Patent ID: 8256796

Claim:
A vehicle occupant restraint system configured to be connected to a vehicle seat, comprising: an inflatable airbag, wherein the airbag is configured to inflate and at least partially unfold in the direction of travel of the vehicle on a side of the vehicle seat that faces a middle of the vehicle; a carrier for supporting the airbag, wherein the carrier is configured to be connected to the vehicle seat; wherein a location of a portion of the airbag is fixed along a line extending in a substantially vertical direction and wherein the airbag in an unfolded state or an inflated state is supported by the vehicle seat over a defined vertical length such that an area of the unfolded or inflated airbag located behind the line is supported by the seat in an overlapping region in which the unfolded or inflated airbag and the seat overlap, thereby providing for a stabilizing and positioning of the airbag; and wherein the airbag is connected to the carrier by an auxiliary fabric layer connected to the airbag and to the carrier.