Inflatable curtain

Abstract

Apparatus ( 10 ) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( 14 ) inflatable from a stored condition to a deployed position between a side structure ( 16 ) of the vehicle ( 12 ) and a vehicle occupant. The protection device ( 14 ) includes an upper edge ( 50 ), an opposite lower edge ( 52 ), and inflatable front and rear portions ( 64 and 66 ) and an inflatable main portion ( 62 ) positioned between the front and rear portions. The main portion ( 62 ) is rolled up into a rolled condition extending along the intersection of the side structure ( 16 ) and the roof ( 18 ) when in the stored condition. The front portion ( 64 ) is folded into a folded condition extending along the A pillar ( 22 ) when in the stored condition. The rear portion ( 66 ) is folded into a folded condition extending along the C pillar ( 26 ) when in the stored condition.

1 . Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure said apparatus comprising: 
 an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device that is inflatable from a stored condition to a deployed position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant;    an inflation fluid source that is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;    said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a portion rolled up into a rolled condition, and another portion being folded into a folded condition.    
   
   
       2 . Apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a front portion of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is folded into said folded condition via a fan fold, said front portion being folded along fold lines extending generally parallel to a forward edge of said front portion.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a rear portion of said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said rear portion is in said folded condition.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said rear portion is folded into said folded condition via a fan fold, said rear portion being folded along fold lines extending generally parallel to said rear edge of said rear portion.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising: 
 an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a main portion including an upper edge, a front portion including forward edge, and a rear portion including rear edge; and    said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a stored condition wherein said main portion is rolled up leaving and connectable to the vehicle along an intersection of the side structure and the vehicle roof, said front portion is folded up along fold lines extending generally parallel to said forward edge connectable along the A pillar, and said rear portion is folded up along fold lines extending generally parallel to said rear edge and connectable along the C pillar.