US3829140A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety device for vehicles
Assignee: National Research Development Corp UK
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Filing: 1973-07-31
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Granted: 1974-08-13
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Expires: 1993-07-31
Abstract
Abstract A safety device for vehicles comprises a movable member which normally lies stowed but which, upon collision of the vehicle with a pedestrian, is raised by a motor to form a barrier around an upward-facing surface upon which the pedestrian may land, thus restraining him from falling off again. This surface may be part of the vehicle, e.g. the bonnet. The barrier may contain fracture devices which break if the vehicle collides with a massive object, e.g. another vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 V Jehu
- 👤 L Pearson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 06:57
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/34; B60R21/02; B60R2021/028
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A safety device for fitting to a vehicle and comprising: a barrier member; a motor operable to move the member between a stowed position and an operative position; a sensor responsive to the collision of a body with the vehicle, and operative upon such response to activate the motor to move the member from its stowed to its operative position; and the member being adapted to form, when in its operative position, a barrier around an upward-facing surface, supported from said vehicle, whereby to restrain a body on such a surface from falling off it.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A safety device for fitting to a vehicle and comprising: a barrier member; a motor operable to move the member between a stowed position and an operative position; a sensor responsive to the collision of a body with the vehicle, and operative upon such response to activate the motor to move the member from its stowed to its operative position; and the member being adapted to form, when in its operative position, a barrier around an upward-facing surface, supported from said vehicle, whereby to restrain a body on such a surface from falling off it.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A safety device according to claim 1 in which the barrier member is substantially U-shaped, in which a pivot point is formed at each extremity of the U, and in which the member is pivotable by the motor about the pivot points to move between its stowed and operative positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A safety device according to claim 1 in which the sensor includes the barrier member, whereby impact of a body with the member in its stowed position activates the motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A safety device according to claim 1 in which the barrier member includes a fracture device which breaks upon impact of the vehicle with a massive object, e.g. another vehicle, thus preventing severe impact forces being transmitted to the vehicle by the barrier member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
106 words
A vehicle including: an upward-facing surface located adjacent the front of said vehicle; said surface being liable to receive pedestrian bodies with which the vehicle may collide; a barrier member; a motor operable to move said member between a stowed position and an operative position; a sensor responsive to the collision of a body with the vehicle, and operative on response to activate the motor to move the member from its stowed to its operative position; said member in its operative position creating a barrier to the front and sides around said upward-facing surface, whereby to restrain a body upon that surface from falling off it.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
A vehicle including: an upward-facing surface located adjacent the front of said vehicle; said surface being liable to receive pedestrian bodies with which the vehicle may collide; a barrier member; a motor operable to move said member between a stowed position and an operative position; a sensor responsive to the collision of a body with the vehicle, and operative on response to activate the motor to move the member from its stowed to its operative position; said member in its operative position creating a barrier to the front and sides around said upward-facing surface, whereby to restrain a body upon that surface from falling off it.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-12 | 1978-02-11 | 1978-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-12 | 1982-02-11 | 1982-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-12 | 1986-02-11 | 1986-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |