Patent ID: 7669890

Claim:
An airbag apparatus comprising: an airbag to be deployed between a steering wheel and an occupant on a seat by an injection of gas from a gas generator, the steering wheel being formed into an open-loop shape which results when a part of a loop is open in a rim portion, the rim portion being disposed around a pad portion at a center of the steering wheel, wherein a reaction force applier, provided separately from the airbag at a location which faces an opening portion of the rim portion, applies a reaction force to the airbag when the airbag is deployed at the opening portion by the injection of gas from the gas generator, a portion of the reaction force applier directly abutting a portion of the airbag lying to the front of the vehicle such that the reaction force, resisting pressure from the occupant against the airbag, is directed toward a rear of the vehicle, and the reaction force applier is not projected toward the opening portion of the rim portion when the airbag is not deployed and is made projected toward the opening portion of the rim portion when the airbag is deployed.