Patent US3799576A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3799576A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety device for vehicle occupants
Assignee: Volkswagen AG
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Filing: 1972-04-20
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1992-04-20
Abstract
Abstract A safety device is disclosed for use in a vehicle for protecting an occupant from being thrown against the structure of the vehicle in the event of a collision. The device comprises an impact member which is movable, upon the occurrence of a collision, from a retracted rest position to an extended position at which it is adapted to absorb the impact of the occupant. Movement of the member is effected by a pressure source coupled to a piston-cylinder assembly associated with the member. A collision sensor actuates the pressure source. The impact member may be secured to a relatively gas-tight envelope, also pressurized, to afford enhanced protection. In a preferred form, the envelope includes a peripheral groove for engaging a coacting frame member to restrain the impact member at the extended position.
Inventors
- 👤 E Fiala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:13
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R2021/0206; B60R2021/0233; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/215; B60R2021/21525; B60R21/04; B60R21/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
An impact-absorbing safety device for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from being thrown against the structure of the vehicle in the event of a collision comprising: an impact member movable towards the occupant between a retracted, rest position and an extended position at which it is adapted to absorb the impact of the occupant; means adapted to be pressurized for moving the impact member to the extended position and comprising cylinder means mounted on the vehicle structure and piston means carried by the impact member and slidably received within the cylinder means; envelope means on the one side secured to an annular member positioned around the cylinder means and slidable therealong upon movement of the impact member to the extended position and on the other side secured to the impact member and defining therewith a relatively gas-tight enclosure on the side thereof away from the occupant; means for pressurizing the cylinder means and moving the piston means out of the cylinder means towards the occupant, thereby also pressurizing the envelope means to provide a further impact absorbing capability; and means responsive to the occurrence of a collision for actuating the pressurizing means, thereby causing the impact member to be moved rapidly to the extended position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
An impact-absorbing safety device for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from being thrown against the structure of the vehicle in the event of a collision comprising: an impact member movable towards the occupant between a retracted, rest position and an extended position at which it is adapted to absorb the impact of the occupant; means adapted to be pressurized for moving the impact member to the extended position and comprising cylinder means mounted on the vehicle structure and piston means carried by the impact member and slidably received within the cylinder means; envelope means on the one side secured to an annular member positioned around the cylinder means and slidable therealong upon movement of the impact member to the extended position and on the other side secured to the impact member and defining therewith a relatively gas-tight enclosure on the side thereof away from the occupant; means for pressurizing the cylinder means and moving the piston means out of the cylinder means towards the occupant, thereby also pressurizing the envelope means to provide a further impact absorbing capability; and means responsive to the occurrence of a collision for actuating the pressurizing means, thereby causing the impact member to be moved rapidly to the extended position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: releasable means for initially restraining the impact member in the rest position; and means responsive to the supply of pressure to the impact member moving means for releasing the restraining means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein: the restraining means comprises a frangible member coupling the impact member to the vehicle structure; and the releasing means comprises spring-biased knife means for severing the frangible member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the impact member comprises a plate having cushioning on the side facing the occupant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pressurizing means comprises a gas generating source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for coupling the annular member to the impact member upon movement of the impact member to the extended position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for restraining the impact member at the extended position, said means including: an overhanging frame member positioned in surrounding relation to the envelope means and rigidly secured to the vehicle structure; and means defining a peripheral groove in the envelope means, said groove being adapted to engage the overhanging frame member when the impact member is at the extended position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for restraining the impact member at the extended position, said means including: a. an overhanging frame member positioned in surrounding relation to the envelope means and rigidly secured to the vehicle structure; and b. means defining a peripheral groove in the envelope means, said groove being adapted to engage the overhanging frame member when the impact member is at the extended position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
143 words
An impact-absorbing safety device for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from being thrown against the structure of the vehicle in the event of a collision comprising: an impact member movable towards the occupant between a retracted, rest position and an extended Position at which it is adapted to absorb the impact of the occupant; means adapted to be pressurized for moving the impact member to the extended position; means for pressurizing the impact member moving means; means responsive to the occurrence of a collision for actuating the pressurizing means, thereby causing the impact member to be moved rapidly to the extended position; a frangible member coupling the impact member to the vehicle strucure and initially restraining the impact member in the rest position; and a spinrg-biased knife responsive to the supply of pressure to the impact member for severing the frangible member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
143 words
An impact-absorbing safety device for protecting an occupant of a vehicle from being thrown against the structure of the vehicle in the event of a collision comprising: an impact member movable towards the occupant between a retracted, rest position and an extended Position at which it is adapted to absorb the impact of the occupant; means adapted to be pressurized for moving the impact member to the extended position; means for pressurizing the impact member moving means; means responsive to the occurrence of a collision for actuating the pressurizing means, thereby causing the impact member to be moved rapidly to the extended position; a frangible member coupling the impact member to the vehicle strucure and initially restraining the impact member in the rest position; and a spinrg-biased knife responsive to the supply of pressure to the impact member for severing the frangible member.
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) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |