Anti-hijacking system

• US 6,915,985 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2001
• Issued: 07/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anthony R. Arias
• Original Assignee: Anthony R. Arias
• Inventors: Arias, Anthony R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): COLLINS, TIMOTHY D
• Application Number:
  US09/965,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20030062446A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,380 Days
• Field of Search: 109/29, 109/20, 109/32, 244/118.5, 244/122.R, 244/1.R, 244/119
• US Class Current: 244/118.5
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/1469 Doors between cockpit and cabin
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0028 doors or door arrangements specially adapted to restrict unauthorized access
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0042 by spraying or injecting chemicals
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0053 using visual equipment, e.g. cameras

Abstract

A hijacking prevention system which employs a gas which can render everyone in the passenger compartment temporarily unconscious in the event a hijacking occurs. A single switch, hidden in the cockpit and easily accessible to the pilot while flying the plane, would activate the flow of the gas through the existing venting system, while simultaneously locking and/or sealing the cockpit door, and deploying air masks connected to a separate source of fresh air for the pilots. Each of the crew members, and a selected one of the passengers, e.g., an air Marshall or security agent, would be equipped with a transmitter alerting the pilots to the need of deploying the system.

Claims

1. An anti-hijacking system installed in an aircraft having a cockpit, a passenger compartment, and a cockpit door separating the passenger compartment from said cockpit, comprising:

a cockpit door locking system having means for locking the cockpit door;

a ventilation system, and means interfaced with said ventilation system for dispersing an incapacitating gas;

a source of air separate from said ventilation system, and means for delivering air from said source to said cockpit; and

,

control means for controlling both said ventilation system and said locking system, said control means capable of simultaneously operating said ventilation system and said locking system in response to a single control signal.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said means includes masks accessible by occupants of said cockpit.