Citation

Dietrich WG. Proc. Am. Assoc. Automot. Med. Annu. Conf. 1966; 10: 95-96.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1966, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The Life Shield provides a crash attenuation device which can be used on both automobiles and aircraft. It can be easily installed in most present cars in a number of very simple and facile ways, such as securing the shield at the four corners. New design in cars, of course, would greatly enhance the shield's use. A unit may be used for each passenger, including a baby, and it would always be in place with no manipulation and no psychological resistance. The Life Shield would be complimentary to other safety features in vehicles.

The invention contemplates the use of a flexible sheet or shield that is transparent. It is tough, it has no protuberances, it will give on impact, but does not shatter into dangerous splinters. It is built to give when struck by a flying object. There is room for this "giving", thus allowing the energy to be absorbed over a distance, an area and through a time span.It is mounted in an automobile in front of the passenger and is adapted to deform upon impact with the passenger to conform to the contour of said passenger, and thereby absorb inertial forces caused by sudden deceleration. Because the shield immediately adapts to the contour of the passenger's body (his head for example), and absorbs energy in depth, the inertial force is absorbed substantially over the entire body area without severe damage to the passenger.