Patent ID: 6471240
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
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 inflatable away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant; and an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, when inflated, having a perimeter and front and rear portions spaced apart horizontally along said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device comprising overlying panels that define an inflatable volume and at least one connection within said perimeter at which said overlying panels are interconnected; said at least one connection extending in a generally horizontal direction when said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated, said at least one connection including first and second end portions and a middle portion located between said first and second end portions, said first and second end portions and said middle portion each having a width measured in a direction perpendicular to said horizontal direction, said width of said middle portion being greater than said widths of said first and second end portions.