Abstract: An impact sensor has a housing with an inner chamber. A first electrical contact extends from the housing and has a contact portion disposed in the chamber. A second electrical contact extends from the housing and is spaced from the first contact and has an aperture in the housing surrounding the contact portion. An insulating material is disposed between the contacts for maintaining electrical isolation of the contacts. A plastically deformed conductive arcuate spring is in electrical connection with the second contact along generally the periphery of the aperture and has a first position arched away from the contact portion and a second position arched toward and engaged with the contact portion for thereby establishing electrical connection between the contacts. A mass is movably positioned in the chamber and is engageable with the spring for shifting the spring from the first to the second position upon detection of a collision.

Abstract: A vehicle safety restraint device is disclosed which comprises an airbag and projectable lap plate attached to rotatably mounted transverse tubes containing compressed gas or chemical inflator cartridges, all of which are housed within a container capable of being used as a visor when in an inoperative condition. An electrical impulse from an impact sensing or emergency hand switch releases the unit to rotate into a vertical position, simultaneously inflating the airbag through telescoping tubes within the bag and projecting the lap plate into the occupant's lap.

Abstract: A multi-purpose common conductor electrical system for use with a vehicle steering assembly or the like, comprising a steering assembly having a rotatable steering wheel and being adapted for directing a vehicle; first and second control circuits connected to said steering wheel and rotatable therewith; a common conductor connected to said first and said second control circuits and extending at least a portion of said steering assembly length; a common power supply connected to said common conductor for providing power to said first and said second control circuits; blocking means for preventing the unintended conducting of power to said first control circuit when power is conducted to said second control circuit; and, limiting means for intentionally conducting power to said first control circuit when power is conducted to said second control circuit for permitting simultaneous operation of said first and said second control circuits is disclosed.

Abstract: A completely separable seal for a container opening having a throat with a restriction therein including a casing, an explosive charge in the casing, a projectile tethered to the casing, the projectile including a thin completely separable peripheral diaphragm for closing the container throat having upper and lower surfaces, the charge mounted against the upper surface, means on the seal for engaging the throat restriction when the charge has been fired to subsequently limit downward thrust of the projectile into the container after separation of the diaphragm from the container throat to thus permit the projectile to reverse direction as the upward explosive forces overcome the downward explosive forces to thus propel the casing and tethered projectile from the container throat thus opening the container. The invention includes the complete closure for the container as well as the method of opening the rupturable sealed aperture.

Abstract: An emergency release and rotary actuator including a cylinder containing compressed gas or ignitable chemical material, a pressure tube and electrically fired detonation means for releasing the gas into such pressure tube or igniting the chemical material to release the gaseous products of combustion there under pressure into such pressure tube, a piston within such pressure tube, the shaft of which extends outside the pressure tube and carries a lug which engages diverging slots in closely surrounding tubes, all except one of which is rotatable, and a shaft, gear, pulley, or arm attached to one or more of the rotatable concentric tubes. An electrical impulse from a sensing or manual switch causes a detonating force releasing gas or igniting the chemical to drive the piston, the shaft lug of which moves through the diverging slots to rotate at least one rotatable concentric tube to operate a latch, tighten a strap or position a panel or air bag.

Abstract: A vehicle safety restraint device having an improved lock and release mechanism. The vehicle safety restraint device comprises an airbag and projectable lap plate attached to rotatably mounted transverse tubes containing compressed gas or chemical inflator cartridges, all of which are housed within a container capable of being used as a visor when in an inoperative condition. An electrical impulse from an impact sensing or emergency hand switch releases the unit to rotate into a vertical position, simultaneously inflating the airbag through telescoping tubes within the bag and projecting the lap plate into the occupant's lap. The improved lock and release mechanism, which includes one or more electrically responsive explosive wire cutters and a looped locking wire, provides rapid rotation of the airbag and transverse tube. The looped locking wire holds the spring biased transverse tube in a ready position until a signal activates the wire cutters which sever the wire, thereby releasing the tube for rotation.