US6497183B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable air bag release and membrane protection device
Assignee: Alstom Transport Technologies SAS
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Filing: 2001-07-11
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Granted: 2002-12-24
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Expires: 2021-07-11
Abstract
Abstract A release device for releasing an inflatable element for protecting a vehicle against impact, which element, once inflated, presents a general shape that fits closely over the region of the vehicle to be protected, said inflatable element being held, in a folded state, in a compartment that includes a wall that is connected in sealed manner to an edge of an opening of said inflatable element, wherein, facing said opening, said wall includes gas release means that are protected during inflation of the inflatable element by a closure flap controlled by actuator means that remove said closure flap once the inflatable element is deployed.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis Demarquilly
- 👤 Jean-Jacques Laporte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:33
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R19/00; B60R19/02; B60R19/18; B60R19/20; B60R19/205; B61; B61D; B61D15/00; B61D15/06; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/276; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1624; Y10T137/1632; Y10T137/1774
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A release device, for releasing an inflatable element for protecting a vehicle against impact, comprising: a. a gas release orifice, forming a gas release opening of said inflatable element, covered by a membrane; b. a movable closure flap protectively covering said membrane; and c. an actuator device that moves said closure flap relative to said membrane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
A release device, for releasing an inflatable element for protecting a vehicle against impact, comprising: a. a gas release orifice, forming a gas release opening of said inflatable element, covered by a membrane; b. a movable closure flap protectively covering said membrane; and c. an actuator device that moves said closure flap relative to said membrane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A release device according to claim 1 for releasing an inflatable element for protecting a vehicle, wherein said actuator device is a pyrotechnical device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A release device according to claim 1 for releasing an inflatable element for protecting a vehicle, wherein said gas release orifice is constituted by more than one membrane-fitted release orifice.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A release device according to claim 1 for releasing an inflatable element for protecting a vehicle, wherein said closure flap is removed after a time delay has elapsed from the initial triggering of the inflatable means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
A protection device for protecting a vehicle against impact, comprising: a. a compartment comprising a wall; b. an inflatable element including an opening, said inflatable element being held in a folded state and said opening being connected in a sealed manner to said wall of said compartment, c. wherein, facing said opening, said wall includes an orifice opening out to a means for inflating said inflatable element, and includes a gas release device according to claim 1 , and d. wherein said inflatable element, once inflated, presents a general shape that fits closely over a region of the vehicle to be protected.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A protection device according to claim 5 , wherein said vehicle is a rail vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A protection device according to claim 6 , wherein said means for inflating is constituted by a tank of gas under high pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A release device according to claim 1 for releasing an inflatable element for protecting a vehicle, wherein said actuator device is an electrical device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
A release device, for releasing an inflatable element for protecting a vehicle against impact, comprising: a. a gas release orifice, forming a gas release opening of said inflatable element, covered by a membrane; b. a movable closure flap protectively covering said membrane; and c. said closure flap controlled by a means for moving said closure flap in relation to said membrane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
A release device, for releasing an inflatable element for protecting a vehicle against impact, comprising: a. a gas release orifice, forming a gas release opening of said inflatable element, covered by a membrane; b. a movable closure flap protectively covering said membrane; and c. said closure flap controlled by a means for moving said closure flap in relation to said membrane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
A release device, for releasing an inflatable protection element, comprising: a. a gas release orifice, forming a gas release opening of said inflatable element, covered by a membrane; b. a movable closure flap protectively covering said membrane; and c. said closure flap controlled by a means for moving said closure flap in relation to said membrane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
A release device, for releasing an inflatable protection element, comprising: a. a gas release orifice, forming a gas release opening of said inflatable element, covered by a membrane; b. a movable closure flap protectively covering said membrane; and c. said closure flap controlled by a means for moving said closure flap in relation to said membrane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
A release device, for releasing an inflatable protection element, comprising: a. a gas release orifice, forming a gas release opening of said inflatable element, covered by a membrane; b. a movable closure flap protectively covering said membrane; and c. an actuator device that moves said closure flap relative to said membrane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
A release device, for releasing an inflatable protection element, comprising: a. a gas release orifice, forming a gas release opening of said inflatable element, covered by a membrane; b. a movable closure flap protectively covering said membrane; and c. an actuator device that moves said closure flap relative to said membrane.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A release device according to claim 11 for releasing inflatable protection element, wherein said actuator device is a pyrotechnical device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A release device according to claim 11 for releasing an inflatable protection element, wherein said actuator device is an electrical device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A release device according to claim 11 for releasing an inflatable protection element, wherein said gas release orifice is constituted by more than one membrane-fitted release orifice.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
A release device according to claim 11 for releasing an inflatable protection element, wherein said closure flap is removed after a time delay has elapsed from an initial triggering of the inflatable element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
An inflatable protection element according to claim 11 , wherein said inflatable protection element is incorporated into a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
An inflatable protection element according to claim 11 , wherein said inflatable protection element is incorporated into a passenger compartment of a rail vehicle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
An inflatable protection element according to claim 11 , wherein said inflatable element is deployed by a tank of gas under high pressure.
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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) | 2005-12-23 | 2006-06-24 | 2006-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-23 | 2010-06-24 | 2010-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-23 | 2014-06-24 | 2014-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |