Other

Trw Limited

Cris C Cabral

Kevin M Brown

Albert N Felix

Juede P Pajela

Alexander Heilig

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

Apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant's legs

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.

Growing community of inventors

Mesa, AZ, United States of America

Cris C Cabral