Patent ID: 6431587
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:a vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and the vehicle occupant; and an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said vehicle occupant protection device; said vehicle occupant protection device comprising first and second gas impermeable panels, said first and second panels having aligned openings extending through said first and second panels respectively, said openings being for receiving hardware for securing said panels in the vehicle, and a structure for reinforcing said openings in said first and second panels, said structure comprising third and fourth fabric pieces sewn to each other, said third and fourth fabric pieces having openings aligned with the openings in said first and second panels, said third and fourth fabric pieces being secured to facing internal surfaces of said first and second panels, said third and fourth fabric pieces having outwardly facing gas impermeable coatings positioned adjacent said facing internal surfaces of said first and second panels.