Pedestrian protection for front of car - with airbag cushioned and impact operated jaws to grip pedestrian

摘要

The front of the vehicle is fitted with an impact absorbing layer (2) to prevent serious injury when striking a pedestrian. Impact sensors are fitted to the layer to operate at a set impact to release special support hoops (3) pivotted on each side of the bonnet, to swing about vertical axes, and which are normally located inside cut out grooves in the body line of the vehicle. The hoops grip the pedestrians before they can be hurled forwards by the impact and thus prevent other serious injury. For added effect, the inside faces of the hoops are fitted with inflatable airbag cushions (5) which help grip the pedestrians. The system is designed to secure small children as well as large persons.