Inflatable windshield curtain

Apparatus ( 10 ) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle ( 12 ) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( 14 ) and an inflator ( 70 ). The protection device ( 14 ) is inflatable from a stored position along a forward edge ( 62 ) of a vehicle roof ( 40 ) to a deployed position overlying the windshield ( 50 ). The protection device ( 14 ) while in the deployed position covers the windshield ( 50 ) from an A pillar ( 30 ) on a driver side ( 20 ) of the vehicle ( 12 ) to an A pillar of a passenger side ( 22 ) of the vehicle and from an upper edge ( 56 ) of the windshield to a position near a lower edge ( 58 ) of the windshield. The protection device ( 14 ) while deployed also covers the driver and passenger side A pillars ( 30 ).