Patent ID: 6237939
Filing Date: 2001-05-29
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 that is 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, when inflated, having a bottom edge and spaced front and rear bottom corners;an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;a flexible elongated member having first and second opposite ends, said first end being adapted to connect to the side structure of the vehicle at a first location adjacent one of said front and rear bottom corners, said second end being adapted to connect to said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device at a second location spaced away from said one of said front and rear bottom corners of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said flexible elongated member having a length greater than the distance between said first location and said one of said front and rear bottom corners when said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated; anda guide on said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device located between said first and second locations, said guide and said flexible elongated member cooperating such that said guide slides on said flexible elongated member when said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated.