The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 26, 2002
Filed:
May. 23, 2000
Russell E. Stein, Leonard, MI (US);
Ayad G. Nayef, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
Apparatus ( ) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle ( ) that has a side structure ( ) and a roof ( ) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure and a vehicle occupant. The inflatable device ( ), when inflated, has a perimeter at least partially defined by an upper edge ( ), a lower edge ( ), and front and rear portions ( and ) spaced apart horizontally along the upper and lower edges. An inflation fluid source ( ) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device ( ). A flexible elongated member ( ) has a first end ( ) connected to the inflatable device ( ) at a first location ( ) on the inflatable device ( ) and an opposite second end ( ) connected to the vehicle side structure ( ) at a second location ( ). The inflatable device ( ), prior to inflation, is folded along a first fold line ( ) such that a lower portion ( ) of the device overlies an upper portion ( ) of the device and such that the first end ( ) of the flexible elongated member ( ) is positioned adjacent the upper edge ( ) of the inflatable device.