US Patent 7055852 Inflatable windshield curtain

A windshield curtain (14) is inflatable away from a roof (40) of a vehicle (12) to a position between a windshield (50) of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant and between an instrument panel (64) of the vehicle and the vehicle occupant. The windshield curtain (14) includes a center panel (102) that has a length and opposite first and second side portions (110 and 112) that extend along its length. The windshield curtain (14) also includes first and second side panels (230 and 240), each having a respective periphery (232 and 242). The periphery (232) of the first side panel (230) is interconnected with the center panel (102) along the first side portion (110) of the center panel. The periphery (242) of the second side panel (112) is interconnected with the center panel along the second side portion (112) of the center panel.