Safety device for lateral protection of head and thorax of a vehicle occupant

The device has a housing (4) with airbag (3), which is inflated by a gas generator to extend to the side of a passenger/driver (2) and parallel to the longitudinal center plane of the vehicle. The housing is integrated in or on a side part of a vehicle body (5) to the side of a seat (1). It is shaped like a bracket extending forward in direction of travel. When inflated, the airbag at least covers head and thorax area of a person. The housing consists of several connected sections (8,9,10), is approx. V-shaped, and positioned behind a seat and/or a person. It extends from an A-column resp. a front point (11) on a side strut (6) over the head area resp. a roof strut (6.1), the thorax area, to the seat or a lower point (12) on a B-column. The housing is integrated in parts of a roof struts and/or parts of a side strut (6) and/or parts of a floor strut of a vehicle.