Roll cage

"Rollcage" redirects here. For the PlayStation and PC video game, see Rollcage (video game).

A roll cage is a specially engineered and constructed frame built in (or sometimes around, in which case it is known as an exo cage) the passenger compartment of a vehicle to protect its occupants from being injured in an accident, particularly in the event of a roll-over.

Designs

File:Suzuki Swift JWRC '05 005.JPG

Racecar roll cage inside a Suzuki Swift

Unimog with integrated roll cage at 2006 Dakar Rally

There are many different roll cage designs depending on the application, hence different racing organizations have differing specifications and regulations. They also help to stiffen the chassis, which is desirable in racing applications.

A roll bar is a single bar behind the driver that provides moderate roll-over protection. Due to the lack of a protective top, some modern convertibles utilize a strong windscreen frame acting as a roll bar. Also, a roll hoop may be placed behind both headrests (usually one on older cars), which is essentially a roll bar spanning the width of a passenger's shoulders.

A newer form of rollover protection, pioneered on the Mercedes-Benz R129 in 1989, is deployable roll hoops that are normally hidden within the body of a car. When sensors detect an imminent rollover, the roll hoops quickly extend and lock in place. Cars that have a deployable rollover protection system include the Peugeot 307 CC, Volvo C70, Mercedes-Benz SL 500, and Jaguar XK.

Roll bars are also used historically on row crop tractors, and roll cages are common as part of the cab on modern tractors.

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  A racecar bodyshell with integrated roll cage

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  Roll cage in a Porsche 997 GT3 RS.

See also

• Roll over protection structure
• Active rollover protection