Inflatable windshield curtain

摘要

Apparatus ( 10 ) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle ( 12 ) includes an inflatable windshield curtain ( 14 ). The windshield curtain ( 14 ) is inflatable away from a roof ( 40 ) of the vehicle to a position between a windshield ( 50 ) of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The windshield curtain ( 14 ) includes an inflatable upper portion ( 190 ) and an inflatable lower portion ( 192 ). The upper portion ( 190 ) is inflatable between the roof ( 40 ) and an instrument panel ( 64 ) of the vehicle ( 12 ) and between the windshield ( 50 ) and a vehicle occupant. The lower portion ( 192 ) is bifurcated and includes a first chamber ( 194 ) inflatable against a surface ( 222 ) of the instrument panel ( 64 ) presented generally toward the vehicle occupant. The lower portion ( 192 ) also includes a second chamber ( 196 ) inflatable against the windshield ( 50 ) and a surface ( 220 ) of the instrument panel ( 64 ) adjacent the windshield.