Instrument panel safety device for motor vehicle

An instrument panel safety device and valve head combination for use in a motor vehicle having a collision sensing means for sensing a collision operably mounted on the vehicle, the device comprising:

• a hollow cylinder having a top end and a bottom end, said top end adapted to be connected to said instrument panel;
• a piston residing within said cylinder, said hollow cylinder being axially slidable on the piston between an extended position and a collapsed position, an elongated rod with one end secured to said piston and its other end connected to said vehicle such that the piston and the rod are substantially immovable relative to said cylinder;
• a cap secured to said bottom end of said hollow cylinder, said cap having a bore extending therethrough for receiving the rod such that the cylinder moves freely between said extended position and said collapsed position;
• sealing means for sealing the hollow cylinder in order to define an air-tight cavity within the hollow cylinder, the air-tight cavity containing prior to collision pressurized gas, said sealing means further comprising a head, an axial bore extending through the head, and a seal in the bore, wherein the head is secured to the top end of said hollow cylinder, said seal further comprises a frangible body having a pair of opposite sides and a circumferential wall connecting said sides, a transverse bore for containing an explosive charge formed in the wall;
• and
• opening means to rapidly open the sealing means in response to a signal generated by the collision sensing means, thereby permitting movement of the hollow cylinder from the extended position to the collapsed position.

An instrument panel safety device and valve head combination for use in a motor vehicle having an instrument panel and a collision sensing means operably mounted on the vehicle and for sensing a collision, the device comprising:

• a hollow cylinder having a top end and a bottom end, the top end configured for connection to an instrument panel of a vehicle;
• a piston residing within said cylinder, said cylinder being axially slidable on the piston between an extended position and a collapsed position;
• an elongated rod with first and second ends, the first end being secured to said piston and the second end being fixedly connected to the vehicle;
• sealing means for sealing the hollow cylinder in order to define an air-tight cavity within the hollow cylinder, the air-tight cavity containing prior to collision pressurized gas;
• and,
• opening means to rapidly open the sealing means in response to a signal generated by the collision sensing means, thereby permitting movement of the hollow cylinder from the extended position to the collapsed position.