Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Patent
1991-04-10
1993-04-27
Rice, Kenneth R.
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
297403, 297410, B60R 2113
Patent
active
052055850
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention is related to an occupant safety device in accordance with the general description set forth in patent claim 1. A device of this kind is known from the European patent application No. 309 686. This device has the disadvantage of requiring much mounting space and, in addition, does not, due to functional reasons, offer the possibility to actuate an adjustable headrest with the same drive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention has, therefore, the object to create a compact safety device for automotive vehicles which is comprised of a headrest as an integrated component. According to the invention, this object is attained by the characteristic features put forth in patent claim 1.
A safety device is created by the inventive solution which is suited, in particular, for automotive vehicles of convertible type. The vehicle can be driven with lowered roll bar-headrest unit, as a result whereof annoying wind noises are avoided, but the unit is extended into operative position within fractions of a second in the event of a crash, whereby the headrest will, on one hand, be positioned and the roll bar driven upwardly will, on the other hand, protect the occupants in the event of a rollover. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is envisaged that the roll bar is adjustable into at least one intermediate position, that is to say, into a position between the lowered position and the upwardly extended final position. In this way, an optional adjustment of the headrest into a position being comfortable for the occupants will also be possible. In the event of a crash, the additional drive is uncoupled and the roll bar is pushed out into its final operative position.
A particular effect in regard of the safety of the vehicle occupants is achieved in that means are provided which tighten a safety belt when the roll bar is being extended into its final operative position, that is to say, in the event of a crash.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further advantageous features, as well as the mode of functioning of the invention will be revealed by the under mentioned description of preferred embodiments made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1, shows a first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2, shows a section along the line A--A in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3, shows a section along the line B--B in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4, shows a section along the line C--C in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5, shows a section along the line D--D in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6, shows a second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 7, shows a third embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 8, shows a horizontal cross-section of the bottom half of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
According to FIG. 1, the a safety device is comprised of a housing 1 made up of shaped sheet or plate steel parts which is screwable or boltable to a host vehicle body and which is arranged behind each of the rear seats of a four seat convertible-type automotive vehicle. In said housing 1, a roll bar 2 is slidably supported by means of guide rollers 3. The roll bar is prestressed into the upwardly moved position by two spring elements 4 containing compression springs. Between the two spring elements 4, a driving unit is disposed which comprises an electric motor 5, gearing 6, a toothed belt 7, and a pinion 8, the latter engaging a toothing 9 provided at the roll bar 2. The electric motor 5, the gearing 6, and the pinion 8 are rigid with the housing.
As seen in FIG. 4, in the range of each of the two lateral guides the roll bar is furnished with a rack 10 which is engaged by a spring-loaded ratchet 11 which is rigid with the housing. Said ratchet 11 safeguards the roll bar against the inward movement. The ratchet 11 can be disengaged by an actuating element 12 against the force of a spring 13, so that this direction of movement will be released in the event of the intentional lowering of the roll bar.
Due to the ratchet 11 and to the toothed rack 10, it will be safeguarded at all times that the roll bar
REFERENCES:
patent: 3292726 (1966-12-01), Jette et al.
patent: 3420572 (1969-01-01), Bisland
patent: 4592571 (1986-06-01), Baumann et al.
patent: 5056816 (1991-10-01), Lutze et al.
patent: 5066040 (1991-11-01), Dangl et al.
Braun Achim
Kahlert Manuela
Reuber Gerhard
Stupperich Horst
Alfred Teves GmbH
Lewis J. Gordon
Rice Kenneth R.
Seitter Robert P.
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