Patent ID: 6474681
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a roof and a side structure, said apparatus comprising:an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant; an inflation fluid source for providing inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; an elongated member connected to the vehicle side structure, said elongated member having a length extending along a longitudinal axis of said elongated member, said elongated member including at least one portion positioned along said length, said at least one portion having first and second surfaces extending transverse to said axis; and an element connected to said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and slidable along the length of said elongated member in a first direction when said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated, said element including a first end portion, an opposite second end portion, and a wall portion extending between said first and second end portions and at least partially encircling said elongated member along a portion of the length of said elongated member, said element further including a latch positioned between said first and second end portions, said latch extending from said wall portion in a direction transverse to said wall portion toward said elongated member, said latch having a first surface slidable along said first surface of said at least one portion of said elongated member upon sliding movement of said element in said first direction along said elongated member, said latch having a second surface engageable with said second surface of said at least one portion to block sliding movement of said element in a second direction along said elongated member opposite said first direction.