Abstract A protective device for the side or rear of a vehicle occupant''s head comprises flexible parallel straps secured under tension at their ends to fixed members which are parts of the body or of a seat back, the straps normally having their faces approximately at right angles to the general plane of the curtain formed by the straps, which are thus normally edge-on to the occupant''s head. Such an arrangement may be placed at the back or at the side of the occupant''s head. When a limiting condition of vehicle deceleration or acceleration is exceeded, the straps are twisted through 90* by loading, or in dependence upon a sensor, so that they form a curtain-like reception surface for the head. The arrangement of parallel straps resembles a Venetian blind which is normally open, but which is closed under the limiting condition referred to.
In a vehicle body, an occupant head restraint comprising: a plurality of flat flexible straps having elongated configurations with predetermined widths, each of the straps having opposite ends formed into loops; and attachment members mounted on the vehicle body and associated with the opposite ends of the straps, the attachment members having portions received within the loops of the straps to position the straps in a spaced relationship extending parallel to each other adjacent the head of a seated occupant of the vehicle body, and the attachment portions normally maintaining the planes of the straps in alignment with the line of sight of the occupant so as not to impair the occupant''s vision and permitting the straps to rotate into a common plane as the occupant''s head engages the straps so that this engagement is with the total width of the straps in an effective restraining manner.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a vehicle body, an occupant head restraint comprising: a plurality of flat flexible straps having elongated configurations with predetermined widths, each of the straps having opposite ends formed into loops; and attachment members mounted on the vehicle body and associated with the opposite ends of the straps, the attachment members having portions received within the loops of the straps to position the straps in a spaced relationship extending parallel to each other adjacent the head of a seated occupant of the vehicle body, and the attachment portions normally maintaining the planes of the straps in alignment with the line of sight of the occupant so as not to impair the occupant''s vision and permitting the straps to rotate into a common plane as the occupant''s head engages the straps so that this engagement is with the total width of the straps in an effective restraining manner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The head restraint of claim 1 wherein the ends of the straps have tapered configurations where their ends are formed into loops and wherein the portions of the attachment members received within the loops are fixed on the vehicle body so the tapered strap end configuration permits the strap rotation upon engagement by the occupant''s head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The head restraint of claim 1 wherein the portions of the attachment members received within the loops of the straps are pivotally mounted relative to the vehicle body to permit the rotation of the straps upon engagement of the occupant''s head with the straps.