US3810656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle body energy absorbing panel
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1973-02-26
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Granted: 1974-05-14
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Expires: 1993-02-26
Abstract
Abstract An elongated energy absorbing panel extends between the side pillars of a vehicle body in proximity to the upper seat back edge of the vehicle front seat so as to function as a headrest for front seat occupants and a frontal restraint for rear seat occupants. Each panel end supports a channel member extending longitudinally of the vehicle and opening to an opposed channel member on the adjacent side pillar, and slide members slidably interconnect each pair of these channel members so that the panel is supported for both forward and rearward movement. A first pair of die and draw rod arrangements are respectively mounted between the side pillars and the panel ends, and absorb a controlled level of energy during forward panel movement so as to cushion the frontal restraint provided for rear seat occupants. Tongue and slot connections of these arrangements slidably release them from their mounted relationship during rearward panel movement so they do not limit such rearward movement. A similar second pair of die and draw rod arrangements are likewise mounted between the side pillars and the panel ends, but are oriented in the opposite direction to the first pair so that they absorb energy during rearward panel movement and are slidably released from their mounted relationship during forward panel movement so as not to limit such forward movement. Two outboard knee pads and one center one are mounted on the vehicle floor below the panel and are movable forwardly during an impact upon engagement thereof by the knees of a forwardly moving rear seat occupant. Deformable slide strap arrangements extend between the outboard knee pads and the side pillars respectively adjacent to them so as to be deformed by such forward knee pad movement and to thereby absorb energy. The center knee pad is also provided with a suitable energy absorbing device to cushion its forward movement.
Inventors
- 👤 R Fox
- 👤 K Truran
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:26
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/24; B60N2/42; B60N2/4207; B60N2/4214; B60N2/4228; B60N2/4249; B60N2/427; B60N2/42709; B60N2/80; B60N2/888; B60R21/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
In a vehicle body defining an occupant compartment and having side pillars extending vertically at each side of this compartment intermediate the forward and rearward ends thereof, the combination comprising, an elongated panel extending between the side pillars of the vehicle body within the occupant compartment, means mounting each end of the panel on the adjacent side pillar to allow forward or rearward panel movement, a first pair of die and draw rod arrangements, each of which is mounted between a respective end of the panel and the adjacent side pillar so as to absorb energy during forward panel movement, a second pair of die and draw rod arrangements, each of which is mounted between a respective end of the panel and the adjacent side pillar so as to absorb energy during rearward panel movement, means for releasing the first pair of die and draw rod arrangements from their mounted relationship between the panel and the side pillars as the panel moves rearwardly so that these arrangements do not limit rearward panel movement, and means for releasing the second pair of die and draw rod arrangements from their mounted relationships between the panel and the side pillars as the panel moves forwardly so that these arrangements do not limit forward panel movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
In a vehicle body defining an occupant compartment and having side pillars extending vertically at each side of this compartment intermediate the forward and rearward ends thereof, the combination comprising, an elongated panel extending between the side pillars of the vehicle body within the occupant compartment, means mounting each end of the panel on the adjacent side pillar to allow forward or rearward panel movement, a first pair of die and draw rod arrangements, each of which is mounted between a respective end of the panel and the adjacent side pillar so as to absorb energy during forward panel movement, a second pair of die and draw rod arrangements, each of which is mounted between a respective end of the panel and the adjacent side pillar so as to absorb energy during rearward panel movement, means for releasing the first pair of die and draw rod arrangements from their mounted relationship between the panel and the side pillars as the panel moves rearwardly so that these arrangements do not limit rearward panel movement, and means for releasing the second pair of die and draw rod arrangements from their mounted relationships between the panel and the side pillars as the panel moves forwardly so that these arrangements do not limit forward panel movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
222 words
In a vehicle body defining an occupant compartment and having side pillars extending vertically at each side of this compartment intermediate the forward and rearward ends thereof, the combination comprising, an elongated panel extending between the side pillars of the vehicle body within the occupant compartment, elongated slide means locatEd between each end of the panel and the adjacent side pillar so as to support the panel for forward or rearward panel movement, a first pair of die and draw rod arrangements, each of which is mounted between a respective end of the panel and the adjacent side pillar so as to absorb energy during forward panel movement, a second pair of die and draw rod arrangements, each of which is mounted between a respective end of the panel and the adjacent side pillar so as to absorb energy during rearward panel movement, slidable means for releasing the first pair of die and draw rod arrangements from their mounted relationship between the panel and the side pillars as the panel moves rearwardly so that these arrangements do not limit rearward panel movement, and slidable means for releasing the second pair of die and draw rod arrangements from their mounted relationship between the panel and the side pillars as the panel moves forwardly so that these arrangements do not limit forward panel movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
222 words
In a vehicle body defining an occupant compartment and having side pillars extending vertically at each side of this compartment intermediate the forward and rearward ends thereof, the combination comprising, an elongated panel extending between the side pillars of the vehicle body within the occupant compartment, elongated slide means locatEd between each end of the panel and the adjacent side pillar so as to support the panel for forward or rearward panel movement, a first pair of die and draw rod arrangements, each of which is mounted between a respective end of the panel and the adjacent side pillar so as to absorb energy during forward panel movement, a second pair of die and draw rod arrangements, each of which is mounted between a respective end of the panel and the adjacent side pillar so as to absorb energy during rearward panel movement, slidable means for releasing the first pair of die and draw rod arrangements from their mounted relationship between the panel and the side pillars as the panel moves rearwardly so that these arrangements do not limit rearward panel movement, and slidable means for releasing the second pair of die and draw rod arrangements from their mounted relationship between the panel and the side pillars as the panel moves forwardly so that these arrangements do not limit forward panel movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
358 words
In a vehicle body including a floor supporting a front seat intermediate the forward and rearward ends of the occupant compartment thereof, and having side pillars extending vertically at each lateral side of this seat, the combination comprising: an elongated panel extending between the side pillars in proximity to an upper portion of the seat back of the front seat so as to serve as a headrest for a front seat occupant and a frontal restraint for a rear seat occupant, the panel being maintained in spaced relationship to the floor of the vehicle body; elongated slide means located between each end of the panel and the adjacent side pillar and including a pair of opposed channel members at each panel end, one of which is mounted on the adjacent side pillar and one of which is mounted on the panel end, and a slide member slidably interconnecting each pair of opposed channel members to support the panel for forward or rearward movement; a first pair of die and draw rod arrangements, each of which includes tongue and slot means slidably mounting it between a respective end of the panel and the adjacent side pillar so as to absorb energy during forward panel movement and so as to be slidably released from its mounted relationship as the panel moves rearwardly such that these arrangements do not limit rearward panel movement; a second pair of die and draw rod arrangements, each of which includes tongue and slot means slidably mounting it between a respective end of the panel and the adjacent side pillar so as to absorb energy during rearward panel movement and so as to be slidably released from its mounted relationship as the panel moves forwardly such that these arrangements do not limit forward panel movement; and a pair of outboard knee pads and a center one, each of which is mounted on the vehicle body floor generally below the panel for movement forwardly relative to the vehicle body upon engagement thereof by the knees of an occupant, and each of which includes an energy absorbing device for cushioning the forward movement of its associated knee pad.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
358 words
In a vehicle body including a floor supporting a front seat intermediate the forward and rearward ends of the occupant compartment thereof, and having side pillars extending vertically at each lateral side of this seat, the combination comprising: an elongated panel extending between the side pillars in proximity to an upper portion of the seat back of the front seat so as to serve as a headrest for a front seat occupant and a frontal restraint for a rear seat occupant, the panel being maintained in spaced relationship to the floor of the vehicle body; elongated slide means located between each end of the panel and the adjacent side pillar and including a pair of opposed channel members at each panel end, one of which is mounted on the adjacent side pillar and one of which is mounted on the panel end, and a slide member slidably interconnecting each pair of opposed channel members to support the panel for forward or rearward movement; a first pair of die and draw rod arrangements, each of which includes tongue and slot means slidably mounting it between a respective end of the panel and the adjacent side pillar so as to absorb energy during forward panel movement and so as to be slidably released from its mounted relationship as the panel moves rearwardly such that these arrangements do not limit rearward panel movement; a second pair of die and draw rod arrangements, each of which includes tongue and slot means slidably mounting it between a respective end of the panel and the adjacent side pillar so as to absorb energy during rearward panel movement and so as to be slidably released from its mounted relationship as the panel moves forwardly such that these arrangements do not limit forward panel movement; and a pair of outboard knee pads and a center one, each of which is mounted on the vehicle body floor generally below the panel for movement forwardly relative to the vehicle body upon engagement thereof by the knees of an occupant, and each of which includes an energy absorbing device for cushioning the forward movement of its associated knee pad.
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) | 1977-05-13 | 1977-11-12 | 1978-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-13 | 1981-11-12 | 1982-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-13 | 1985-11-12 | 1986-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |