US3843155A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motor vehicles incorporating means for protecting the occupants in the event of collision accidents
Assignee: SCIENCE NIGHTINGALE INT Ltd
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Filing: 1971-08-31
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Granted: 1974-10-22
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Expires: 1991-08-31
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to the incorporation of means in motor vehicles for protecting the occupants as a result of collisions. Paddings are provided in front of the occupant and these are so shaped as to conform to the human lateral profile in the natural long-jump or broad jump posture. Moreover, the paddings have a horizontal top area for impact by the head, face and upper chest, a central rounded rearwardly projecting area for impact by the lower chest and abdomen and a first underneath substantially horizontal area for contact by the thighs and a sloping downwards area for contact by the lower legs. The front to back dimension of the horizontal top area is such that the occupant''s head cannot reach the windscreen when his upper torso and head is resting on the said area.
Inventors
- 👤 D Foster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:08
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/04; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/26005; B60R21/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
In a motor vehicle having a seat for supporting an occupant, the improvement which comprises resilient paddings in front of said seat, which paddings are so shaped as to conform to the lateral profile of a human occupant supported by said seat in the natural long-jump posture, said paddings having a relatively horizontal top area positioned to be contacted by the head, face and upper chest, a central rounded rearwardly-projecting area positioned to be contacted by the lower chest and abdomen, a first underneath substantially horizontal area positioned to be contactEd by the greater part of the length of the thighs, and a second underneath area sloping downwardly and forwardly at a distinct angle to said first underneath area and shaped and positioned to be contacted by the greater part of the length of the lower legs of said occupant when said occupant is thrown forward from said seat toward said padding with said legs in said long-jump posture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
In a motor vehicle having a seat for supporting an occupant, the improvement which comprises resilient paddings in front of said seat, which paddings are so shaped as to conform to the lateral profile of a human occupant supported by said seat in the natural long-jump posture, said paddings having a relatively horizontal top area positioned to be contacted by the head, face and upper chest, a central rounded rearwardly-projecting area positioned to be contacted by the lower chest and abdomen, a first underneath substantially horizontal area positioned to be contactEd by the greater part of the length of the thighs, and a second underneath area sloping downwardly and forwardly at a distinct angle to said first underneath area and shaped and positioned to be contacted by the greater part of the length of the lower legs of said occupant when said occupant is thrown forward from said seat toward said padding with said legs in said long-jump posture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dimension of said relatively horizontal top area, rearwardly from the vehicle windshield, is longer than the upper torso and head of a human being.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1 in which said dimension of said substantially horizontal top area in front of the occupant is 30 inches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1 comprising a fixed footrest so positioned that the occupant''s feet make contact with it before the main part of the body impacts said paddings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1 comprising a sliding footrest with a limit stop which prevents the occupant''s body from rising upward due to foot friction but secures foot-first retardation action.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coefficient of restitution of said paddings is not greater than .05.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least the upper part of said paddings have a relatively stiff resilient inner position and a distinct resilient softer outer portion such that when struck by an occupant''s head at the Safe Medical Standard established for the head in terms of maximum G-values, the load on the eyeball, apart from inertial forces from the eyeball, does not exceed five pounds and in which the load on the nose does not exceed 50 pounds.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least the upper part of said paddings have a relatively stiff resilient inner portion and a distinct resilient softer outer portion consisting of a zone between 1 inch and 1 1/2 inches deep from the outer surface and characterized in that its resistance to compression is not more thatn 25 pounds per square inch when measured at 1/2 inch compression over an area of approximately 20 square inches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the paddings have radius of curvature of the for contacting either the lower or upper leg of not less than 30 inches.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the zone of the paddings immediately opposite the occupant''s abdomen and chest is concave to secure greater load spreading over a greater area of the body and to relieve the pressure on the frontal part of the abdomen.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said paddings are of a multi-functional construction to divide them into at least two zone, one outer zone constituting a critical initial zone to absorb the energy of sharp impact, and a second inner zone to absorb any residual energy dissipated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the paddings incorporate a lap bench which includes an underlying former that itself provides further energy-absorbing and distorting characteristics.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the paddings incorporate a lap bench which is of construction similar to its padded surface, its main volume being of foamed plastics construction having energy-absorbing properties.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the paddings lap bench comprises a main volume and a surface portion, the main volume and the surface portion being of distinctly different energy-absorbing materials.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 14, wherein said main volume comprises a former of sheet material that allows a predetermined amount of distortion on impact, upon which former are mounted surface padding materials.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 15, wherein said former is made of expanded metal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 26, wherein said former is made of slotted metal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 15, comprising a second more rigid backing former against which said first mentioned former is distortable.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 18, wherein said lap bench comprises a surface layer of padding materials behind which is located a bag containing a compressible material behind which is supported by a rigid backing former.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 2 comprising a footrest, in which the padding is geometrically and kinetically arranged to take the impact of an occupant thrown forwardly against it progressively from the feet upwards, viz: in the order of: feet, lower legs, thighs, pelvis, abdomen, chest and head.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1 comprising, an add-on unit consisting of a seat having a back extended upwardly beyond a child''s head level and a cushioned buffer or bench for location in front of the child.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
73 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1 including, means for protecting the rear passenger of a motor vehicle which comprises a cushion or buffer adapted to be fitted to the rear of the front seat or seats of a vehicle to surround the whole of the back thereof, and having a rearwardly projecting padded portion adapted to receive and cushion the body of a rear passenger in the event of a collision.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1 comprising, a unitary former assembly with padded coverings adapted to be fitted to the dash or other similar part in front of the front passenger of the motor vehicle, but otherwise constructed to fulfil a cushion-buffer effect.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 1 comprising a cushion or buffering unit fixed to the vehicle steering wheel.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
97 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 2 wherein said occupant''s seat is mounted on slide means for movement between a normal rearward location and a forward location in which an occupant of said seat is brought into contact with said paddings in a controlled position, said slide means sloping upward from the rear toward the front of the seat so that inertia retains said seat in said normal location under normal conditions but causes said seat to slide forward into said forward position when subjected to a predetermined load in the event of gross vehicle retardation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
49 words
A motor vehicle as claimed in claim 25 which comprises releasable means for automatically retaining said seat in said forward position so as to hold a person in said seat against said padding once said seat has been thrown forward, in the event of any secondary collision or roll-over.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-21 | 1978-04-22 | 1978-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-21 | 1982-04-22 | 1982-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-21 | 1986-04-22 | 1986-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |