Abstract: A side safety barrier device to protect occupants of a vehicle includes a crash sensor to generate at least one actuator signal when a crash having predetermined properties is sensed. A safety barrier is normally stored in the headliner of the vehicle in a first or stored position and selectively deployable to a second or deployed position by the safety barrier deployment assembly when signaled by the crash sensor to separate or isolate the side of the vehicle on which the side safety device is disposed from the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A seat structure has a device which acts to reduce the interaction between the lower extremities of a vehicle occupant and the vehicle interior. The seat structure also reduces the interaction between the vehicle occupant's legs and the instrument panel by limiting the forward travel of the lower torso. The seat structure may employ an airbag, a mechanical device or a pyrotechnic device, which elevates only the front part of the seat cushion to remove the leg and foot from the path of the intruding or reactive structure, and to minimize the travel of the lower torso into the instrument panel. A crash sensor activates the device when the crash sensor senses a crash of a selected severity.