Patent US3440408A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4093290A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle with safety device
Assignee: National Research Development Corp UK
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Filing: 1976-03-09
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Granted: 1978-06-06
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Expires: 1996-03-09
Abstract
Abstract A safety vehicle incorporating an impact member, a collision sensor and a safety device. When the vehicle collides with a typical pedestrian, he is struck by the impact member, which is so placed that it tends to make him fall onto a surface of the vehicle, e.g. the bonnet. The safety device, responding to the sensor, then moves from a stowed position to an operating position in which it restrains him from falling off the surface again. The stowed location of the device and its path of movement to its operating position are chosen so that it does not impede, but may actually assist, the movement of the pedestrian onto the bonnet.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard Charles Pearson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:41
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
A vehicle including: an impact member located at low height off the ground, and by which the moving vehicle will tend upon collision with a typical pedestrian to make impact below his center of gravity; a bonnet onto which said impact by said impact member will tend to throw said pedestrian; at least one sensor means connected to said vehicle for sensing and being actuated by one of (1) said initial collision of said impact member with said pedestrian and (2) the subsequent impact of said thrown pedestrian on said bonnet; a safety device moveable in a path of movement from a stowed position to an operating position, in which operating position said safety device forms a barrier to restrain said pedestrian from falling off said bonnet; said safety device in said stowed position lying at a height off the ground below that of said bonnet and closely similar to that of said impact member; said path of movement of said safety device from said stowed to said operating position carrying it first horizontally and outward from said vehicle and then upward; and means responsive to the actuation of said at least one sensor means for moving said safety device through said path of movement thereof from said stowed to said operating position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
A vehicle including: an impact member located at low height off the ground, and by which the moving vehicle will tend upon collision with a typical pedestrian to make impact below his center of gravity; a bonnet onto which said impact by said impact member will tend to throw said pedestrian; at least one sensor means connected to said vehicle for sensing and being actuated by one of (1) said initial collision of said impact member with said pedestrian and (2) the subsequent impact of said thrown pedestrian on said bonnet; a safety device moveable in a path of movement from a stowed position to an operating position, in which operating position said safety device forms a barrier to restrain said pedestrian from falling off said bonnet; said safety device in said stowed position lying at a height off the ground below that of said bonnet and closely similar to that of said impact member; said path of movement of said safety device from said stowed to said operating position carrying it first horizontally and outward from said vehicle and then upward; and means responsive to the actuation of said at least one sensor means for moving said safety device through said path of movement thereof from said stowed to said operating position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said impact member is a front bumper of said vehicle, and in which said safety device when in said stowed position lies close to said front bumper and is protected from impact with colliding pedestrians by said front bumper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A vehicle according to claim 1 in which said at least one sensor means is associated with said bonnet to sense the fall of said pedestrian thrown thereupon after being collided with by said impact member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
A vehicle according to claim 1 in which said safety device comprises a central base length and two legs, said base length being linked at each end to a separate one of said legs, in which said legs are pivotted to the body of said vehicle and in which in said operating position said base length lies horizontal, transverse relative to said vehicle, above and slightly forward of said bonnet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A vehicle according to claim 4 in which said legs of said safety device comprise articulated sections, said sections being folded inter se when said device is in its said stowed position, thus collapsing said device, but unfolding as said device moves to its said operating position, thus extending said device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A vehicle according to claim 1 in which said means for moving said safety device comprise springs and in which said safety device includes means for damping the response of said safety device to said springs at least when said safety device is approaching its said operating position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A vehicle according to claim 1 in which said at least one sensor means is associated with said impact member to sense the collision of said pedestrian therewith.
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) | 1981-06-05 | 1981-12-05 | 1982-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-05 | 1985-12-05 | 1986-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-05 | 1989-12-05 | 1990-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |