Inflatable curtain

Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, the apparatus comprising:

• an inflatable curtain that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof to a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, the inflatable curtain comprising:
• a main portion comprising at least one inflatable chamber:
• and
• at least one mounting portion constructed separately from the main portion and having a lower edge portion connected to an upper edge portion of the main portion, the at least one mounting portion forming an upper edge portion of the inflatable curtain connectable with the vehicle to help secure the inflatable curtain in the vehicle, the apparatus further comprising a center panel constructed as a piece of material separate from the main portion and mounting portion, the center panel being connectable with the main portion to form a central portion of the inflatable curtain.

Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, the apparatus comprising:

• an inflatable curtain that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof to a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, the inflatable curtain comprising:
• a main portion comprising at least one inflatable chamber;
• and
• at least one mounting portion constructed separately from the main portion and having a lower edge portion connected to an upper edge portion of the main portion, the at least one mounting portion forming an upper edge portion of the inflatable curtain connectable with the vehicle to help secure the inflatable curtain in the vehicle, the apparatus, wherein the mounting portion comprises at least one flap portion for extending around the main portion when the main portion is in a deflated and stored condition, the apparatus further comprising a releasable connection that helps secure the at least one flap to maintain the main portion in the stored condition, the connection being releasable upon inflation of the inflatable curtain to release the at least one flap to allow the curtain to inflate and deploy, wherein the releasable connection comprises double sided tape.

Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, the apparatus comprising:

• an inflatable curtain that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof to a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, the inflatable curtain comprising:
• a main portion comprising at least one inflatable chamber;
• and
• at least one mounting portion constructed separately from the main portion and having a lower edge portion connected to an upper edge portion of the main portion, the at least one mounting portion forming an upper edge portion of the inflatable curtain connectable with the vehicle to help secure the inflatable curtain in the vehicle, the apparatus, wherein the mounting portion comprises at least one flap portion for extending around the main portion when the main portion is in a deflated and stored condition, the apparatus further comprising a releasable connection that helps secure the at least one flap to maintain the main portion in the stored condition, the connection being releasable upon inflation of the inflatable curtain to release the at least one flap to allow the curtain to inflate and deploy, wherein the mounting portion has a one piece woven construction in which the at least one flap comprises a two layer portion defining overlying flaps, the flaps being extendable around opposite sides of the main portion when in the stored condition, the flaps having end portions connectable to each other via the releasable connection.

Apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, the apparatus comprising:

• an inflatable curtain that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof to a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant, the inflatable curtain comprising:
• a main portion comprising at least one inflatable chamber;
• and
• a separately constructed mounting portion connected with the main portion to help secure the inflatable curtain to the vehicle, the mounting portion comprising at least one flap portion for extending around the main portion when the main portion is in a deflated and stored condition, the apparatus further comprising a releasable connection that helps secure the at least one flap to maintain the main portion in the stored condition, the connection being releasable upon inflation of the inflatable curtain to allow the curtain to inflate and deploy, wherein the mounting portion has a one piece woven construction in which the at least one flap comprises a two layer portion defining overlying flaps, the flaps being extendable around opposite sides of the main portion when in the stored condition, the flaps having end portions connectable to each other via the releasable connection.