US3847411A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle accident protection system and method of protecting passengers
Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
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Filing: 1972-03-21
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Granted: 1974-11-12
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Expires: 1992-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle having a shock absorption system for protecting passengers in an accident includes an inflatable bag or casing which is filled by a pressure fluid whenever an accident sensing device such as an inertial detecting element indicates that an accident is likely to take place. At the same time, the inventive method and apparatus includes means for reducing the pressure within the passenger space of the vehicle in order that the effects to the passenger of the sound pressure which is created by the inflation of the casing is counteracted. Both the pressure for inflating the casing and the source for pumping the passenger compartment so as to reduce its pressure is advantageously obtained from the ignition of a solid charge.
Inventors
- 👤 G Herrmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:34
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/264; B60R21/2644; B60R21/164; F; F42; F42B; F42B3/00; F42B3/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0971; Y10T137/0989
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A vehicle for the transportation of persons particularly automobiles having a shock-absorption system, comprising at least one inflatable casing adapted to be installed in the passenger compartment of the automobile, fluid-pressure means, means for sensing an accident condition of the automobile connected between said casing and said fluid-pressure means for initiating the inflation of said casing by means of said fluid-pressure, and pump means having a suction in the passenger compartment and a discharge connected to atmosphere and being connected to said sensing means and said fluid-pressure means and being actionable thereby to produce an underpressure in the passenger compartment at the same time as said casing is inflated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A vehicle for the transportation of persons particularly automobiles having a shock-absorption system, comprising at least one inflatable casing adapted to be installed in the passenger compartment of the automobile, fluid-pressure means, means for sensing an accident condition of the automobile connected between said casing and said fluid-pressure means for initiating the inflation of said casing by means of said fluid-pressure, and pump means having a suction in the passenger compartment and a discharge connected to atmosphere and being connected to said sensing means and said fluid-pressure means and being actionable thereby to produce an underpressure in the passenger compartment at the same time as said casing is inflated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A vehicle, according to claim 1, wherein said pump means comprises a jet pump connected into said passenger compartment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A vehicle, according to claim 2, wherein said jet pump includes a passenger compartment air evacuation conduit and a high-pressure fluid conduit connected into said passenger compartment evacuation conduit, said fluid-pressure means comprising means for generating a high-pressure fluid connected to said high-pressure fluid conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A vehicle, according to claim 1, wherein said fluid-pressure means comprises a rocket booster for generating high-pressure gases, said pump means being operated by said high-pressure gases.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vehicle, according to claim 1, wherein said fluid-pressure means comprises a rocket booster comprising at least one charge of an ignitable material having a high speed combustion rate for generating said pressure-fluid source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A vehicle, according to claim 5, including means for cooling said generated gases comprising a solid coolant.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of providing protection to a passenger in a vehicle having a passenger compartment with an inflatable casing which is inflatable by fluid-pressure to support the individual and hold him so that he does not crash against any vehicle part, comprising inflating the casing when an accident condition is sensed and simultaneously pumping air out of the vehicle passenger compartment to the exterior of the vehicle to reduce the pressure in the vehicle to counteract the generation of sound pressure by the inflation of said casing.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of providing protection to a passenger in a vehicle having a passenger compartment with an inflatable casing which is inflatable by fluid-pressure to support the individual and hold him so that he does not crash against any vehicle part, comprising inflating the casing when an accident condition is sensed and simultaneously pumping air out of the vehicle passenger compartment to the exterior of the vehicle to reduce the pressure in the vehicle to counteract the generation of sound pressure by the inflation of said casing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method, according to claim 7, including igniting a booster charge to generate high-pressure gases and using the gases to inflate the casing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method, according to claim 8, including using a jet pump to evacuate the passenger compartment in order to reduce the pressure in the vehicle and using the gases which have been generated by the ignition of said charge to operate said jet pump.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-11 | 1978-05-13 | 1978-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-11 | 1982-05-13 | 1982-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-11 | 1986-05-13 | 1986-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |