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Force and deceleration delimiting devices and methods for operating the same

  • US 7,374,231 B2
  • Filed: 03/29/2005
  • Issued: 05/20/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2004
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A force and deceleration delimiting device for a vehicle, the device comprising:

  • an open celled material expandable from a non-expanded state to an expanded state, wherein the open celled material is sandwiched between a first end cap member and a second end cap member;

    a support surface cooperatively positioned with the open celled material to cover a surface of the open celled material in the expanded and the non-expanded states;

    an activation mechanism adapted to regulate selective expansion of the open celled material from the non-expanded state to the expanded state in response to a triggering event;

    a protection shield cooperatively positioned with the open celled material to cover a surface of the open celled material in the expanded and non-expanded states;

    said protection shield being characterized by a compact shape when the open celled material is in the non-expanded state;

    said protection shield being characterized by a coiled or folded configuration in said compact shape;

    wherein the activation mechanism comprises;

    a compression spring in biased communication with the first end cap member and the second end cap member when the open celled material is in the non-expanded state;

    an opening in the first end cap member corresponding to a first shape;

    a disk rotatably engaged with the opening of the first end cap member, wherein the disk is lockingly engaged with the first end cap member in the non-expanded state and is coaxially aligned with the opening in the expanded state; and

    a trigger in operative communication with the disk adapted to effect rotation of the disk in response to the triggering event.

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