in fig1 the elastic section 9 is extended or elongated completely here since the gas cushion 7 has been inflated with a gas by the activator 8 instead of a soft sleeve 10 as shown in fig1 the airbag 5 and the gas generator 6 are covered from the outside by a rigid cap 11 the airbag 5 and the gas generator 6 are located in a shell 12 which is surrounded by the cap 11 this cap 11 is a visible cover the airbag 5 emerges from the cap 11 the motor vehicle seat 1 is shown in the initial position in the region of a side element in fig3 the elastic section 9 of the covering 4 is retracted here since the gas cushion 7 is not inflated with an inflation gas the dashed line shows the contour of an inflated gas cushion 7 u2032 the gas cushion 7 can be composed of a normal fabric or of a film and is preferably of a gas tight design the gas cushion 7 can be attached to the frame 2 by means of elastic straps 15 which are attached to the gas cushion 7 for example by hooking the straps 15 into the frame 2 from fig3 it is apparent that the elastic section 9 is arranged on the inside of the side element that is to say on the part of the covering 4 facing the occupant of the seat while the side of the covering 4 which faces away is of flexible and.