Abstract: An occupant protecting system for a vehicle includes a triangular shock absorbing member which is accommodated in a folded state within an accommodating casing mounted along a roof rail. The shock absorbing member is held stationarily at its front and rear ends to a vehicle body by fixing pins. A movable pin mounted at a lower end of the shock absorbing member is connected through a wire to a developing or unfolding device mounted to a center pillar. The developing or unfolding device includes a gas generator and a cylinder with a piston slidably received therein and coupled to the wire. When the gas generator is operated upon collision of the vehicle to force the piston in the cylinder downwardly by a high pressure gas generated by the gas generator, the movable pin is pulled down through the wire, so that the shock absorbing member is drawn out of the accommodating casing and developed into a triangular shape.

Abstract: A rear-seat air bag restraint device is disclosed that prevents an individual, or individuals, from continuing violent actions while being transported in a patrol vehicle's rear seat without requiring immediate physical contact by the law enforcement officer. The air bag is activated by a control switch in the front seat and inflates to independently restrict the amount of physical activity occurring in the rear seat of the vehicle while allowing the officer to safely stop the vehicle. The air bag can also provide the officer additional time to get backup personnel to aid him if the situation warrants it. The bag is inflated and maintains a constant pressure by an air pump.

Abstract: A compartmentalized airbag knee bolster device is mounted to the instrument panel of a vehicle for restraining forward movement of the knees of the front seat occupants. The device contains a plenum chamber attached to an inflator for pressurizing the plenum chamber. A plurality of airbag compartments are in communication with the plenum chamber by a plurality of one way valves. A knee bolster panel is positioned in front of the plenum chamber with the compartments of the airbag situated therebetween. On inflation of the compartmentalized airbag, the knee bolster panel contacts the front of the knees of a vehicle occupant to restrain forward knee movement. The pressure in the compartments behind the area of the knee bolster panel engaged by the occupant's knees increases in the contacted compartments, and accordingly the rigidity of the airbag in the proximate area of contact with the knees.

Abstract: A vehicle exhibits a dashboard having a glove compartment, the receiving space of which can be covered by a cover which is movably secured on the dashboard and which, for opening the glove compartment, is disposed so as to be movable approximately in the vertical direction within the vehicle. At least the folded airbag casing of a passenger airbag is here accommodated and fastened in a cavity of the cover, a cap covering the cavity of the cover being able to be opened as the airbag casing unfolds in the direction of the vehicle interior.

Abstract: A passenger compartment is disclosed with a transverse stiffener arranged in the region of the seats for passenger cars with restricted passenger compartments. A force-transmitting side member is arranged as a reinforcement element in each side door and a force-transmitting seat crossmember is supported between the two side members so that it can be displaced longitudinally, at least one seat being fastened to the seat crossmember.

Abstract: The invention is a novel seat belt releasing system for vehicles. The system comprises a series of vertically oriented seat belt straps suspended downward from the ceiling of a vehicle in connection with lateral members (such as netting). There are two straps per passenger including the driver. The seat belt releasing system comprises an inertial device which sends an electric signal upon receiving an inertial event. The signal charges a solenoid which releases a pair of sister hooks which in turn allow the main releasing member or coiled spring to be released upon this event thereby pulling on the cables. The cables in connection with the belts pull the belts and netting downward thereby preventing forward movement of the passengers as the netting is secured in front of each passenger. Resilient members are stretched alongside the straps when the seat belts are in the stored, at rest, position, in order to keep the length of the belts minimal.

Abstract: A retaining system for passengers of an automotive vehicle in which an impact element, which is movable toward the part of the body to be retained in case of a crash, is fixed to the vehicle in front of the passenger of the vehicle and is moved into position to block the space in front of the seat on which the passenger is seated only in a crash situation. This retaining system is intended to prevent the so-called "submerging" effect, by which a passenger slides into the space in front of the seat upon which the passenger is seated in a crash situation. The retaining system includes an impact element which is swingable toward the passenger about an axis which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. If the interior design of the vehicle requires, the impact element can be arranged to undergo translatory movement in the direction of the passenger in addition to the swinging movement.

Abstract: An interior system for an automotive vehicle comprises interior elements, actuators for the interior elements, and sensors. When a vehicle collision data reveals a vehicle collision, a passenger's behavior is estimated in response to passenger data and first vehicle data collected, and a second vehicle data stored. A characteristic value of each interior element is computed in a manner to minimize an impact to a passenger in accordance with the passenger's behavior estimated. Then, the actuators are controlled in response to the characteristic value computed.

