Patent ID: 6237943
Filing Date: 2001-05-29
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An occupant restraint system for an automotive vehicle having a roof and a pillar extending downwardly from the roof to define a lateral edge ofan opening, the system comprising:an occupant restraint curtain having a first edge securable to the roof adjacent an upper edge of the opening and an opposite second edge, the curtain movable between a stowed condition wherein the curtain is retained adjacent the roof and a deployed condition wherein the curtain is generally planar and extends downwardly from the roof to cover at least a portion of the opening, the curtain comprising first and second sections separated by a slit extending from the second edge toward the first edge;a connecting member attached to the curtain adjacent the second edge thereof to span the slit and connect the first and second sections; anda tether having a first end engageable with the pillar for movement therealong when the curtain moves between the stowed and deployed conditions, the tether having a second end rotatably engaged with the connecting member whereby the connecting member is free to rotate relative to the tether as the curtain moves between the stowed condition and the deployed condition.