US3837422A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety vehicle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-11-13
•
Granted: 1974-09-24
•
Expires: 1992-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A safety vehicle for passengers, including a vehicle body, a passenger compartment movable on the vehicle body, and pivotable safety nets mounted on the ceiling of the passenger compartment for disposal in front of the passengers in the vehicle in response to the impact of a collision. A pair of elongated, linearly perforated tracks are mounted on the vehicle body, and receive at least one pair of sprocket wheels, rotatably mounted at the rearward end of the passenger compartment. The sprocket wheels engage the perforated tracks and guide the passenger compartment therealong. Guide wheels are rotatably mounted on the front end of the passenger compartment and are disposed in upwardly inclined guide tracks mounted on the vehicle body in front of the passenger compartment. Slidable bumpers engaged during a collision activate a mechanical linkage which releases the passenger compartment so that it is movable on the guide tracks, collapses the steering column of the passenger compartment, and deploying safety nets, inflatable bags, or a combination of both, in front of the passengers of the vehicle to prevent injury to them. The vehicle also includes a safety front passanger seat having a crash barrier which is rigidly affixed to the passenger compartment, and a mechanical linkage for applying the brakes of the vehicle automatically at impact. The movable passenger compartment maintains the momentum of the passengers riding therein until obstructions in the passenger compartment have been removed and safety restraining devices have been activated.
Inventors
- 👤 S Schlanger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:54
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D39/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
327 words
A safety vehicle for passengers comprising: a vehicle body; a passenger compartment including seats and vehicle controls disposed in said vehicle body; a pair of elongated longitudinal guide tracks mounted on said vehicle body; means mounted on said passenger compartment for engaging said tracks and guiding said passenger compartment therealong and limiting lateral movement of said passenger compartment with respect to said tracks; means coupled to said means for engaging said tracks for limiting vertical movement of said passenger compartment with respect to said tracks; a pair of upwardly inclined guide tracks, disposed in the vehicle body in front of said passenger compartment; means mounted on said passenger compartment and disposed in said upwardly inclined guide tracks for guiding said compartment therein; detachable securing means mounted on said vehicle body and coupled to said passenger compartment for releasing said passenger compartment in response to the impact of a collision with said vehicle body so that said passenger compartment is movable in said upwardly inclined and longitudinal guide tracks with respect to said vehicle body, said securing means comprising front and rear movable bumpers slidably mounted on said vehicle body, at least one longitudinally extending slidable bar coupled to said bumpers and responsive to movement thereof, a pivotable lever arm pivotably secured on said vehicle body and coupled to said longitudinally extending bar, a slidable plate member mounted on said vehicle body adjacent said lever arm, said lever arm being pivoted into engagement with and slidably displacing said plate in response to movement of said longitudinal bar, releasable locking means, mounted on said vehicle body, and coupled to the forward end of said passenger compartment for detachably securing the forward end of said passenger compartment to said vehicle body, means affixed to the rearward end of said compartment for limiting vertical movement of the passenger compartment with respect to said tracks; and means mounted on said upwardly inclined guide tracks for limiting the movement of said compartment therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
327 words
A safety vehicle for passengers comprising: a vehicle body; a passenger compartment including seats and vehicle controls disposed in said vehicle body; a pair of elongated longitudinal guide tracks mounted on said vehicle body; means mounted on said passenger compartment for engaging said tracks and guiding said passenger compartment therealong and limiting lateral movement of said passenger compartment with respect to said tracks; means coupled to said means for engaging said tracks for limiting vertical movement of said passenger compartment with respect to said tracks; a pair of upwardly inclined guide tracks, disposed in the vehicle body in front of said passenger compartment; means mounted on said passenger compartment and disposed in said upwardly inclined guide tracks for guiding said compartment therein; detachable securing means mounted on said vehicle body and coupled to said passenger compartment for releasing said passenger compartment in response to the impact of a collision with said vehicle body so that said passenger compartment is movable in said upwardly inclined and longitudinal guide tracks with respect to said vehicle body, said securing means comprising front and rear movable bumpers slidably mounted on said vehicle body, at least one longitudinally extending slidable bar coupled to said bumpers and responsive to movement thereof, a pivotable lever arm pivotably secured on said vehicle body and coupled to said longitudinally extending bar, a slidable plate member mounted on said vehicle body adjacent said lever arm, said lever arm being pivoted into engagement with and slidably displacing said plate in response to movement of said longitudinal bar, releasable locking means, mounted on said vehicle body, and coupled to the forward end of said passenger compartment for detachably securing the forward end of said passenger compartment to said vehicle body, means affixed to the rearward end of said compartment for limiting vertical movement of the passenger compartment with respect to said tracks; and means mounted on said upwardly inclined guide tracks for limiting the movement of said compartment therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
The safety vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein said releasable locking means comprises a cylinder mounted on said vehicle body, a plunger slidably disposed within said cylinder, a slidable abutment member disposed in said cylinder and engaging said plunger, and coupled to said passenger compartment, a spring disposed in said cylinder between one surface thereof and said plunger, and releasable retaining means for securing said abutment member in said cylinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The safety vehicle as recited in claim 2, wherein said abutment member includes a recess in one surface thereof, and said cylinder includes an aperture aligned with said recess, and wherein said releasable retaining means comprises a rigid planar locking member, slidably disposed through said aperture into said recess for locking said abutment member in said recess.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
The safety vehicle as recited in claim 2, wherein said means for limiting vertical movement of said passenger compartment comprises at leaSt one rotatable roller, mounted on said vehicle body behind said passenger compartment, and at least one rigid elongated member, mounted on and extending outwardly from the rear portion of said passenger compartment, for engaging said rotatable roller and limiting vertical movement of the rearward end of said passenger compartment with respect to said vehicle body, said elongated member being movable longitudinally with respect to said vehicle body against said rotatable roller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The safety vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for limiting the vertically upward movement of said passenger compartment with respect to said tracks comprises, an L-shaped, downwardly-extending arm, pivotably mounted on said passenger compartment, having a roller wheel mounted on one end thereof for engaging said tracks and thereby limiting vertical movement of said compartment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
The safety vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein said passenger compartment further comprises a front passenger seat having a first stationary backrest, rigidly affixed to said passenger compartment and including an aperture in its upper portion, and a second backrest mounted in said passenger compartment, said second backrest having the upper end thereof disposed in said aperture in said first backrest so as to be movable vertically and horizontally with respect thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
The safety vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein said passenger compartment further comprises a telescopic steering column including a first stationary cylinder mounted in said passenger compartment, a second slidable cylinder disposed in said first cylinder, said first and second cylinders including aligned apertures disposed therethrough, and a pivotable latch, coupled by a cable to said means for detachably securing said passenger compartment on said vehicle body, disposed through said apertures for securing said second movable cylinder in said first cylinder and releasing said second cylinder in response to the impact of a collision and withdrawing said second cylinder downwardly into said first cylinder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
The safety vehicle as recited in claim 7, wherein said cable further comprises a clamp comprising a cylinder attached to said vehicle body, a slidable piston disposed in said cylinder, a shaft disposed within said cylinder and coupled to said piston by a stem portion having a diameter less than said shaft, said shaft extending from one end of said cylinder and having the end thereof coupled to said cable, and a coil spring, disposed in said cylinder between one end thereof and said piston.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
139 words
The safety vehicle as recited in claim 7, further comprising a first stationary steering rod, coupled to the steering linkage of the safety vehicle, a slidable sleeve, disposed over said stationary steering rod, extending into said stationary cylinder in said passenger compartment, and coupled to said means for detachably securing said passenger compartment on said vehicle body, a second stationary steering rod, mounted in said stationary cylinder, and disposed at one end in said sleeve, and a hollow coupling rod, mounted in said second slidable cylinder, and attached at one end to the steering wheel of said passenger compartment and disposed at the other end thereof over the end of said second stationary steering rod, said hollow coupling rod being slidable downwardly over said second stationary steering rod when said second cylinder is withdrawn into said first stationary cylinder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
198 words
The safety vehicle as recited in claim 1, further comprising a brake pedal pivotably mounted in said passenger compartment, a first shaft, slidably mounted in said passenger compartment, and having abutment members at each end thereof, for engaging said brake pedal, a first pivotable arm, secured at one end to said vehicle body, and coupled to said means for detachably securing said compartment on said vehicle body, a second pivotable arm, secured at one end to said vehicle body adjacent said first arm, and including a spring for biaSing said second arm into engagement with said first arm and a plurality of saw-tooth-shaped recesses disposed longitudinally along the length of said second arm for receiving the end of said first arm, a second shaft slidably mounted in said vehicle body, disposed through said first arm and including a first abutment member disposed at the end thereof for engaging said first shaft in said passenger compartment, and a second abutment member disposed between the ends of said second shaft for engaging said first arm, and a spring, disposed between said vehicle body and said second abutment member for biasing said second abutment member into engagement with said first arm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
116 words
The safety vehicle as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one safety net, comprising a sheet of flexible material, extending across the width of said passenger compartment, and pivotably mounted at one end on the ceiling of said passenger compartment, and having an enlarged forward portion in which air under pressure is disposed, the ends of said enlarged forward portion being slidably disposed in vertical guide tracks in said passenger compartment, and further comprising a cable, attached to the ends of said enlarged forward portion, and to said vehicle body, for drawing said nets downwardly over and in front of the passengers in said passenger compartment in response to the impact of a collision.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The safety vehicle as recited in claim 11, wherein said safety net further comprises a resilient, elongated member, disposed in said enlarged forward portion of said net, for reinforcing said enlarged portion of said net.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
The safety vehicle as recited in claim 12, wherein said cable is attached to said vehicle body by a clamp, comprising a cylinder affixed to said vehicle body, a piston slidably disposed in said cylinder, a shaft, coupled to said piston by a stem portion having a diameter less than said shaft, and to said cable at the other end thereof, and a coil spring, disposed in said cylinder about said shaft between one end of said cylinder and said piston.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
109 words
The safety vehicle as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one safety net, pivotably mounted at one end on the ceiling of the passenger compartment, guide tracks disposed in said compartment, a rigid mounting member, coupled to the end of said safety net and disposed in said guide tracks, and an inflatable air bag, mounted in said mounting member and attached to the end of said safety net, and further comprising a cable, coupled at one end to said vehicle body and at the other end to said mounting member, for drawing said nets, air bags and members downwardly in front of passengers in said passenger compartment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
206 words
The safety vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for detachably securing said passenger compartment on said vehicle body includes a first vertically disposed cylinder mounted on said vehicle body having an opening at one end and on one side thereof, a cylindrical rod, disposed in said cylinder through said opening in the end thereof, and including an outwardly extending shank disposed through said opening in the side of said cylinder, and having a roller mounted thereon, a second cylinder, mounted on said passenger compartment, and disposed above said first cylinder on said vehicle body, for receiving said cylindrical rod, a coil spring disposed in said first cylinder on said vehicle body and coupled to said rod for biasing said rod into said second cylinder mounted on said passenger compartment, and at least one slidable plate, having a curved slot for receiving said roller, disposed adjacent said cylinder on said vehicle body and movable longitudinally with respect thereto, responsive to the impact of a collision, linear movement of said plate causing movement of said roller in said slot and said cylindrical rod in said first cylinder on said vehicle body, thereby withdrawing said cylindrical rod from said second cylinder mounted on said passenger compartment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
The safety vehicle as recited in claim 1, further comprising a solenoid, mounted on said longitudinal bar, and including a movable shaft for disposal between said bumpers and said longitudinal bar, and means, coupled to said solenoid, and responsive to the speed of the safety vehicle for activating said solenoid and disposing said rod between said bumpers and said bars when the safety vehicle reaches a predetermined speed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
The safety vehicle as recited in claim 1, further comprising inflatable air bags, disposed in said passenger compartment, means for inflating said air bags, and a switch, mounted on said plate member adjacent the end of said lever arm, and coupled to said means for inflating said air bags, for engaging said lever arm and activating said means for inflating said air bags.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
92 words
The safety vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein said plate member includes a plurality of electrical, hydraulic and vacuum couplings rigidly affixed thereto, coupled to said vehicle body, and wherein the vehicle body further comprises a rigid plate, having a plurality of apertures disposed therein, disposed adjacent said slidable plate member, said couplings on said slidable plate member extending through said apertures in said rigid plate, and further comprising a plurality of electrical, hydraulic and vacuum coupling lines, slidably disposed over said couplings extending through said apertures in said rigid plate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The safety vehicle as recited in claim 18, wherein said slidable plate member includes a plurality of apertures disposed at the ends thereof, and wherein said rigid plate further comprises a plurality of elongated guide members, for guiding the movement of said slidable plate member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
119 words
The safety vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein said upwardly inclined guide tracks comprise a stationary track housing, a stationary guide track disposed in said housing, and a slidable guide track disposed in said housing adjacent said stationary track, and wherein said means for limiting the movement of said compartment in said upwardly inclined guide tracks comprises a hydraulic cylinder, mounted at one end on said track housing and at the other end on said slidable track with respect to said housing and said stationary track, and an abutment member, secured at one end of said slidable track, for engaging said means disposed in said upwardly inclined guide tracks and limiting the movement thereof in said slidable track.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
66 words
The safety vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein said longitudinal guide tracks comprise linearly perforated tracks, wherein said means for engaging said longitudinal tracks comprises at least one pair of sprocket wheels rotatably mounted at the rearward end of said passenger compartment, and wherein said means for guiding said compartment in said upwardly inclined guide tracks comprises guide wheels, rotatably mounted on said passenger compartment.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR705020A
Cited
US2025822A
Cited
US2959446A
Cited
US2929637A
Cited
US3011823A
Cited
US3162479A
Cited
US3383077A
Cited
US3508783A
Cited
US3605935A
Cited
US3664682A
Cited
US3687485A
Cited
US3692327A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |