Side window safety device for a motor vehicle
First Claim
1. A safety device for reducing passenger head impact injury resulting from side collisions in a motor vehicle comprising in operative combination:
- a) at least one laminated safety glass side window having at least one intermediate plastic film layer disposed between surrounding glass layers;
b) means for detecting a side collision of a predetermined severity; and
c) striking means responsive to said detecting means for converting said side window from a rigid surface to a yieldingly, flexible surface for receiving a passenger'"'"'s head when impacted thereagainst said striking means being disposed adjacent an edge of said side window.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A safety device in a motor vehicle having side windows fabricated from toughened laminated safety glass with an intermediate plastic film layer. The safety device includes a sensor device for detecting a side collision, and a window striker device for breaking a side window, which striker is activated by an appropriate signal generated by the side collision detecting means. In its broken condition, the window provides a yielding, flexible surface for cushioning the impact of a passenger'"'"'s head. In various embodiments of the invention, the striker device may be actuated mechanically, or electrically by use of a pyro-technic charge. The side collision detection means is an elongated, fluid filled sensor chamber disposed in a side region of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the fluid filled chamber is contained hidden within an external door guide or bumper. In a second embodiment, the fluid filled chamber is disposed internal of the door body to prevent incidental triggering. During a side collision of the appropriate severity and extent, the fluid filled chamber becomes sufficiently deformed, creating a rise in fluid pressure, which is detected as a signal to make an electric switching contact or to actuate the striker device directly.
47 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A safety device for reducing passenger head impact injury resulting from side collisions in a motor vehicle comprising in operative combination:
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a) at least one laminated safety glass side window having at least one intermediate plastic film layer disposed between surrounding glass layers; b) means for detecting a side collision of a predetermined severity; and c) striking means responsive to said detecting means for converting said side window from a rigid surface to a yieldingly, flexible surface for receiving a passenger'"'"'s head when impacted thereagainst said striking means being disposed adjacent an edge of said side window. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification