EP4676260A1

EP4676260A1 - An airbag

Info

Publication number: EP4676260A1
Application number: EP24709032.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alexander MUCCHIANO-AHLSTROM
Original assignee: Autoliv Development AB
Current assignee: Autoliv Development AB
Priority date: 2023-03-03
Filing date: 2024-03-01
Publication date: 2026-01-14
Also published as: JP2026503261A; CN120500280A; WO2024184249A1; DE102023105275A1

Abstract

There is disclosed an airbag (1) for a safety arrangement. The airbag (1) comprises a pair of superimposed fabric layers (6,7) interconnected by a peripheral seam (8) to define an inflatable chamber (9) for the receipt of inflating gas between the fabric layers (6,7). The peripheral seam (8) defines at least part of a periphery of the inflatable chamber (9). The airbag (1) further comprises an integrated fabric socket (14) defined between superimposed respective edge regions (11,12) of the fabric layers (6,7) external to the inflatable chamber (9), the fabric socket (14) being configured to releasably receive and engage an anchor (15) for anchoring the airbag (1) in a desired position for use.

Description

AN AIRBAG

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an airbag. More particularly, the present invention relates to an airbag for a safety arrangement, the airbag having an inflatable chamber for the receipt of inflating gas.

Background

Inflatable airbag arrangements are well known in the automotive industry. For a long time, airbags have been provided in the interior of vehicles to protect occupants in the case of accidents such as crashes. Such airbags are deployed by inflation in the event of an imminent or ongoing vehicle crash, to cushion the impact of a vehicle occupant against elements of the vehicle such as the steering wheel or the dashboard. Over time, it has become common to provide additional airbags at various positions throughout the cabin of a motor vehicle to provide additional or improved protection in the case of various particular types of accidents such as, for example, rollover accidents and oblique impact crashes. For example, it is now common practice to provide motor vehicles with airbags in the form of inflatable curtains, side airbags, knee airbags, and airbags of different configurations for rear seat passengers. Some vehicles even comprise airbags arranged to deploy across parts of the exterior of the vehicle to protect pedestrians of so-called Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs), such as cyclists or motorcyclists, in the event that they might be struck by the vehicle in an accident.

It has also been proposed to provide wearable personal protection devices which are intended to provide specific protection to designated body parts by arranging inflatable protection devices in the vicinity of a certain body part to be protected. By wearing an inflatable protection device at a defined position on the body, the inflatable protection device may be inflated in the event of an imminent or ongoing accident to provide a cushioning effect for that designated body part. Alternatively, of course, an inflatable protection device may be pre-inflated by a user before commencing a hazardous activity, and may be worn in its inflated condition. For example, it has been proposed to provide airbags inside motorcycle garments such as motorcycle jackets to provide improved protection for motorcyclists in the event of accidents. In exemplary arrangements, a garment such as a protective motorcycle jacket typically has an airbag (for example hidden inside the lining of the garment) which is arranged in fluid communication with an inflator such as a gas generator. The inflator is operably associated with a crash or impact sensor (which may be provided either within the garment itself, or alternatively on a motorcycle) configured to provide an actuating signal to the inflator in the event that a likely or actual crash or impact is detected, thereby actuating the inflator to inflate the airbag inside the garment. As will be appreciated, inflation of the airbag inside the garment will provide a cushioning effect for the part of the wearer’s body around which or over which the airbag is provided. For example, a motorcycle jacket with an airbag will provide protection to the upper body of a motorcyclist wearing the jacket.

The main parameters of importance regarding airbag performance in terms of the cushioning effect provided are pressure and thickness - that is to say the peak internal gas pressure and the maximum inflated thickness of the airbag achieved upon deployment. Generally, and within certain limits, greater inflated thickness and greater inflated pressure is known to improve the performance of an airbag in terms of providing effective protection. However, it has been found that in the particular case inflatable wearable protection devices, it can be very difficult to accommodate airbags which achieve significant thickness upon inflation because of the often very limited space available within a wearable garment (such as a motorcycle jacket, for example). Limited space between the outermost skin of a garment and the wearer’s body represents part of the problem in this context, because it restricts the size to which an airbag is able to inflate between the wearer’s body and the outermost skin of the garment. But also, an airbag which is configured to achieve a relatively large thickness upon inflation will comprise more structural material (typically woven fabric) and will thus necessarily require more space even when it is uninflated (i.e. prior to deployment) than an airbag configured to achieve a relatively small thickness. A large mass of airbag fabric installed in a wearable garment can make the garment uncomfortable to wear, particularly over long periods of time as might be necessary, for example, in the case of a motorcycle jacket.

