US3823969A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pneumatic shock absorbing bumper
Assignee: Industrie Pirelli SpA
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Filing: 1972-10-20
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Granted: 1974-07-16
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Expires: 1992-10-20
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides a pneumatic collision guard for vehicles of the type comprising a flexible walled hollow body of inextensible material containing air under pressure. The hollow body has air discharge apertures which are normally closed but which are opened rapidly, for example by the breaking of brittle caps over the apertures when as a consequence of a collision, the deceleration of the vehicle or the deformation of the air filled body, reaches a given value corresponding to the maximum acceptable deceleration, thereby limiting the reaction force imparted to the vehicle through the collision guard.
Inventors
- 👤 R Sapper
- 👤 S Marocco
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:33
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/18; B60R19/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A collision guard for motor vehicles comprising: a. a flexible-walled hollow body of inextensible material containing air pressure therein, said body having at least one aperature through the wall to allow the air therein to be discharged, b. a brittle cap normally closing said aperture, and c. means for causing rapid opening of said aperture having an inertial mass relatively movable with respect to said motor vehicle, a calibrated spring acting on said inertial mass in opposition to the force caused by the deceleration of the vehicle, an elastic element carrying a percussion element having one end releasably engaged with the inertial mass such that when the deceleration force overcomes the calibrated spring force, the inertial mass moves releasing the elastic element and causes the percussion element to strike and break the brittle cap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A collision guard for motor vehicles comprising: a. a flexible-walled hollow body of inextensible material containing air pressure therein, said body having at least one aperature through the wall to allow the air therein to be discharged, b. a brittle cap normally closing said aperture, and c. means for causing rapid opening of said aperture having an inertial mass relatively movable with respect to said motor vehicle, a calibrated spring acting on said inertial mass in opposition to the force caused by the deceleration of the vehicle, an elastic element carrying a percussion element having one end releasably engaged with the inertial mass such that when the deceleration force overcomes the calibrated spring force, the inertial mass moves releasing the elastic element and causes the percussion element to strike and break the brittle cap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The collision guard defined in claim 1, including a plug of deformable material provided within said hollow body in a position directly opposite the respective air discharge aperture, said plug being adapted to close said aperture when the hollow body deforms under collision forces, before complete crushing of the said body has occured.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The collision guard defined in claim 1 wherein said hollow body has a protective casing of soft material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The collision guard defined in claim 3, wherein the protective casing comprises a matrix of cellular plastics material and a flexible skin covering said matrix.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The collision guard defined in claim 1, wherein said hollow body comprises a tubular core of elastomeric material and an outer layer of reinforcement material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-15 | 1978-01-14 | 1978-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-15 | 1982-01-14 | 1982-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-15 | 1986-01-14 | 1986-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |