Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.

Adan Beltran Enriquez

Bruce R Hill

Apparatus () for helping to protect an occupant () of a vehicle () that has a side structure () and a roof (). The apparatus () includes an inflatable curtain () that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof () to a position between the side structure () of the vehicle () and the vehicle occupant (). The inflatable curtain () includes a main portion () comprising at least one inflatable chamber (). The inflatable curtain () also includes a mounting portion () constructed separately from the main portion (). The mounting portion () has a lower edge portion () connectable to an upper edge portion () of the main portion (). The mounting portion () when connected to the main portion () forms an upper edge portion of the inflatable curtain () that is connectable with the vehicle () to help secure the inflatable curtain in the vehicle.

Inflatable curtain

An apparatus () helps protect an occupant of a vehicle () that has a roof (), a side structure (), and a trim piece () overlying the side structure. The apparatus () includes an inflatable curtain () that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof () to a position adjacent the side structure () of the vehicle (). A deployment ramp () is movable from a stored position to a deployed position for directing the inflatable curtain () to deploy inboard of the trim piece (). The deployment ramp () has a construction that is sufficiently resilient and rigid to direct the inflatable curtain () to deploy inboard of the trim piece (). A connector piece () connects the deployment ramp () to the vehicle (). The connector piece () has a first portion () secured to the deployment ramp () and a second portion () connectable to the vehicle (). The connector piece () has a construction that is sufficiently non-resilient and flexible so as to permit substantially unrestricted movement of the deployment ramp () to the deployed position.

Growing community of inventors

Washington, MI, United States of America

Adan Beltran Enriquez