Patent ID: 7823922

Claim:
An inflatable airbag assembly comprising: an inflatable curtain cushion having a configuration and length such that when inflated, the cushion overlaps at least one end-pillar of a vehicle, wherein the cushion has an inflatable portion and a non-inflatable portion; a tether strap comprising a first end opposite from a second end and a middle portion between the first end and the second end, wherein the first end of the tether strap is attached to the cushion and the second end is configured to be attached to a vehicle structure, and wherein the tether strap has a fixed length between its first end and its second end; and a sliding member coupled to the non-inflatable portion of the cushion at a coupling point such that the sliding member moves with the cushion when the cushion is deployed, wherein the sliding member and the middle portion of the tether strap are positioned for the middle portion to slide in the sliding member; wherein the assembly is configured such that when the cushion is rolled and ready for installation in a vehicle, the sliding member, the second end and at least a portion of the middle portion of the tether strap are not rolled up with the cushion; wherein the assembly is configured such that deployment of the cushion increases the tension of the tether strap due to the fixed length of the tether strap and the configuration of the coupling point and the sliding member.