Abstract: A safety system for a vehicle having a chassis, including two parallel spaced-apart legs and an axle assembly for each of the wheels, includes a suspension assembly including an air piston arrestor pivotably coupled between the chassis and one of the axle assemblies, a device for arresting the air piston arrestor in a relatively rigid, non-compressible state, an electromechanical device for activating the arresting device and a retractable bumper assembly.

Abstract: A safety system for a vehicle having a chassis, including two parallel spaced-apart legs and an axle assembly for each of the wheels, includes a suspension assembly including an air piston arrestor pivotably coupled between the chassis and one of the axle assemblies, a device for arresting the air piston arrestor in a relatively rigid, non-compressible state, and an electromechanical device for activating the arresting device.

Abstract: An anti-nose-dive safety system, for a vehicle having a chassis and a pair of front and axle assemblies, includes a bumper assembly having a frame pivotably mounted on the chassis adjacent to the front end thereof, and a retractable bumper slidably mounted on the frame for movement between a normal, extended position and a retracted position, and a front end suspension assembly including an air piston arrestor pivotably coupled between each of the front end axle assemblies and the bumper assembly frame. Apparatus are coupled to the bumper assembly and chassis for raising the front end of the chassis in response to movement of the bumper from its normal position to its retracted position and apparatus are provided for arresting the air piston arrestors in a relatively rigid non-compressible state also in response to the retraction of the bumper. The safety system is especially suitable for compact cars.