Safety system for a closed compartment of a vehicle
First Claim
1. A release system adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said release system being positionable within a trunk compartment at least partially closed by the deck lid, the trunk compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said release system being adapted for operation from the interior of the trunk compartment and comprising:
- a gas operable assist device connectable to the release mechanism, said gas operable actuating device comprising a compressed gas container which includes a movable piston in communication with a compressed gas source; and
at least one of a manual input device and an occupant detector, said gas operable assist device being operable to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid in response to at least one of a user input to said manual input device and a detection of an occupant within the trunk compartment by said occupant detector, said gas operable assist device including at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element, said gas operable assist device utilizing energy stored within said at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid, wherein said gas operable assist device comprises a compressed carbon dioxide container.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A release system adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle includes a gas operable assist device and at least one of a manual input device and an occupant detector. The release system is positionable within a compartment at least partially closed by the deck lid. The compartment has a release mechanism for opening the deck lid and the release system is adapted for operation from the interior of the compartment. The gas operable assist device is connectable to the release mechanism and is operable to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid in response to a user input to the manual input device or a detection of an occupant within the compartment by the occupant detector. The gas operable assist device includes at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. A release system adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said release system being positionable within a trunk compartment at least partially closed by the deck lid, the trunk compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said release system being adapted for operation from the interior of the trunk compartment and comprising:
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a gas operable assist device connectable to the release mechanism, said gas operable actuating device comprising a compressed gas container which includes a movable piston in communication with a compressed gas source; and
at least one of a manual input device and an occupant detector, said gas operable assist device being operable to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid in response to at least one of a user input to said manual input device and a detection of an occupant within the trunk compartment by said occupant detector, said gas operable assist device including at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element, said gas operable assist device utilizing energy stored within said at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid, wherein said gas operable assist device comprises a compressed carbon dioxide container.
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2. A release system adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said release system being positionable within a trunk compartment at least partially closed by the deck lid, the trunk compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said release system being adapted for operation from the interior of the trunk compartment and comprising:
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a gas operable assist device connectable to the release mechanism; and
at least one of a manual input device and an occupant detector, said gas operable assist device being operable to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid in response to at least one of a user input to said manual input device and a detection of an occupant within the trunk compartment by said occupant detector, said gas operable assist device including at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element, said gas operable assist device utilizing energy stored within said at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid, wherein said gas operable assist device is actuatable to generate a pulling action on a cable connected to the release mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A release system adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said release system being positionable within a trunk compartment at least partially closed by the deck lid, the trunk compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said release system being adapted for operation from the interior of the trunk compartment and comprising:
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a gas operable assist device connectable to the release mechanism; and
at least one of a manual input device and an occupant detector, said gas operable assist device being operable to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid in response to at least one of a user input to said manual input device and a detection of an occupant within the trunk compartment by said occupant detector, said gas operable assist device including at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element, said gas operable assist device utilizing energy stored within said at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid, wherein said gas operable assist device comprises a pyrotechnic element. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A release system adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said release system being positionable within a trunk compartment at least partially closed by the deck lid, the trunk compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said release system being adapted for operation from the interior of the trunk compartment and comprising:
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a gas operable assist device connectable to the release mechanism; and
at least one of a manual input device and an occupant detector, said gas operable assist device being operable to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid in response to at least one of a user input to said manual input device and a detection of an occupant within the trunk compartment by said occupant detector, said gas operable assist device including at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element, said gas operable assist device utilizing energy stored within said at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid, wherein said gas operable assist device is selectably locked to limit unintentional actuation of said gas operable assist device. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A release system adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said release system being positionable within a trunk compartment at least partially closed by the deck lid, the trunk compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said release system being adapted for operation from the interior of the trunk compartment and comprising:
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a gas operable assist device connectable to the release mechanism; and
at least one of a manual input device and an occupant detector, said gas operable assist device being operable to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid in response to at least one of a user input to said manual input device and a detection of an occupant within the trunk compartment by said occupant detector, said gas operable assist device including at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element, said gas operable assist device utilizing energy stored within said at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid, said manual input device comprising a handle for activating the release mechanism for opening the deck lid, the user input being at least one of a movement and a contact of said handle by a user, wherein said assist device is operable to increase the mechanical advantage of said handle such that a lesser force is required on said handle to activate the release mechanism.
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14. A release system adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said release system being positionable within a trunk compartment at least partially closed by the deck lid, the trunk compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said release system being adapted for operation from the interior of the trunk compartment and comprising:
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a gas operable assist device connectable to the release mechanism; and
at least one of a manual input device and an occupant detector, said gas operable assist device being operable to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid in response to at least one of a user input to said manual input device and a detection of an occupant within the trunk compartment by said occupant detector, said gas operable assist device including at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element, said gas operable assist device utilizing energy stored within said at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid, wherein said release system includes a manual input device and wherein said manual input device is operable to activate the release mechanism independent of said assist device.
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15. A release system adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said release system being positionable within a trunk compartment at least partially closed by the deck lid, the trunk compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said release system being adapted for operation from the interior of the trunk compartment and comprising:
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a gas operable assist device connectable to the release mechanism; and
at least one of a manual input device and an occupant detector, said gas operable assist device being operable to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid in response to at least one of a user input to said manual input device and a detection of an occupant within the trunk compartment by said occupant detector, said gas operable assist device including at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element, said gas operable assist device utilizing energy stored within said at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid, wherein said release system includes an occupant detector and wherein said occupant detector comprises at least one of a motion sensor and a temperature sensor.
