Electromagnetic car seat release upon deployment of vehicular air bag

Abstract

The present invention 18 discloses a device which will release a vehicular seal 12 in the event tile vehicle air bag 25 is deployed, for example, in the event of an accident. The apparatus discloses an electromagnetic lock assembly 24 attached to the vehicle seat 12 wherein the lock assembly 24 is releasably attached to a track 22 and wheel assembly 26 which it fixedly mounted to the vehicle in such a manner that the electromagnetic lock assembly 24 can slide back and forth upon the track 22 and wheel assembly 26. The electromagnetic lock assembly 24 of the present invention, normally keeps the lock assembly 24 in a closed position so that the seat 12 will not move. However, a sensor 44 is provided which recognizes the deployment of the vehicle air bag 25 and thereby sends an output signal to a relay switch 46 which opens the circuit which normally keeps the electromagnetic lock assembly 24 in its closed position thereby releasing the electromagnetic lock 24 and allowing the vehicle seat 12 to move in a rearward direction which movement is caused by the air bag 25 making contact with the occupant 16 and thereby pushing the occupant 16 and tie occupant's seat 12 in the rearward direction.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.