Patent Publication Number: US-2023158995-A1

Title: Curtain airbag module

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-188302 filed on Nov. 19, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The disclosure relates to a curtain airbag module. 
     A vehicle such as an automobile uses, for example, a curtain airbag for occupant protection. For example, reference is made to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (JP-A) No. 2016-052824. The curtain airbag is attached, for example, to a side roof rail of a vehicle body. The curtain airbag is stored, extending in a longitudinal direction along the side roof rail. Upon an emergency, the curtain airbag is deployed downward from the side roof rail by a high-pressure gas generated by an inflator. This makes it possible to prevent an occupant present inside a vehicle from coming into direct contact with a side surface of the vehicle body. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the disclosure provides a curtain airbag module to be attached at least to a side roof member of a vehicle body of a vehicle. The curtain airbag module includes a curtain airbag, fist tabs, and a coupler. The curtain airbag includes vehicle-body fixation points that are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the curtain airbag in a stored state extending in the longitudinal direction. The fist tabs are to be attached to the vehicle body while being overlaid on the respective vehicle-body fixation points of the curtain airbag. The coupler couples some first tabs adjacent to each other. The some first tabs are a portion or all of the first tabs. The coupler is provided along an extending direction of the curtain airbag extending in the longitudinal direction. The coupler has a shape with no portion to be present between the curtain airbag and the vehicle body in a state where the first tabs are attached to the vehicle body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  1    is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a structure of a vehicle according to one example embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a curtain airbag module to be used for the vehicle illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is an explanatory diagram for describing an airbag illustrated in  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is an explanatory diagram for describing a rear-end bracket illustrated in  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  5    is a diagram for describing a method of attaching the rear-end bracket to a vehicle body, taking a first fixation tab for example. 
         FIG.  6    is an explanatory diagram for describing a state in which the rear-end bracket and its peripheries are attached to the vehicle body. 
         FIG.  7    is a vertical sectional view of the vicinity of the first fixation tab related to the attachment state illustrated in  FIG.  6   . 
         FIG.  8    is a vertical sectional view of a rear-end bracket according to a modification which is to be compared with  FIG.  7   . 
         FIG.  9    is a diagram for describing a movement of a coupler of the rear-end bracket upon deployment of the curtain airbag. 
         FIG.  10    is a diagram for describing a structure of a tab provided to the rear-end bracket of one example embodiment, taking the first fixation tab for example. 
         FIG.  11    is a diagram for describing a first fixation tab according to a modification which is to be compared with  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  12    is a diagram for describing a possible movement of the first fixation tab according to the modification illustrated in  FIG.  11    upon the deployment of the curtain airbag. 
         FIG.  13    is a diagram for describing a structure, according to a first modification, of the first fixation tab illustrated in  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  14    is a diagram for describing a structure, according to a second modification, of the first fixation tab illustrated in  FIG.  10   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A curtain airbag to be attached to a vehicle body at a part such as a side roof rail entirely covers an upper portion of a side surface of a vehicle compartment. The curtain airbag in a stored state may extend in a longitudinal direction that is a front-rear direction of the vehicle body. For example, the curtain airbag attached to the vehicle body may have a length almost the same as that of the side roof rail. 
     For such a reason, the curtain airbag extending in the longitudinal direction may be provided with vehicle-body fixation points, and the curtain airbag extending in the longitudinal direction may be attached to a part such as the side roof rail of the vehicle body at the vehicle-body fixation points, for example, by means of clips. 
     The curtain airbag extending in the longitudinal direction may include, however, a rolled-up or folded base cloth, and may be easily twisted. Accordingly, when a person in charge attaches the curtain airbag extending in the longitudinal direction to a part such as the side roof rail of the vehicle body, the person in charge can attach the curtain airbag to the vehicle body in a twisted state. This may make, upon attaching the curtain airbag to the vehicle body, the person in charge attach the vehicle-body fixation points to a part such as the side roof rail of the vehicle body while checking that the curtain airbag is not twisted. 
     It may be desired to achieve easier attachment, to a vehicle, of a curtain airbag that is to be stored, extending in a longitudinal direction. 
     In the following, some example embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following description is directed to illustrative examples of the disclosure and not to be construed as limiting to the disclosure. Factors including, without limitation, numerical values, shapes, materials, components, positions of the components, and how the components are coupled to each other are illustrative only and not to be construed as limiting to the disclosure. Further, elements in the following example embodiments which are not recited in a most-generic independent claim of the disclosure are optional and may be provided on an as-needed basis. The drawings are schematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale. Throughout the present specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted with the same reference numerals to avoid any redundant description. In addition, elements that are not directly related to any embodiment of the disclosure are unillustrated in the drawings. 
       FIG.  1    is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a structure of a vehicle  1  according to an example embodiment of the disclosure. 
       FIG.  1    mainly illustrates a right-side structure of a vehicle compartment  3  of the vehicle  1 . 
     The vehicle  1  illustrated in  FIG.  1    may be, for example but not limited to, an automobile. A vehicle body  2  of the vehicle  1  may be provided with the vehicle compartment  3  in which an occupant is to be present. The vehicle compartment  3  may be provided with a front seat  8  and a back seat  9  on each which an occupant is to sit. At a side surface of a ceiling of the vehicle compartment  3  of the vehicle body  2 , a side roof rail  4  may extend in a longitudinal direction that is a front-rear direction. Coupled to a front end of the side roof rail  4  may be an A-pillar  5 . Coupled to the middle of the side roof rail  4  may be a B-pillar  6 . Coupled to a rear end of the side roof rail  4  may be a C-pillar  7 . The side roof rail  4 , the A-pillar  5 , the B-pillar  6 , and the C-pillar  7  may each be a roof side member of the vehicle compartment  3 . 
     For occupant protection, the vehicle  1  described above may be provided with airbags including a curtain airbag  11  illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
     The curtain airbag  11  illustrated in  FIG.  1    may be stored in a region from the A-pillar  5  to the side roof rail  4 , extending in the longitudinal direction that is the front-rear direction. Unlike other airbags including a front airbag that deploys in front of an occupant, the curtain airbag  11  may be stored in a long and narrow limited space such as the side roof rail  4 . 
     In a case where a control system of the vehicle  1  detects or predicts contact, an inflator  51  may be ignited and the curtain airbag  11  may be deployed thereby. For example, the curtain airbag  11  may deploy downward from the side roof rail  4 . The curtain airbag  11  illustrated in  FIG.  1    may deploy to a height below respective upper ends of the front seat  8  and the back seat  9  provided in the vehicle compartment  3 . The curtain airbag  11  may deploy in a region from the A-pillar  5  to the C-pillar  7 , having a great width in the front-rear direction corresponding to a width of the vehicle compartment  3  in the front-rear direction. 
     Such deployment of the curtain airbag  11  helps to prevent an occupant body from coming into direct contact with a side surface of the vehicle body  2  even if the occupant present in the vehicle compartment  3  inclines to an outer side in a vehicle width direction, for example, to a right side. It is thus possible to protect the occupant. 
     The above-described curtain airbag  11  may entirely cover an upper portion of a side surface of the vehicle compartment  3  as described above. The curtain airbag  11  in a stored state may extend in the longitudinal direction that is the front-rear direction of the vehicle body  2 . For example, the curtain airbag  11  attached to the vehicle body  2  may have a length almost the same as that of the side roof rail  4 . 
     For such a reason, the curtain airbag  11  extending in the longitudinal direction may be provided with vehicle-body fixation members  13 , as will be described later. The curtain airbag  11  extending in the longitudinal direction may be attached to a part such as the side roof rail  4  of the vehicle body  2  at the vehicle-body fixation members  13 , for example, by means of clips  60 . 
     The curtain airbag  11  extending in the longitudinal direction may include, however, a rolled-up or folded base cloth  12 , and may be easily twisted. Accordingly, when a person in charge attaches the curtain airbag  11  extending in the longitudinal direction to a part such as the side roof rail  4  of the vehicle body  2 , the person in charge can attach the curtain airbag  11  to the vehicle body  2  in a twisted state. This may make, upon attaching the curtain airbag  11  to the vehicle body  2 , the person in charge attach the vehicle-body fixation members  13  to a part such as the side roof rail  4  of the vehicle body  2  while checking that the curtain airbag  11  extending in the longitudinal direction is not twisted. While attaching the vehicle-body fixation members  13  one by one in order to a part such as the side roof rail  4  of the vehicle body  2 , the person in charge may continuously check that the curtain airbag  11  is not twisted. 
     Thus, it may be desired to achieve easier attachment, to the vehicle  1 , of the curtain airbag  11  that extends in the longitudinal direction in the stored state. 
     To address this, the example embodiment may use a curtain airbag module  10  that is attachable to the vehicle body  2 . 
       FIG.  2    is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the curtain airbag module  10  to be used for the vehicle  1  illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
     In  FIG.  2   , the front-rear direction of the vehicle  1  illustrated in  FIG.  1    is indicated. The front-rear direction of the vehicle  1  is also similarly illustrated in other drawings. 
     The curtain airbag module  10  illustrated in  FIG.  2    may include the curtain airbag  11 , arear-end bracket  20 , and the inflator  51 . 
     For example, as with the curtain airbag  11  illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the curtain airbag module  10  may be attached to a range from the A-pillar  5  to a rear end of the side roof rail  4  of the vehicle body  2  of the vehicle  1 . The curtain airbag module  10  may be attached to the vehicle body  2 , extending in the longitudinal direction that is the front-rear direction of the vehicle body  2 . 
     As long as the curtain airbag  11  is able to deploy to be present between a side portion of the vehicle body  2  and an occupant body, a range to attach the curtain airbag module  10  is not limited to the range illustrated in  FIG.  1   . In one example, the curtain airbag module  10  may be attached to any other roof side member such as the C-pillar  7  or the B-pillar  6 . 
       FIG.  3    is an explanatory diagram for describing the curtain airbag  11  illustrated in  FIG.  2   . 
     The curtain airbag  11  illustrated in  FIG.  3    may include the base cloth  12  and the vehicle-body fixation members  13 . The base cloth  12  may have a bag shape and may be deployed in a substantially quadrangular shape by a high-pressure gas generated by the inflator  51 . The vehicle-body fixation members  13  may be provided at a front edge and an upper edge of the base cloth  12  having the substantially quadrangular shape. Each of the vehicle-body fixation members  13  may have a bag hole  14  into which the clip  60  is insertable, as will be described later. 
     In one example, the base cloth  12  having the substantially quadrangular shape may be rolled upward from a lower edge illustrated in  FIG.  3    to be stored, extending in the longitudinal direction that is the front-rear direction. In another example, the base cloth  12  having the substantially quadrangular shape may be folded in a zigzag manner upward from the lower edge illustrated in  FIG.  3    to be stored, extending in the longitudinal direction that is the front-rear direction. 
     Provided in the middle of the upper edge of the base cloth  12  having the substantially quadrangular shape may be a gas introducer  15 . The gas introducer  15  may be coupled to the inflator  51 . 
     The gas introducer  15  may receive the inflator  51  inserted therein. As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the inflator  51  may be provided along a longitudinal direction of the base cloth  12  of the curtain airbag  11  in the middle of the upper edge of the base cloth  12  of the curtain airbag  11  that is in the stored state, extending in the longitudinal direction that is the front-rear direction. 
     On the upper side of the base cloth  12  of the curtain airbag  11  in the stored state extending in the longitudinal direction, the vehicle-body fixation members  13  may be arranged in the longitudinal direction, i.e., the front-rear direction. For example, the vehicle-body fixation members  13  may be arranged at predetermined intervals. 
     However, the inflator  51  may be provided in the middle on the upper side of the base cloth  12  of the curtain airbag  11 . It may be difficult to provide the vehicle-body fixation member  13  near the inflator  51 . For example, in a case illustrated in  FIG.  2   , an interval between the vehicle-body fixation member  13  immediately on the front side of the inflator  51  and the vehicle-body fixation member  13  immediately on the rear side of the inflator  51  may be greater than intervals at other positions, as indicated by a dashed-two-dotted straight line with arrows on both ends. 
     As with the case describing the curtain airbag  11  in reference to  FIG.  1   , for example, the curtain airbag module  10  may be stored extending in the longitudinal direction that is the front-rear direction, and may be attached to the vehicle body  2  along the side roof rail  4 . 
     The curtain airbag  11  may often include, for example, a cloth or a rubber material as a base material. Therefore, if nothing is done for the curtain airbag module  10 , the curtain airbag module  10  can also be twisted as indicated by a dashed-two-dotted circular line with arrows on both ends in  FIG.  2   . In this case, when a person in charge attaches the curtain airbag module  10  to the vehicle body  2 , the person in charge may attach the vehicle-body fixation members  13  to a part such as the side roof rail  4  of the vehicle body  2  while checking that the curtain airbag module  10  extending in the longitudinal direction is not twisted. While attaching the vehicle-body fixation members  13  one by one in order to a part such as the side roof rail  4  of the vehicle body  2 , the person in charge may continuously check that the curtain airbag  11  is not twisted. 
       FIG.  4    is an explanatory diagram for describing the rear-end bracket  20  illustrated in  FIG.  2   . 
     The rear-end bracket  20  illustrated in  FIG.  4    may be provided at a rear portion of the curtain airbag module  10  extending in the longitudinal direction that is the front-rear direction, as illustrated in  FIG.  2   . 
     The rear-end bracket  20  may include a base  21 , a second fixation tab  22 , a coupler  23 , a first fixation tab  24 , a rear extending part  25 , a free tab  26 , and a front extending part  27 . 
     The base  21  of the rear-end bracket  20  may have a substantially quadrangular plate shape that is long in the front-rear direction. A lower edge of the base  21  having the substantially quadrangular shape may be provided with a base tab  29 . An upper edge of the base  21  having the substantially quadrangular shape may be provided with the second fixation tab  22 . The base  21  having the substantially quadrangular shape may be fixed at its top and bottom to the vehicle body  2 . It is thus possible to firmly fix the rear-end bracket  20  to the vehicle body  2  so that the rear-end bracket  20  hardly moves and changes its attitude with respect to the vehicle body  2  also upon the deployment of the curtain airbag  11 . A lower portion of the base  21  having the substantially quadrangular shape may be provided with a jump ramp  30 . The jump ramp  30  may have a shape protruding toward the inner side of the vehicle compartment  3 . The curtain airbag  11  deploying downward may come into contact with the jump ramp  30 . This allows the curtain airbag  11  to deploy downward without hitting an upper portion of the C-pillar  7 , as will be described later. 
     The second fixation tab  22  may be provided on the front side of the base  21  having the substantially quadrangular shape. The second fixation tab  22  may have a substantially plate shape. The second fixation tab  22  having the substantially plate shape may be coupled to the base  21  to protrude upward from a front portion of the upper edge of the base  21  having the substantially quadrangular shape. 
     The second fixation tab  22  having the substantially plate shape may have a bracket hole  28  into which the clip  60  is insertable. 
     The coupler  23  may be provided on the front side of the second fixation tab  22  having the substantially plate shape. The coupler  23  may have a plate shape that is curved in a left-right direction of the vehicle body  2 , i.e., an inner-outer direction of the vehicle body  2 . The coupler  23  having the curved plate shape may be coupled at its rear end to a front edge of the second fixation tab  22  having the substantially plate shape, being spaced away from the base  21 . The coupler  23  and the second fixation tab  22  may be coupled to each other not substantially on a line but substantially at a point. 
     The first fixation tab  24  may be provided on the front side of the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape. The first fixation tab  24  may have a substantially plate shape. The first fixation tab  24  having the substantially plate shape may be coupled to a front edge of the coupler  23  to protrude upward from the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape. The first fixation tab  24  and the coupler  23  may be coupled to each other substantially at a point. 
     The first fixation tab  24  having the substantially plate shape may have a bracket hole  28  into which the clip  60  is insertable. 
     The rear extending part  25  may be provided on the front side of the first fixation tab  24  having the substantially plate shape. The rear extending part  25  may have a plate shape that is curved in the left-right direction of the vehicle body  2 , i.e., the inner-outer direction of the vehicle body  2 . The rear extending part  25  having the curved plate shape may be coupled at its rear end to a front edge of the first fixation tab  24  having the substantially plate shape, being spaced away from the coupler  23 . 
     The free tab  26  may be provided on the front side of the rear extending part  25  having the curved plate shape. The free tab  26  may have a substantially plate shape. The free tab  26  having the substantially plate shape may be coupled to the rear extending part  25  to protrude upward from the rear extending part  25  having the curved plate shape. The free tab  26  and the rear extending part  25  may be coupled to each other substantially at a point. 
     The free tab  26  having the substantially plate shape may have a bracket hole  28  into which the clip  60  is insertable. 
     The front extending part  27  may be provided on the front side of the free tab  26  having the substantially plate shape. The front extending part  27  may have a plate shape that is curved in the left-right direction of the vehicle body  2 , i.e., the inner-outer direction of the vehicle body  2 . The front extending part  27  and the rear extending part  25  may be directly coupled to each other, forming a single extending part having a curved plate shape. 
     The rear-end bracket  20  having the complicated shape described above may be formed using a resin material, for example, by resin molding using a mold. For example, each portion of the rear-end bracket  20  may be flexible. 
     In the rear-end bracket  20  illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the base  21 , the second fixation tab  22 , the coupler  23 , the first fixation tab  24 , the rear extending part  25 , the free tab  26 , and the front extending part  27  may be arranged in order along an extending direction of the curtain airbag  11  extending in the longitudinal direction, i.e., in the front-rear direction. 
     The front extending part  27  having the curved plate shape and the rear extending part  25  may be arranged substantially in a line, and may be molded as a single curved plate member. The coupler  23  having the curved plate shape may be included in a single curved plate member including the front extending part  27  and the rear extending part  25 . The coupler  23  having the curved plate shape may be provided along an extending direction of an upper surface of the curtain airbag  11  in the stored state extending in the longitudinal direction and may be curved along the upper surface of the curtain airbag  11  in the stored state. 
     The free tab  26 , the first fixation tab  24 , and the second fixation tab  22 , which are tabs provided to the rear-end bracket  20 , may be arranged along the front-rear direction, protruding upward from an outer edge of the single curved plate member. 
     In one embodiment, the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24  may serve as “first tabs”. The second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24  may be coupled to each other by the coupler  23 . In one embodiment, the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24  may serve as “first tabs adjacent to each other”. 
     In one embodiment, the free tab  26  may serve as a “second tab”. The first fixation tab  24  and the free tab  26  as tabs adjacent to each other may be coupled to each other by the rear extending part  25 . 
     The free tab  26 , which is the first one positioned on the front side among the tabs coupled to each other in the rear-end bracket  20 , may be provided with the front extending part  27  in such a manner that the front extending part  27  protrudes further to the front side of the free tab  26 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the rear-end bracket  20  described above may be fixed to the base cloth  12  of the curtain airbag  11  in the stored state extending in the longitudinal direction by means of a sealing tape  41 . The sealing tape  41  may be breakable upon the deployment of the curtain airbag  11 . 
     The front extending part  27  provided at a front end of the rear-end bracket  20  may be fixed to the base cloth  12  of the curtain airbag  11  in the stored state extending in the longitudinal direction in such a manner that the front extending part  27  is interposed between the base cloth  12  of the curtain airbag  11  and the inflator  51 . 
       FIG.  5    is a diagram for describing a method of attaching the rear-end bracket  20  to the vehicle body  2 , taking the first fixation tab  24  for example. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates, together with the first fixation tab  24  and the coupler  23  of the rear-end bracket  20 , the clip  60 , the vehicle-body fixation member  13  of the curtain airbag  11  in the stored state extending in the longitudinal direction, and the side roof rail  4  of the vehicle body  2 . The base cloth  12  of the curtain airbag  11  may be rolled up and stored on the lower side of the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape. The vehicle-body fixation member  13  of the curtain airbag  11  may be overlaid on the first fixation tab  24  in such a manner that the bag hole  14  of the vehicle-body fixation member  13  is aligned with the bracket hole  28  of the first fixation tab  24 . 
     The side roof rail  4  of the vehicle body  2  may have a fixation hole  80  which the clip  60  is to be inserted into and fixed at. 
     The clip  60  may include a shaft  61 , a knob  62 , and backward projections  63 . The shaft  61  may have a substantially columnar outer shape. The knob  62  may be provided at a first end of the shaft  61  and have a width greater than that of the shaft  61 . The backward projections  63  may be opened from a second end toward the first end of the shaft  61 . The clip  60  may include a resin material. The backward projections  63  may be deformed toward the shaft  61 . 
     For example, a person in charge may align the bag hole  14  of the vehicle-body fixation member  13  of the curtain airbag  11 , the bracket hole  28  of the first fixation tab  24 , and the fixation hole  80  of the side roof rail  4  with each other. The person in charge may insert the clip  60  into the bag hole  14  and the bracket hole  28  that are aligned with each other. The clip  60  may be inserted into the bag hole  14  and the bracket hole  28  with the backward projections  63  being bent. Finally, the backward projections  63  may be opened as in their original states on the inner side of the side roof rail  4 . 
     The clip  60  may thus fix the first fixation tab  24  to the side roof rail  4  of the vehicle body  2  together with the vehicle-body fixation member  13  of the curtain airbag  11 . 
     Similarly, the second fixation tab  22  may also be fixed by the clip  60  to the side roof rail  4  of the vehicle body  2  together with the vehicle-body fixation member  13  of the curtain airbag  11 . 
     The free tab  26  may be fixed by the clip  60  to the side roof rail  4  of the vehicle body  2  alone without being overlaid on the vehicle-body fixation member  13  of the curtain airbag  11 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape may be coupled to a lower end of the first fixation tab  24  at an outer edge in a state where the first fixation tab  24  is attached to the vehicle body  2 . The outer edge may be positioned on the outer side of the vehicle body  2 . Therefore, in the state where the first fixation tab  24  is attached to the vehicle body  2 , the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape may stand with respect to a contact surface  31  of the first fixation tab  24 . The contact surface  31  of the first fixation tab  24  may be in contact with the vehicle body  2  where the first fixation tab  24  is attached to the vehicle body  2 . 
     Similarly, the front extending part  27  and the rear extending part  25  may also stand with respect to the contact surface  31  of the tabs. 
       FIG.  6    is an explanatory diagram for describing a state in which the rear-end bracket  20  and its peripheries are attached to the vehicle body  2 . 
       FIG.  7    is a vertical sectional view of the vicinity of the first fixation tab  24  related to the attachment state illustrated in  FIG.  6   . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the curtain airbag module  10  may be attached to the side roof rail  4  of the vehicle body  2  by the second fixation tab  22 , the first fixation tab  24 , the free tab  26 , and the base tab  29  of the rear-end bracket  20 . The base  21  of the rear-end bracket  20  may be positioned on the upper side of the C-pillar  7 . The rear-end bracket  20  as a whole may be fixed to the side roof rail  4  in a range from a position on the upper side of the C-pillar  7  to a position on the upper side of the B-pillar  6 . 
     A pair of pedestals  71  of an assist grip may be provided on the front side and the rear side of the first fixation tab  24 . The rear extending part  25  may be positioned on the lower side of the pedestal  71  that is provided on the front side. The coupler  23  may be positioned on the lower side of the pedestal  71  that is provided on the rear side. Thus, multiple members may be densely attached to the side roof rail  4  of the vehicle  1 . 
     In a state where the members including the first fixation tab  24  are attached to the vehicle body  2 , the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape may extend along the longitudinal direction of the curtain airbag  11  in the stored state extending in the longitudinal direction, as illustrated in  FIG.  6   . 
     In addition, the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape may be provided not to be present between the vehicle body  2  and the base cloth  12  of the curtain airbag  11  in the stored state extending in the longitudinal direction, as illustrated in  FIG.  7   . 
       FIG.  8    is a vertical sectional view of a rear-end bracket  200  according to a modification which is to be compared with  FIG.  7   . 
     The rear-end bracket  200  according to the modification illustrated in  FIG.  8    may include a coupler  91  having a curved plate shape with a substantially U-shaped section. Other members provided to the rear-end bracket  200  having the plate shape, including a front extending part and a rear extending part may each have a curved plate shape with a substantially U-shaped section as well. 
     The member such as the coupler  91  that is provided on the upper side of the curtain airbag  11  along the upper surface of the curtain airbag  11  may have the substantially U-shaped section. In this case, the coupler  91  having the substantially U-shaped section may have a portion that is present between the vehicle body  2  and the base cloth  12  of the curtain airbag  11  in the stored state extending in the longitudinal direction. 
     A distance D 2  from an inner surface of the side roof rail  4  to the base cloth  12  of the curtain airbag  11  in the modification illustrated in  FIG.  8    may be greater than a distance D 1  from the inner surface of the side roof rail  4  to the base cloth  12  of the curtain airbag  11  in the example embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  7   . 
     As a result, a portion of the side roof rail  4  that protrudes to the inner side toward a head of an occupant may be greater. 
     Referring to  FIG.  7    again, the base cloth  12  of the curtain airbag  11  in the stored state extending in the longitudinal direction may start to be inflated by the high-pressure gas generated by the inflator  51  and deploy downward. In this case, the base cloth  12  of the curtain airbag  11  may inflate as indicated by a dashed-two-dotted line circle in  FIG.  7   , and push upward the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape. The base cloth  12  of the inflating curtain airbag  11  may also push upward the front extending part  27  and the rear extending part  25  each having the curved plate shape. 
       FIG.  9    is a diagram for describing a movement of the coupler  23  of the rear-end bracket  20  upon the deployment of the curtain airbag  11 . 
     The coupler  23  having the curved plate shape may be pushed upward by the inflating curtain airbag  11 , and thereby be deformed upward as indicated by an arrow in  FIG.  9   . 
     However, the pedestal  71  of the assist grip may be provided on the upper side of the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape. 
     Accordingly, the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape may be deformed upward until the coupler  23  comes into contact with the pedestal  71  of the assist grip. 
     The front extending part  27  and the rear extending part  25  each having the curved plate shape may also similarly be deformed upward. 
     For the above-described reason, the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape may have a width that is greater than or equal to a width of the pedestal  71  of the assist grip in the left-right direction, i.e., in the inner-outer direction, for example. 
     The coupler  23  having the curved plate shape and the width greater than that of the pedestal  71  in the left-right direction, i.e., in the inner-outer direction, may be able to cover the pedestal  71 . 
     This helps to prevent the curtain airbag  11 , which starts to deploy and inflate, from coming into direct contact with the pedestal  71  of the assist grip. 
     The front extending part  27  and the rear extending part  25  each having the curved plate shape may also have a similar width in the left-right direction, i.e., in the inner-outer direction. 
     As described above, in the example embodiment, the curtain airbag  11  extending in the longitudinal direction in the stored state may be provided as the curtain airbag module  10  and attached to the vehicle body  2  of the vehicle  1 . In the curtain airbag module  10 , the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24  to be attached to the vehicle body  2  while being overlaid on the respective vehicle-body fixation members  13  of the curtain airbag  11  may be coupled to each other by the coupler  23 . In the example embodiment, for example, the coupler  23 , and the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24  coupled to each other by the coupler  23  may be permanently fixed to each other as a portion of the rear-end bracket  20  before being attached to the vehicle body  2 . This helps to prevent the curtain airbag  11  that is in the stored state extending in the longitudinal direction at least along the side roof rail  4  of the vehicle body  2  from being easily twisted between the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24  that are coupled to each other by the coupler  23 . 
     However, even if the curtain airbag  11  is provided as the curtain airbag module  10  having the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24 , the curtain airbag  11  can be twisted in a case where the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24  are not coupled to each other by the coupler  23 . The curtain airbag  11  can be twisted between the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24 . Further, a person in charge can attach the curtain airbag module  10  to the vehicle body  2  without noticing the twisted state of the curtain airbag  11 . 
     In the example embodiment, the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24  may be coupled to each other by the coupler  23 . This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the curtain airbag module  10  is attached to the vehicle body  2  in the twisted state. In the example embodiment, it is possible to make easier the attachment, to the vehicle  1 , of the curtain airbag module  10  including the curtain airbag  11  that extends in the longitudinal direction also in the stored state. This saves the person in charge checking that the curtain airbag  11  is not twisted every time the person in charge attaches the members including the vehicle-body fixation members  13  of the curtain airbag  11 , the second fixation tab  22 , the first fixation tab  24 , and the free tab  26  to the vehicle body  2 . This allows the person in charge to attach the curtain airbag module  10  to the vehicle  1  in a proper state without the curtain airbag  11  being twisted. 
     In one example, the coupler  23  of the example embodiment may not merely couple the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24  that are adjacent to each other. The coupler  23  of the curtain airbag module  10  may be provided along the extending direction of the curtain airbag  11  extending in the longitudinal direction and may be fixed by the sealing tape  41  that is breakable upon the deployment of the curtain airbag  11 . This allows the coupler  23  to serve as a guide that suppresses twisting of the curtain airbag  11 . The coupler  23  may be able to suppress the twisting of the curtain airbag  11  itself in the curtain airbag module  10 . 
     In addition, in the example embodiment, the coupler  23  that couples the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24  that are adjacent to each other may not be present between the curtain airbag  11  and the vehicle body  2  in a state where the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24  are attached to the vehicle body  2 . This makes it possible to attach the curtain airbag  11  to the vehicle body  2  at a position substantially as close to the vehicle body  2  as that in a case where the coupler  23  does not couple the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24  that are adjacent to each other. This prevents the side roof rail  4  from stretching out into the vehicle compartment  3 . 
     For comparison, assume a case where, for example, the coupler  23  that couples the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24  that are adjacent to each other is present between the curtain airbag  11  and the vehicle body  2  in a state where the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24  are attached to the vehicle body  2 . In this case, the curtain airbag  11  may be attached to the vehicle body  2  at a position shifted to the inner side of the vehicle body  2  and away from the vehicle body  2 . A portion of the side roof rail  4  may stretch out into the vehicle compartment  3  more greatly in order to attach the curtain airbag  11  having the coupler  23  to the side roof rail  4 . This can more easily give an oppressive feeling to the occupant in the vehicle compartment  3 . 
     In the example embodiment, the coupler  23  may not be present between the curtain airbag  11  and the vehicle body  2 . This helps to make it unnecessary to secure a space for the coupler  23  between the curtain airbag  11  and the vehicle body  2 . This helps to prevent the side roof rail  4  from stretching out to the inner side of the vehicle body  2 . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the occupant in the vehicle compartment  3  from easily having the oppressive feeling due to a reduction in an upper space of the vehicle compartment  3 . 
     In the example embodiment, the rear-end bracket  20  including the coupler  23 , and the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24  coupled to each other by the coupler  23  may further include the front extending part  27  and the rear extending part  25 . The front extending part  27  and the rear extending part  25  may extend toward the front side from the first fixation tab  24  which is the first one positioned on the front side among the tabs. The rear-end bracket  20  extending along the curtain airbag  11  may be able to extend toward the front side without being limited to the range where the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24  are provided. The extension toward the front side of the rear-end bracket  20  due to the front extending part  27  and the rear extending part  25  further helps to prevent the curtain airbag  11  from being twisted. 
     In the example embodiment, the rear-end bracket  20  may further include the free tab  26  so that the front extending part  27  and the rear extending part  25  are fixed to the vehicle body  2  along the curtain airbag  11 . The free tab  26  may attach the front extending part  27  and the rear extending part  25  to the vehicle body  2  by itself. The free tab  26  may be configured to attach the front extending part  27  and the rear extending part  25  to the vehicle body  2  by itself without being attached to the vehicle body  2  while being overlaid on the vehicle-body fixation member  13  of the curtain airbag  11 . This makes it possible to favorably fix the front extending part  27  and the rear extending part  25  themselves to the vehicle body  2 , along the curtain airbag  11 , in a state where the curtain airbag module  10  is attached to the vehicle body  2 . The front extending part  27  and the rear extending part  25  may each extend in the longitudinal direction and be provided to the rear-end bracket  20 . This helps to prevent the front extending part  27  and the rear extending part  25  extending in the longitudinal direction in the rear-end bracket  20  from moving, for example, while the vehicle  1  is traveling. 
     In the example embodiment, the coupler  23  may have the curved plate shape that is curved along the upper surface of the curtain airbag  11  in the stored state extending in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape may be coupled to the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24  at the outer edge that is present on the outer side of the vehicle body  2 , and may stand with respect to the contact surface  31  of the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24 . The contact surface  31  of the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24  may be in contact with the vehicle body  2  where the second fixation tab  22  and the first fixation tab  24  are attached to the vehicle body  2 . 
     This may also be applicable to the front extending part  27  and the rear extending part  25 . 
     This allows the coupler  23 , the front extending part  27 , and the rear extending part  25  provided along the extending direction of the curtain airbag  11  extending in the longitudinal direction not to be present between the curtain airbag  11  and the vehicle body  2  in a state where the curtain airbag  11  is attached to the vehicle body  2 . It is possible to attach the curtain airbag  11  at a position close to the vehicle body  2 . 
     The coupler  23 , the front extending part  27 , and the rear extending part  25  may each have the curved plate shape. Accordingly, in a case where the stored curtain airbag  11  deploys and inflates, the coupler  23 , the front extending part  27 , and the rear extending part  25  may be pushed and deformed by the curtain airbag  11 . The coupler  23 , the front extending part  27 , and the rear extending part  25  each having the curved plate shape may not hold back the curtain airbag  11 . The coupler  23 , the front extending part  27 , and the rear extending part  25  each having the curved plate shape may be provided along the upper surface of the curtain airbag  11  in the stored state extending in the longitudinal direction but do not prevent the curtain airbag  11  from deploying. 
     Next, a description is further given of features of the fixation tabs provided to the rear-end bracket  20  of the example embodiment, taking the first fixation tab  24  for example. 
     Note that, for example, the second fixation tab  22  and the free tab  26  may each have a shape similar to the shape of the first fixation tab  24 . 
       FIG.  10    is a diagram for describing a structure of the tab provided to the rear-end bracket  20  of the example embodiment, taking the first fixation tab  24  for example. 
     The first fixation tab  24  illustrated in  FIG.  10    may include a plate  100  and a pair of ribs  101 . The rear extending part  25  having the curved plate shape may be coupled to the first fixation tab  24  on the front side of the first fixation tab  24 . The coupler  23  having the curved plate shape may be coupled to the first fixation tab  24  on the rear side of the first fixation tab  24 . 
     In one example, the plate  100  may have a substantially rectangular plate shape. The plate  100  having the substantially rectangular shape may have a bracket hole  28  in the middle thereof. The bracket hole  28  may receive the clip  60  to be inserted therein. In one example, the plate  100  may have a size greater than an outer shape of the clip  60 . 
     The pair of ribs  101  may be provided at a front edge and a rear edge of the plate  100  provided in the extending direction of the curtain airbag  11 , and may extend along the upper-lower direction of the plate  100  having the substantially rectangular shape. The pair of ribs  101  may stand to protrude toward the inner side of the vehicle body  2  from the edges, provided in the front-rear direction, of the plate  100  having the substantially rectangular shape. 
     A protruding width D 3  by which the ribs  101  protrude toward the inner side may be, for example, about the same as a thickness of the plate  100  having the substantially rectangular shape. 
     Providing the pair of ribs  101  with a small protruding width about the same as the thickness of the plate  100  makes it easier for the first fixation tab  24  to be bent. 
     The rear extending part  25  having the curved plate shape may be coupled at its outer edge to a lower end of the rib  101  positioned on the front side. The rear extending part  25  and the first fixation tab  24  may be coupled to each other substantially at a point within a range corresponding to the small lower-edge width of the rib  101 . 
     In addition, the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape may be coupled at its outer edge to a lower end of the rib  101  positioned on the rear side. The coupler  23  and the first fixation tab  24  may be coupled to each other substantially at a point within a range corresponding to the small lower-edge width of the rib  101 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  7   , the first fixation tab  24  having the small width may be fixed to the side roof rail  4  by the clip  60  while being overlaid on the vehicle-body fixation member  13  of the curtain airbag  11 . 
     The first fixation tab  24  having the small width may be easily bent. Therefore, even if the curtain airbag  11  deploys and pushes upward the rear extending part  25  or the coupler  23 , the plate  100  having the substantially rectangular shape may be prevented from easily moving away as a whole from the side roof rail  4 . 
     For example, if the plate  100  having the substantially rectangular shape moves away as a whole from the side roof rail  4 , the clip  60  may receive force in a direction pulling out the clip  60 . When the force in the direction pulling out the clip  60  increases, the backward projection  63  of the clip  60  may be detached from the fixation hole  80  of the side roof rail  4 , and the first fixation tab  24  may fall off from the side roof rail  4 . If the clip  60  falls off from the vehicle body  2 , thereafter, the curtain airbag  11  can deploy in a way that is different from a way in a case where the clip  60  has not fallen off from the vehicle body  2 . 
       FIG.  11    is an explanatory diagram for describing a first fixation tab  240  according to a modification which is to be compared with  FIG.  10   . 
       FIG.  12    is a diagram for describing a possible movement of the first fixation tab  240  according to the modification illustrated in  FIG.  11    upon the deployment of the curtain airbag  11 . 
     As with the example embodiment, the first fixation tab  240  according to the modification illustrated in  FIGS.  11  and  12    may include the plate  100  and a pair of ribs  121 . 
     Note that the ribs  121  of the modification may have, for example, a large protruding width D 4  that is about the same as the width in the inner-outer direction of the rear extending part  25  having the curved plate shape or the width in the inner-outer direction of the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape. The protruding width D 4  may be greater than the protruding width D 3 . 
     The rear extending part  25  and the first fixation tab  240  of the modification may be coupled to each other substantially on a line along the width of the lower edge of the rib  121  having a great width. 
     The coupler  23  and the first fixation tab  240  of the modification may be coupled to each other substantially on a line along the width of the lower edge of the rib  121  having a great width. 
     Therefore, it is difficult for the first fixation tab  240  of the modification to be bent and deformed, as compared with the first fixation tab  24  of the example embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  10   . 
     Even if the curtain airbag  11  deploys and pushes upward the rear extending part  25  or the coupler  23 , it is difficult for the first fixation tab  240  of the modification to be deformed. 
     As a result, when the force pushing upward the rear extending part  25  or the coupler  23  increases, the first fixation tab  240  of the modification as a whole may easily rotate away from the side roof rail  4  with an upper end of the first fixation tab  240  serving as a fulcrum. 
     If the first fixation tab  240  as a whole moves away from the side roof rail  4 , the clip  60  may receive force pulling out the clip  60 . This can cause the first fixation tab  240  of the modification to fall off from the side roof rail  4 . 
     The first fixation tab  24  of the example embodiment itself may be easily bent because the ribs  101  have a small width. This helps to prevent the first fixation tab  24  as a whole from moving away from the vehicle body  2  with an upper end of the first fixation tab  24  serving as a fulcrum. 
     As described above, the first fixation tab  24  of the example embodiment may include the plate  100  having the substantially rectangular shape that has the bracket hole  28  and is to be fixed to the vehicle body  2  by the clip  60  while being overlaid on the vehicle-body fixation member  13  of the curtain airbag  11 . In addition, the first fixation tab  24  may include the ribs  101  having a small width. Each of the ribs  101  may be provided along an edge, of the plate  100  having the substantially plate, provided in the extending direction of the curtain airbag  11  and protrude from the plate  100  having the plate shape toward the inner side of the vehicle body  2 . The rear-end bracket  20  as a whole including the first fixation tab  24  may include the resin material and may therefore be flexible. The first fixation tab  24  may be coupled at the lower edge of the rib  101  to the outer edge of the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape substantially at a point. The rib  101  as a whole may have a small width in the upper-lower direction of the vehicle body  2  in a state where the curtain airbag module  10  is attached to the vehicle body  2 . 
     Accordingly, in a case where the stored curtain airbag  11  deploys and inflates, the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape may be deformed in such a manner that the coupler  23  as a whole is pushed upward and moved by a pressure. It is possible to provide the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape along the upper surface of the curtain airbag  11  in the stored state extending in the longitudinal direction so that the coupler  23  does not prevent the curtain airbag  11  from deploying. The curtain airbag  11  is able to deploy in a manner similar to that in a case where the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape is not provided. 
     In addition, in the case where the stored curtain airbag  11  deploys and inflates, the plate  100  having the substantially rectangular plate shape that is fixed to the vehicle body  2  by the clip  60  while being overlaid on the vehicle-body fixation member  13  of the curtain airbag  11  may be prevented from receiving great force. Upon the deployment of the curtain airbag  11 , the clip  60  fixing the plate  100  having the plate shape may be prevented from easily falling off from the vehicle body  2 . 
     For comparison, assume a case where the ribs  101  have a great width, and the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape is coupled substantially on a line to a long lower edge of the ribs  101  having the great width. In this case, the force caused by the deployment and inflation of the curtain airbag  11  and pushing upward the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape may easily act on the plate  100  having the plate shape via the ribs  101  having the great width. The plate  100  having the plate shape may easily receive great force that twists the plate  100  upward. As a result, the clip  60  can be easily twisted and detached from the vehicle body  2  by the movement of the plate  100  having the plate shape that is twisted upward. If the clip  60  falls off from the vehicle body  2 , thereafter, the curtain airbag  11  can deploy in a different manner. 
     For example, in the example embodiment, the rear-end bracket  20  as a whole including the first fixation tab  24  may include the flexible resin material. In addition, the first fixation tab  24  and the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape may be coupled to each other substantially at a point. Accordingly, in the example embodiment, even if the coupler  23  is pushed and moved upward, the movement is at least partially absorbable as a rotation movement of the coupler  23  around the substantially-point coupling portion of the first fixation tab  24  and the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape. The plate  100  having the plate shape may be prevented from easily receiving the force twisting the plate  100  upward. 
     Although some example embodiments of the disclosure have been described in the foregoing by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, the disclosure is by no means limited to the embodiments described above. It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations may be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope as defined by the appended claims. The disclosure is intended to include such modifications and alterations in so far as they fall within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. 
       FIG.  13    is an explanatory diagram for describing a structure, according to a first modification, of the first fixation tab  24  illustrated in  FIG.  10   . 
     The first fixation tab  24  according to the first modification illustrated in  FIG.  13    may include the plate  100  having a substantially trapezoidal plate shape. 
     The pair of ribs  101  having a small width may extend along a pair of inclined edges of the plate  100  having the substantially trapezoidal plate shape. The inclined edges may be provided on the front side and on the rear side of the plate  100 . 
     As described above, in the first fixation tab  24  according to the first modification, the plate  100  having the substantially trapezoidal plate shape may have an inclination where a lower portion of the edge along which the rib  101  is provided is greater in distance from the bracket hole  28  than an upper portion of the edge along which the rib  101  is provided. The lower portion and the upper position of the edge may be positioned in the upper-lower direction of the vehicle  1 . 
     The rear extending part  25  having the curved plate shape may be coupled at its outer edge to the lower end of the rib  101  that has the small width and is provided on the front side. The rear extending part  25  and the first fixation tab  24  may be coupled to each other substantially at a point within a range having the width of the lower edge of the rib  101  having the small width. 
     The coupler  23  having the curved plate shape may be coupled at its outer edge to the lower end of the rib  101  that has the small width and is provided on the rear side. The coupler  23  and the first fixation tab  24  may be coupled to each other substantially at a point within a range having the width of the lower edge of the rib  101  having the small width. 
     As described above, in the first fixation tab  24  according to the first modification, the plate  100  may have the substantially trapezoidal plate shape. Accordingly, the curtain airbag  11  may so deploy and inflate as to push upward the coupler  23  or the rear extending part  25  having the curved plate shape. Even if such force is transmitted to the plate  100 , the plate  100  having the substantially trapezoidal shape may be easily twisted in such a manner that the plate  100  rotates around base angles of the trapezoid serving as the coupling portion of the first fixation tab  24  and the coupler  23 . This helps to prevent the first fixation tab  24  as a whole from moving away from the side roof rail  4  and to prevent the bracket hole  28  from being greatly deformed. The clip  60  can be easily twisted and detached from the vehicle body  2 . If the clip  60  falls off from the vehicle body  2 , thereafter, the curtain airbag  11  can deploy in a different manner. 
     In the first modification, the plate  100  having the substantially trapezoidal shape may be great in distance from a lower angle portion of the substantial trapezoid to the bracket hole  28 . This may cause a portion of the plate  100  near a lower angle of the substantial trapezoid to be twisted easily in a rotating manner. It may be possible that the force pushing and moving upward the coupler  23  to be transmitted to the plate  100  of the first fixation tab  24  via the coupling portion at which the first fixation tab  24  and the coupler  23  are coupled to each other. However, even if such force acts on the plate  100 , in the first modification, the lower angle portion of the plate  100  having the substantially trapezoidal shape may be partially twisted and deformed, which makes it possible to at least partially absorb the force. The clip  60  can be easily twisted and detached from the vehicle body  2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , a front half of the plate  100  of the second fixation tab  22  of the example embodiment may have a shape corresponding to a trapezoid. 
     In one example, the plate  100  of the free tab  26  illustrated in  FIG.  4    may have a shape provided in the first modification or a shape similar thereto. 
       FIG.  14    is an explanatory diagram for describing a structure, according to a second modification, of the first fixation tab  24  illustrated in  FIG.  10   . 
     The first fixation tab  24  according to the second modification illustrated in  FIG.  14    may have a pair of slits  105 . The pair of slits  105  may be provided at the edges, positioned in the front-rear direction, of the plate  100  having the substantially rectangular plate shape. 
     As a result, the rib  101  having the small width and provided on the front side may be coupled to the plate  100  having the substantially rectangular shape only at an upper portion of the first fixation tab  24  in the upper-lower direction of the vehicle  1 . For example, the rib  101  having the small width and provided on the front side may be coupled to the plate  100  only in a range that is on the upper side of an upper edge of the bracket hole  28  provided in the middle of the plate  100 . 
     In addition, the rib  101  having the small width and provided on the rear side may be coupled to the plate  100  having the substantially rectangular shape only at an upper portion of the first fixation tab  24  in the upper-lower direction of the vehicle  1 . For example, the rib  101  having the small width and provided on the rear side may be coupled to the plate  100  only in a range that is on the upper side of the upper edge of the bracket hole  28  provided in the middle of the plate  100 . 
     As described above, the ribs  101  having the small width and the plate  100  having the plate shape of the first fixation tab  24  according to the second modification may be coupled to each other only at the respective upper portions. In a case where the stored curtain airbag  11  deploys and inflates, the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape may be easily deformed in such a manner that the coupler  23  as a whole is pushed and moved upward by a pressure. It is possible to provide the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape at a position along the upper surface of the curtain airbag  11  in the stored state extending in the longitudinal direction, without preventing the deployment of the curtain airbag  11 . The curtain airbag  11  is able to deploy in a manner similar to that in a case where the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape is not provided. 
     In addition, according to the second modification, in the case where the stored curtain airbag  11  deploys and inflates, the plate  100  having the substantially rectangular plate shape that is to be fixed to the vehicle body  2  by the clip  60  while being overlaid on the vehicle-body fixation member  13  of the curtain airbag  11  is prevented from receiving great force. Upon the deployment of the curtain airbag  11 , the clip  60  fixing the plate  100  having the plate shape is prevented from easily falling off from the vehicle body  2 . 
     For comparison, for example, assume a case where the ribs  101  and the plate  100  having the plate shape are coupled to each other in the entire range from the upper end to the lower end of the first fixation tab  24 . In this case, due to the pushing up of the coupler  23  having the curved plate shape, the plate  100  having the plate shape can receive force that twists upward the plate  100  as a whole. As a result, due to the plate  100  having the plate shape that is twisted upward, the clip  60  can be easily twisted and detached from the vehicle body  2 . If the clip  60  falls off from the vehicle body  2 , thereafter, the curtain airbag  11  can deploy in a different manner. 
     For example, in the second modification, the rear-end bracket  20  as a whole including the first fixation tab  24  may include the flexible resin material. In addition, the ribs  101  and the plate  100  having the plate shape may be coupled to each other only at the upper portions of the first fixation tab  24 . Accordingly, even if the force pushing and moving upward the coupler  23  is transmitted to the ribs  101  of the first fixation tab  24 , only the ribs  101  of the first fixation tab  24  may be bent, which makes it possible to partially absorb the force. 
     Moreover, in the first fixation tab  24  according to the second modification, the ribs  101  and the plate  100  having the plate shape may be coupled to each other only at the upper portions of the first fixation tab  24  that is on the upper side of the bracket hole  28 . Accordingly, even if the ribs  101  of the first fixation tab  24  are bent and twisted upward, the plate  100  having the plate shape may only receive force that pushes against the vehicle body  2  a portion on the upper side of the bracket hole  28 . The plate  100  having the plate shape is prevented from easily receiving force that twists the plate  100  as a whole upward and away from the side roof rail  4 .