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Gas bag cushion knee restraining system for motor vehicles

  • US 4,948,168 A
  • Filed: 03/29/1989
  • Issued: 08/14/1990
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1988
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A gas bag knee cushion restraining system for motor vehicles having a gas bag inflatable by a gas generator, a knee cushion mounted in a lower region of the vehicle dashboard and activating means for activating said gas generator in an emergency situation to develop gas for inflating said gas bag, wherein said knee cushion is mounted movable between a retracted rest position and an activated position advanced towards the knees of a vehicle occupant, said gas developed by said gas generator, when activated, producing an expansion pressure a portion of which is used to drive said knee cushion from its rest position to its activated position, said knee cushion being lockable in its activated position by force-locking elements which are formed on each side of said knee cushion on two lateral guide elements which are arranged spaced apart from each other and above each other and of which a first one is supported on the vehicle bodywork and a second one is connected to said knee cushion, said force-locking elements being formed on said first lateral guide element by teeth spaced apart longitudinally thereof and having teeth flanks which form repelling ramps for the force-locking elements of said second lateral guide element, said lateral guide element under the action of the load acting in the event of activation on said knee cushion and directed inclined upwardly in the direction of travel being moved into mechanical interlock with each other, but when the load is removed being moved out of engagement with each other under the action of said repelling ramps of said teeth.

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