Other alternative forms of wearable personal protection devices have been proposed which suffer less from the particular problems noted above. For example, it has been proposed to provide airbags in an initially folded and/or rolled package inside an accessory such as a backpack, harness pack or belt pack. These arrangements can accommodate larger airbags with more structural material (typically woven fabric) than motorcycle jackets, but can be considered cumbersome and inconvenient to wear. Also, arrangements of this type can be complicated and thus unnecessarily expensive to produce.

The present invention has been devised in light of the above considerations.

Whilst the invention is described herein with specific reference to a wearable protection device intended to be worn around a wearer’s upper body, it is to be noted that the invention is not limited to such a configuration of wearable device. On the contrary, it is envisaged that the invention could be embodied in a wide range of wearable forms and could, for example, be configured to be worn around a wearer’s hips, legs, knees, arms, elbows, feet, hands, or head (the aforementioned list being understood to be merely exemplary and not exhaustive).

Furthermore, in its broadest sense the invention is not limited to wearable protection devices at all, and could be embodied in other types of airbag arrangements such as those provided within motor vehicles (e.g. driver’s airbags, front seat passenger airbags, inflatable curtains, side airbags, knee airbags, and airbags of different configurations for rear seat passengers) or on the exterior of motor vehicles to protect pedestrians or so-called Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs), such as cyclists or motorcyclists.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, there is provided an airbag for a safety arrangement. The airbag comprises a pair of superimposed fabric layers interconnected by a peripheral seam to define an inflatable chamber for the receipt of inflating gas between the fabric layers. The peripheral seam defines at least part of a periphery of the inflatable chamber. The airbag further comprises an integrated fabric socket defined between superimposed respective edge regions of the fabric layers external to the inflatable chamber, the fabric socket being configured to releasably receive and engage an anchor for anchoring the airbag in a desired position for use.

This configuration provides a very simple and convenient means to securely but releasably connect a mounting means such as a strap directly to the airbag. For example, a strap such as a shoulder strap, a chest strap, or a belt can be provided with an anchor configured for simple and easy releasable engagement within the fabric socket to connect the strap to the airbag directly. In the case of a wearable airbag arrangement, the releasable nature of the connection can permit simple removal and replacement of the strap, for example in the event that it becomes damaged or worn through use. In other embodiments in which the airbag is configured for use on or in a motor arrangement, a mounting strap of similar configuration can be used to mount the airbag in position relative to the structure of the motor vehicle, thereby facilitating very easy installation of the airbag in or on the motor vehicle, as well as easy subsequent removal for maintenance or replacement.

Conveniently, the fabric socket comprises a cavity around which said edge regions of the fabric layers are interconnected to define the socket, the cavity having an opening distal to the inflatable chamber across which said edge regions of the fabric layers are unconnected.

Optionally, said edge regions of the fabric layers are interconnected by stitching formed around said cavity.

Alternatively, each said fabric layer is woven and comprises a plurality of yarns, and wherein yarns of one said layer are interwoven with yarns of the other said layer to interconnect said edge regions of the fabric layers around said cavity and thereby define the socket.

Optionally, said yarns of one said fabric layer are interwoven with said yarns of the other said fabric layer across substantially the entire extent of said edge regions of the fabric layers except across said cavity of the socket, to define an edge seam which is integral to the structure of said layers and within which said socket is defined.

Yarns of one said fabric layer may be interwoven with yarns of the other said fabric layer to define said peripheral seam, the peripheral seam thereby being woven and integral to the structure of said layers. In such an arrangement, the edge seam within which said socket is defined may form part of the peripheral seam.

Conveniently, said opening is defined between the edges of said respective edge regions of the fabric layers.

Preferably, said cavity extends inwardly from said opening towards said inflatable chamber.

In some embodiments, said cavity may have a shape whose width, measured substantially parallel to said superimposed fabric layers, is greater proximate said inflatable chamber than across said opening. In such an arrangement, the opening may thus form the narrowest part of the cavity, and may be larger than the cooperating anchor. This can allow secure retention of the anchor within the fabric socket.

The airbag may be provided in combination with an anchor releasably engaged within said fabric socket.

The anchor may be provided at the end of a mounting strap or tether which extends out of the fabric socket and away from said edge regions of the fabric layers.

In some embodiments it is envisaged that the anchor will be entirely received within said fabric socket so as to be hidden from view between said superimposed edge regions of the fabric layers. This can be particularly advantageous in the case of wearable airbags where the appearance of the airbag in normal use can be important. Also, hiding the anchor within the fabric socket in this way can mean that the anchor is less likely to be damaged or snagged in use.

The airbag may comprise a plurality of said fabric sockets. Optionally, at least one, or alternatively all, of the fabric sockets may receive a respective anchor.

The airbag may be provided in the form of a wearable protection device for protection of at least a body part of a wearer.

Summary of the Figures

So that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front schematic illustration showing an uninflated airbag in the form of vest worn by a user;

Figure 2 is a perspective view from the rear showing the uninflated airbag of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 1 but which shows the airbag in an inflated condition to provide impact protection to the user;

Figure 4 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 2, but which shows the airbag in the inflated condition of Figure 3 to provide impact protection to the user; Figure 5 is a schematic illustration showing a region of the airbag in more detail, prior to the connection thereto of a pair of securing straps;

Figure 6 is a schematic illustration similar to that of Figure 5, but which shows the process of connecting one of the securing straps to the fabric of the airbag;

Figure 7 is a schematic illustration similar to those of Figures 5 and 6, but which shows the securing straps connected to the fabric of the airbag;

Figure 8 is a perspective view from the rear showing the securing straps in use to secure part of the airbag around the side of a user’s torso;

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing another securing strap in use to secure a different configuration of airbag across a user’s chest;

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing another securing strap in use to secure an airbag across a user’s back;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of an alternative arrangement to facilitate connection of a mounting strap to the fabric of an airbag; and

Figure 12 is a view similar to that of Figure 11 but which shows the securing strap connected to the fabric of the airbag.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Figures 1 and 2 show an uninflated airbag 1 in the form of a wearable impact protection device being worn by a user 2. Figures 3 and 4 show the same airbag in an inflated and thus deployed condition. The embodiment illustrated is provided in the form of a vest to be worn about the user’s torso 3 in order to provide impact protection to the user’s torso 3. As will be noted, therefore, the airbag 1 is configured to extend across the user’s chest region, shoulders and back region. The airbag 1 illustrated comprises a zipper 4 at the front, and a pair of adjustable securing straps 5 at each side (only one pair of straps 5 on one side being shown in Figure 2). The adjustable securing straps 5 permit the front and rear regions of the airbag 1 to be drawn together around the sides of the user’s torso 3 to ensure a snug fit when the airbag 1 is worn, and can be adjusted in length in a manner known perse to accommodate users of varying sizes.

The airbag 1 is formed from first and second superimposed layers of fabric 6, 7 which are interconnected by a peripheral seam 8 to define an inflatable chamber 9 therebetween for the receipt of inflating gas from an inflator (not shown) which may be integrated with the airbag 1 or fluidly connected thereto. The peripheral seam 8 thus defines the periphery of the inflatable chamber 9. As will be appreciated, only one (front and outwardly facing) fabric layer 6 is clearly visible in Figures 1 - 4, because the other (rear and inwardly facing) layer 7 is hidden against the user’s body (or clothing).

It is proposed that the inflator may be operatively connected to a sensor (also not shown) such as impact sensor or accelerometer configured to output an actuation signal to the inflator in response to detection of the user 2 falling or being thrown from a motorcycle or the like in an accident. As will be appreciated, upon receipt of such an actuation signal, the inflator will be actuated in order to direct a volume of inflating gas into the inflatable chamber 9 of the airbag, thereby inflating the airbag 1 to an inflated condition as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. In other embodiments, however, it is envisaged that the inflator may be manually operated and could be configured for multiple operations.

Additionally, the two fabric layers 6, 7 are also be interconnected by one or more seams 10 which extend inwardly from the peripheral seam 9 as re-entrant extensions thereof, to define narrow uninflatable regions of the airbag 1 . The narrow uninflatable regions defined by the seams 10 permit the airbag 1 to bend or curve around the user’s torso 3 when the airbag 1 is inflated, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, in which condition the airbag 1 has significantly increased thickness and stiffness. Other uninflatable regions may be defined by further seams (not shown) provided within and separate from the peripheral seam 8.

The airbag 1 illustrated in Figures 1 - 4 is formed via a so-called ‘one-piece weaving’ technique in which yarns of one fabric layer 6 are interwoven with yarns of the other fabric layer 7 to define the peripheral seam 8 and the re-entrant seams 10. The seams 8, 10 are thus woven and integral to the structure of the fabric layers 6, 7.

Having regard to Figures 2 and 4 in particular, it will be noted that the securing straps 5 at each side of the airbag 1 are both connected to the airbag 1 between two pairs of superimposed edge regions 11 , 12 of the respective fabric layers 6, 7, external to the inflatable chamber (i.e. outside the periphery of the inflatable chamber 9 defined by the peripheral seam 8). The configuration of one pair of these superimposed edge regions 11 , 12 is illustrated in more detail in Figure 5.

As shown in Figure 5, the edge regions 11 , 12 of the respective fabric layers 6, 7 forming the airbag 1 are also interconnected over substantially their entire extent (denoted by the shaded area) by the above-noted ‘one-piece weaving’ technique. Thus, yarns of one fabric layer 6 are interwoven with yarns of the other fabric layer 7 across the shaded area denoted in Figure 5 to define a woven edge seam 13 which is integral to the structure of the fabric layers 6, 7 in the same manner as the peripheral seam 8. Indeed, in the arrangement illustrated, the resulting edge seam 13 forms an enlarged and outwardly projecting part of the peripheral seam 8 itself. Importantly, however, it will be noted that the edge regions 11 , 12 of the fabric layers 6, 7 are unconnected in the two unshaded areas denoted in Figure 5. Each of these unconnected areas of the fabric edge regions 11 , 12 defines a fabric socket 14 for the releasable receipt and engagement of a respective anchor 15 (which may be metal or plastic) provided at the end of a respective securing strap 5.

Each fabric socket 14 is thus formed between the superimposed and unconnected areas of the edge regions 11 , 12 of the fabric layers 6, 7, and effectively takes the form of a flexible pocket defining a cavity 16 around which the edge regions 11 , 12 of the fabric layers 6, 7 are interconnected.

Each cavity 16 has an opening 17 distal to the inflatable chamber 9 and which is defined between the superimposed and aligned edges 18, 19 of the fabric edge regions 11 , 12. From its opening 17, each cavity 16 extends inwardly towards the inflatable chamber 9, and terminates in a closed end having a central re-entrant projection 20 (formed by interconnection of the fabric edge regions 11 , 12) which extends into the cavity towards the opening 17. Furthermore, it will be noted that each cavity 16 has a stepped shape in crosssection comprising a relatively narrow neck region adjacent its opening 17, and a wider inner region proximate the inflatable chamber 9. As illustrated in Figure 6, the width w of each cavity as measured substantially parallel to the plane of the fabric is thus greater proximate the inflatable chamber 9 than across (w2) its opening 17 (w2).

Figure 6 illustrates an anchor 15 (provided at the end of a strap 5) being offered up to one of the fabric sockets 14 for engagement therewith. As will be understood from the arrows in Figure 6, the anchor is initially inserted through the opening 17, between the superimposed and unconnected areas of the fabric edge regions 11 , 12 defining the fabric socket 14, and into the cavity 16 of the socket 14 at an angle, such that one end 20 of the anchor 15 leads and the other end 21 follows. The leading end 20 of the anchor 15 is inserted through the narrow neck region of the cavity 16 and into the wider inner region of the cavity 16 first, after which the following end 21 is also inserted into the wider inner region in a similar manner. Thereafter, the anchor 15 may be straightened with respect to the cavity 16 so as to adopt the engaged position illustrated in Figure 7, in which it will be noted that the anchor 15 is retained within the fabric socket 14 by the narrow neck region. The other anchor 15 may be engaged with its respective fabric socket 14 in the same manner.

As will be appreciated, the woven fabric of the first and second layers 6, 7 of the airbag 1 is flexible, and may have a woven structure which facilitates the fabric to stretch a little. This may permit each fabric socket 14 to stretch somewhat in order to facilitate insertion of the anchor. However, it is to be appreciated that such stretching of the fabric pockets 14 is not considered essential, and embodiments are envisaged in which the size and geometry of the cavity 16 within each pocket is configured to facilitate insertion of a respective anchor, and to resist subsequent inadvertent removal of the anchor, without any stretching of the fabric being necessary.

As illustrated in Figure 7, when each anchor 15 is engaged within a respective fabric socket 14, the anchor 15 is entirely received within the cavity 16 of the fabric socket 14 so as to be hidden from view between the superimposed and unconnected areas of the fabric edge regions 11 , 12 defining the fabric socket 14. The respective straps 5 to which each anchor 15 is attached thus extends out of the fabric socket 14, via the opening 17, and away from the edge regions 11 , 12 of the fabric layers 6, 7.

As will be appreciated from Figure 8, the manner in which each anchor 15 is wholly received within a respective fabric socket 14 so as to be hidden from view, provides a connection between the anchor straps 5 and the airbag 1 which is aesthetically unobtrusive, and also reduces the likelihood of an anchors 15 becoming snagged during use of the airbag 1 .

Each anchor 15 may be subsequently disengaged and removed from its respective fabric socket 14 by reversing the insertion process described above with reference to Figure 7. In this manner, each anchor 15 may thus be easily removed from its fabric socket 14, thereby facilitating, for example, convenient removal of an anchor strap 5 from the airbag 1 . Whilst the invention has been described above with specific reference to an embodiment in which the airbag 1 comprises anchoring straps 5 releasably connected around the sides of a user 2 wearing the airbag 1 , it is to be appreciated that other embodiments are envisaged in which anchoring straps 5 may be releasably connected to other regions of the airbag 1 to secure the airbag 1 around other parts of a user’s body. Purely by way of example, Figures 9 and 10 illustrate an alternative configuration of airbag 1 which is also provided in a form to be worn about the user’s torso ,3 but which is shaped differently to the airbag 1 described above and illustrated in Figures 1 -8. In this embodiment, for example, a chest strap 5 is shown in Figure 9, and a back strap 5 is shown in Figure 10, which are configured to adjustably interconnect regions of the airbag 1 across the user’s chest and back respectively. It will be understood that both these straps are releasably connected to the airbag 1 in a substantially identical manner to that described above with reference to Figures 1-8, via substantially identical anchors 15 (hidden from view) engaged within fabric sockets 14.

Furthermore, it should be understood that some embodiments may take the form of airbags which are not intended to be worn by a user and which are instead intended to be mounted within or on a motor vehicle. In such embodiments, substantially identical fabric pockets 14 and anchors 15 may be provided to provide convenient releasable connection between the airbag 1 and the structure of a motor vehicle.

Whilst the invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments in which edge regions 11 , 12 of the respective fabric layers 6, 7 are interconnected around the fabric sockets 14 by a ‘one-piece weaving’ technique such that yarns of one fabric layer 6 are interwoven with yarns of the other fabric layer 7 to define a woven edge seam 13 which is integral to the structure of the fabric layers 6, 7, other embodiments are envisaged in which this is not the case. Figures 11 and 12, considered below, illustrate one such example.

Figures 11 and 12 illustrated superimposed regions 11 , 12 or respective fabric layers 6, 7. Whilst the rest of the airbag is not illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, it is to be understood that the superimposed regions 11 , 12 may form part of an airbag in a similar manner to the previously described embodiments and will thus be provided external to the inflatable chamber of the airbag. However, in this proposal the superimposed fabric regions 11 , 12 are not interconnected by a ‘one-piece weaving’ technique, but are instead interconnected by a simple line of stitching 22 which defines the perimeter of the fabric socket 14 between the superimposed edge regions 11 , 12. In all other respects, it will be understood that the resulting fabric socket 14 is of substantially identical configuration to the sockets 14 described in detail above with reference to the embodiments of Figures 1-10. In particular, the socket 14 illustrated in Figures 11 and 12 has a cavity of similar shape, with a similar opening 17 formed between superimposed and aligned edges 18, 19 of the fabric regions 11 , 12. The cavity 14 may thus releasably receive and engage an anchor 15 in substantially the same manner as described above with reference to the embodiments of Figures 1-10.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “have”, “comprise”, and “include”, and variations such as “having”, “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/- 10%.

The words "preferred" and "preferably" are used herein refer to embodiments of the invention that may provide certain benefits under some circumstances. It is to be appreciated, however, that other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or different circumstances. The recitation of one or more preferred embodiments therefore does not mean or imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, or from the scope of the claims.

Claims

1 . An airbag (1 ) for a safety arrangement, the airbag (1 ) comprising a pair of superimposed fabric layers (6,7) interconnected by a peripheral seam (8) to define an inflatable chamber (9) for the receipt of inflating gas between the fabric layers (6,7), the peripheral seam (8) defining at least part of a periphery of the inflatable chamber (9), characterised in that the airbag (1) further comprises an integrated fabric socket (14) defined between superimposed respective edge regions (11 ,12) of the fabric layers (6,7) external to the inflatable chamber (9), the fabric socket (14) being configured to releasably receive and engage an anchor (15) for anchoring the airbag (1) in a desired position for use.

2. An airbag (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the fabric socket (14) comprises a cavity (16) around which said edge regions (11 ,12) of the fabric layers (6,7) are interconnected to define the socket (14), the cavity (16) having an opening (17) distal to the inflatable chamber (9) across which said edge regions (11 ,12) of the fabric layers (6,7) are unconnected.

3. An airbag (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein said edge regions (11 ,12) of the fabric layers (6,7) are interconnected by stitching formed around said cavity (16).

4. An airbag (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein each said fabric layer (6,7) is woven and comprises a plurality of yarns, and wherein yarns of one said layer (6) are interwoven with yarns of the other said layer (7) to interconnect said edge regions (11 ,12) of the fabric layers (6,7) around said cavity (16) and thereby define the socket (14).

5. An airbag (1 ) according to claim 4, wherein said yarns of one said fabric layer (6) are interwoven with said yarns of the other said fabric layer (7) across substantially the entire extent of said edge regions (11 ,12) of the fabric layers (6,7) except across said cavity (16) of the socket (14), to define an edge seam (13) which is integral to the structure of said layers (6,7) and within which said socket (14) is defined.

6. An airbag (1 ) according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein yarns of one said fabric layer (6) are interwoven with yarns of the other said fabric layer (7) to define said peripheral seam (8), the peripheral seam (8) thereby being woven and integral to the structure of said layers (6,7).

7. An airbag (1 ) according to claim 5, wherein yarns of one said fabric layer (6) are interwoven with yarns of the other said fabric layer (7) to define said peripheral seam (8), the peripheral seam (8) thereby being woven and integral to the structure of said layers (6,7), and wherein said edge seam (13) within which said socket (14) is defined forms part of said peripheral seam (8).

8. An airbag (1 ) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein said opening (17) is defined between the edges (18,19) of said respective edge regions (11 ,12) of the fabric layers (6,7).

9. An airbag (1 ) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein said cavity (16) extends inwardly from said opening (17) towards said inflatable chamber (9).

10. An airbag (1 ) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein said cavity (16) has a shape whose width, measured substantially parallel to said superimposed fabric layers (6,7), is greater proximate said inflatable chamber (9) than across said opening (17).

11 . An airbag (1 ) according to any preceding claim provided in combination with an anchor (15) releasably engaged within said fabric socket (14).

12. An airbag (1 ) according to claim 11 , wherein said anchor (15) is provided at the end of a mounting strap (5) or tether which extends out of the fabric socket (4) and away from said edge regions (11 ,12) of the fabric layers (6,7).

13. An airbag (1 ) according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein said anchor (15) is entirely received within said fabric socket (14) so as to be hidden from view between said superimposed edge regions (11 ,12) of the fabric layers (6,7).

14. An airbag (1 ) according to any preceding claim comprising a plurality of said fabric sockets (14).

15. An airbag (1 ) according to any preceding claim provided in the form of a wearable protection device for protection of at least a body part (3) of a wearer (2).