Device for protecting the knees of vehicle occupants

This application claims the priority of German Patent Document No. 101 26 864.5, filed Jun. 1, 2001, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. A knee protection device for vehicle occupants comprises at least one airbag, which, in the inflated operation position, extends in front of the knees of a vehicle occupant, lies against the knees in the event of a restraint and prevents the knees from shifting forward. A knee-protection device, which functions well, is easily constructed and avoids injury during the inflation of the airbag. The airbag or air cushion comprises at least two transversely extending airbags, which are disposed directly one behind another in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Adjoining airbags are coupled to one another on the side, facing the knees, by an approximately tangentially extending outer fabric bridge or by an otherwise disposed fabric bridge.