Insitu apparatus and method for breaking glass

• US 20030136009A1
• Filed: 01/02/2002
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alert Safety Technologies Limited
• Original Assignee: Alert Safety Technologies Limited
• Inventors: McNeill, Ralph
• Application Number:
  US09/959,875
• Publication Number:
  US 20030136009A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 30/361
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 3/006 Explosive bolts; Explosive actuators explosive valves F16K13/06; explosive cutting B23D15/145; explosive switches H01H39/00; pyrotechnical actuators F15B15/19

Abstract

A self-contained apparatus (1, 11) for breaking a glass pane, said apparatus comprising a housing (2) which can be attached to a glass pane (3), initiating means (4) breaking said glass pane and activation means (6) for encouraging the initiator to impact the glass with sufficient force to cause the glass pane to break or smash, wherein the apparatus can be retro-fitted to an existing window and is switchable between a sleep mode and active mode. The apparatus is further associated with identification means for aiding in the identification of a user upon activation of the apparatus which acts as an anti-vandalism system to prevent the device from being interfered with.

Claims

1. Self-contained apparatus for breaking a glass pane, said apparatus comprising a housing which can be attached to the glass pane, initiating means for breaking said glass and an activation means for encouraging the initiator to impact the glass with sufficient force to cause the glass pane to break or smash.

2. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the initiating means can break through multi-glass panes, such as double glazing or reinforced glass, simultaneously.

3. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the activation means is located behind a protective panel or barrier, the panel or barrier being easily broken or removed to enable access to the activation means.

4. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the activation means is positioned in a location remote from the apparatus.

5. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the initiating means is a metal pin or rod.

6. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the activating means incorporates a button or switch accessible and operable by a user requiring immediate breaking of the glass pane.

7. Self-contained apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the activation means further includes a hot wire bridge by way of an electrical circuit, wherein the circuit is closed upon depression of the button or a switch operable by a user, the hot wire bridge being a adapted to transfer heat to a compound located within the housing, wherein the compound is adapted to decompose on heating, resulting in the rapid expansion of gases, thereby serving to drive a piston to which said initiator means is linked, wherein movement of said piston and initiator means causes said initiator means to favourably impact the glass pane.

8. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in claim 7, wherein the compound is nitro-cellulose.

9. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the activation means encourages the initiating means against a mechanical bias, whereupon release of a button or switch by the user, the bias forcibly propels the initiating means to forcibly impact the glass pane.

10. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the protective panel is made of a material which is far easier to break or shatter than the glass pane sought to be broken by the initiating means, and which offers minimal risk of damaging the skin or tissue of the user or nearby personnel.

11. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein the material is SAFEGLASS™

.

12. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is permanently fixed to the glass by way of a strong adhesive.

13. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is attached to the glass by suction means.

14. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is attached to the glass by mechanical means in the form of screws.

15. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus includes or is associated with an independent electrical power supply.

16. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in claim 15, wherein the independent electrical power supply is in the form of batteries.

17. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in claims 15 to 16, wherein the apparatus includes a battery power level LCD indicator and a suitable accessible lockable battery compartment.

18. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is heat resistant.

19. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is resistant to radio frequency to ensure that the device is not inadvertently triggered.

20. Self-contained apparatus, as clashed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is changeable between a sleep mode and active mode, wherein when the apparatus is in said sleep mode, the initiating means is not actuable by said activation means.

21. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in claim 20, wherein switching between the sleep mode and active mode is dependent upon the output of one or more sensors associated with the apparatus, such as motion sensors, sound detectors, vibration sensors, impact sensors, heat sensors or smoke sensors.

22. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in claim 21, wherein the sensors are positioned in a location remote from the apparatus.

23. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus contains self-illumination means to allow identification of the apparatus in darkness.

24. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is associated with identification means which aids in the identification of the user upon activation of the apparatus.

25. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in claim 24, wherein the identification means is a dye which is released upon activation of the apparatus.

26. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in claim 24, wherein the identification means is a camera which is fired upon activation of the apparatus.

27. Self-contained apparatus, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus can be retro-fitted to a glass pane.