Inertial mass safety system activation for personal vehicles
First Claim
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1. A safety system activation and energy supply device for personal vehicles, the device responsive to crash accelerations imparted on the vehicle and comprising:
- a means for mounting one or more vehicle system components having high mass as a common movable structure, said mounting means movable, under crash acceleration, in at least one axis from a constrained first position through a range of motion to a displaced second position, the mounting means acquiring kinetic energy through said acceleration;
means for constraining the mounting means in the first position; and
means responsive to the motion of the mounting means for converting motion and kinetic energy of the mounting means to secondary motion in the safety system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dense mass centrally located in a personal vehicle acts as an inertial analog computer for predicting and compensating motion of an occupant of the vehicle during crashes. Acceleration and motion of the mass is converted into motion of impact prevention or impact velocity reduction systems to reduce likelyhood of severe injury to the occupant. Power disconnection in alternatively powered vehicles through disconnection of electrical systems by motion of the mass provides additional safety during the crash.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A safety system activation and energy supply device for personal vehicles, the device responsive to crash accelerations imparted on the vehicle and comprising:
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a means for mounting one or more vehicle system components having high mass as a common movable structure, said mounting means movable, under crash acceleration, in at least one axis from a constrained first position through a range of motion to a displaced second position, the mounting means acquiring kinetic energy through said acceleration; means for constraining the mounting means in the first position; and means responsive to the motion of the mounting means for converting motion and kinetic energy of the mounting means to secondary motion in the safety system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A safety system activation and energy supply device for personal vehicles, the device responsive to crash accelerations imparted on the vehicle and comprising:
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an inertial mass movable under crash acceleration in at least one axis from a constrained first position through a range of motion to a displaced second position, the mass acquiring kinetic energy through said acceleration; means for constraining the mass in the first position; means responsive to the motion of the mass for converting motion and kinetic energy of the mass into secondary motion; and an impact surface comprising a steering wheel and steering column, said responsive means comprising a mechanical linkage connected to the mass and steering column, the linkage translating motion of the mass in the at least one axis to motion of the steering wheel and steering column substantially along an axis of the steering column to position the steering wheel in closer proximity to the upper torso of the occupant. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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Specification