Abstract: A stabilized frame assembly 32 for a motor vehicle 10 including a pair 34 of forwardly directed brace members 36, 38. Each brace member 36, 38 of the pair 34 is coupled at a forward end 40 to an impact receiving assembly 46 such as a front bumper assembly. The brace members 36, 38 are coupled for support at a rearward end 42 to a respective one of a pair 48 of stabilized support arrangements 50, 52. Each of the stabilized support arrangements 50, 52 are configured to resist deformation under the influence of crash related impact forces having magnitudes in a manageable design range for the stabilized support arrangement 50, 52. Each of the pair of stabilized support arrangements 50, 52 are constructed to include a plurality of support legs 56 that are configured so that loads or forces transmitted from the supported brace member 36, 38 to the stabilized support arrangement 50, 52 are distributed as substantially axial loads in the plurality of support legs 56.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for the activation of a safety device associated with a vehicle pedal in a vehicle including an engine compartment, a pedal arm, a push rod connected to the pedal arm, and an acting rod for acting upon the push rod, the apparatus comprising an actuator for releasing the push rod from the pedal arm upon actuation thereof, and a sensor for actuation of the actuator in response to detection of a condition of the vehicle corresponding to a collison, the sensor being disposed in a zone within the vehicle defined by first and second distances displaced from the front edge of the vehicle, these distances being selected whereby the zone defines a location in which deformation occurs upon a collision at a predetermined speed and corresponding to minimum and maximum time delays for activation of the sensor after deformation of the vehicle.