Abstract: Pneumatic protective pads are provided for attachment to the interior vehicle structure. One form of the invention retains the pads in compressed deflated condition until the admission of gas under pressure in response to activation by a collision sensor. Another form of the invention involves restrictive passages within a pneumatic chamber for highly damped absorption of the energy of cushioning the forces from crash conditions. Another form of the invention involves integrally molded pockets, posts, ribs, and convolute side walls which progressively deform to provide efficient energy absorption.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a front panel that is deployable to a forwardly extending position to support a vehicle occupant who has moved forward off the seat cushion during a frontal impact collision. Improvements to the panel deployment mechanism are shown including an electronically activated latch release to deploy the panel upon a predetermined deceleration measured by an accelerometer mounted to the seat assembly or elsewhere on a motor vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for restraining a vehicle occupant comprises an air bag assembly having a center of gravity (70) and including a container (20), an air bag (42), and an inflator (50). The air bag assembly is pivotally mounted to an instrument panel (16) of the vehicle with a pivot axis (90) offset from the center of gravity (70). The air bag assembly has a stored position and an operative position and is pivotable from the stored position to the operative position. Thrust produced upon inflation of the air bag pivots the air bag assembly. The apparatus further includes a knee blocking member (36) secured to a side (24) of the container (20) of the air bag assembly. When the assembly moves from the stored position to the operative position, the knee blocking member (36) moves to an occupant restraining position.

Abstract: An air bag device for a knee of an occupant includes an air bag adapted to be extended in front of a seat of a vehicle including a zone at a height of the seat, a casing which holds the air bag therein in a folded state, and a gas generator mounted on the casing, the casing being located in a position offset to one of the righthand and lefthand sides of the front of the center of the seat, and the air bag having such a volume as to be extended to the other side by the gas generator. An air bag device for a knee of an occupant includes an air bag adapted to be extended in front of a seat of a vehicle including a zone at a height of the seat, the air bag having a shape when it is extended fully, in which its two end sides in the widthwise direction of the seat have projections toward the seat.

Abstract: The present invention is a tubular structure which inflates upon side or oblique impact to protect the occupants of a vehicle such as an automobile. The structure is mounted in its undeployed state along the periphery of the vehicle's window. The primary component of the present invention is a braided tube containing a gas generator. When a side impact is detected, the gas generator is ignited, inflating the braided tube. As the braided tube inflates, the diameter of the tube increases and its length decreases. The tube then pulls out of its storage location and forms a taut, semi-rigid structural member across the vehicle's window.

Abstract: An air bag device for a knee of an occupant, includes an air bag to be extended in front of a seat of a vehicle and in a zone at a height of the seat. The air bag device is arranged at a widthwise center portion of the vehicle. The air bag includes a first air bag to be extended in a zone in front of the righthand seat of the vehicle, and a second air bag to be extended in a zone in front of the lefthand seat of the vehicle.

Abstract: A dense mass centrally located in a personal vehicle acts as an inertial analog computer for predicting and compensating motion of an occupant of the vehicle during crashes. Acceleration and motion of the mass is converted into motion of impact prevention or impact velocity reduction systems to reduce likelyhood of severe injury to the occupant. Power disconnection in alternatively powered vehicles through disconnection of electrical systems by motion of the mass provides additional safety during the crash.

Abstract: A steering column comprises a pressure tube and a piston rod extending inwards and outwards of said pressure tube. The outer end of the piston rod is connected with a steering wheel. The pressure tube at its end remote from said steering wheel is connected with a steering mechanism of a motor vehicle. The pressure tube is rotatably mounted in a bearing tube. The piston rod is axially movable but non-rotatable with respect to the pressure tube. A liquid chamber is confined within the pressure tube and has a variable volume dependent on the axial position of the piston rod with respect to the pressure tube. The liquid chamber is connectable through a pivotal connection selectively with a pressure liquid source or with a pressure liquid receiving space or can be separated from both of them. A spring acts on the piston rod and is in balance with the liquid in the fluid chamber.

Abstract: An occupant safety device for automotive vehicles is proposed which saves mounting space and which is comprised of a roll bar (2, 33, 34) allowing both to be brought into its extended final operative position by a signal being generated in the event of severe impact by means of elastic prestressing means (13, 27) and to be adjusted into the extended final operative position or into the final lowered position by means of an additional drive (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 17, 18), the movement of the roll bar (2, 33, 34) taking place substantially in a plane which runs at right angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and that at least one headrest (15) is provided at the roll bar (2, 33, 34).

Abstract: Disclosed is a double air bag protective system to protect the driver of a vehicle from impact with the steering wheel of the vehicle upon light or severe collision, with the second air bag being filled upon installation and positioned between the steering wheel and the driver while the first air bag inflates upon severe collision for added protection. Both air bags may be inflated manually to check for position and leaks and the inflation system is replacable after a collision.

Abstract: A restraining system for knee protection in a motor vehicle having a safety belt system includes an element which deforms plastically upon impact of a vehicle occupant's knees. The element can be transferred by means of a servo drive from a comfortable remote-from-the-knee position into a securable, restraining close-to-the-knee position. The restraining system permits the largest degree of freedom of movement for the vehicle occupant given specific peripheral conditions or prevents the vehicle occupants slipping away towards the foot space of the vehicle. The signal for transferring the knee protection into its close-to-the-knee position in the driving mode occurs by a device triggered in the event of the non-use of a three-point safety belt system.

Abstract: A head restraint for rear seats of convertibles is attached to a U-shaped roll-over bar and can be displaced with the roll-over bar. The roll-over bar can be raised from a lowered position into a support position and spans to a large extent the width of the interior of the vehicle. The lateral legs of the roll-over bar are equally curved along a rear wall of the rear seat rest with a center of curvature on the seat side of the rear seat rest.

Abstract: A knee bolster for protecting the passengers of a motor vehicle comprises one or more deformable members positioned generally forward of each vehicle passenger; ultrasonic sensors for determining the position of the knees and tibiae of each passenger within the motor vehicle relative to the deformable members; and means responsive to the sensing means for articulating and translating each deformable member relative to the vehicle interior and, hence, relative to the knees and tibiae of each passenger corresponding thereto to provide optimum protection to the passengers in the event of a subsequent collision or marked vehicle deceleration.

Abstract: In a vehicle having a body with a floor, a ceiling, and a driver's seat: a passive barrier arrangement includes a restraining barrier having a restraining shield bounded by first, second and third restraining shield belts. The first and second restraining shield belts are fixed to the vehicle ceiling, and the third restraining shield belt is connected between the first two at the bottom of the shield. First and second elongate takeup belts are connected to the bottoms of the first two restraining shield belts. First and second takeup belt retractors are mounted to the body and the takeup belts are received by the retractors. The restraining barrier is held by breakaway fastening means in contact with the ceiling of the vehicle when in stowed position. When a crash occurs, the takeup belts are retracted into their retractors, bringing the restraining barrier to have position in front of a driver or passenger sitting on the vehicle seat(s).

Abstract: A seat system for a crewmember of an aircraft is disclosed which provides support and restraint to the crewmember while in a crouched as well as an erect position. The crewmember is secured by means of a strap harness to an insert which is positioned behind and in contact with the crewmember's back. The insert is rotatably connected to the seat providing multi-axis rotation to the insert relative to the seat. The insert's multi-axis rotation allows the crewmember to turn in the seat while secured to the insert. The insert also has a limited degree of translational movement toward as well as away from its connection to the seat; this allows the crewmember to lean forward, backward and laterally in the seat while still secured to the insert. A mechanism locks the insert into a desired forwardly inclined position. Instead of an insert, however, the crewmember's upper torso may be directly connected, at the crewmember's back, to the seat by means of a strap system or a rigid extendable support member.

Abstract: An installation for the adjustment of the height of a headrest of a vehicle seat, especially of a motor vehicle seat, by means of a motor mounted in or at the vehicle seat, in which a sensor is provided that detects the seating height of a person seated on the vehicle seat in the normal position and controls the motor for the height adjustment of the headrest in accordance with the detection results.

Abstract: A safety device for a vehicle that uses inertia to prevent the upper body of an occupant from colliding with the windshield. A pair of bars are slidingly held to the underside of the vehicle's roof. The bars each have a row of gear teeth in engagement with a semi-circular gear. A net is secured to the semi-circular gears so that as inertia causes the sliding bars to move forward the gears turn and introduce the net between the occupants and the windshield. A ratchet wheel assembly prevents the safety device from moving backwards unless the pawls are manually released.

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: An occupant restraint system which includes a torso-pad and a knee-pad both of which generally conform to and blend with the configuration of a vehicle instrument panel and are interconnected in a manner whereby forceful movement of the knee-pad in a forward direction results in automatic movement of the torso-pad rearwardly towards the passenger seat.

Abstract: A pilot limb retention system for an aircraft ejection seat comprising two main straps, two secondary straps and two nets coupled to the seat. The system includes a stowage assembly and a deployment system for the straps and nets. The stowage assembly comprises two compartments in the seat back and two compartments in the seat pan. The deployment system comprises four inflatable bladders, two adjacent the knees of the pilot on opposite sides of the seat pan and two adjacent the shoulders of the pilot on opposite sides of the seat back. These bladders are also stowed in the compartments and are releasably connected to the main straps.

Abstract: A passive restraint system for use in motor vehicles which is responsive to the closing of a vehicle door to activate the restraining member of the device. The restraining member is hinged to a center-mounted pedestal and is spring-biased to a vertical position. Closing the vehicle door causes a pushrod mounted under the seat to rotate a take-up roller at the base of the pedestal. This in turn winds up a cable attached to the restraining member, causing the member to swing down to a closed, horizontal position. In this position, the restraining member extends across the lap of a vehicle occupant. The position of the restraining member is made adjustable to suit a particular occupant.

Abstract: An ejection seat-mounted system for temporary secure attachment of the li of an aviator or other user to the seat during ejection, preventing limb flail and consequent injury. Initially, two rigid arm restraints are pivotably mounted to the sides of the seat in a nonobstructive raised position, and two rigid leg restraints are mounted at the sides of the seat in a substantially nonobstructive extended position to help keep the aviator's legs in place. After the aviator pulls a D-ring initiating ejection, a first gas generator is fired, causing pivoting of the two seat-mounted arm restraints through 135.degree., and retraction and rotation of the two seat-mounted leg restraints, each of which captures one of the aviator's limbs, draws it to the seat, and holds it in place on or with respect to the seat.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a safety apparatus for use with a motorcycle to aid the rider in avoiding serious injuries due to collisions. An inflatable upwardly extending cocoon envelops the rider either upon impact, or upon his actuation thereof, and dissociates from the motorcycle to travel with the rider should he be thrown off. A housing is provided which unobtrusively rides on the motorcycle and nests the inflatable shroud so that a rider can be protected without having to don any supplemental gear.

Abstract: A motor vehicle with a safety installation for passengers, especially in passenger motor vehicles, with a knee impact element pivotally arranged at fixed vehicle parts which can be brought from a normal position into a position near the knees of the passenger by an actuating device.

Abstract: The shoulder belt retractor is secured to an upper outboard portion of a seat back frame. Under predetermined vehicle deceleration conditions, the seat back is restrained from forward movement by blocking mechanism mounted on the side door so that the seat back and retractor are held stationary and the occupant using the shoulder belt is effectively restrained.

Abstract: Safety apparatus for restraining a seated occupant in a vehicle may comprise a tunnel-shaped body to restrain the lower torso of a large child or an adult, the body providing a base on which a movable chest-restraining panel is pivotally mounted. In the case of a small child, the lower torso restraining means includes an additional seat providing a base, for example, with a separate fixed panel and/or side portions, on which the chest restraining panel is pivotally mounted. The straps at each side of the occupant's body anchor the lower torso restraining means to the vehicle while enabling limited inertial movement relative to the vehicle seat. If the vehicle decelerates suddenly, the occupant's inertia moves the lower torso restraining means away from the seat until the straps are tensioned and act on lever means to pivot the chest restraining panel into its operative position. Either the lever means, or other locking means, may act as a stop to prevent return movement of the chest restraining panel.

Abstract: A passive restraint system is provided with a head restraint which is shiftable along with a torso restraint from a stowed position to an operative position for limiting movement of the head and neck at the time of an accident. The preferred head restraint element is an energy absorbing cushion or pillow-like member which is shifted from its stowed position beneath the dashboard of the vehicle by a cable means to the operative position at which it engages the chin of the vehicle occupant. Preferably, a pivotally mounted knee restraint element is likewise shifted to an operative position against the knees of the vehicle occupant to limit the forward and downward movement of the occupant relative to the seat. Each of the restraint elements is returned by retracting it to a stowed position and is available for reuse.

Abstract: A horizontal passenger-restraining padded buffer (FIGS. 1 and 2) extends transversely across the front portion of the automobile passenger compartment adjacent to and overlying the cowl. This buffer is mounted on the outer ends of the piston rods of a pair of rearwardly-facing pneumatic cylinders tiltably mounted in spaced parallel relationship on the fire wall of the vehicle. The rearward chambers of the cylinders contain air and the normal retracting positions of the pistons are adjacent the forward ends of the cylinders. Secured to the forward end of each cylinder and communicating with the forward chamber thereof is an explosive gas generator which contains a cartridge chamber for a pistol blank cartridge adapted to be fired by a reciprocable firing pin actuated by an electrical solenoid to the armature of which it is attached.