Restraining device for a vehicle passenger

Claim 2

In a vehicle having a seat for an occupant, safety apparatus for restraining movement of said occupant caused by said vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a. mounting means fixed alongside said seat, b. a rigid arm pivotally supported by said mounting means, said arm having a free end portion extending across said seat for arcuate movement relative thereto, c. restraining means fixed to the free end portion of said arm for acting against the chest of said occupant, d. means for lightly biasing said restraining means towards said occupant''s chest, and e. means for automatically locking said arm when said occupant is subjected to sudden movement caused by said vehicle, said arm being movable by said occupant against said light bias except when said arm is locked.

Claim 3

Safety apparatus according to claim 1 including recoiless energy absorption means for exerting a retarding force on said arm when locked.

Claim 4

Safety apparatus according to claim 1 including collapsible means coupled to said arm, said collapsible means having a compressional resistance for retarding said arm when said occupant exerts a force thereon because of said sudden movement.

Claim 5

Safety apparatus according to claim 1 in which said automatic locking means comprises a mass which moves, due to its inertia when said vehicle exerts said sudden movement, to cause said arm to be locked.

Claim 6

Safety apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said automatic locking means comprises a toothed member coupled to said arm, a locking pawl having teeth for engaging said toothed member and means for causing relative movement between said pawl and said toothed member to cause locking engagement therebetween when said sudden movement is caused by said vehicle.

Claim 7

Safety apparatus according to claim 1 including means for securing said arm in an inoperative position in which said restraining means is spaced from said occupant''s chest and means for releasing said arm from said securing means whereupon said arm is lightly biased against said occupant''s chest.

Claim 8

In a vehicle having a seat for an occupant, safety apparatus for restraining movement of said occupant caused by said vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a. mounting means fixed alongside said seat, b. a rigid arm pivotally supported by said mounting means, said arm having a free end portion extending across said seat for arcuate movement relative thereto, c. restraining means fixed to the free end portion of said arm for acting against the chest of said occupant, d. means for lightly biasing said restraining means towards said occupant''s chest, e. means for automatically locking said arm when said occupant is subjected to sudden movement caused by said vehicle, said arm being movable by said occupant against said light bias except when said arm is locked, and f. frictional braking means coupled to said arm for exerting a retarding force on said occupant when said arm is locked.

Claim 9

In a vehicle having a seat for an occupant, safety apparatus for restraining movement of said occupant caused by said vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a. mounting means fixed alongside said seat, b. a rigid arm pivotally supported by said mounting means, said arm having a free end portion extending across said seat for arcuate movement relative thereto, c. restraining means fixed to the free end portion of said arm for acting against the chest of said occupant, d. means for lightly biasing said restraining means towards said occupant''s chest, e. means for automatically locking said arm when said occupant is subjected to sudden movement caused by said vehicle, said arm being movable by said occupant against said light bias except when said arm is locked, and f. frictional braking means coupled to said arm for exerting a retarding force on said occupant when said arm is locked.

Claim 10

Safety apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said frictional braking means comprises a pair of brake pads spaced by a member which is driven by said arm when locked.

Claim 11

Safety apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said member is shaped so as to increase the retarding force exerted thereon by said brake pads when said locked arm moves arcuately.

Claim 12

Safety apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said member is mounted on, and extends radially from, said pivotal support, the thickness of sAid member increasing along a path of movement between said brake pads whereby said increased retarding force is exerted.

Claim 13

Safety apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said automatic locking means is mounted on said member.

Claim 14

Safety apparatus according to claim 11 wherein a toothed element is fixed to said arm and said automatic locking means comprises a locking pawl having teeth to engage said toothed element and means for causing relative movement between said pawl and said toothed element to cause locking engagement therebetween when said sudden movement is caused by said vehicle.

Claim 15

Safety apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said means for causing relative movement comprises a weight attached to said pawl, said weight being located so as to pivot said pawl to cause said locking engagement when said sudden movement is caused by said vehicle.

Claim 16

In a vehicle having a seat for an occupant, safety apparatus for restraining movement of said occupant caused by said vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a. mounting means fixed alongisde said seat, b. a rigid arm pivotally supported by said mounting means, said arm having a free end portion extending across said seat for arcuate movement relative thereto. c. restraining means fixed to the free end portion of said arm for acting against the chest of said occupant, d. means for lightly biasing said restraining means towards said occupant''s chest, e. means for automatically locking said arm when said occupant is subjected to sudden movement caused by said vehicle, said arm being movable by said occupant against said light bias except when said arm is locked, said automatic locking means comprising a toothed member driven by said arm, a locking pawl having teeth for engaging said toothed member and means for causing relative movement between said pawl and said toothed member to cause locking engagement therebetween when said sudden movement is caused by said vehicle, and f. a collapsible sleeve coupled between said automatic locking means and said arm for exerting a retarding force on said occupant when said arm is locked.

Claim 17

In a vehicle having a seat for an occupant, safety apparatus for restraining movement of said occupant caused by said vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a. mounting means fixed alongisde said seat, b. a rigid arm pivotally supported by said mounting means, said arm having a free end portion extending across said seat for arcuate movement relative thereto. c. restraining means fixed to the free end portion of said arm for acting against the chest of said occupant, d. means for lightly biasing said restraining means towards said occupant''s chest, e. means for automatically locking said arm when said occupant is subjected to sudden movement caused by said vehicle, said arm being movable by said occupant against said light bias except when said arm is locked, said automatic locking means comprising a toothed member driven by said arm, a locking pawl having teeth for engaging said toothed member and means for causing relative movement between said pawl and said toothed member to cause locking engagement therebetween when said sudden movement is caused by said vehicle, and f. a collapsible sleeve coupled between said automatic locking means and said arm for exerting a retarding force on said occupant when said arm is locked.

Claim 18

Safety apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said biasing means comprises a self-retracting linkage, said toothed member being driven by said linkage and said arm being coupled to said linkage.

Claim 19

Safety apparatus according to claim 14 including means for securing said arm in an inoperative position in which said restraining means is spaced from said occupant''s chest and means for releasing said arm from said securing means whereby said restraining means is lightly biased against said occupant''s chest.

Claim 20

Safety apparatus according to claim 16 in which said securing means comprises a solenoid operated latch and said releasing means comprises a switch actuated in response to energization of an ignition circuit of the vehicle.

Claim 21

Safety apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said arm is cranked and said restraining means is a pad fixed to said free end portion.

Claim 22

Safety apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the base of said pad is of increased width for acting against the abdomen and thighs of said occupant to improve said restraint particularly in a vehicle rollover.