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16. A release system adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said release system being positionable within a trunk compartment at least partially closed by the deck lid, the trunk compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said release system being adapted for operation from the interior of the trunk compartment and comprising:
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a gas operable assist device connectable to the release mechanism; and
a manual input device and an occupant detector, said gas operable assist device being operable to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid in response to at least one of a user input to said manual input device and a detection of an occupant within the trunk compartment by said occupant detector, said gas operable assist device including at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element, said gas operable assist device utilizing energy stored within said at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid, wherein said occupant detector comprises a first sensor, disposed in the trunk compartment, for generating an alert signal responsive to sensed conditions in the trunk compartment, and a controller, coupled to the sensor, for receiving the alert signal and generating a control signal in accordance with the alert signal, said gas operable assist device being actuatable by said controller. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A release system adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said release system being positionable within a trunk compartment at least partially closed by the deck lid, the trunk compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said release system being adapted for operation from the interior of the trunk compartment and comprising:
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a gas operable assist device connectable to the release mechanism; and
at least one of a manual input device and an occupant detector, said gas operable assist device being operable to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid in response to at least one of a user input to said manual input device and a detection of an occupant within the trunk compartment by said occupant detector, said gas operable assist device including at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element, said gas operable assist device utilizing energy stored within said at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid;
a control which is operable to actuate said gas operable assist device in response to said manual input device or said occupant detector; and
at least one illumination source, said control being operable to at least occasionally activate said at least one illumination source to provide illumination of said manual input device. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. An apparatus adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said apparatus being positionable within a trunk compartment substantially enclosed by the deck lid, the trunk compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said apparatus adapted for operation from the interior of the trunk compartment and comprising:
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a gas operable assist device connectable to the release mechanism, said gas operable assist device including at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element;
a control circuit for activating said gas operable assist device when the deck lid is closed in response to an occurrence of at least one activating event;
a manual input device for manually activating the release mechanism for opening the trunk compartment, said manual input device having an attachment for interconnection with the release mechanism of the trunk compartment; and
at least one illumination source which is at least occasionally activated to provide illumination of said manual input device. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. An apparatus adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said apparatus being positionable within a trunk compartment substantially enclosed by the deck lid, the trunk compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said apparatus adapted for operation from the interior of the trunk compartment and comprising:
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a gas operable assist device connectable to the release mechanism, said gas operable assist device including at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element;
a control circuit for activating said gas operable assist device when the deck lid is closed in response to an occurrence of at least one activating event;
a manual input device for manually activating the release mechanism for opening the trunk compartment, said manual input device having an attachment for interconnection with the release mechanism of the trunk compartment, said manual input device being movable to actuate the release mechanism; and
at least one of a motion sensor and a temperature sensor, said at least one activating event being at least one of a movement of said manual input device, a detection of a movement within the trunk compartment by said motion sensor and a detection of a predetermined temperature of an object within the trunk compartment by said temperature sensor. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. An apparatus adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said apparatus being positionable within a trunk compartment substantially enclosed by the deck lid, the trunk compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said apparatus adapted for operation from the interior of the trunk compartment and comprising:
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a gas operable assist device connectable to the release mechanism, said gas operable assist device including at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element;
a control circuit for activating said gas operable assist device when the deck lid is closed in response to an occurrence of at least one activating event; and
at least one of a motion sensor and a temperature sensor, said at least one activating event being at least one of a detection of a movement within the trunk compartment by said motion sensor and a detection of a predetermined temperature of an object within the trunk compartment by said temperature sensor.
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30. An apparatus adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said apparatus being positionable within a trunk compartment substantially enclosed by the deck lid, the trunk compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said apparatus adapted for operation from the interior of the trunk compartment and comprising:
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a gas operable assist device connectable to the release mechanism, said gas operable assist device including at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element;
a control circuit for activating said gas operable assist device when the deck lid is closed in response to an occurrence of at least one activating event; and
an occupant detector, wherein said occupant detector comprises a first sensor, disposed in the trunk compartment, for generating an alert signal responsive to sensed conditions in the trunk compartment, said control circuit being coupled to the sensor and operable to receive the alert signal and generate a control signal in accordance with the alert signal. - View Dependent Claims (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 trunk compartment substantially enclosed by the deck lid, the trunk compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said apparatus adapted for operation from the interior of the trunk compartment and comprising:
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a gas operable assist device connectable to the release mechanism, said gas operable assist device including at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element, said gas operable actuating device comprising a compressed gas container which includes a piston in communication with a compressed gas source; and
a control circuit for activating said gas operable assist device when the deck lid is closed in response to an occurrence of at least one activating event, wherein said gas operable assist device comprises a compressed carbon dioxide container.
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38. An apparatus adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said apparatus being positionable within a trunk compartment substantially enclosed by the deck lid, the trunk compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said apparatus adapted for operation from the interior of the trunk compartment and comprising:
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a gas operable assist device connectable to the release mechanism, said gas operable assist device including at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element; and
a control circuit for activating said gas operable assist device when the deck lid is closed in response to an occurrence of at least one activating event, wherein said gas operable assist device is actuatable to generate movement of a cable connected to the release mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. An apparatus adapted for use in opening a deck lid of a vehicle, said apparatus being positionable within a trunk compartment substantially enclosed by the deck lid, the trunk compartment having a release mechanism for opening the deck lid, said apparatus adapted for operation from the interior of the trunk compartment and comprising:
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a gas operable assist device connectable to the release mechanism, said gas operable assist device including at least one of a compressed gas container and a pyrotechnic element; and
a control circuit for activating said gas operable assist device when the deck lid is closed in response to an occurrence of at least one activating event, wherein said gas operable assist device comprises a pyrotechnic device. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46)
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Specification