Abstract: The invention relates to a knee restraint device for the knee protection of occupants in motor vehicles, comprising a load distribution plate for direct contact with the knees of the occupant. The knee restraint device further comprises a drive device which in a cage of restraint moves the load distribution plate from a starting position toward the knees up to a restraint position. A retracting device is provided which moves the load distribution plate from the restraint position back toward the starting position.

Abstract: An inflatable knee bolster for a vehicle occupant is mounted in opposing relation to the knees of a vehicle occupant. The bolster is an expansible chamber of multipiece construction having a face portion and a separate three dimensional expansible body portion. The face portion and body portion are joined about their peripheries to define and substantially enclose the chamber. The expansible body portion is formed from injection molded polymeric material and has one or more integrally molded at least partially collapsible pleated profile elements disposed along the sides and across the top of the body portion in raised and lowered profile with respect to the face portion. Deformable mounting brackets extend outwardly from the body portion for attachment to the vehicle. The materials forming the face and body portions are of either similar or dissimilar chemical and physical character.

Abstract: Inflatable knee bolster module assemblies are provided wherein a knee bolster panel and an associated reaction plate engage to form a bolster housing containing an inflatable knee cushion and a knee cushion inflator assembly. Upon actuation, the knee cushion inflator assembly provides an inflation fluid effective to inflate the knee cushion and to deploy the knee bolster panel to provide lower torso restraint for an oppositely positioned vehicle occupant while the knee bolster panel remains engaged with the reaction plate.

Abstract: A operator restraint bar for a working vehicle, specifically for a skid steer loader, is mounted on the rear wall of the cab of the loader and is movable from a restraint position to a raised position with one end adjacent the roof of the cab. The restraint bar is mounted onto brackets that are self contained and include a spring for holding the bar in either its working position or its raised position by arranging the pivot points of the bar and the spring so that they go over center between the working and raised positions. A sensor is used at the pivot for indicating when the restraint bar has reached its working position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective device, preferably an airbag device, disposed in a panel of a vehicle, and preferably to a knee airbag housed in the vehicle instrument panel. The invention comprises an expanding protective device which is secured in an interior panel (1) or part of said panel in vehicle compartments, said device comprising an expansion means (5) housed behind an opening in said panel, and a surface cover (3) secured in front of said opening. The surface cover has a larger extension than said opening and is also secured to the surrounding panel. In addition, the surface cover (3) is adapted to cover substantially the whole of the expansion means (5) towards the compartment space, also in the expanded condition of said means.

Abstract: The invention addresses a rollover protection apparatus for motor vehicles with a protection system assigned to each vehicle seat. The invention provides that the profile unit is designed in the form of a box profile rigidified against bending with guide elements on the narrow sides of the profile elements and one single spring drive mechanism disposed centrally in the profile bar unit and with a pawl/ratchet mechanism mounted parallel to the bar width in a curved projection of the profile bar unit. These measures create a rollover protection apparatus that comprises only a few parts, is simple to manufacture and the depth of which can be kept very shallow.

Abstract: A knee protection device (1) for a person (2) sitting on a seat arranged inside a motor vehicle is provided in the case of an accident-related deformation of the leg space. The device has a load distribution plate (3) which is driven instantaneously from its rest position in the direction toward the knee parts of the person (2), upon activation of the trigger device attached to it. The trigger device may be a pyrotechnic device (4) of the type used for a safety belt attached to the seat.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (56) having a deflated condition stored in an instrument panel (24) of a vehicle. The device (56) has an inflated condition extending out of the instrument panel (24) for helping to protect an occupant of the vehicle. A door (62) connected with the vehicle instrument panel (24) is movable between a closed condition covering the inflatable device (56) when in the deflated condition and an open condition. A knee bolster (20) is supported on the vehicle instrument panel (24) for movement in the vehicle from a stored position adjacent to the instrument panel of the vehicle to a blocking position spaced apart from the instrument panel. The knee bolster (20) when in the stored position helps to maintain the door (62) in the closed condition.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle wherein the steering column may be adjustable in a tilt direction, telescoping direction or both. The steering column includes a first housing, a second housing pivotally coupled to one end of the first housing, and a locking assembly interconnecting the first and second housings. The locking assembly includes a clutch having one end attached to the first housing, and an opposite end in sliding engagement with the second housing. A caliper member is provided on the second housing, and extending through the clutch to selectively fix the clutch in place and thus fix the relative position of the first housing in relation to the second.

Abstract: A device for controlling a motor vehicle occupant protection system. Such a device has a control unit with an encoder for encoding messages and a transmitter for transmitting the encoded messages in the form of output signals. The encoded messages include a first encoded message having a first number of positions and a second encoded message having a second number of positions, the first number of positions being smaller than the second number of positions. In this case, at least one of the encoded messages may be provided with an error-correction code.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) which has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) comprises a pair of overlying panels (40, 42) having overlapping portions that are secured together at points of connection (60). First and second points of connection (70, 72) are spaced vertically apart from each other and positioned along a first straight line (74) that extends between the first and second points of connection.

Abstract: An inflatable knee bolster for a vehicle occupant is mounted in opposing relation to the knees of a vehicle occupant. The bolster is an expansible chamber of multipiece construction having a face portion and a separate three dimensional expansible body portion. The face portion and body portion are joined about their peripheries to define and substantially enclose the chamber. The expansible body portion is formed from injection molded polymeric material and has one or more integrally molded at least partially collapsible pleated profile elements disposed along the sides and across the top of the body portion in raised and lowered profile with respect to the face portion. Deformable mounting brackets extend outwardly from the body portion for attachment to the vehicle. The materials forming the face and body portions are of either similar or dissimilar chemical and physical character.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) which has a side structure (16) and a roof (28) comprises an inflatable curtain (14). The curtain (14) is inflatable in a first direction away from the roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The inflatable curtain (14) when inflated extends fore and aft in the vehicle (12) along the side structure (16) of the vehicle. First and second inflatable members (52 and 54) connect the inflatable curtain (14) to the vehicle (12). An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable curtain (14) and the first and second inflatable members (52 and 54). The first and second inflatable members (52 and 54) are inflatable to resist movement of the inflatable curtain (14) away from the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) when the inflatable curtain is inflated.

Abstract: An inflatable knee bolster for a vehicle occupant is mounted to the bottom of the vehicle's instrument panel, having an outer wall that is projected outwardly from a stored position to an extended position adjacent the occupant's knees by inflation of an expansible chamber by an inflator, characterized by. The bolster is an expansible chamber comprising a unitary hollow blow molded polypropylene body that has an outer wall and an inner wall which are interconnected at their bottoms by a bottom wall and at their tops and sides by U-shaped normally folded accordion pleats. These pleats extend from the bottom side corners of the body up the sides and across the top of the body. A pair of spaced attachment tabs extend from the bottom wall for attachment to vehicle structure, and a pair of spaced frangible tabs extending from the top of the outer wall for attachment to vehicle structure to maintain the outer wall in stored position.

Abstract: A knee protector for vehicle passengers has a securing member for securing the knee protector within the vehicle. An inflatable air bag is mounted in an initially folded position on the securing member. A deformable cage is connected to the securing member and encloses the air bag in the initially folded state and in the deployed state as well as in all intermediate states. A cover is connected to a side of the cage opposite the securing member and attached to the securing member when the air bag is in the initially folded position. The cover is designed to detach from the securing member and to perform a movement away from the securing member upon deployment of the air bag in order to provide a load distribution plate for knee protection. The deformable cage guides the cover during the movement away from the securing member upon deployment of the air bag and during a return movement toward the securing member.

Abstract: When a rollover of a vehicle body is detected by a rollover detection sensor, an inflator is operated. When the inflator is operated, an air bag connected to the inflator through a hose is inflated by a gas ejected from the inflator, downwardly pushes open a front portion of a case accommodating portion of a ceiling interior member as shown by two-dotted chain lines, and expands to a position for closing a sunroof opening portion.

Abstract: A knee bolster airbag assembly which provides protection for the airbag cushion during shipment, storage and installation as well as during its installed functional lifetime. The assembly includes an inflator with an initiator, a knee bolster airbag cushion, an inflator housing and a cover. The cover is made of a material which (a) provides protection to the components which it encloses and can (b) be decorative and be compatible with the materials and design of the interior of the passenger compartment of the vehicle in which it is to be installed.

Abstract: An inflatable trim panel assembly (20) operable to provide a gas-filled cushion for protecting the vehicle occupant in an accident situation. The trim panel assembly (20) includes a support member (22), an elastic skin (24) attached to the periphery of the support member (22), and tethers (28) that are secured between the elastic skin (24) and the support member (22). The trim panel assembly (20) also includes an inflator (26) which, upon activation, supplies gas to the sealed area (30) between the elastic skin (24) and the support member (22) causing expansion of the elastic skin (24) and formation of an energy absorbing safety restraint cushion. The tethers (28) shape the elastic skin (24) so that the body of the vehicle occupant may be properly directed into the location for optimum safety restraint.

Abstract: A knee restraint device for vehicles comprises a knee protector plate movable in the direction of the knees of a vehicle occupant, a base plate connectable to a vehicle structure having at least one opening for connection to a gas generator and a wall of flexible material folded between said base plate and said knee protector plate in the resting condition. Said wall is connected along a first closed rim to said base plate and along a second closed rim to said knee protector plate. To control the movement path of the knee protector plate during the inflation action a first edge of said knee protector plate oriented in the vehicle transverse direction is held swivable and releasable on said base plate and a second edge of said knee protector plate located opposite said first edge is secured to said base plate by a fastener which releases on activation of said gas generator due to the expansion pressure of said wall being deployed.

Abstract: A safety arrangement in a motor vehicle includes a support (8) located on the floor (2) of a motor vehicle in front of the front seat (1). The support (8) has an upper surface which is raised to an elevated position to provide yieldable support for the feet of the occupant of the vehicle if an accident occurs. The support (8) may comprise an air-bag associated with a gas generator (6) and a crash sensor (5). When an accident occurs, the feet of the occupant of the vehicle are raised to an elevated position.

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: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (18) and a roof (28) includes a non-inflatable curtain (14). The non-inflatable curtain (14) is deployable in a first direction away from the vehicle roof into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The non-inflatable curtain (14), when deployed, extends fore and aft in the vehicle (12) along the side structure (18) of the vehicle. An inflatable device (16) is inflatable into a position between the side structure (18) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. First and second tethers (68 and 72) connect the inflatable device (16) to the non-inflatable curtain (14). An inflation fluid source (24) provides inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device (16). The inflatable device (16), when inflated, tensions the first and second tethers (68 and 72) to deploy the non-inflatable curtain (14) in the first direction.

Abstract: A headrest and headrest positioning system reduces whiplash injuries from rear impacts by properly positioning the headrest behind the occupant's head either continuously, or just prior to and in anticipation of, the vehicle impact and then properly supports both the head and neck. Sensors determine the location of the occupant's head and motors move the headrest both up and down and forward and back as needed. In one implementation, the headrest is continuously adjusted to maintain a proper orientation of the headrest to the rear of the occupant's head. In another implementation, an anticipatory crash, is used to predict that a rear impact is about to occur, in which event, the headrest is moved proximate to the occupant. A pre-inflated airbag within the headrest automatically distributes the pressure to evenly support both the head and neck.

Abstract: An arrangement for adjusting the sitting position of a vehicle occupant has a sensor which determines the sitting height of the vehicle occupant sitting in the vehicle seat and measures in a no-contact manner, a control unit connected with the sensor, and an adjusting motor for the headrest which is connected with the control unit. For reducing the adjusting efforts required of the vehicle occupant when the seat is used and simultaneously ensuring a precise support of the cervical spine by the headrest which is individually adapted to the vehicle occupant, another adjusting motor for a vertical adjustment of the seat cushion relative to the backrest is provided which is also controlled by the control unit. The sensor scans the contour of the vehicle occupant's cervical spine and a computer integrated in the control unit computes from the scanning signals of the sensor the required height position of the headrest.

Abstract: A knee restraint device for vehicles comprises a base, a knee protector component which is movable towards the knees of a vehicle occupant, a drive means which is arranged between the base and the knee protector component, and catching and positioning means which control the movement path of the knee protector component at least in the up/down direction relative to the vehicle and which, in the limit of travel of the drive means, define a predetermined end position of the knee protector component in the space. To provide a knee restraint device which accomplishes the controlling of the movement path and the definition of the end position of the knee protector component and which can be adjusted in a simple manner to various end positions of the knee protector component, the catching and positioning means are arranged outside the drive means and the drive means loosely contacts the knee protector component.

Abstract: An inflatable knee bolster for a vehicle occupant is mounted to the bottom of the vehicle's instrument panel. Having an outer wall that is projected outwardly from a stored position to an extended position adjacent the occupant's knees by inflation of an expansible chamber by an inflator, characterized by. The bolster is an expansible chamber comprising a unitary hollow blow molded polypropylene body that has an outer wall and an inner wall which are interconnected at their bottoms by a bottom wall and at their tops and sides by U-shaped normally folded accordion pleats. These pleats extend from the bottom side corners of the body up the sides and across the top of the body. A pair of spaced attachment tabs extend from the bottom wall for attachment to vehicle structure, and a pair of spaced frangible tabs extending from the top of the outer wall for attachment to vehicle structure to maintain the outer wall in stored position.

Abstract: A driver restraining device is located in the driver's cab of an industrial truck having a driver's seat in the cab. The restraining device includes a contact member for the driver mounted in the cab and movable between a first retracted position and a second driver restraining position to prevent substantial movement of the driver's body relative to the driver's seat upon tipping of the truck. A tripping arrangement is operatively connected to the contact member to move the contact member between the first retracted position and the second driver restraining position and a detector for detecting the tipping motion of the industrial truck is operatively connected to the tripping arrangement to actuate the tripping arrangement to move the contact member from the first retracted position to the second driver restraining position and to lock the contact member in the second driver restraining position.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) includes a knee bolster (80) movable from a stored position adjacent to an instrument panel (40) of the vehicle to a blocking position spaced apart from the instrument panel. An actuator (30) for moving the knee bolster (80) from the stored position to the blocking position is supported on the instrument panel (40) by an actuator support (70). An attachment member (90) is connected with the knee bolster (80). The knee bolster (80) is movable relative to the attachment member (90) when the knee bolster is in the blocking position. The attachment member (90) is fixed to the instrument panel (40) adjacent to the actuator support (70). A plurality of tethers (100, 102) are connected between the knee bolster (80) and the attachment member (90) for controlling movement of the knee bolster relative to the attachment member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lining element for vehicles, which is designed to protect the passengers and has an essentially rigid support on which is provided an inflatable cushion, and a trim layer on the side of the support facing the interior. A simple solution is achieved by providing that the support be gas-tight and that the trim layer have a gas-tight finish and be releasably attached to a gas-tight coating over a given area.

Abstract: A knee restraint means for occupants of a vehicle with a footwell for the feet of the occupant includes a gas bag in the footwell, a gas generator, a knee cushion on which the occupant impacts in case of an accident, and an inflatable gas bag cover with an outer surface and of energy-absorbent material. The gas bag cover is deformed in a crash situation by inflation of the gas bag in the direction of the footwell. The gas bag cover forms the knee cushion together with the inflated gas bag.

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: An inflatable restraint system includes an inflator for generating inflator gas and a bladder inflatable upon generation of gas by the inflator. The bladder includes a forward panel, a rearward panel, and a pair of opposing end panels extending between and interconnecting the forward and rearward panels. Preferably, the bladder is made of a metal material. Also preferably, the system includes an instrument panel having a lower portion and the bladder is positioned beneath the lower portion of the instrument panel to serve as a knee bolster when inflated for protection of the occupant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a knee restraining device for vehicles which comprises a knee protector plate adapted to be moved toward the knees of a vehicle occupant. The knee restraining device comprises a base plate adapted to be mounted against the outline of the bottom part of a dashboard. The base plate has at least one opening for connection with a gas source arranged in the dashboard. Furthermore, the knee restraining device has a wall, of flexible material, folded up between the base plate and the knee restraining plate in the inactive position thereof. This wall is connected along a first closed rim with the base plate and along a second closed rim with the knee restraining plate.

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: The emergency reline system for an automobile is used in conjunction with an air bag system and a reclining seat system. The seat is pivotally movable by a motor upon application of a reclining motor control signal. The emergency recline system includes a sensor which detects unwanted deceleration and which generates a trigger signal. The trigger signal is delayed by a delay circuit for a predetermined period of time. The delayed trigger signal is then applied as the reclining motor control signal to the motor such that after the predetermined time, the delayed trigger signal reclines the seat. This relieves the pressure developed by the deployed air bag on the driver or the passenger in the seat. A method for reclining the seat includes sensing unwanted deceleration, generating a trigger signal, delaying the trigger signal for a predetermined time, and then applying that delayed trigger signal as the reclining motor control signal to the motor or motor control.

Abstract: A trough-shaped airbag canister and module assembly has an integral diffuser and diverter for permitting simultaneous deployment of a head/torso airbag and a knee airbag. The integral diffuser and diverter in the canister diffuses a first portion of inflation gases from an inflator to a mouth of a head/torso airbag and diffuses and diverts a second portion of the inflation gases through a kneebag inflation port in a sidewall of the canister and into a mouth of a knee airbag.

Abstract: An airbag system, onto which an airbag can be mounted for restraining an occupant during a side collision of a vehicle, can be used as an armrest. The airbag system has a container having an airbag module inside and a supporting bar for supporting the container, wherein a first end of the supporting bar is pivotally connected to a rear of a seat portion and a second end of the supporting bar is connected to the container. When an impact force is applied to a side of a vehicle, because the supporting bar and the container are transferred from a first position to a second position by first and second step motors, the supporting bar can absorb the impact force transmitted through a door of the vehicle. The airbag module contained in the container is operated and the inflator deploys the airbag, thus the occupant is protected.

Abstract: Protective devices, which operate on the basis of impact and catch systems, including those of the inflatable gas bag type, require the vehicle either to be closed in order to accommodate the requisite components in the roof framework or the columns in which this framework is supported, or a steering wheel hub sufficiently large to accommodate the gas bag with the gas generator. Neither of which are available in motor racing vehicles. Therefore, a gas bag is inserted in a hose-shaped, folded state in a slit along the front region of the rim of an open cockpit. This gas bag can be brought immediately over and back across the steering wheel via a pulling mechanism into a position between the driver and steering wheel in the event of a vehicle collision.

Abstract: For the protection of the occupants of a vehicle in case of a lateral impact, restraints (3) are integrated in the side structure of the vehicle and are adapted to be automatically stretched to extend tautly on the inside across the window opening and are connected to an airbag unit (25) for protection in case of an impact, which unit is accommodated adjacent to the side structure 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.

Abstract: A vehicle side impact restraint system especially adapted for providing head impact protection. The system employs a deployable restraint curtain which is maintained stowed in an undeployed condition within a slot along the upper edge of a vehicle side door window. A track assembly is vertically mounted along the rear edge of the window and includes a gas generator, a track, and a sliding projectile. The upper edge of the triangularly shaped curtain is attached to the vehicle whereas the rear end of the lower edge is mounted to the projectile. Upon deployment, the sliding projectile pulls the curtain to a downward position in response to a deployment signal sent to the gas generator. The projectile reaches the lower end of the track where it is locked in position thus stretching the curtain across a portion of the window area, thus providing a surface for impact energy absorption.

Abstract: A seat has a shell structure (2) which is rigid, as a whole. On a side of the shell structure which is intended to receive the driver's body, there are one or more inflatable cushions (4a, 5a). With the present invention, the possibility of varying the inflation pressure of the cushions (4a, 5a selectively during movement of the vehicle is also envisioned.

Abstract: A safety device that engages automatically when a child is placed in a shopping cart. It does not require the aid of a parent. A torsion spring retains a shopping cart seat at an inclined angle, while retaining the safety device to the rear of the shopping cart, free for the child to enter. As the child is placed in the cart, his/her weight descends the seat to normal. A lever is under the seat rotating downward as the seat descends. The lever is welded at the center of a shaft, and is rotating the shaft as the lever moves. A right arm and a left arm welded to the shaft are traversing forward to a securing position. Connected near the top end of the two arms is a safety bar securing the child when seated. A latch locks the arms in the securing position. The entire safety device is mounted to the shopping cart with a clamp. There are four clamps used. When two clamps are connected together they form one clamp with three horizontal holes.

Abstract: A knee bag cushion is attached to a bolster panel or cushion cover by providing channels on an inner face of the bolster panel and providing retention rods on the outside of the knee bag cushion. The rods are attached to the cushion by passing through loops sewed to the cushion. The retention rods are assembled to the channels by sliding or snapping in the cushion with the rods into the channels on the bolster panel.

Abstract: A tethered knee bolster panel which is deployed rearward in the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle during a crash to provide lower torso restraint. The knee bolster is an air bag system which propels the knee bolster panel rearward during deployment. The activated knee bolster allows automobile designers the flexibility to provide increased leg room in the vehicle while maintaining the same level of safety during a crash.

Abstract: A safety device for the passenger compartment of a passenger car comprises a cushion plate, which is mounted in the front part of the vehicle on the knee level and is displaceable by drive means toward the knees of the passenger. In a simple embodiment the drive means comprise a fixed leaf spring, which is prestressed in a state of rest and is releasable to move opposite to the direction of travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: To protect a vehicle occupant from injury by a safety airbag activated in the event of a collision when the occupant's actual position is different from a normal occupant restraint position, an occupant-moving arrangement is provided to move the occupant into the normal restraint position prior to full activation of an airbag. The occupant-moving arrangement is effected by inflation of the airbag with an initially limited pressure or by a movable cushion or a pivoted flap driven by a gas generator.

Abstract: A safety system for reducing the risk of injury during a survivable crash of a high-speed passenger vehicle. The safety system includes at least one bulkhead support base mounted to a vehicle within a passenger compartment and a bulkhead panel mounted to a portion of the bulkhead support base. In addition, the device includes energy-absorbing means associated with the bulkhead panel for absorbing the energy of a passenger impacting on the bulkhead panel. In this manner, the system minimizes injury to a passenger striking upon a bulkhead wall or class-divider wall within the vehicle. A triggering system is also provided for electronically activating the safety system when necessary.

Abstract: An apparatus for tripping a system for the protection of occupants of a vehicle has a first sensor (10) for sensing the acceleration of the vehicle in its direction of forward motion and a second sensor (12) for sensing the acceleration of the vehicle in a direction transverse to its direction of forward motion. The two sensors are under the control of control devices (14,16) which trigger the occupant protection system in dependence upon the signals from the first and second sensors (10,12).

Abstract: A knee restraint for the interior passenger compartment of a vehicle which deploys upon sudden deceleration such as vehicle impact. The knee restraint system acts as a passive restraint for the lower part of the passengers' body to restrain forward movement. The restraint system includes independent restraint pads which normally form a portion of the dashboard. Spring-biased linkages extend the restraint pads into the passenger compartment closer to the occupant. An inertia latch prevents deployment until a predetermined rate of deceleration is reached. One embodiment of the restraint system incorporates the glove box.