Safety system for opening the trunk compartment of a vehicle
First Claim
1. An apparatus adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said apparatus being positionable within a compartment substantially enclosed by the deck lid, the compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said apparatus adapted for operation from the interior of the compartment when the deck lid is closed and comprising:
- a handle for activating the release mechanism for opening the compartment, said handle having an attachment for interconnection with the release mechanism of the compartment;
at least one illumination source which is at least occasionally activated to provide illumination of said handle; and
a control circuit for activating said at least one illumination source when the deck lid is closed in response to an occurrence of at least one activating event, said control circuit providing a time limitation which deactivates said illumination source a predetermined period of time following said at least one activating event.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A safety release assembly for a trunk or compartment of a vehicle is provided which is positionable within the trunk or compartment space of the vehicle so as to allow for opening of the trunk or compartment lid from within the trunk or compartment. The safety assembly comprises a handle for activating a release mechanism of the lid in order to open the compartment, at least one illumination source, which is at least occasionally activated to provide illumination of the handle, and a control circuit for activating the illumination source in response to an occurrence of at least one activating event such as when the deck lid is closed, motion is sensed by a sensor within the trunk/compartment, an object having a predetermined temperature is detected within the trunk/compartment, or the like. The handle is interconnected with the release mechanism of the compartment, such that movement of the handle results in activation of the release mechanism and thus opening of the lid. The control circuit activates the illumination source for a predetermined period of time following occurrence of at least one activating event, and subsequently deactivates the illumination source upon completion of that time period. The handle of the present invention is designed for easy visibility in minimal lighting conditions and easy recognition even by a young child who may become trapped within the trunk space of the vehicle. This allows easy recognition and activation of the handle and release mechanism of the lid of the vehicle compartment in order to escape from within a trunk space.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1. An apparatus adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said apparatus being positionable within a compartment substantially enclosed by the deck lid, the compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said apparatus adapted for operation from the interior of the compartment when the deck lid is closed and comprising:
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a handle for activating the release mechanism for opening the compartment, said handle having an attachment for interconnection with the release mechanism of the compartment;
at least one illumination source which is at least occasionally activated to provide illumination of said handle; and
a control circuit for activating said at least one illumination source when the deck lid is closed in response to an occurrence of at least one activating event, said control circuit providing a time limitation which deactivates said illumination source a predetermined period of time following said at least one activating event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus adapted for opening a substantially enclosed compartment from within a vehicle compartment, the compartment having a release mechanism, said apparatus being installable within the vehicle compartment and comprising:
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a handle for activating the release mechanism for opening the compartment, said handle having an attachment for interconnection with the release mechanism, said handle being a first color which substantially contrasts with a second color of a background, said handle being mounted substantially adjacent said background;
at least one illumination source for providing illumination of said handle; and
a control circuit which at least temporarily activates said illumination source upon an occurrence of at least one activating event. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. An apparatus adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said apparatus being positionable within a compartment substantially enclosed by the deck lid and adapted for operation from the interior of the compartment when the deck lid is closed, the compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said apparatus comprising:
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a handle for activating the release mechanism for opening the compartment, said handle having an attachment for interconnection with the release mechanism of the compartment, said handle at least partially providing a mechanical advantage such that the release mechanism of the compartment may be activated upon exertion of less than or equal to about 20 Newtons in a predetermined direction on said handle;
at least one illumination source for providing illumination of said handle; and
a control circuit which at least temporarily activates said illumination source upon an occurrence of at least one activating event. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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Specification