Self-adjusting knee bolster
First Claim
1. A safety device for protecting a passenger of a motor vehicle comprisinga deformable, force-absorbing member forming an interior surface of said motor vehicle generally forward of said passenger when said passenger is normally seated in said motor vehicle;
- means for sensing the position of said passenger relative to said deformable member; and
means responsive to said passenger sensing means for articulating and translating said deformable member relative to a fixed point on said motor vehicle so as to position said deformable member relative to said passenger to minimize injury to said passenger in the event of a subsequent collision or marked vehicle deceleration.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A knee bolster for protecting the passengers of a motor vehicle comprises one or more deformable members positioned generally forward of each vehicle passenger; ultrasonic sensors for determining the position of the knees and tibiae of each passenger within the motor vehicle relative to the deformable members; and means responsive to the sensing means for articulating and translating each deformable member relative to the vehicle interior and, hence, relative to the knees and tibiae of each passenger corresponding thereto to provide optimum protection to the passengers in the event of a subsequent collision or marked vehicle deceleration.
94 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A safety device for protecting a passenger of a motor vehicle comprising
a deformable, force-absorbing member forming an interior surface of said motor vehicle generally forward of said passenger when said passenger is normally seated in said motor vehicle; -
means for sensing the position of said passenger relative to said deformable member; and means responsive to said passenger sensing means for articulating and translating said deformable member relative to a fixed point on said motor vehicle so as to position said deformable member relative to said passenger to minimize injury to said passenger in the event of a subsequent collision or marked vehicle deceleration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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3. The safety device of claim Z wherein said actuator is operated pneumatically.
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11. A knee bolster for protecting the tibia and knee of a passenger of a motor vehicle against injury in the event of rapid deceleration of said motor vehicle relative to said passenger comprising
a deformable, energy-absorbing member forming an interior surface of said motor vehicle generally forward of said passenger when said passenger is normally seated in said motor vehicle; -
means for sensing the position of said passenger relative to said deformable member; and means responsive to said sensing means for adjusting the position of said deformable member relative to said passenger prior to the rapid deceleration of said motor vehicle relative to said passenger. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification