INFLATABLE CURTAIN WITH ANCHOR DEVICE

An apparatus ( 10 ) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle ( 12 ) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( 14 ) inflatable away from a vehicle roof ( 18 ) between a vehicle side structure ( 16 ) and a vehicle occupant. The apparatus ( 10 ) further comprises an anchoring device ( 70 ) that comprises a track ( 72 ) and an element ( 74 ) that is slidable along the track. The track ( 72 ) is connected to the side structure ( 16 ) and has a wall ( 82, 200 ) comprising a smooth uninterrupted surface ( 94, 202 ). The element ( 74 ) is connected to the device ( 14 ) and has a surface ( 130, 242 ) that is in continuous engagement with the surface ( 94, 202 ) of the wall ( 82, 200 ). The device ( 14 ) applies a first force to the element ( 74 ) which causes the element to slide in a first direction along the track ( 72 ). The element ( 74 ) is urged to slide along the track ( 72 ) in a second direction, opposite the first direction, when a second force is applied to the element. The surface ( 130, 242 ) of the element ( 74 ) engages the surface ( 94, 202 ) of the wall ( 82, 200 ) to block the element from sliding in the second direction.