US3759343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle safety device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-05-04
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Granted: 1973-09-18
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Expires: 1992-05-04
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure relates to a vehicle occupant restraint device. The device comprises a resilient pad for restraining the occupant, a transversely extending rigid support crossmember for disposing the pad in spaced proximity to the occupant''s torso and a horizontal adjustment mechanism which permits adjustment of the horizontal spacing between the occupant''s torso and the pad while preserving the disposition of the pad in an attitude parallel to the transverse general plane of the occupant''s torso. The device also may include an automatic operation system for positively restraining an occupant on accident impact. This automatic operation system may include means for facilitating disengagement of the adjustment mechanism during its operation.
Inventors
- 👤 J Monaghan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:53
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R2021/0206; B60R2021/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A vehicle safety device adapted for ultra-rapidly restraining a vehicle occupant from movement comprising: a resilient restraint pad; a support assembly for supporting said pad; said pad being attached to the support assembly; a positioning and holding mechanism for adjustably positioning and holding said pad in an optimal position in front of and in proximity with a vehicle occupant''s torso, said positioning and holding mechanism including a clutch mechanism with a substantially rotationally-fixed clutch surface and a rotatable clutch surface, said support assembly being rotatable with said rotatable clutch surface, said rotatable clutch surface being engagable with said substantially rotationally-fixed clutch surface in a locked position; said positioning and holding mechanism operatively connecting said support to said vehicle; sensing means for sensing a vehicle accident event; release means for applying a positive disengaging force to at least one of said clutch surfaces; said release means being actuable by said sensing means; power means for moving said restraint pad into contacting engagement with the occupant; said power means being actuable by said sensing means; switching means for actuating said release means and said power means; and said switching means actuating upon the sensing of an accident event by said sensing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A vehicle safety device adapted for ultra-rapidly restraining a vehicle occupant from movement comprising: a resilient restraint pad; a support assembly for supporting said pad; said pad being attached to the support assembly; a positioning and holding mechanism for adjustably positioning and holding said pad in an optimal position in front of and in proximity with a vehicle occupant''s torso, said positioning and holding mechanism including a clutch mechanism with a substantially rotationally-fixed clutch surface and a rotatable clutch surface, said support assembly being rotatable with said rotatable clutch surface, said rotatable clutch surface being engagable with said substantially rotationally-fixed clutch surface in a locked position; said positioning and holding mechanism operatively connecting said support to said vehicle; sensing means for sensing a vehicle accident event; release means for applying a positive disengaging force to at least one of said clutch surfaces; said release means being actuable by said sensing means; power means for moving said restraint pad into contacting engagement with the occupant; said power means being actuable by said sensing means; switching means for actuating said release means and said power means; and said switching means actuating upon the sensing of an accident event by said sensing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A safety device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said release means includes a fluid jet for applying fluid pressure to positively disengage at least one of said clutch surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A safety device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said release means includes a fluid jet for applying fluid pressure to said clutch surfaces to positively separate and disengage the same.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A safety device in accordance with claim 3, wherein said device includes a transverse pivot rigidly attached to said vehicle; and said support assembly is rotatably mounted on said pivot for rotation in a longitudinally extending, vertical plane, said clutch mechanism being disposed for coacting between said pivot and said support assembly for releasably locking the support assembly with respect to said pivot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A safety device in accordance with claim 4, wherein said substantially rotationally-fixed clutch surface is rigidly attached to said pivot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A safety device in accordance with claim 4, wherein said support assembly is slidably mounted on said pivot to permit shifting movement of said assembly in a length-wise direction along said pivot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A safety device in accordance with claim 6, wherein said support assembly includes bearings which engage said pivot and facilitate said shifting movement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
A safety device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said release means is fluid-operated, and said power means comprises, a source of pressurized fluid, a fluid-operated motor operatively associated with said support assembly for rotating said assembly upon actuation, and a control valve actuated by said switching means for selectively applying pressurized fluid froM said source to said fluid-operated motor and said release means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A safety device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said power means further includes a timing means operatively associated with said switching means for actuating said fluid-operated motor and said release means at different times.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-17 | 1977-03-19 | 1977-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-17 | 1981-03-19 | 1981-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-17 | 1985-03-19 | 1985-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |