Vehicle safety device

Claim 2

A reusable vehicle safety device adapted for restraining a vehicle driver from movement and being particularly adapted to permit the driver to vacate his seat in either lateral direction without delay in order to minimize entrapment, said device being capable of operation to emplace, position or remove the same by using one hand, said device comprising, a resilient restraint pad, a transversely extending rigid crossmember supporting said pad thereon, adjustment means for manually adjusting said restraint pad between a restraint position in front of and in close proximity to the driver''s torso, and a retracted storage position permitting said driver to vacate his seat in either lateral direction, said adjustment means operatively connecting said transverse crossmember to said vehicle and including, a transversely extending pivot shaft mounted on said vehicle, a rotatable support arm pivotally connected at one end thereof to said pivot shaft to permit rotation of said rotatable arm in a longitudinally extending vertical plane disposed between the occupant''s torso and the vehicle''s adjacent exterior, between said storage position rearwardly of said driver and a holding position forwardly of said driver, said support arm pivotally connected at the other end thereof to said crossmember to permit rotation of said restraint pad in a transversely extending vertical plane, between said restraint position and said holding position, and a clutch mechanism for releasably locking said device in said restraint position and in said holding position, said clutch mechanism including manually actuated release means on said crossmember for releasing said clutch mechanism to enable movement of said device, whereby said device may be moved between said restraint position, said holding position, and said storage position by said driver actuating said release means and moving said device with one hand, sensing means for sensing a vehicle accident event effective when said restraint pad is in said restraint position, power means for moving said restraint pad from said restraint position into contacting engagement with said driver, and actuation means for actuating said release means to release said clutch mechanism and actuate said power means upon the sensing of an accident event by said sensing means to move said restraint pad into contact with said driver.

Claim 3

A reusable vehicle safety device adapted for restraining a vehicle driver from movement and being particularly adapted to permit the driver to vacate his seat in either lateral direction without delay in order to minimize entrapment, said device being capable of operation to emplace, position or remove the same by using one hand, said device comprising, a resilient restraint pad, a transversely extending rigid crossmember suppOrting said pad thereon, adjustment means for manually adjusting said restraint pad between a restraint position in front of and in close proximity to the driver''s torso, and a retracted storage position permitting said driver to vacate his seat in either lateral direction, said adjustment means operatively connecting said transverse crossmember to said vehicle and including a transversely extending pivot shaft mounted on said vehicle, a rotatable support arm pivotally connected to one end thereof to said pivot shaft to permit rotation of said rotatable arm in a longitudinally extending vertical plane disposed between the occupant''s torso and the vehicle''s adjacent exterior, between said storage position rearwardly of said driver and a holding position forwardly of said driver, said support arm pivotally connected at the other end thereof to said crossmember to permit rotation of said restraint pad in a transversely extending vertical plane, between said restraint position and said holding position, and a clutch mechanism for releasably locking said device in said restraint position and in said holding position, said clutch mechanism including manually actuated release means on said crossmember for releasing said clutch mechanism to enable movement of said device, whereby said device may be moved between said restraint position, said holding position, and said storage position by said driver actuating said release means and moving said device with one hand.

Claim 4

A reusable vehicle safety device adapted for restraining a vehicle driver from movement and being particularly adapted to permit the driver to vacate his seat in either lateral direction without delay in order to minimize entrapment, said device being capable of operation to emplace, position or remove the same by using one hand, said device comprising, a resilient restraint pad, a transversely extending rigid crossmember suppOrting said pad thereon, adjustment means for manually adjusting said restraint pad between a restraint position in front of and in close proximity to the driver''s torso, and a retracted storage position permitting said driver to vacate his seat in either lateral direction, said adjustment means operatively connecting said transverse crossmember to said vehicle and including a transversely extending pivot shaft mounted on said vehicle, a rotatable support arm pivotally connected to one end thereof to said pivot shaft to permit rotation of said rotatable arm in a longitudinally extending vertical plane disposed between the occupant''s torso and the vehicle''s adjacent exterior, between said storage position rearwardly of said driver and a holding position forwardly of said driver, said support arm pivotally connected at the other end thereof to said crossmember to permit rotation of said restraint pad in a transversely extending vertical plane, between said restraint position and said holding position, and a clutch mechanism for releasably locking said device in said restraint position and in said holding position, said clutch mechanism including manually actuated release means on said crossmember for releasing said clutch mechanism to enable movement of said device, whereby said device may be moved between said restraint position, said holding position, and said storage position by said driver actuating said release means and moving said device with one hand.

