Patent US5845937A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5845937A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Structural assembly
Assignee: Morton International LLC
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Filing: 1997-02-10
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Granted: 1998-12-08
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Expires: 2017-02-10
Abstract
Abstract The assembly is useful in protecting occupants of a motor vehicle in the event of a collision. It includes a substantially closed rigid tubular metal element connected to a source of generating fluid pressure, such as a gas-generating inflator. The element is in flattened condition when installed. At the time of an imminent accident, the inflator generates fluid pressure to enlarge the flattened tubular element to increase its rigidity, strength, and resistance to buckling.
Inventors
- 👤 Bradley W. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:20
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D21/00; B62D21/15; B62D21/157; B62D25/00; B62D25/02; B62D25/04; B62D25/06; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R2019/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A structural assembly comprising: (a) an elongate rigid tubular element having an original cross-sectional shape including opposite side wall portions, said element being transversely collapsed from its original shape to a collapsed shape wherein the side wall portions of the tubular element are compacted into tight accordion folds, the interior of the collapsed element being substantially closed to the atmosphere, (b) an activatable means for generating fluid pressure having a fluid discharge opening connected to the interior of the collapsed rigid tubular element, whereby the fluid pressure generated by the activatable means, when activated, restores the collapsed tubular element to substantially its original cross-sectional shape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A structural assembly comprising: (a) an elongate rigid tubular element having an original cross-sectional shape including opposite side wall portions, said element being transversely collapsed from its original shape to a collapsed shape wherein the side wall portions of the tubular element are compacted into tight accordion folds, the interior of the collapsed element being substantially closed to the atmosphere, (b) an activatable means for generating fluid pressure having a fluid discharge opening connected to the interior of the collapsed rigid tubular element, whereby the fluid pressure generated by the activatable means, when activated, restores the collapsed tubular element to substantially its original cross-sectional shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly of claim 1 wherein the tubular element is a metal tubular element having an original cross-sectional shape that is rectangular.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
An assembly of claim 2 wherein the activatable means comprises a gas-generating inflator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An assembly of claim 3 wherein the inflator is capable of generating a gas pressure of at least 100 psi in the tubular element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A motor vehicle having: (a) a structural element of claim 1 installed therein in a location wherein the structural assembly can prevent or limit damage to a portion of the vehicle in the event of impact, and (b) an impact sensor for activation of the activatable means for generating fluid pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A vehicle of claim 5 wherein the tubular element is a metal tubular element having an original cross-sectional shape that is rectangular, and the activatable means comprises a gas-generating inflator capable of generating a gas pressure of at least 100 psi in the tubular element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A motor vehicle of claim 6 wherein the structural assembly is installed transversely across a roof of the vehicle to serve as a roll bar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A motor vehicle of claim 6 wherein the structural assembly is installed in a door of the vehicle to resist intrusion in the event of a side impact.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A motor vehicle of claim 6 wherein the structural assembly is installed longitudinally of the vehicle at a level of a frame member of the vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A vehicle of claim 9 wherein a further collapsed tubular element extends transverse of the vehicle at the level of the frame member of the vehicle and is connected to the first collapsed tubular element.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of reinforcing a portion of a vehicle in the event of impact thereto, the method including the steps of: (a) providing in the vehicle an elongate rigid tubular element having an original cross-sectional shape including opposite side wall portions, said tubular element being in a collapsed shape wherein the side wall portions of the tubular element are compacted into tight accordion folds, the interior of the collapsed element being substantially closed to the atmosphere, and a sensor activatable fluid pressure generating means in fluid communication with the closed interior of the collapsed tubular element; and (b) actuating the fluid pressure-generating means by the sensor sensing an impending impact, thereby rapidly pressurizing the interior of the collapsed tubular element by fluid pressure generated by the fluid pressure-generating means and restoring the collapsed tubular element to substantially its original cross-sectional shape.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of reinforcing a portion of a vehicle in the event of impact thereto, the method including the steps of: (a) providing in the vehicle an elongate rigid tubular element having an original cross-sectional shape including opposite side wall portions, said tubular element being in a collapsed shape wherein the side wall portions of the tubular element are compacted into tight accordion folds, the interior of the collapsed element being substantially closed to the atmosphere, and a sensor activatable fluid pressure generating means in fluid communication with the closed interior of the collapsed tubular element; and (b) actuating the fluid pressure-generating means by the sensor sensing an impending impact, thereby rapidly pressurizing the interior of the collapsed tubular element by fluid pressure generated by the fluid pressure-generating means and restoring the collapsed tubular element to substantially its original cross-sectional shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the fluid pressure generating means is a gas-generating inflator generating a gas pressure of at least 100 psi in the tubular element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 11 additionally comprising: (c) maintaining a pressure in the tubular element to increase the rigidity of the tubular element as well as increase its anti-buckling capability.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
82 words
A structural assembly for installation in a motor vehicle, said structural assembly comprising: (a) an elongate rigid metal tubular element having a flattened shape, the interior of the element being substantially closed to the atmosphere, (b) an activatable means for generating fluid pressure, said activatable means having a discharge opening connected to the interior of the flattened metal tubular element, whereby fluid pressure generated upon activation of the means for generating fluid pressure can inflate the tubular element to an unflattened shape.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
82 words
A structural assembly for installation in a motor vehicle, said structural assembly comprising: (a) an elongate rigid metal tubular element having a flattened shape, the interior of the element being substantially closed to the atmosphere, (b) an activatable means for generating fluid pressure, said activatable means having a discharge opening connected to the interior of the flattened metal tubular element, whereby fluid pressure generated upon activation of the means for generating fluid pressure can inflate the tubular element to an unflattened shape.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the activatable means for generating fluid pressure comprises a gas-generating inflator capable of generating a pressure of at least 100 psi in the tubular element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
53 words
A motor vehicle having: (a) a structural element of claim 14 installed in the vehicle in a location wherein the structural assembly can prevent or limit damage to a portion of the vehicle in the event of impact, and (b) an impact sensor for activation of the activatable means for generating fluid pressure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
A vehicle of claim 16 wherein the tubular element is a metal tubular element having an original cross-sectional shape that is rectangular, and the activatable means comprises a gas-generating inflator capable of generating a gas pressure of at least 100 psi in the tubular element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A motor vehicle of claim 17 wherein the structural assembly is installed transversely across a roof of the vehicle to serve as a roll bar.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A motor vehicle of claim 17 wherein the structural assembly is installed in a door of the vehicle to resist intrusion in the event of a side impact.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
A motor vehicle of claim 17 wherein the assembly is installed longitudinally of a vehicle at a level of a frame member of the vehicle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 20 wherein a further flattened tubular element extends transverse of the vehicle at the level of the frame member of the vehicle and is connected to the first flattened tubular element.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A structural assembly as claimed in claim 17 wherein the inflator is located, at least partially, inside a part of the flattened tubular element.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
A structural assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the unflattened cross-sectional shape of the tubular element is rectangular.
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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) | 2001-12-07 | 2002-06-08 | 2002-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-07 | 2006-06-08 | 2006-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-07 | 2010-06-08 | 2010-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |