Patent ID: 6361068
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
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, said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a perimeter at least partially defined by upper and lower edges of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and front and rear portions of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device spaced apart along said upper and lower edges, a first fold line extending generally horizontally along the length of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device between said upper and lower edges, said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device including an upper portion extending between said upper edge and said first fold line and a lower portion extending between said lower edge and said first fold line; an inflation fluid source that provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; a slider assembly connected to the vehicle side structure, said slider assembly including a track extending generally vertically in the vehicle and an element that is slidable along said track; and a flexible elongated member having a first end connected to said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device at a first location on said lower portion of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and an opposite second end connected to said element; said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device prior to inflation being folded along said first fold line such that said lower portion overlies said upper portion and such that said first location is positioned adjacent said upper edge of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device.