SAFETY SEPARATION SYSTEM

摘要

A SAFETY MECHANISM FOR A PERSONAL VEHICLE (10) THAT PROVIDES FOR SEPARATION OF THE MOTION OF A BODY SUPPORT (14) FROM A GROUND CONTACTING ASSEMBLY (18) OF THE VEHICLE IN CASE OF ACCIDENT. IN ONE EMBODIMENT, THE BODY SUPPORT (14) IS ATTACHED TO THE GROUND CONTACTING MODULE (18) VIA A SLIDE MECHANISM (28) THAT PERMITS THE BODY SUPPORT TO CONTINUE UPRIGHT MOTION DESPITE OVERTURNING OF THE GROUND CONTACTING ASSEMBLY IN ORDER TO PREVENT INJURY TO THE PASSENGER (16). ANOTHER EMBODIMENT PROVIDES FOR COUPLING OF THE BODY SUPPORT OR THE GROUND CONTACTING ASSEMBLY VIA EITHER A REAL OR VIRTUAL PIVOT (20) LOCATED ABOVE THE RESPECTIVE CENTERS OF MASS OF THE BODY SUPPORT AND GROUND CONTACTING ASSEMBLY.