Juede P Pajela

US Patent:

62170597, Apr 17, 2001

Filed:

Aug 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/374872

Inventors:

Kevin M. Brown - Mesa AZ
Cris C. Cabral - Mesa AZ
Albert N. Felix - Phoenix AZ
Juede P. Pajela - Gilbert AZ
Alexander Heilig - Waldstetten, DE

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Lyndhurst OH
TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG - Alfdorf

International Classification:

B60R 2122

US Classification:

2807302

Abstract:

A safety apparatus (70) for helping to protect an occupant (30) of a vehicle (10) in the event of a vehicle collision comprises an air bag system including at least one inflatable air bag (80) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. The air bag (80), when inflated, unlocks at least one of the occupant's knees (50) to minimize forces transmitted through at least the corresponding one of the occupant's legs (40) to the occupant's pelvis (36). Seat belt webbing (74) restrains forward movement of the occupant (30) relative to the vehicle (10) when the occupant's knee (50) is unlocked.

US Patent:

61425648, Nov 7, 2000

Filed:

Mar 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/522933

Inventors:

Juede P. Pajela - Gilbert AZ
Cris C. Cabral - Mesa AZ
Kevin M. Brown - Mesa AZ
Albert N. Felix - Phoenix AZ

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60N 242

US Classification:

29721618

Abstract:

A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) includes a seat (11) for a vehicle occupant. The seat (11) has a forward position in the vehicle and a rearward position in the vehicle. A support (20) for the seat (11) enables the seat to move on the support from the forward position to the rearward position in the vehicle. A break-away seat latch (41) maintains the seat (11) in the forward position. An actuator (45), when actuated, breaks the latch (41) and moves the seat (11) from the forward position to the rearward position.