Abstract: A small four-wheeled vehicle frame cover covering a body frame for supporting a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels includes a floor panel, side decks, a front deck, and a rear deck. The side decks extend laterally from opposite sides of a cabin, the front deck is present in front of the cabin, and the rear deck is positioned behind the cabin. The decks surround the cabin, forming a gallery. An interior frame constituting the cabin includes a driver supporting unit which is composed of a seat cushion, a seat back, shoulder pads, and side supports. The interior frame and driver supporting unit are positioned way back from entrances in order to enlarge the entrances.

Abstract: Provided herein is a toolbox system especially well suited for use on pickup trucks. The system provides quick and easy access to a wide variety of tools which may be contained in the toolboxes. The assemblies may be modular and are readily loaded and unloaded from the bed portion of a pickup truck. An increased degree of safety and convenience is realized from use of the devices herein set forth.

Abstract: An automotive impact energy absorbing structure has a structural member having an inner panel, and an interior member spaced from the inner panel by an interval extending therefrom toward the inside of a compartment. A hollow body is disposed within the interval. Impact energy applied to the hollow body from inside the compartment is absorbed by deformation of the hollow body.

Abstract: An energy absorber having an essentially air-tight covering which surrounds a filling material and is provided with at least one feed line. In order to improve the absorption characteristics, the feed line is connected to a vacuum source and the energy absorber is coupled with a valve device as well as with a pre-crash sensor system.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a driver restraint device for an industrial truck, whereby the driver restraint device has a pivoting bar. The invention teaches that the bar can be pivoted by an operator as desired between an inoperative position and a restraining position, and can be locked in the restraining position and unlocked from the restraining position. In one configuration of the invention, there is at least one control element and/or at least one indicator or display element on the bar. In an additional configuration, a parking brake of the industrial truck can be released as a function of the rotational position of the bar.

Abstract: A occupant protection system for protecting an occupant of a motor vehicle, boat, or airplane during a crash. The occupant protection system includes a chair positioned inside a vehicle such as an airplane, automobile, truck, or a boat. The chair has a seat portion and a backrest portion. The seat portion has a pair of leg clamp panels pivotally coupled to it to lock a pair of legs to the seat portion in anticipation of a crash. The backrest portion has a pair of arm clamp panels pivotally coupled to it to press the arms and torso of a user towards the backrest and hold them tightly therebetween. Also disclosed is a capsule in which the chair is disposed. The capsule has several protective layers. An emergency raft forms part of the backrest of the chair when not in use, and is removable for use in case of an accident on or above water.

Abstract: The present invention is an automobile knee bolster structure capable of absorbing knee impact loads originating from various directions, and also having an upper portion able to absorb greater magnitude loads than the bottom portion of the bolster.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect the lower extremities (44) of an occupant (40) of a vehicle (12) includes a sheet member (50) for extending along the floor (14) of the vehicle. The sheet member (50) has a surface (58) extending under the occupant's lower extremities between opposite first and second end portions (54, 52) of the sheet member. The sheet member (50) has a first condition in which the sheet member is spaced from the vehicle floor (14) by a first distance. The apparatus (10) includes an actuatable power source (84) for pulling at least the first end portion (54) of the sheet member (50) to tension the sheet member between the first end portion and the second end portion (52). The apparatus (10) also includes a vehicle crash sensor (80) for actuating the power source (84) in the event of a vehicle collision to tension the sheet member (50) and move the sheet member from the first condition to a second condition.

Abstract: A deformation element in a motor vehicle, especially for a dashboard, comprises at least one deformation body with a honeycomb cross section and encloses a cavity which is open on both sides. The wall of the cross section is closed all the way around, and is deformable to absorb energy and is subjected to an impact in the vicinity of one honeycomb side of the cross section for that purpose. The wall of the deformation body is formed from at least two partial sections connected with one another.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system includes a floor pan, an inflatable airbag and inflator integrated into the carpet and positioned on the floor pan. The airbag is positioned on the floor pan in a footwell area to selectively raise the foot of a vehicle occupant when the airbag is deployed.

Abstract: A body-holding device in which a combination comprised of: a main body base suspension fitting, a pair of side-holding arms which hold both sides of a person, a pair of shoulder-holding arms which hold both shoulders of the person, a crotch supporter which supports the person's crotch, a transmission mechanism which links the movement of the suspension fitting, respective holding arms and the crotch supporter, and locking elements which constrain and release the respective holding arms and crotch supporter, is installed on a main body base of the device which is fastened to an automobile seat. The device eliminates heavy labor performed by a person assisting disabled persons such as handicapped persons, persons suffering from illness and elderly persons, etc.; and in addition, the device eliminates heavy labor by assisting the body functions of able-bodied persons, and it also has a body-holding function as a shock-absorbing device or a life-saving device.

Abstract: Crash protective surrounds for a vehicle passenger. Permanently inflated cushions are mounted within the fenders and behind the rear seat. A rear seat cushion and a front seat cushion are expandable in a vertical direction and then across the passenger seats. The front cushion and rear cushion tilt forward away from the passenger limiting bag expansive forces against the passenger.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle occupant protection curtain (12) which is movable from a retracted position to a deployed position extending across a vehicle window (15). The apparatus (10) further includes a track (44 or 48) and a runner (34). The runner (34) is connected to the curtain (12) to draw the curtain (12) from the retracted position to the deployed position upon movement of the runner (34) along the track (44 or 48) from a first position to a second position. The track (44 or 48) defines a plurality of intermediate positions to which the runner (34) is movable transversely of the track (44 or 48) in a direction toward the window (15). The track (44 or 48) blocks return movement of the runner (34) from each of the intermediate positions toward the initial position under the influence of tension imparted to the curtain (12) by a vehicle occupant moving against the curtain (12) in a direction outward of the window (15).

Abstract: The closet cab guard is a new invention. The main difference between this new invention and prior inventions of like cab guards is that the closet cab guard features a rain hood which opens both up and out, this provides protection from the weather while putting away gear and also allows for storage. The design and ornamental appearance of the invention is unique and clearly entitled to patent protection.

Abstract: The Vehicle Body Armor Support System (V-BASS) significantly enhances the survivability of vehicle crewmembers and occupants in aircraft and ground vehicles from high velocity projectiles such as shrapnel or bullets at minimum weight burden on the vehicle occupants. Current heavy body armor systems weigh 20 to 40 pounds. The majority of this weight is carried on the vehicle occupant's torso and transferred through the occupant's spine to the seat. The Vehicle Body Armor Support System invention allows the direct transfer of the heavy body armor system's weight directly to the seat without burdening the occupant. This invention is comprised of a vehicle platform; an occupant seat supported by the vehicle platform; an occupant armor component carried on the occupant and a support strut configured to be connected between the armored component and the occupant seat to transfer the weight of the armored component from the occupant to the seat.

Abstract: A submarine preventing mechanism is arrange inside a seat. The submarine preventing mechanism is provided with brackets attached to a cushion flame, links, and a submarine preventing body supported by the links. The links have first ends rotatably supported by the brackets by means of support shafts, respectively. The links have second ends located at a lower level than the support shafts. The submarine preventing body includes a first rod, a second rod, and a gas generator for generating a gas with which the second rod is pulled into the first rod at the time of a vehicle collision. If the vehicle collision occurs, the gas generator burns, generating a gas. In response to this, the second rod is pulled into the first rod. Accordingly, the links are rotated upward, raising the submarine preventing body.

Abstract: An air bag device on a two-wheeled motor vehicle including a body frame, a fuel tank and a seat. The air bag device comprises a housing, an air bag, a base plate and an inflator. The device is mounted to the body frame of the vehicle in a space between a rear portion of the fuel tank and a front portion of the seat.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicle roof structure (12) and a motorized deployment assembly (40, 42). The roof structure (12) includes a roof panel (14) and a head liner (16) which conceals the roof panel (14) from view in a vehicle occupant compartment (17). The motorized deployment assembly (40, 42) is operatively engaged with the head liner (16), and is actuatable to move the head liner (16) downward away from the roof panel (14) to a deployed position in which the head liner (16) can restrain movement of a vehicle occupant upward toward the roof panel (14). The apparatus further includes means (44, 46) for sensing and responding to a vehicle crash by actuating the motorized deployment assembly (40, 42).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle seat (12) and a release device (80) which is mounted on the seat (12). The seat (12) includes a cushion (26), a frame (16), and a spring (70). The spring (70) is connected to the frame (16) in a load-bearing relationship with the cushion (26) so as to transmit a vehicle occupant weight load from the cushion (26) to the frame (16). The release device (80) is actuatable to release the spring (70) from the load-bearing relationship.

Abstract: An impact energy absorptive structures is made of usual plastic materials suitable for molding processing, and is designed to suit different degrees of impact loading anticipated in various applications. The impact energy absorptive structures is composed of a base member 11 and protruding rib members including long and short members, in which the proportion of the cross sectional area of the long rib members is between 0.3 to 0.8 of the total cross sectional area of the rib members. Other design modifications can be made readily to customize the impact resistance of the impact energy absorptive structures.

Abstract: An energy absorbing structure of a vehicle body upper portion of an automobile, including a roofside rail (20) forming a closed sectional space (28) by an outer panel (24) and an inner panel (26), and an assist grip (22) disposed in the inward of the roofside rail is described. The energy absorbing structure includes a metal energy absorbing bracket (32) disposed in the closed sectional space deformable outwardly of the passenger compartment. The assist grip (22) is mounted on an intermediate portion (36) of an energy absorbing bracket and supported by support means (42) passing through a hole (40) made in the inner panel.

Abstract: In a device with inflatable members for protecting vehicles against impacts, once inflated, the inflatable members are disposed alongside each other so as to have a general shape substantially identical to the general shape of the area of the vehicle to be protected. The inflatable members each have a general shape enabling them to be interleaved laterally with the two directly adjacent inflatable members.

Abstract: A vehicle greenhouse support assembly has an elongated substantially rigid beam, a deformable sheet covering at least a portion of the beam adapted to face the interior of the vehicle with the deformable sheet having a plurality of protrusions. An overlying trim element covers at least a portion of the deformable sheet. The protrusions preferably cover about 30 to 60 percent of the sheet and the sheet is preferably an aluminum sheet having a thickness of about 0.01 inch to 0.02 inch. Impact between the support assembly and a passenger will cause deformation and/or tearing of the deformable sheet and absorption of at least a portion of the energy impact, thereby minimizing the likelihood of a vehicle occupant suffering a serious injury. An associated method is provided.

Abstract: An airbag module 20 is disclosed in which the side walls 28, 29 are formed in two parts 28U,28L; 29U,29L connected together by a one way connection that resists relative motion in one direction but not in another.

Abstract: Provided herein is a toolbox system especially well suited for use on pickup trucks. The system provides quick and easy access to a wide variety of tools which may be contained in the toolboxes. The assemblies are modular and are readily loaded and unloaded from the bed portion of a pickup truck. An increased degree of safety and convenience is realized from use of the devices herein set forth.

Abstract: A valve for regulating the pressure of an air bag for a two-wheeled motor vehicle is provided. The valve regulates the internal pressure of the air bag to restrain a rider effectively. The pressure-regulating valve is disposed in a vent hole formed in the air bag. When the internal pressure of the air bag exceeds a predetermined value, the vent hole is opened. When the internal pressure drops to the predetermined value, the vent hole is closed to maintain the air bag in a half-expanded state so that the rider continues to be cushioned against shocks of a crash.

Abstract: A protective windshield guard and combination support surface assembly is disclosed, for use in many diverse applications, including use in combination with a vehicle or device having at least first, second, and third support areas adjacent to a windshield or other surface needing cover and/or protection. The invention is used, when installed in relation to these support areas, in a first position adjoining the first support area for protection of the windshield or surface; and is used in at least a second position, adjoining the third area as a covering, adjoining support over this area. The invention is provided with a mesh attached to a support frame having extension parts positioned outboard of the mesh; and at least one hinge support. At least one coupling or articulator attached to the support frame and corresponding mate attached to the first area; and at least another coupling on the frame with corresponding mate attached to the third area.

Abstract: A knee protection system for a vehicle in which the vehicle has a dashboard and a support member extending transversely across the vehicle within dashboard. The system includes at least one pair of brackets affixed to and spaced along the support member, with each bracket having an impact surface spaced from the dashboard. At least one reinforced panel affixed to existing components of the dashboard forms a part of the system. The panel is spaced from the impact surface of each bracket and comes into contact with the impact surface first when the vehicle is involved in a collision.

Abstract: A driver safety capsule or cell for a race car, the cell encapsulating and protecting the entire body of the driver. After a collision, the capsule and the driver immobilized therein are removable together from the car so that further head or spinal injury is avoided. Inertial tethers restrain movement of the driver's head and shoulders out of the capsule. A chest plate transforms impact forces to the capsule, minimizing injury to the chest.

Abstract: The knee bolster structure to be mounted on an instrument panel 13 comprises a panel 2 and a stay 3 for supporting the panel 2, while the stay 3 is composed of a stay main body 4 and patch 5 so disposed on the stay main body 4 as to cover the stay main body 4. In a vehicle collision, the stay 3 is deformed starting from notches 8 respectively formed in the stay main body 4 but, during the deformation of the stay 3, the leading end side 11 of a top plate 9 provided in the patch 5 is butted against the bottom surface 6 of the stay main body 4, thereby being able to prevent stresses from being concentrated onto the notches 8. Also, since the wall portions 7 of the stay main body 4 are held by the side walls 10 of the patch 5, they are prevented from being opened outwardly. Due to this structure, the drag of the stay 3 or the knee bolster structure can be stabilized, so that shock energy caused in the vehicle collision can be absorbed efficiently.

Abstract: An evaporator for cooling air is disposed within resinous cases obliquely relative to a vehicle front-rear direction. The evaporator rotates to a vehicle front side when a shock is applied to the cases from a vehicle rear side at a time of a vehicle collision. Therefore, even if a passenger in a passenger compartment collides with the cases at the vehicle collision, the evaporator rotates toward the vehicle front side to decrease the shock to the passenger's body, thereby protecting the passenger.

Abstract: An impact energy absorptive structure is made of usual plastic materials suitable for molding processing, and is designed to suit different degrees of impact loading anticipated in various applications. The impact energy absorptive structure is composed of a base member 11 and protruding rib members including long and short members, in which the proportion of the cross sectional area of the long rib members is between 0.3 to 0.8 of the total cross sectional area of the rib members. Other design modifications can be made readily to customize the impact resistance of the impact energy absorptive structures.

Abstract: A vertical adjuster for a deflection fitting of a vehicle safety belt includes a rail with a base part. The rail has at least one fastening screw for being fastened to a vehicle body. The rail further includes a deformation element allowing a displacement of said rail relative to the fastening screw. The deformation element is arranged on a side of the base part which is facing away from the vehicle body when the rail is mounted thereon.

Abstract: A plate- or shell-like plastic trim panel is provided with a convex structure configured such that, in the event of a horizontal compressive load running essentially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the trim panel undergoes a controlled elastic and/or plastic deformation in the direction of the adjoining free space. This arrangement avoids risking injury to legs of a vehicle occupant resulting from uncontrolled bending or breaking of flat trim panels without such convex structure.

Abstract: A composite component is provided having at least one felt layer as reinforcement when used for crash and/or noise management applications, and preferably also including at least one reinforcement fiber layer. At least one of the reinforcement layers, preferably a felt layer, may be formed into a preform which is placed into a mold of suitable shape to form the component, along with the other reinforcement layers, with a resin/polymer being injected into the mold and then cured to form the composite component.

Abstract: A protective D-ring cover for a seat belt anchor for use in the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle, the seat belt anchor including an anchor bolt secured to an upper portion of a structural pillar on a lateral side of the passenger compartment and a D-ring seat belt support carried by the anchor bolt as part of a three-point attachment to the body structure of the vehicle passenger compartment, the cover including a housing, first and second concentric structural circular ribs within the housing, a first pair of radial ribs between the circular ribs and a second pair of radial ribs between the outermost circular rib and the housing, the ribs being strategically located to absorb high energy impact forces that are offset relative to the anchor bolt.

Abstract: An energy absorbing structure for a side portion of a vehicle body includes a plastically deformable energy absorbing member which is disposed at a predetermined position in the side portion of the vehicle body against which a side portion of an upper part of a vehicle occupant's body hits during a side collision, the energy absorbing member being arranged such that a longitudinal direction thereof coincides with a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, a cross section of the energy absorbing member being formed in the shape of a substantially hollow ellipse in which a direction of a short axis thereof is a transverse direction of the vehicle body and a direction of a long axis thereof is a vertical direction of the vehicle body, the wall thickness of the energy absorbing member being set such that the wall thicknesses of long-axis portions thereof corresponding to the long axis are greater than the wall thicknesses of short-axis portions thereof corresponding to the short axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for restraining the movement of a passenger seated on a vehicle seat includes a restraint member which includes a horizontally extending safety bar supported by side arms extending from opposed ends of the safety bar to distal ends pivotally mounted to associated pivots which permit the restraint member to rotate about a pivot axis between open and closed positions. Pivotal movement is retarded by a fluid resistance. In another aspect, male and female latch portions of a latch such as a conventional seat belt buckle are attached in fixed positions, one to a side arm of a restraint member as described above, the other to an arm rest of a passenger seat. The positions are arranged such that the latch portions will register and latch with one another as the restraint member is pivoted from an open position to a closed position.

Abstract: A shock absorbing structure for a motor vehicle, including a base plate having a thickness greater than 1.5 mm, and a plurality of ribs formed so as to constitute a latticework on one of opposite major surfaces of the base plate. The latticework has a plurality of rectangular cells each having two pairs of adjacent sides. The ribs have a thickness in a range of 0.6-1.2 mm. One of the two adjacent sides of each cell of the latticework of the ribs has a first length of 30-50 mm, and the other side has a second length greater than 30 mm and not greater than 50 mm. The base plate and ribs are formed of a synthetic resin material comprising polyolefin, which material has an Izod impact strength of not smaller than 5 kgcm/cm, and a tangent modulus of elasticity in a range of 5000-20000 kg/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the unlocking of doors of a motor vehicle in the event of an accident, at least one device for tensioning a safety belt is, in the case of an accident, operatively connected with at least one door-unlocking device. Operation of the belt tensioning device during an accident initiates operation of the door unlocking mechanism.

Abstract: A motor vehicle impact protection arrangement protects persons and has an impact protection device which is rendered operative in a defined protection area only when the danger of an impact is signalled. An energy-absorbing material is provided so that, when a danger of an impact has not yet been signalled, the material is situated in a closed space below the impact protection area and emerges only when the danger of an impact is signalled as an energy-absorbing impact protection device in the defined impact protection area.

Abstract: Rapidly deployable restraining systems and methods for rendering personnel, nimals and other objects immobile includes an assembly of confinement devices housed in a dispersion package. Each confinement device has a propellent, a primer and an inflatable bag that is rapidly inflated by the propellent when fired by the primer. A detonator, located in the package, is discharged to open the package, disperse the confinement devices and cause the primers to be energized, thereby inflating the bags. The package is pre-emplaced in a target area or it is projected into the area via a fired projectile of which it is a part.

Abstract: A protective post-guard apparatus and method for use in protecting rescue workers involved in vehicular rescue operations is disclosed. The post-guard is utilized to cover the jagged edges of exposed posts of a vehicle that has had the roof removed, or the steering wheel removed, thus affording access to victims in the vehicle.

Abstract: An air bag guard for children and infants having support posts and support bars that form a partial cage for placement over a child or infant for protection against air bag deployment. The air bag guard includes a strap for securing the guard in position with a first embodiment accommodating both forward and rearward facing child seats a second embodiment directed to forward facing children. Each embodiment is collapsible for ease of storage and includes straps for securing the guard in position with adjustments available to accommodate diverse floor positions as well as angular placement of seat backs.

Abstract: A reinforced woven blanket can be used to protect a passenger lying on a seat of a motor vehicle, by surrounding the entire torso with a single restraint that can use the known webbing, latch plates, buckles, and anchorage, that comply with today's federal requirements.

Abstract: An improved system for preventing scattering of glass pieces during a vehicle accident, which is capable of preventing scattering of glass pieces when a vehicle accident occurs, whereby it is possible to protect a driver or passengers in the vehicle from being injured due to the scattering glass pieces. The system includes a high viscosity liquid tank disposed in an engine room and filled with high viscosity liquid, a motor for pumping the high viscosity liquid from the high viscosity liquid tank, a collision detection sensor for detecting a collision of a vehicle, a controller for controlling the motor, and a plurality of spraying nozzles for spraying the high viscosity liquid, whereby the high viscosity liquid is sprayed toward the windshield at the moment of a vehicle accident for bonding the windshield.

Abstract: A knee protection device in a motor vehicle having a dimensionally stable, cushioned and essentially plate-shaped load distributor which is supported on the end side by curved deformable holders on a cross member fixed to the vehicle. The energy absorption capacity of the two holders is fully utilized by spanning a reinforcement on the back side of the load distributor. The reinforcement has an approximately hat-shaped cross-section, extends at least near the holders and has outwardly projecting flanges which are connected with the load distributor.

Abstract: A safety net construction used to separate a passenger compartment from an article storage compartment includes a lower marginal edge provided with a frame piece having a pair of spaced apart weakened segments that permit redistribution of tension forces applied to the safety net. The lower marginal edge of the safety net is fastened to the vehicle at fastening locations spaced closer together than the spacing of the weakened segments.

Abstract: A shock absorbing structure for a motor vehicle, including a base plate having a thickness greater than 1.5 mm, and a plurality of ribs formed so as to constitute a latticework on one of opposite major surfaces of the base plate. The latticework has a plurality of rectangular cells each having two pairs of adjacent sides. The ribs have a thickness in a range of 0.6-1.2 mm. One of the two adjacent sides of each cell of the latticework of the ribs has a first length of 30-50 mm, and the other side has a second length greater than 30 mm and not greater than 50 mm. The base plate and ribs are formed of a synthetic resin material comprising polyolefin, which material has an Izod impact strength of not smaller than 5 kgcm/cm, and a tangent modulus of elasticity in a range of 5000-20000 kg/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: A knockdown telescopically expandable elevated utility rack for pickup trucks is formed by forward and rearward H-shaped stanchions and stanchion post receiving brackets overlying pickup bed side walls. A forward stanchion panel and a rearward stanchion bottom rail forms a horizontal load support adjacent the upper limit of pickup bed side walls and a side rail assembly overlying the upper limit of the stanchions and the pickup cab forms an elevated load supporting platform.