Safety device

A safety device in a motor vehicle, the safety device comprising a restraining element, the restraining element initially being retained at a position adjacent a predetermined edge of a window of the vehicle, the restraining element being associated with a plurality of pull cords, drive means being provided to wind in the pull cords in response to a signal from a sensor responsive to a predetermined deceleration or impact of the vehicle, the pull cords comprising at least two pull cords, each of which is connected to a respective point on the restraining element, said points being spaced apart, and which extend past respective guide means, towards the drive means, at least one pull cord being retained by yieldable means in an initial position in which the pull cord at least partially surrounds the window, the arrangement being such that at least said cord is released when the drive means wind in the pull cords, the pull cords serving to draw the retaining element to a position in which it extends across the window,

• wherein the restraining element is initially retained at a position adjacent a side edge of a window at the side of a vehicle, the pull cords comprising at least two pull cords, one of which is connected to a point adjacent the upper edge of the restraining element and which extends across the top of the window and past guide means and to the drive means, whilst the second pull cord is connected to a point adjacent the lower edge of the restraining element and passes across the top of the window and down one side of the window, whilst being retained by the yieldable means, and past guide means located adjacent the lower edge of the window to the drive means.