Patent ID: 6908112
Filing Date: 2005-06-21
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A method of protecting a passenger in a vehicle from a series of collisions comprising the steps of: (a) detecting that the vehicle is in danger of being involved in a first collision; (b) winding up a webbing of a seat belt to restrain the passenger; (c) absorbing the impact on the passenger of the first collision by permitting the passenger to move forward and the webbing to withdraw; (d) winding up the webbing to restrain the passenger and return the passenger to a normal seated position; (e) maintaining the passenger in a restrained condition; (f) determining that the vehicle is in danger of being involved in a second collision; (g) absorbing the impact on the passenger of the second collision by permitting the passenger to move forward and the webbing to withdraw; (h) winding up the webbing to restrain the passenger and return the passenger to a normal seated position; (i) maintaining the passenger in a restrained position; and (j) releasing the restraint on the passenger.