초록 ▼

Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) which has a side structure (16) and a roof (28) comprises an inflatable curtain (14). The curtain (14) is inflatable in a first direction away from the roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occ

Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) which has a side structure (16) and a roof (28) comprises an inflatable curtain (14). The curtain (14) is inflatable in a first direction away from the roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The inflatable curtain (14) when inflated extends fore and aft in the vehicle (12) along the side structure (16) of the vehicle. First and second inflatable members (52 and 54) connect the inflatable curtain (14) to the vehicle (12). An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable curtain (14) and the first and second inflatable members (52 and 54). The first and second inflatable members (52 and 54) are inflatable to resist movement of the inflatable curtain (14) away from the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) when the inflatable curtain is inflated.

대표청구항 ▼

[Having described the invention, the following is claimed:] [1.]an inflatable curtain which is inflatable in a first direction away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said inflatable curtain when inflating extending fore and aft in

[Having described the invention, the following is claimed:] [1.]an inflatable curtain which is inflatable in a first direction away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said inflatable curtain when inflating extending fore and aft in the vehicle along the side structure of the vehicle;first and second inflatable members which connect said inflatable curtain to the vehicle; andan inflation fluid source which provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable curtain and said first and second inflatable members;said first and second inflatable members being inflatable to resist movement of said inflatable curtain away from the side structure of the vehicle when said inflatable curtain is inflated,said first and second inflatable members being generally tubular in shape and each having a given diameter and a given length when uninflated, said first inflatable member having a first end and an opposite second end, said first end being connected to said inflatable curtain at a location adjacent to a bottom edge and a forward edge of said inflatable curtain, said second end being connected to the vehicle at a first location, said second inflatable member also having a first end and an opposite second end, said first end of said second inflatable member being connected to said inflatable curtain at a location adjacent to said bottom edge and a rear edge of said inflatable curtain, said second edge of said second inflatable member being connected to the vehicle at a second location,said diameters of said first and second inflatable members increase and said lengths of said first and second inflatable members decrease when said first and second inflatable members when inflated resisting movement of said inflatable curtain away from the side structure of the vehicle,a first flexible elongated member connecting said first end of said first inflatable member to said inflatable curtain;a first pulley connected to the vehicle at a third location, said first flexible elongated member being guided by said first pulley from said first end of said first inflatable member to said inflatable curtain;a second flexible elongated member connecting said first end of said second inflatable member to said inflatable curtain; anda second pulley connected to the vehicle at a fourth location, said second flexible elongated member being guided by said second pulley form said first end of said second inflatable member to said inflatable curtain. [9.]an inflatable curtain which is inflatable in a first direction away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, said inflatable curtain when inflating extending fore and aft in the vehicle along the side structure of the vehicle;first and second inflatable members which connect said inflatable curtain to the vehicle; andan inflation fluid source which provides inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable curtain and said first and second inflatable members;said first and second inflatable members being inflatable to resist movement of said inflatable curtain away from the side structure of the vehicle when said inflatable curtain is inflated, anda first fill tube having a portion located in said inflatable curtain, said inflation fluid source being in fluid communication with said first fill tube, said inflation fluid source, when actuated, providing inflation fluid to said first fill tube, said first fill tube directing said inflation fluid into said inflatable curtain to inflate said inflatable curtain, anda second fill tube connected to said first and second inflatable members, said inflation fluid source being in fluid communication with said second fill tube, said inflation fluid source, when actuated, providing inflation fluid to said second fill tube, said second fill tube directing said inflation fluid into said first and second inflatable members to inflate said first and second inflatable members,said first and second inflatable members being sealed members except for an opening for said second fill tube and being generally tubular in shape and each having a diameter and a given length when uninflated, said first inflatable member having a first end and an opposite second end, said first end being connected to said inflatable curtain at a location adjacent to a bottom edge and a forward edge of said inflatable curtain, said second end being connected to the vehicle at a first location, said second inflatable member also having a first end and an opposite second end, said first end of said second inflatable member being connected to said inflatable curtain at a location adjacent to said bottom edge and a rear edge of said inflatable curtain, said second end of said second inflatable member being connected to the vehicle at a second location, said opening for said second fill tube on each of said first and second inflatable members being at a location other than said first and second locations.