Electromagnetic car seat release upon deployment of vehicular air bag

• US 6,170,865 B1
• Filed: 01/23/1999
• Issued: 01/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Martin Barron
• Original Assignee: Martin Barron
• Inventors: Barron, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Lanna
• Assistant Examiner(s): JASMIN, LYNDA C
• Application Number:
  US09/236,201
• Time in Patent Office: 717 Days
• Field of Search: 280/735, 180/268, 180/282, 296/68.1, 296/65.13, 296/65.14, 248/430, 297/216.18
• US Class Current: 280/735
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0276 reaction to emergency situations, e.g. crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0712 H or double T-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0715 C or U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/08 characterised by the locking device
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4221 due to impact coming from the front
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42736 of the whole seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4279 electric or electronic triggering
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/16 Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags protective garments with automatically inflatable shock-absorbing means A41D13/018; connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00

Abstract

The present invention 18 discloses a device which will release a vehicular seal 12 in the event tile vehicle air bag 25 is deployed, for example, in the event of an accident. The apparatus discloses an electromagnetic lock assembly 24 attached to the vehicle seat 12 wherein the lock assembly 24 is releasably attached to a track 22 and wheel assembly 26 which it fixedly mounted to the vehicle in such a manner that the electromagnetic lock assembly 24 can slide back and forth upon the track 22 and wheel assembly 26. The electromagnetic lock assembly 24 of the present invention, normally keeps the lock assembly 24 in a closed position so that the seat 12 will not move. However, a sensor 44 is provided which recognizes the deployment of the vehicle air bag 25 and thereby sends an output signal to a relay switch 46 which opens the circuit which normally keeps the electromagnetic lock assembly 24 in its closed position thereby releasing the electromagnetic lock 24 and allowing the vehicle seat 12 to move in a rearward direction which movement is caused by the air bag 25 making contact with the occupant 16 and thereby pushing the occupant 16 and tie occupant'"'"'s seat 12 in the rearward direction.

Claims

1. An apparatus for releasing a vehicle seat upon deployment of the vehicle air bag, comprising:

a) electrically operated first means for locking the seat of the vehicle in position;

b) a second means for connecting the seat to said first means for locking said seat of the vehicle;

c) a wheel assembly to which the seat of the vehicle is attached;

d) a track assembly within which said wheel assembly operates and to which said first means for locking the seat is attached;

e) said track assembly fixedly mounted to the vehicle;

f) electrically operated third means for controlling said first means for locking the seat; and

g) means for releasing said vehicle seat upon deployment of the vehicle air bag.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, said first means for locking said seat further comprising electromagnetic means for locking about said track assembly.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, said electromagnetic means further comprising an upper and a lower member for locking about said track assembly.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first means for locking said seat of the vehicle is normally in the locked position about said track assembly.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for sensing the deployment of the vehicle air bag.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said third means for controlling said first means for locking said seat is activated by said means for sensing the deployment of the vehicle air bag, said third means for controlling said first means for locking said seat unlocking said first means for locking said seat whereby the seat is free to move upon deployment of the air bag.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, said third means for controlling further comprising a seat adjustment lever operable by the vehicle driver.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, said seat adjustment lever further comprising an electrical switch for releasing said first means for locking said seat of a vehicle whereby said seat is free to move.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, said track assembly further comprising a pair of track assemblies located under each side of the seat whereby the seat can be adjusted.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, each said track assembly further comprising a pair of parallel tracks upon which the seat is movable.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, said wheel assembly further comprising a pair of wheels.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an axle connecting said pair of wheels to each other.

13. A method for releasing a vehicle seat upon deployment of the vehicle air bag, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a vehicle seat having first electromagnetic means for being slidably adjusted upon a second fixedly mounted means to the vehicle;

b) maintaining said means for adjustment in a normally closed position;

c) sensing air bag deployment of the vehicular air bag; and

,

d) opening the circuit which maintains said first means in a normally closed position, whereby, said first means is movable.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of providing a seat adjustment lever further comprising an electrical switch for releasing said first means whereby the seat is free to move said adjustment lever being operable by the vehicle driver.