Patent ID: 6308982
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle which has a side structure, said apparatus comprising:a vehicle occupant protection device which is inflatable in a first direction into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said vehicle occupant protection device when inflated extending fore and aft in the vehicle along the side structure of the vehicle;an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating said vehicle occupant protection device;a tensioning device; anda flexible elongated member having a first end connected to the vehicle at a first location and an opposite second end connected to said tensioning device, said flexible elongated member extending through said vehicle occupant protection device along a bottom edge of said vehicle occupant protection device,said tensioning device pulling on said flexible elongated member when said vehicle occupant protection device is inflated, said flexible elongated member tensioning said vehicle occupant protection device in said first direction along the fore and aft extent of said vehicle occupant protection device.