Claim 5

A safety device in accordance with claim 2, wherein a longitudinally extending pivot pin interconnects said crossmember and said rotatable arm to permit said rotation in said transversely extending vertical plane.

Claim 6

A safety device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said manually actuated release means includes a hand grip on said cross member to permit movement of the cross member and actuation of the clutch mechanism by a single hand.

Claim 7

A safety device according to claim 2 wherein, said rotatable support arm interconnected with said transversely extending pivot shaft is secured to said pivot shaft by only a removable lock pin located adjacent the driver''s doorway.

Claim 8

A safety device according to claim 2 wherein, said pivotal connection at said other end includes a first spring means connected between said support arm and said crossmember tending to urge said crossmember and said restraint pad toward said intermediate holding position to facilitate their movement to the holding position.

Claim 9

A safety device according to claim 2 wherein, said adjustment means includes a second spring means operably connected between said pivot shaft and said support arm for urging said support arm in a longitudinal direction toward said driver to facilitate returning said support arm and said restraint pad to the storage position.

Claim 10

A safety device in accordance with claim 2, including means for automatic operation of said restraint pad from said restraint position to a torso contacting position, said means for automatic operation comprising, sensing means for sensing a vehicle accident event effective when said restraint pad is in its restraint position, power means for moving said restraint pad from said restraint position into contacting engagement with the driver, and actuation means for actuating said power means upon the sensing of an accident event by said sensing means.

Claim 11

A safety device according to claim 8, wherein said actuation means includes a switching means for releasing said clutch mechanism and contemporaneously actuating said power means upon the sensing of an accident event by said sensing means.

Claim 12

A safety device in accordance with claim 9, wherein said power means includes a source of pressurized fluid, a fluid-operated cylinder and piston with a rack fixed to said piston, a control valve actuated by said switching means for selectively applying fluid to said cYlinder and piston, a gear rotatably mounted on said transverse pivot in driven relation to said rack, and a torsion spring disposed with one end in driving relation to said rotatable support arm and with the other end in driven relation to said gear.

Claim 13

A safety device in accordance with claim 10, including means for applying a positive force to accelerate said release means to release said clutch mechanism, said power means further includes timing means operatively associated with said switching means for actuating said fluid-operated cylinder and piston and said release means at different times.

Claim 14

A safety device in accordance with claim 9, wherein said means includes means for applying a positive force to accelerate said release means to release said clutch mechanism.

Claim 15

A safety device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said actuation means includes test switch means for actuating said power means for testing the operation of said device.

Claim 16

A safety device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said device includes time extension means for automatically extending the period of actuation of said power means upon the sensing of a plurality of successive vehicle accident events by said sensing means for protecting said occupant during the duration of the accident.

Claim 17

A safety device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said sensing means comprises an impact sensor.

Claim 18

A safety device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said sensing means comprises a distance sensing sensor.

Claim 19

A safety device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said sensing means comprises a deceleration sensor.

Claim 20

A safety device according to claim 8, wherein said release means being actuatable by said sensing means, said release means is fluid operated, said power means comprises a source of pressurized fluid, a fluid operated motor operably associated with said adjustment means for rotating said adjustment mechanism upon actuation thereof, 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 21

A safety device in accordance with claim 18, including switching means for actuating said release means and said power means, said switching means actuating upon the sensing of an accident event by said sensing means, and said power means further includes a timing means operably associated with said switching means for actuating said fluid operated motor and said release means at different times.

Claim 22

A reusable vehicle safety device adapted for restraining the vehicle driver from movement and being particularly adapted for use while driving in a fog comprising, a resilient restraint pad, an adjustment means for operably connecting said restraint pad to a vehicle for manually withdrawing said restraint pad from storage and adjustably positioning said restraint pad in front of and in close proximity with the vehicle driver''s torso, and releasably locking it in that position, means for sequential automatic operation of said restraint pad from said restraint position to a torso contact position, said means for automatic operation comprising, sensing means for sensing a vehicle accident event, power means for moving said restraint pad into contacting engagement with the driver, and actuating means for actuating said power means upon the sensing of an accident event by said sensing means, said sensing means comprising a distance sensing sensor, and said sensor including means for providing a warning of an impending vehicle accident event.

Claim 23

A reusable vehicle safety device adapted for restraining the vehicle driver from movement and being particularly adapted for use while driving in a fog comprising, a resilient restraint pad, an adjustment means for operably connecting said restraint pad to a vehicle for manually withdrawing said restraint pad from storage and adjustably positioning said restraint pad in front of and in close proximity with the vehicle driver''s torso, and releasably locking it in that position, means for sequential automatic operation of said restraint pad from said restraint position to a torso contact position, said means for automatic operation comprising, sensing means for sensing a vehicle accident event, power means for moving said restraint pad into contacting engagement with the driver, and actuating means for actuating said power means upon the sensing of an accident event by said sensing means, said sensing means comprising a distance sensing sensor, and said sensor including means for providing a warning of an impending vehicle accident event.

Claim 24

A reusable vehicle safety device adapted for restraining a vehicle driver from movement and being particularly adapted to permit the driver to vacate his seat in either lateral direction without delay in order to minimize entrapment, said device being capable of operation to emplace, position or remove the same maNually, said device comprising, a resilient restraint pad, a transversely extending rigid crossmember supporting said pad thereon, adjustment means for manually adjusting said restraint pad between a restraint position in front of and in close proximity to the driver''s torso, and a retracted storage position permitting said driver to vacate his seat in either lateral direction, said adjustment means operatively connecting said transverse crossmember to said vehicle and including, a transversely extending pivot shaft mounted on said vehicle, a rotatable support arm pivotally connected at one end thereof to said pivot shaft to permit rotation of said rotatable arm in a longitudinally extending vertical plane disposed between the occupant''s torso and the vehicle''s adjacent exterior, between said storage position rearwardly of said driver and a holding position forwardly of said driver, said support arm pivotally connected at the other end thereof to said crossmember to permit rotation of said restraint pad in a transversely extending vertical plane, between said restraint position and said holding position, and a clutch mechanism for releasably locking said device in said restraint position and in said holding position, said clutch mechanism including manually actuated release means for releasing said clutch mechanism to enable movement of said device, whereby said device may be moved between said restraint position, said holding position and said storage position by said driver actuating said release means and moving said device, hand grip means on said crossmember for moving said crossmember and said restraint pad to said holding position in said transversely extending vertical plane, said pivotal connection at said other end of said support arm including a first spring means connected between said support arm and said crossmember tending to urge said crossmember and said restraint pad toward said holding position to facilitate the movement to the holding position, and said adjustment means including a second spring means operably connected between said pivot shaft and said support arm for urging said support arm in a longitudinal direction toward said driver to facilitate returning said support arm and said restraint pad to the storage position, and to restrain said support arm against forward motion when in said storage position.

Claim 25

A reusable vehicle safety device adapted for restraining a vehicle driver from movement and being particularly adapted to permit the driver to vacate his seat in either lateral direction without delay in order to minimize entrapment, said device being capable of operation to emplace, position or remove the same maNually, said device comprising, a resilient restraint pad, a transversely extending rigid crossmember supporting said pad thereon, adjustment means for manually adjusting said restraint pad between a restraint position in front of and in close proximity to the driver''s torso, and a retracted storage position permitting said driver to vacate his seat in either lateral direction, said adjustment means operatively connecting said transverse crossmember to said vehicle and including, a transversely extending pivot shaft mounted on said vehicle, a rotatable support arm pivotally connected at one end thereof to said pivot shaft to permit rotation of said rotatable arm in a longitudinally extending vertical plane disposed between the occupant''s torso and the vehicle''s adjacent exterior, between said storage position rearwardly of said driver and a holding position forwardly of said driver, said support arm pivotally connected at the other end thereof to said crossmember to permit rotation of said restraint pad in a transversely extending vertical plane, between said restraint position and said holding position, and a clutch mechanism for releasably locking said device in said restraint position and in said holding position, said clutch mechanism including manually actuated release means for releasing said clutch mechanism to enable movement of said device, whereby said device may be moved between said restraint position, said holding position and said storage position by said driver actuating said release means and moving said device, hand grip means on said crossmember for moving said crossmember and said restraint pad to said holding position in said transversely extending vertical plane, said pivotal connection at said other end of said support arm including a first spring means connected between said support arm and said crossmember tending to urge said crossmember and said restraint pad toward said holding position to facilitate the movement to the holding position, and said adjustment means including a second spring means operably connected between said pivot shaft and said support arm for urging said support arm in a longitudinal direction toward said driver to facilitate returning said support arm and said restraint pad to the storage position, and to restrain said support arm against forward motion when in said storage position.

Claim 26

A reusable vehicle safety device adapted for restraining a vehicle driver from movement and being particularly adapted to permit the driver to vacate his seat in either lateral direction without delay in order to minimize entrapment, said device being capable of operation to emplace, position or remove the same manually, said device comprising, a resilient restraint pad, a transversely extending rigid crossmember supporting said pad thereon, adjustment means for manually adjusting said restraint pad between a restraint position in front of and in close proximity to the driver''s torso, and a retracted storage position permitting said driver to vacate his seat in either lateral direction, said adjustment means operatively connecting said transverse crossmember to said vehicle and including, a transversely extending pivot shaft mounted on said vehicle, a rotatable support arm pivotally connected at one end thereof to said pivot shaft to permit rotation of said rotatable arm in a longitudinally extending vertical plane disposed between the occupant''s torso and the vehicle''s adjacent exterior, between said storage position rearwardly of said driver and a holding position forwardly of said driver, said support arm pivotally connected at the other end thereof to said crossmember to permit rotation of said restraint pad in a transversely extending vertical plane, between said restraint position and said holding position, and a clutch mechanism for releasably locking said device in said restraint position and in said holding position, Said clutch mechanism including manually actuated release means for releasing said clutch mechanism to enable movement of said device, whereby said device may be moved between said restraint position, said holding position and said storage position by said driver actuating said release means and moving said device, hand grip means on said crossmember for moving said crossmember and said restraint pad by said driver between said restraint position to said holding position and said storage position upon release of said clutch mechanism to enable the driver to vacate his seat in either direction.

Claim 27

A reusable vehicle safety device adapted for restraining a vehicle driver from movement and being particularly adapted to permit the driver to vacate his seat in either lateral direction without delay in order to minimize entrapment, said device being capable of operation to emplace, position or remove the same manually, said device comprising, a resilient restraint pad, a transversely extending rigid crossmember supporting said pad thereon, adjustment means for manually adjusting said restraint pad between a restraint position in front of and in close proximity to the driver''s torso, and a retracted storage position permitting said driver to vacate his seat in either lateral direction, said adjustment means operatively connecting said transverse crossmember to said vehicle and including, a transversely extending pivot shaft mounted on said vehicle, a rotatable support arm pivotally connected at one end thereof to said pivot shaft to permit rotation of said rotatable arm in a longitudinally extending vertical plane disposed between the occupant''s torso and the vehicle''s adjacent exterior, between said storage position rearwardly of said driver and a holding position forwardly of said driver, said support arm pivotally connected at the other end thereof to said crossmember to permit rotation of said restraint pad in a transversely extending vertical plane, between said restraint position and said holding position, and a clutch mechanism for releasably locking said device in said restraint position and in said holding position, Said clutch mechanism including manually actuated release means for releasing said clutch mechanism to enable movement of said device, whereby said device may be moved between said restraint position, said holding position and said storage position by said driver actuating said release means and moving said device, hand grip means on said crossmember for moving said crossmember and said restraint pad by said driver between said restraint position to said holding position and said storage position upon release of said clutch mechanism to enable the driver to vacate his seat in either direction.