycle, i.e., the cyclist's head moves forward and downwards. Although the cyclist is wearing a helmet 50, it can be seen that the cyclist's face is unprotected at the time of the accident.

[0027] The cyclist B wears a protection device 10 additionally comprising attachment means, here in the form of a collar 40, an airbag 12, an inflator (not shown in FIG. 1) and triggering means (also not shown) for triggering the inflator. Such triggering means typically comprise an acceleration / deceleration sensor.

[0028] As can be clearly seen from figures 1 and 2, the airbag 12 deploys substantially upwards, starting from the collar 40, so as to cover the cyclist's throat and lower face, but without covering the rider's eyes, so as not to obstruct his vision. Like any airbag, this airbag 12 comprises a skin that encloses a gas space. As can be seen, the gas space can be subdivided into a number of sub-spaces or chambers, for example by providing additional seams, tethers, etc., which, according to the definition chosen in this application, also belong to the airbag, but not to its skin.

[0029] The deployed airbag 12, together with the helmet 50, provides a very high degree of facial protection for the bicyclist: the lower part of the face is covered by the airbag 12 itself, the forehead is protected by the helmet, and both the airbag 12 and the leading edge of the helmet protrude beyond the eye area such that the eye area of ​​the face is highly unlikely to strike an obstacle before the airbag 12 and / or the leading edge of the helmet strike an obstacle.

[0030] 3 shows a second embodiment in which the airbag 12 extends up to the cyclist's forehead, so that a larger surface of the face is protected by the airbag 12. To maintain the rider's vision, the airbag 12 is provided with a viewing area 20 in the form of a hole 22 that is positioned in front of the eyes when the airbag is fully deployed.

[0031] The first two embodiments described above have the advantage that the protective device provides some protection even if the cyclist does not wear a helmet (e.g. because it would be very uncomfortable during a warm day). The disadvantage is that to obtain optimal protection, the cyclist needs to wear the inventive protective device and the helmet. To overcome this disadvantage, it is also possible to attach the protective device to the helmet. This can be done by making the protective device a separate device that can be attached to a given helmet as an additional feature (Figure 4) or that can be integrated into the helmet as an additional feature (Figure 5). The protective equipment is preferably a combination of a helmet and the inventive protective device.

[0032] If the protection device 10 is an add-on to a helmet, it is particularly preferred to have attachment means 45 designed to be attached to the upper front part of the helmet, as shown in FIG. 4. In this case, the airbag 12 must deploy downwards from the forehead area and thus pass through the area in front of the eyes. In this case, a viewing area 20, for example in the form of a hole 22 in the airbag 12, is also often preferred. The same applies if the protection device 10 is integrated into the helmet, since here it is also preferred that the airbag 12 deploys downwards from the upper front edge of the helmet 50. In both cases, a filling tube 25 is usually provided, which connects the inflator with the airbag 12. This filling tube 25 can be in the form of a flexible hose made from airbag material.

[0033] As can be seen from Figures 4 and 5, even if the airbag 12 deploys downwards, ie, from the forehead to the chin, it is preferred that the airbag 12 at least partially cover the bicyclist's throat.

[0034] As noted above, it is highly preferable that the deployed airbag not obstruct the user's view, so if the deployed airbag covers substantially all of the user's face (including at least a portion of the forehead), it is necessary to provide a see-through area 20. As shown in the embodiment of Figures 3, 4, and 5, and the schematic diagram of Figure 6, which is a cross-section through the deployed airbag of Figures 4 and 5, this see-through area may simply be a hole 22 in the airbag that extends through the gas space 26.

[0035] Another thing that can be seen from FIG. 6 is that protective surface 17a of rear wall 17 (which is the wall that faces the user's face) can be concave, and preferably protective surface 17a is concave in both directions so as to cover the face essentially like a baseball glove.

[0036] For further protection, the hole can be provided with a transparent layer 23 (for example in the form of a transparent foil or transparent fabric) so that the eyes are protected from loose particles. This transparent layer is connected to the outer skin. In the embodiment shown, the transparent layer is connected to the tunnel that extends through the gas space, but it is of course also possible for the transparent layer to be attached to the front or rear wall. 8 shows an embodiment without holes extending through the gas space. Here, the viewing area comprises two transparent areas 23a, 23b on the front and rear walls respectively. These may in particular be made of a transparent fabric. Alternatively, the entire skin may be made of such a transparent fabric.

[0037] If the protection device 10 is an appendage to a helmet, it is particularly preferred to have attachment means 45 designed to be attached to the upper front part of the helmet, as shown in FIG. 4. In this case, it is necessary for the airbag 12 to deploy downwards from the forehead area and thus pass through the area in front of the eyes. In this case, a viewing area 20, for example in the form of a hole 22 in the airbag 12, is almost essential. The same applies if the protection device 10 is integrated into a helmet, since here it is also preferred that the airbag 12 deploys downwards from the upper front edge of the helmet 50. In both cases, a filling tube 25 is usually provided, which connects the inflator with the airbag 12. This filling tube 25 can be in the form of a flexible hose made from airbag material.

[0038] As can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, when the airbag 12 deploys downward, ie, from the forehead to the chin, it is also preferred that the airbag 12 at least partially covers the bicyclist's throat.

[0039] 9 shows an embodiment in which the airbag 12 (i.e. its skin) additionally comprises a substantially tubular temple portion 18 which covers the temples of the user and thus provides additional protection. In this case, the airbag can be said to comprise a main portion 15 which covers the face and a temple portion 18 which covers the temples.

[0040] Figure 10 shows an embodiment in which the protection device is integrated into a helmet 50 (similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 5). The difference with the embodiment shown in Figure 5 is that the inflator is located in the rear part of the helmet 50 and that a fairly long fill tube 25 extends from this inflator 30 to the main part of the airbag. This fill tube 25 (similar to the fill tube shown in Figure 5) can be part of the airbag, i.e. made of a flexible material.

[0041] Figures 11 and 12 show in more detail the protection device 10, which is intended to be attached to a helmet. It can be seen that the attachment means 45 are designed to be attached to the front of the helmet, for example by means of a snap connector (not shown). In this example, the airbag (comprising only the main part) is contoured relatively simply, i.e. by providing a direct connection between the front and rear walls, for example in the form of a seam, or by providing internal tethers so that the skin comprises several tubular-shaped sections (with the gas space 26 naturally divided accordingly). It may be possible to produce the entire skin (i.e. the front and rear walls) of a transparent fabric or another transparent material, so as not to obstruct the user's view.

[0042] Usually, a simple "2D design" of the airbag is preferred, where the airbag has two layers, namely a first layer (e.g. forming the front wall) and a second layer (e.g. forming the rear wall facing the rider's face). To shape the airbag, at least one first inner connection can be provided connecting at least two places of the first layer. Alternatively or (preferably) additionally, at least one second inner connection can be provided connecting at least two places of the second layer, such that the first layer and / or the second layer are bent by the inner connection. These inner connections can be formed by a one-piece weaving process.

[0043] Fig. 13 shows an embodiment of such an airbag 12 with first inner connections 131a, 131b, 131c and second inner connections 132a, 132b, 132c, each having a straight line shape. This representation is very schematic, since the inner connections can of course be seen directly from the outside, except that the layers are made of a (possible) see-through material. The first inner connections 131a, 131b, 131c connect parts of the first layer (outer layer, facing away from the rider's face) and the second inner connections 132a, 132b, 132c connect parts of the second layer (inner layer, facing the rider's face). In the upper region of the airbag 12, the inner connections form a first group (with inner connections 131a and 132a) with a first orientation extending substantially parallel to the axis of symmetry of the rider's face and in the lower region of the airbag, such that the assembly of inner connections forms a downward arrow (which points downward when the airbag is in front of the rider's face and the rider is in a standard standing or sitting position), and the inner connections form a second group (with inner connections 131b and 132b) with a second orientation and a third group (with inner connections 131c, 132c) with a third orientation, each oriented substantially at 45° to the first orientation.

[0044] The inner connection may in particular be in the form of an additional tether yarn Y, or a section of such a tether yarn woven into the weave of the fabric, as illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 13a by the example of a second inner connection 132a extending between two end points P1 and P2 of the second layer 62. Other inner connections can be made similarly. The section of the additional tether yarn Y forming the illustrated second inner connection 132a extends substantially parallel to the weft threads WE of the fabric (and therefore substantially perpendicular to the warp threads WA) and is woven to pass above and below the continuous warp threads WA between the two end points P1 and P2. The additional tether yarn Y may extend from the end points P1, P2 towards the neighbouring second layer or towards the first layer (not shown in FIG. 13a).

[0045] To produce the pattern shown in FIG. 13, where the inner connections are angled differently, it may be necessary to assemble the airbag from several cuts so that the additional tether yarns can follow the weft yarn orientation.

[0046] In view of Figures 14 to 17, another preferred embodiment of an airbag adapted to be used in the above described protection device is now described. This airbag comprises an airbag main element and a number of connections, here in the form of connecting seams, but which may also be in the form of welding, gluing, etc. The airbag of this embodiment is easy to manufacture, yet the deployed airbag has a shape that substantially matches the shape of the human face. This means that the surface of the airbag facing the face (protective surface) is concave in two directions, such that the airbag can be described as having substantially the shape of a baseball glove.

[0047] Figure 14 shows the airbag main element of the described embodiment. This airbag main element forms the outer skin of the airbag and has two layers 61, 62, which are typical for airbags. This airbag main element 60 can be made in a one-piece weaving process (often preferred), but it can also be made from two layers, which are connected along their outer edges by a separate sewing, welding or gluing step. Naturally, the two layers 61, 62 are connected to each other along their edges, here in the form of an edge strip 100. This edge strip 100 has a substantially constant width in this embodiment, although this is not a necessary feature.

[0048] The shape of the airbag main element 60 can be described as "palm-shaped" or "oak leaf-shaped". The airbag main element has a filling section 70 extending in a first direction from an inflator-side end 71 to an inflator-distal end 72 and in a second direction from a first lateral end 73 to a second lateral end 74. From the first lateral end 73 of the filling section extend three lateral sections 80, 81, 82 of a first set of lateral sections, and from the second lateral end 74 of the filling section 70 extend three lateral sections 90, 91, 92 of a second set of lateral sections. The filling section 70 thus forms a central section. As can be easily seen from FIG. 13, the airbag main element 60 of this embodiment is mirror symmetrical along the centerline of the filling section 70. Each of the above mentioned transverse sections encloses a chamber 80a, 81a, 82a, 90a, 91a and 92a which forms a portion of the gas space.

[0049] As can be seen directly from Figure 14, adjacent sections of the set of sections are separated by gaps 121-124. The shape of these gaps will now be described in more detail in terms of gap 121 separating sections 80, 81 and gap 122 separating sections 81, 82. Due to the symmetry of the airbag main element 60, this description also applies to the sections of the second set of lateral sections 90-91 and gaps 123-124.

[0050] The gap 122 between the transverse sections 81 and 82 is uniformly widened from its inner end to its outer end so as to have a substantially triangular shape. The gap 121 between the transverse sections 80 and 81 has at its inner end a widened section 121a from which the gap 101 widens outward as gap 121. The gap 122 is defined by the sections 103 and 104 of the edge strip 100, the part of the gap 101 extending from the widened section 121a is defined by the sections 101 and 102 of the edge strip, and all the gaps 121-124 are completely "free of material", which is preferred but not strictly necessary for all possible embodiments. It is also possible that some of the gaps or parts of the gaps are formed by non-inflatable parts of the airbag main element 60.

[0051] As can be seen from figure 15, the airbag main element 60 is folded or bent in the next manufacturing step. The folding or bending is done by overlapping the sections 101 and 102 of the edge strip, overlapping the sections 103 and 104 of the edge strip, overlapping the sections 105 and 106 of the edge strip and overlapping the sections 107 and 108 of the edge strip. The result is shown in figure 14. In the next step, the overlapping sections of the edge strip are connected to each other by connections (here connecting seams) 111-114 (see figure 15). Such connections can also be called "outer connections". Of course, it is not necessary to make all the folds / bends first and then apply all the seams, it is also possible to make one fold, then apply one seam, then make the next fold, then apply the next seam, etc.

[0052] It can be seen from figure 16 that the inner end sections 121a of the gap 121 remain open. Of course, the same applies to the inner end sections 123a of the gap 123. These inner end sections therefore form a see-through area.

[0053] Figure 17 shows the airbag of Figure 16 in a fully deployed state, where one can see the above-mentioned "baseball glove shape" resulting from the geometry of the airbag main element 60 and the connections, which makes it possible to obtain an airbag that conforms to the human face and additionally offers the possibility of a see-through area, despite the fact that it is relatively easy to manufacture.

[0054] Although not shown, the molding principle of the inner connection described in view of Figure 13 and the molding principle shown in view of Figures 14 to 17 can be combined so that the airbag comprises both an inner connection and an outer connection (seam). With respect to the embodiment of Figures 14 to 17, the airbag of embodiment 13 consists only of the main airbag element with two layers as well as the inner connection. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10 Protection Devices 12 Airbag 15 Main parts 16 Front Wall / First Layer 17 Back wall / second layer 17a Protective surface 18 Temple area 20 Transparent area 22 holes 23, 23a, 23b transparent layer 25 Filling tube 26 Gas Space 30 Inflator 40 Attachment means in the form of a collar 45 Means for attaching or being attached to a helmet 50 Helmet 60 Airbag main element 61 First Layer 62 Second Layer 70 Filling Section 70a Filling chamber 71 Inflator side end 72 Inflator far end 73 first lateral end 74 Second lateral end 75 Filling chamber 80, 81, 82 Transverse sections of the first set of transverse sections 80a, 81a, 82a Transverse chambers of the first set of transverse sections 90, 91, 92 Transverse sections of the first set of transverse sections 90a, 91a, 92a Transverse chambers of the first set of transverse sections 100 Edge Strip 101~108 Section of edge strip 111~114 Connection seam 121~124 Gap 131a: first inner connection portion with first orientation 131b first inner connection portion with second orientation 131c third inner connection with third orientation 132a: second inner connection portion according to the first orientation 132b second inner connection portion with second orientation 133c a second inner connection portion with a third orientation B. Bicycle rider P1, P2 end points WA Warp WE Weft Y Extra tether thread

Claims

1. A protection device (10) for the human head, comprising an airbag (12) having an envelope surrounding a gas space (26), A protection device (10) characterized in that the inflated airbag (12) covers at least a portion of the person's face.

2. 2. The protection device of claim 1, wherein the inflated airbag (12) covers substantially the entire face of the person.

3. A protection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inflated airbag (12) does not substantially cover any other part of the person's head.

4. 3. A protection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inflated airbag (12) additionally covers at least a part of the person's temples.

5. A protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the airbag (12) is provided with a viewing area which is positioned in front of the person's eyes when the airbag is deployed.

6. 6. The protection device of claim 5, wherein said airbag comprises at least one layer of transparent material in said viewing area.

7. 7. The protection device according to claim 6, characterized in that the skin of the airbag comprises at least two transparent layers in the viewing area, such that the gas space enclosed by the skin extends across the viewing area.

8. A protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the airbag (12) does not extend to a position in front of the person's eyes when the airbag is deployed.

9. A protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the protective surface (17a) of the outer shell which faces the face of the person when the airbag is deployed is essentially flat or has the shape of a concave fillet or is essentially dish-shaped.

10. A protection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the airbag is provided with an internal tether and / or the gas space is divided into a number of sub-spaces.

11. Protection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inflatable airbag is at least partially made in a one-piece weaving process.

12. A protection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an inflator (30) and preferably triggering means for triggering said inflator.

13. A protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising attachment means for attaching the protection device to the person's body, clothing, a backpack or a helmet.

14. 14. A protection device as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that it comprises at least one external tether element connecting the inflatable airbag with the attachment means or an element to which the attachment means is attached.

15. 15. A protection device as claimed in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the protection device is designed to be mounted on a helmet (50) such that the undeployed airbag is positioned substantially in front of the user's forehead and the airbag deploys in a direction towards the chin.

16. A protective equipment comprising a protective device according to any one of the preceding claims and a helmet to which the protective device is connected.

17. An airbag, The airbag comprises a main airbag element (60), said main airbag element (60) comprising a first layer (61) and a second layer (62) connected to each other by an edge, so that said two layers (61, 62) and said edge surround a gas space (26), said main airbag element (60) comprising: a filling section (70) extending in a first direction from an inflator-side end (71) to an inflator-distal end (72) and in a second direction from a first lateral end (73) to a second lateral end (74), the filling section (70) including a filling chamber (70a) for said gas space (26); a first set of transverse sections extending from said first transverse end (73) of said packed section (71), said first set of transverse sections (80, 81, 82) comprising at least two transverse sections (80, 81, 82) of said first set of transverse sections, each of said transverse sections comprising a transverse chamber (80a, 81a, 82a) of said gas space (26); a first set of lateral sections, adjacent lateral chambers (80, 81; 81, 82) of said first set of lateral sections being separated by a non-expandable gap (121, 122); The airbag further comprises at least one connection (111, 112) connecting two adjacent lateral sections (80, 81; 81, 82) of the first set of lateral sections.

18. 18. The airbag according to claim 17, characterized in that the first set of lateral sections comprises at least three lateral sections (80, 81, 82), each of which comprises a lateral chamber (80a, 81a, 82a) of the gas space (26).

19. The airbag main element (60) a second set of transverse sections extending from said second transverse end (74) of said packed section (70), said second set of transverse sections comprising at least two transverse sections (90, 91, 92) of said second set of transverse sections, each of said transverse sections comprising a transverse chamber (90a, 91a, 92a) of said gas space (26); a second set of lateral sections, adjacent lateral chambers (90, 91; 91, 92) of said second set of lateral sections being separated by non-expandable gaps (123, 124); 19. The airbag according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the airbag further comprises at least one connection (113, 114) connecting two adjacent transverse sections (90, 91; 91, 92) of the second set of transverse sections.

20. 20. The airbag according to claim 19, characterized in that the airbag main element (60) and the airbag are mirror symmetrical.

21. 21. An airbag according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterised in that the edge of the airbag main element (60) is, at least in section, in the form of an edge strip (100), and the connections (111-114) connect the sections of this edge strip.

22. An airbag according to any one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that at least some of the gaps (121 to 124) are widened towards the outside.

23. An airbag according to any one of claims 17 to 22, characterised in that at least part of the gap has an enlarged inner end region (121a, 123a).

24. An airbag according to any one of claims 17 to 23, characterised in that at least some of the gaps in the airbag main element are free of material.

25. A method for manufacturing an airbag according to any one of claims 17 to 24, comprising the steps of: - providing said airbag main element; - folding or bending said airbag main element so that at least one said gap is at least partially closed; - applying at least one connection such that said gap is at least partially closed.

26. An airbag, an airbag main element (60) comprising a first layer (61) and a second layer (62) connected to each other by an edge, such that the two layers (61, 62) and the edge enclose a gas space (26); The airbag main element comprises: at least one first inner connection connecting at least two locations of the first layer; and / or The airbag further comprising at least one second inner connection portion connecting at least two locations of the second layer.

27. 28. The airbag of claim 27, wherein the inner connection portion forms a straight line.

28. 28. The airbag of claim 27, wherein a first group of inner connections are oriented in a first orientation.

29. 30. The airbag of claim 28, wherein a second group of inner connections are oriented in a second orientation extending at substantially 45 degrees relative to the first orientation, and a third group of inner connections are oriented in a third orientation extending at an angle of substantially 45 degrees relative to the second orientation.

30. 30. The airbag of claim 29, wherein the inner connection defines an arrow.

31. 31. The airbag according to any one of claims 26 to 30, characterized in that the airbag main element, at least in section, is made in a one-piece weaving process and that at least one of the inner connections is formed by weaving an additional tether thread (Y) into the interweaving of the fabric of that layer.

32. An airbag having the features according to at least one of claims 17 to 24 and at least one of claims 26 to 31.

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