Patent ID: 8616578

Claim:
An occupant protection apparatus comprising: a side airbag device including an airbag that deploys in a space between a side surface on an outer side in a vehicle width direction of a seat and a passenger compartment inner wall facing the side surface at a vehicle side impact; and a seat belt device including a seat belt that restrains an occupant seated on the seat, wherein the side airbag device is provided at a side portion on an outer side in the vehicle width direction of the seat and on an inner side in the vehicle width direction of the seat belt, and the airbag is ejected outward in the vehicle width direction at a vehicle side impact, deploys in the space to secure a space between the passenger compartment inner wall and the occupant, and presses the seat belt outward in the vehicle width direction to apply a tension to the seat belt, and wherein said airbag device is configured to avoid airbag contact with the seated occupant upon full deployment.