Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A vehicle occupant protection system comprising a vehicle, means defining an occupant area of the vehicle, a movable element, means for moving said movable element from a first position generally remote from said occupant area to a second position substantially overhead said occupant area which might prove hazardous to an occupant unless otherwise provided for; and means automatically movable, during the movement of the movable element from its first position to its second position, from a nonuse position adjacent said occupant area to a use position above said occupant area and beneath said movable element second position to prevent downward movement of the movable element from its second position into said occupant area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A vehicle occupant protection system comprising a vehicle, means defining an occupant area of the vehicle, a movable element, means for moving said movable element from a first position generally remote from said occupant area to a second position substantially overhead said occupant area which might prove hazardous to an occupant unless otherwise provided for; and means automatically movable, during the movement of the movable element from its first position to its second position, from a nonuse position adjacent said occupant area to a use position above said occupant area and beneath said movable element second position to prevent downward movement of the movable element from its second position into said occupant area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The vehicle occupant protection system as defined in claim 1 wherein said movable element downward movement preventing means includes at least one member disposed in the use position thereof between said occupant area and said movable element second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The vehicle occupant protection system as defined in claim 2 wherein said movable element first position is behind said occupant area, said movable element is a hopper, said vehicle is a road sweeper, and means for delivering debris from a surface into said hopper when in the first position thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
The vehicle occupant protection system as defined in claim 1 wherein said movable element downward movement preventing means includes a pair of members, first means articulately connecting said pair of members to each other, second means for articulately connecting a first of said pair of members to said moving means, third means for articulately connecting a second of said pair of members to said vehicle, and said first member being disposed in said use position above said occupant area and beneath said movable element second position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The vehicle occupant protection system as defined in claim 4 wherein said movable element first position is behind said occupant area, said movable element is a hopper, said vehicle is a road sweeper, and means for delivering debris from a surface into said hopper when in the first position thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The vehicle occupant protection system as defined in claim 5 wherein said debris delivering means is part of a generally continuous recirculating closed path of travel for air, centrifugal separating means in said path of travel for separating dust from air-entrained debris, and said hopper in the first position thereof is located between said occupant area and said centrifugal separating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
The vehicle occupant protection system as defined in claim 6 wherein said moving means includes a pair of relatively extendable and retractable members, means articulately connecting said hopper to one of said relatively extendable and retractable members, means articulately connecting another of said relatively extendable and retractable member to said vehicle, and a further member articulately connected between said vehicle and one of said pair of relatively extendable and retractable members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
The vehicle occupant protection system as defined in claim 5 wherein said moving means includes a pair of relatively extendable and retractable members, means articulately connecting said hopper to one of said relatively extendable and retractable members, means articulately connecting another of said relatively extendable and retractable member to said vehicle, and a further member articulately connected between said vehicle and one of said pair of relatively extendable and retractable members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The vehicle occupant protection system as defined in claim 4 wherein said third articulate connecting means is positioned vertically between said first and second articulately connecting means in said movable element first position, and said first articulately connecting means is positioned vertically between said second and third articulately connecting means in said movable element second position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The vehicle occupant protection system as defined in claim 1 wherein said movable element is a hopper.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The vehicle occupant protection system as defined in claim 1 wherein said vehicle is a road sweeper.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
The vehicle occupant protection system as defined in claim 1 wherein said movable element first position is behind said occupant area, said movable element is a hopper, said vehicle is a road sweeper, and means for delivering debris from a surface into said hopper when in the first position thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The vehicle occupant protection system as defined in claim 1 wherein said movable element moves a hopper.