Emergency trunk release apparatus

• US 6,018,292 A
• Filed: 06/29/1999
• Issued: 01/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph W. Penny Jr
• Original Assignee: Joseph W. Penny Jr
• Inventors: Penny, Joseph W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffrey A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US09/342,881
• Time in Patent Office: 210 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/425.5, 340/542, 340/531, 340/532, 340/533, 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 70/379 R, 70/92, 70/465
• US Class Current: 340/426.29
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/06 Electric alarm locks E05B45/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/54 Electrical circuits for locking several wings simultaneously E05B77/48
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/82 using batteries other than the vehicle main battery
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/26 Emergency opening means for persons trapped in the luggage compartment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5159 Emergency exit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7706 Operating connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8946 Emergency unlocking or release arrangements

Abstract

A emergency trunk release apparatus of disclosed, comprised of comprising a lock bypass panel, located inside a trunk compartment. The lock bypass panel consists of an activation switch that is wired in parallel with a vehicle'"'"'s electric trunk release such that its actuation will cause the trunk to open. The activation switch is a depression-type activation switch with an enlarged pad surface that allows it to be found easily in a dark trunk environment. The activation switch may be illuminated by any conventional means, so as to facilitate viewing in the darkness of the trunk. The present invention also includes a manual deactivation switch that takes the present invention temporarily out of service during times where cargo may accidentally activate the activation switch. It is envisioned that the present invention may be installed as a retrofit kit on existing automobiles or as original equipment on new vehicles.

Claims

1. An emergency trunk release apparatus, said emergency trunk release apparatus comprising:

a lock bypass panel, of a generally rectangular, box like configuration,

an activation switch, said activation switch being of a depression-type activation switch, wired in parallel with a vehicle'"'"'s electric trunk release such that its actuation will cause the trunk to open;

a pad, said pad being generally flat, and used to activate said emergency trunk release apparatus;

lighting means, said lighting means used to illuminated said lock bypass panel;

attachment means, said attachment means designed to attach said lock bypass panel to the interior of a motor vehicle trunk;

a manual deactivation switch, said deactivation switch designed to place said emergency trunk release apparatus temporarily out of service;

an alarm, said alarm electrically connected to said activation switch such that activation of said activation switch when said emergency trunk release apparatus is active activates said audible alarm.

2. The emergency trunk release apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said manual deactivation switch is a multi-position, sliding switch.

3. The emergency trunk release apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said emergency trunk release apparatus further comprises a battery, said battery used as a backup electrical power source.

4. The emergency trunk release apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said emergency trunk release apparatus further comprises instructional indicia, said instructional indicia located on said lock bypass panel, and designed to instruct the person trapped in said trunk how to activate said emergency trunk release apparatus.

5. The emergency trunk release apparatus of claim 4, wherein said instructional indicia are located on said pad and consists of the words "push" or "push to release trunk."

6. The emergency trunk release apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said lock bypass panel is mounted inside said trunk compartment, in an easy to reach location by one in the trunk.

7. The emergency trunk release apparatus of claim 6, wherein said lock bypass panel is mounted on the interior of the trunk door, near the exterior door lock.

8. The emergency trunk release apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said pad surface on said lock bypass panel is of sufficiently large size so as to be capable of activation by an elbow, knee or any other body part.

9. The emergency trunk release apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said electrical activation switch completes the electrical circuit which includes the coil on the electrical trunk lock, and alarm;

said circuit is powered by the motor vehicle'"'"'s cars battery or a secondary battery;

said manual deactivation switch breaks said circuit, rendering said emergency trunk release apparatus inoperable.

10. The emergency trunk release apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said emergency trunk release apparatus is installed as a retrofit kit on existing automobiles.

11. The emergency trunk release apparatus of claim 10, wherein said kit would include said lock bypass panel, with lighting means, pad and activation switch, deactivation switch and alarm, and associated electrical wiring.

12. The emergency trunk release apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said activation switch and pad are located on said lock bypass panel.

13. The emergency trunk release apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said activation switch and pad are remote from said lock bypass panel, but still located inside said trunk.

14. The emergency trunk release apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said deactivation switch is located on said lock bypass panel.

15. The emergency trunk release apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said deactivation switch is remote from said lock bypass panel.