Patent ID: 6428037
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device adapted to inflate away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device comprising an inflatable front portion and an inflatable rear portion, said front and rear portions being partially separated by a slit that extends through said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; a slider assembly adapted to be connected to the vehicle side structure; and a flexible elongated member having a first end connected to said front portion at a first location on said front portion and an opposite second end connected to said slider assembly, said rear portion when inflated overlying the entire slider assembly, said slit being positioned forward of said slider assembly when said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated, said flexible elongated member extending from said first location across said slit when said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated.