Abstract: A test fixture for rollover crash testing of a test vehicle onto a movable sled surface employs a cradle to support and rotate the test vehicle. A suspension assembly is attached to each end of the cradle for vertically supporting and dropping the cradle. A gantry has a cross beam supported by a first telescoping column for support of a first of the suspension assemblies and translationally supported by a second telescoping column for support of a second of the suspension assemblies to position and releasably hold the suspension assembly. Roll control arms rotate the cradle and a trigger assembly releases the cradle and test vehicle from the cross beam for contact within a drop impact zone on the contact surface of the sled. A brake assembly then arrests vertical motion of the cradle.

Abstract: A test fixture for rollover crash testing of a test vehicle onto a moving surface employs a cradle to support and rotate the test vehicle. A vertical support structure to position and releasably holds the cradle. A moving sled having a contact surface and is carried by a guide extending beneath the structure and the cradle fixture. The cradle is rotated and released from the structure responsive to a sensor for contact within a drop impact zone on the contact surface of the moving sled. Vertical motion of the cradle is then arrested to prevent further damage to the test vehicle or the test structure.

Abstract: A test fixture for rollover crash testing of a test vehicle onto a movable sled surface employs a cradle to support and rotate the test vehicle. A suspension assembly is attached to each end of the cradle for vertically supporting and dropping the cradle. A gantry has a cross beam supported by a first telescoping column for support of a first of the suspension assemblies and translationally supported by a second telescoping column for support of a second of the suspension assemblies to position and releasably hold the suspension assembly. Roll control arms rotate the cradle and a trigger assembly releases the cradle and test vehicle from the cross beam for contact within a drop impact zone on the contact surface of the sled. A brake assembly then arrests vertical motion of the cradle.

Abstract: A vehicle geometry for rollover crush resistance is created by determining a center of mass providing a roll axis and establishing a roof line contact surface spaced from the center of mass by a hoop radius substantially equal to a major radius of roll contact from the roll axis. As a first embodiment, the roof line contact surface is established in original designs for vehicles as a monocoque structure. As a second embodiment, provided as an original equipment manufacture (OEM) item or retrofit structural assembly, an arcuate member shaped as a byte of the hoop radius is employed and is mounted between two side rails with additional structural supports for the arcuate member on a nominally flat roofline.

Abstract: A vehicle geometry for rollover crush resistance is created by determining a center of mass providing a roll axis and establishing a roof line contact surface spaced from the center of mass by a hoop radius substantially equal to a major radius of roll contact from the roll axis. As a first embodiment, the roof line contact surface is established in original designs for vehicles as a monocoque structure. As a second embodiment, provided as an original equipment manufacture (OEM) item or retrofit structural assembly, an arcuate member shaped as a byte of the hoop radius is employed and is mounted between two side rails with additional structural supports for the arcuate member on a nominally flat roofline.

Abstract: A test fixture for rollover crash testing of a test vehicle onto a moving surface employs a cradle to support and rotate the test vehicle. A vertical support structure to position and releasably holds the cradle. A moving sled having a contact surface and is carried by a guide extending beneath the structure and the cradle fixture. The cradle is rotated and released from the structure responsive to a sensor for contact within a drop impact zone on the contact surface of the moving sled. Vertical motion of the cradle is then arrested to prevent further damage to the test vehicle or the test structure.

Abstract: A test fixture for rollover crash testing of a test vehicle onto a moving surface employs a cradle to support and rotate the test vehicle. A vertical support structure to positions and releasably holds the cradle. A moving sled having a contact surface is carried by a guide extending beneath the structure and the cradle fixture. The cradle is rotated and released from the structure responsive to a sensor for contact within a drop impact zone on the contact surface of the moving sled. Vertical motion of the cradle is then arrested to prevent further damage to the test vehicle or the test structure.

Abstract: A test fixture for rollover crash testing of a test vehicle onto a moving surface employs a cradle to support and rotate the test vehicle. A vertical support structure to positions and releasably holds the cradle. A moving sled having a contact surface is carried by a guide extending beneath the structure and the cradle fixture. The cradle is rotated and released from the structure responsive to a sensor for contact within a drop impact zone on the contact surface of the moving sled. Vertical motion of the cradle is then arrested to prevent further damage to the test vehicle or the test structure.

Abstract: A carrier for use in vehicles safely transports premature or underweight infants in a bed during normal vehicle motion by directly supporting the infant recumbent along its head, neck and back. An energy absorbtion structure between the bed and the front of a shell that contains the bed permanently deforms and dissipates kinetic energy of the infant from inertial loading by the infant during the rapid deceleration resulting from a collision or panic stop. The bed and shell likewise deform. During the deceleration the bed rotates the infant into the vertical, continuing the direct support along the head, neck and back. A seat belt catch anchors the carrier to the vehicle through a standard seat belt and provides a barrier that keeps the infant in the carrier when experiencing vertical forces. Side walls of the bed absorb and dissipate impact energy from the sides of the carrier.

Abstract: An infant carrier has a bed inclined in a shell. During a collision, the bed moves in response to inertial load of an infant to a more upright position to react the inertial load uniformly along the infant's head and spine. During this movement, the bed and shell permanently deform and absorb kinetic energy of the infant.