VEHICLE SAFETY APPARATUS

• US 3,708,194 A
• Filed: 05/24/1971
• Issued: 01/02/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aster M.A. Amit
• Original Assignee: Aster M.A. Amit
• Inventors: Amit, Aster Ma.
• Primary Examiner(s): Forlenza, Gerald M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Saifer, Robert
• Application Number:
  US05/146,361
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 293/1,69R,71P 280/15AB 169/2R,2A,9,11,31 9/11,14,311,312,314,316 244/107,140 152/415,416,417
• US Class Current: 293/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/205 inflatable in the direction of an obstacle upon impending impact, e.g. using air bags

Abstract

A safety apparatus is disclosed in which an inflatable is provided for the front of an automobile to provide a cushion for the vehicle and its passengers during a collision. The inflatable is connected to a supply of compressed fluid and is enclosed by a cover during non-use, which is adapted to be detachably opened upon inflation of the inflatable. The supply of compressed fluid can also be utilized for fire extinguishing purposes.

Claims

1. A dual purpose vehicle safety apparatus adapted to be attached to a vehicle for extinguishing fire and preventing damage resulting from impact comprising:

a fire extinguishing fluid supply means including an enclosed container detachably mounted to the vehicle and containing a quantity of compressed fire extinguishing fluid;

an inflatable member means for cushioning an impact operatively connected to the container of compressed fire extinguisher fluid;

a first discharge conduit connecting the container and the inflatable member;

means for releasing the fire extinguishing fluid into the inflatable member means for inflation purposes to prevent damage from impact;

a fire extinguishing nozzle for directing the fire extinguishing fluid onto any fire to be extinguished; and

a second discharge conduit connected to the container and the fire extinguishing nozzle for conveying the fire extinguisher fluid whereby a fire can be extinguished by the fluid.

2. The invention of claim 1 further including means for attaching the safety apparatus adjacent a front bumper of the vehicle.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the inflatable member means comprises a resilient container which is arranged in folds during non-use.

4. The invention of claim 2 further comprising means for removably covering the inflatable member means during non-use.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the removable cover means comprises fastening means for securing the cover means over the inflatable member means during non-use, the fastening means being detachable upon inflation of the inflatable member means.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the removable cover means comprises a layer of flexible material extending over the inflatable member means.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein the flexible material is canvas.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein the canvas is chrome plated to match the finish of the automobile bumper.

9. The invention of claim 7 wherein the inflatable member means further comprises valve means for relieving the buildup of pressure within the inflatable member means during impact.

10. A dual purpose vehicle safety apparatus adapted to be attached to a vehicle for extinguishing fire and preventing damage resulting from impact comprising:

a fire extinguishing fluid supply means including an enclosed container detachably mounted to the vehicle and containing a quantity of compressed fire extinguishing fluid;

an inflatable member means for cushioning an impact operatively connected to the container of compressed fire extinguisher fluid;

a first discharge conduit connecting the container and the inflatable member;

means for releasing the fire extinguishing fluid into the inflatable member means for inflation purposes to prevent damage from impact;

a fire extinguishing nozzle for directing the fire extinguishing fluid onto any fire to be extinguished;

a second discharge conduit connected to the container and the fire extinguishing nozzle for conveying the fire extinguisher fluid whereby a fire can be extinguished by the fluid;

a releasable coupling positioned downstream of the means for releasing the fire extinguishing fluid and capable of separating the inflatable member means from the container; and

means for selectively releasing the fire extinguishing fluid into the second discharge conduit.

11. The invention of claim 10 wherein the inflatable member means comprises a resilient container which is arranged in folds during non-use.

12. The invention of claim 10 further comprising means for removably covering the inflatable member means during non-use.

13. The invention of claim 12 wherein the cover means comprises fastening means for securing the cover means over the inflatable member means during non-use, the fastening means being detacHable upon inflation of the inflatable member means.

14. The invention of claim 13 wherein the cover means comprises a layer of flexible material extending over the inflatable member means.

15. The invention of claim 14 wherein the inflatable member means further comprises valve means located on the inflatable member means for relieving the buildup of pressure within the inflatable member means during impact.

16. The invention of claim 14 wherein the flexible material is canvas.

17. The invention of claim 16 wherein the canvas is chrome plated to match the finish of the automobile bumper.