Abstract:
Disclosed is a water activated restraint release that is designed to be retrofitted onto an existing restraint system. Upon detecting the presence of water, the restraint releases a buckle mechanism to thereby release a passenger.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to co-pending application Ser. No. 61/679,929 filed on Aug. 6, 2012 and entitled Water Activated Restraint Release System. The contents of this co-pending application are incorporated herein for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to a restraint release. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a restraint release that secures an occupant during normal vehicle movements but that automatically releases the occupant upon being submerged in water. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Background Art 
         [0005]    A wide variety of passive restraint systems are in use today. Passive restraints are designed to restrain a passenger&#39;s upper and lower body in the event of an accident. Passive restraints are widely utilized in both land and air based vehicles. Passive restraints typically include a lap and shoulder belt. These belts can be formed either as single or separate webbings. At the end of the webbing a male tang is secured. The tang is adapted to be releasably secured within a female buckle. The passenger is secured by inserting the tang into to a buckle. A mechanism, such as a push button or lever, can thereafter be accessed to release the restraint. 
         [0006]    A dilemma underscores the design of all restraint systems. The restraint must be robust enough to withstand the shocks and impacts associated with vehicle accidents and thereby avoid the unintended release of the restraint. However, the restraint must not be so robust as to preclude passenger egress following an accident. Although a passenger must be properly restrained during an accident, following the accident the passenger must be able to quickly and easily access the release mechanism associated with the restraint. 
         [0007]    This design dilemma is heightened in the event of water related accidents. When an automobile, airplane, or helicopter crashes into a body of water, there is a critical need to ensure that the passengers are properly restrained. However, once the forces associated with the accident have subsided, there is typically a small window of time in which the passengers must release themselves from the restraint and exit the vehicle. The inability of a passenger to egress from a vehicle following an accident upon entering the water has resulted in fatal consequences. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    One of the advantages of the present release system is the ability to restrain a passenger during an accident but permit the passenger to be quickly released in the event of a water related accident. 
         [0009]    Another advantage is achieved by providing a release system that incorporates a water sensor into a buckle release mechanism, whereby the buckle is automatically released when submerged in water. 
         [0010]    A further advantage is realized by providing a release system that is automatically released when submerged in water and that can be retrofitted onto existing restraint systems. 
         [0011]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the restraint release device of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the restraint release device coupled to a conventional buckle assembly. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the restraint release device of the present disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the restraint release device of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 5A  is a cross sectional view of the restraint release device receiving the tang from an existing restraint. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5B  is a cross sectional view of the restraint release in the locked orientation. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5C  is a cross sectional view of the restraint release in the unlocked orientation. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6A  is a bottom plan view of the restraint release in the armed configuration. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6B  is a bottom plan view of the restraint release after being fired. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of the restraint release showing the actuator cap being removed. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of the restraint release showing the actuator cap removed and the bobbin being replaced. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment with the upper cover removed. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view with the release mechanism removed and showing the bobbin assembly. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view with the release mechanism removed and showing the dissolvable pill. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view depicting the release mechanism and the actuator assembly. 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view with the release mechanism removed and showing the bobbin assembly. 
       
    
    
       [0031]    Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts through the several views of the drawings. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Parts List 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10  
                 System 
               
               
                 20  
                 First Buckle 
               
               
                 22  
                 Second (Conventional) Buckle 
               
               
                 22a 
                 Pivotal Latch for Second Buckle 
               
               
                 24  
                 Fixed Tang 
               
               
                 24a  
                 Locking Aperture of Fixed Tang 
               
               
                 26  
                 Releasable Tang 
               
               
                 26a  
                 First Locking Aperture 
               
               
                 26b  
                 Second Locking Aperture 
               
               
                 28  
                 Locking Pawl 
               
               
                 30  
                 Release Mechanism 
               
               
                 32  
                 Upper Arm of Locking Pawl 
               
               
                 34  
                 Lower Tooth of Locking Pawl 
               
               
                 36  
                 Pawl Axle 
               
               
                 38  
                 Torsion Spring 
               
               
                 40  
                 Actuator Assembly 
               
               
                 42  
                 Alignment Guides 
               
               
                 44  
                 Compression Spring 
               
               
                 46  
                 Actuator Pin 
               
               
                 47  
                 Housing for Spring 
               
               
                 48  
                 Pusher Pin 
               
               
                 50  
                 Bobbin 
               
               
                 51  
                 Bobbin Shroud 
               
               
                 51a  
                 Drainage Apertures 
               
               
                 52  
                 Bobbin Fingers 
               
               
                 53  
                 Bobbin Pill 
               
               
                 54  
                 Bobbin Holder 
               
               
                 56  
                 Bobbin Housing 
               
               
                 58  
                 Actuator Cap 
               
               
                 62  
                 Manual Release Aperture 
               
               
                 64  
                 Indicator 
               
               
                 66  
                 Indicator Window 
               
               
                 100  
                 Alternative Embodiment 
               
               
                 110  
                 Belt Connector 
               
               
                 110a  
                 Locking Aperture 
               
               
                 120  
                 Belt Adjuster 
               
               
                 130  
                 Pawl 
               
               
                 140  
                 Lever 
               
               
                 150  
                 Spring 
               
               
                 152  
                 Binding Post 
               
               
                 154  
                 Bobbin Assembly 
               
               
                 156  
                 Housing 
               
               
                 158  
                 Fingers 
               
               
                 160  
                 Pill 
               
               
                 162  
                 Pusher Bar 
               
               
                 164  
                 Housing 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0032]    This disclosure relates to a restraint system for securing an occupant during vehicle movements or crashes, but that automatically releases the occupant if the restraint system becomes submerged in water. The system includes a buckle with opposing tangs. One of the tangs is adapted to be releasably coupled to a conventional buckle. The other tang is coupled to the vehicle restraint but is design to be released when the system becomes submerged. The system can be retrofitted into the existing restraints of a variety of land, air, and sea based vehicles and thereby provide a means of egress in water based crashes. The details of the present invention, and the manner in which they interrelate, are described in greater detail hereinafter. 
       Interlocking Buckles 
       [0033]    The system  10  of the present invention utilizes first and second interlocking buckles ( 20  and  22 ). As described hereinafter, first buckle  20  includes both a fixed tang  24  and a releasable tang  26 . Fixed tang  24  is adapted to be releasably secured within buckle  22 . Buckle  22  houses a locking pawl that engages a locking aperture  24   a  within fixed tang  24 . Buckle  22  and its locking pawl have a conventional construction.  FIG. 1  depicts the first buckle  20  removed from the conventional buckle  22 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the first and second buckles ( 20  and  22 ) interconnected by way of the fixed tang  24 . More specifically, the fixed tang  24  is integrally secured to the rearward end of the first buckle  20 . Fixed tang  24  can be received within a female receptacle within the conventional buckle  22 . Once inserted, the locking pawl within buckle  22  can engage the locking aperture  24   a  to keep buckles  20  and  22  lockingly engaged with one another. Buckle  22  also includes a pivotal latch  22   a  that can be raised to release locking pawl from aperture  24   a  and thereby permit fixed tang  24  to be released. Again, buckle  22  and its locking pawl and pivotal latch  22   a  are of a well-known construction, the operation and construction of which will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
       Release Mechanism 
       [0034]    System  10  further includes a release mechanism  30  that is positioned within first buckle  20  and that permits the restraint of system  10  to be released without the user having to lift pivotal latch  22   a  or otherwise having to perform any manual actions. Release mechanism  30  operates by automatically ejecting releasable tang  26  from the first buckle  20  whenever system  10  becomes submerged. Each end of releasable tang  26  includes a locking aperture. The first locking aperture  26   a  can be secured to the webbing W that forms part of the occupant restraint. The second locking aperture  26   b  is received within an opening within release mechanism  20 . This opening is opposite of fixed tang  24 . As noted in  FIG. 3 , a locking pawl  28  engages the second locking aperture  26   b  when releasable tang  26  is inserted into buckle  20 . Pawl  28  is positioned within release mechanism  20  and includes an upper pawl arm  32  and a lower pawl tooth  34 . Arm  32  and tooth  34  rotate about a pawl axle  36  that extends between the two sides of buckle  20 . A torsion spring  38  is wound about the outer extent of axle  36 . Arm  32  includes a channel for receiving an end of torsion spring  38  to, thereby, bias pawl  28  into a locked position. In the locked position, tooth  34  is positioned within the second locking aperture  26   b  such that tang  26  remains locked within buckle  20 .  FIG. 5B  shows tooth  34  in the locked position within tang  26 .  FIG. 5C  shows tooth  34  in the unlocked position to permit the removal of tang  26 . 
         [0035]    As tang  26  is initially inserted into mechanism, its leading edge pushes tooth  34  into the unlocked position and rotates pawl  28 . Once tang  26  is fully positioned within mechanism  20 , torsion spring  38  rotates pawl  28  in the opposite direction such that tooth  34  is positioned within locking aperture  26   b  and thereby locks tang  26  in position. Inwardly directed alignment guides  42  are formed on either side of the housing of release mechanism  20 . Alignment guides  42  (note  FIGS. 7A and 7B ) limit the upward or downward movement of tang  26  when in the locked position. Once tang  26  is locked in position, it cannot be removed unless system  10  is immersed within water or service personnel remove it. 
       Actuator Assembly 
       [0036]    Buckle  20  also houses an actuator assembly  40  for use in triggering the release mechanism  30  in the presence of water. Actuator assembly  40  includes a compression spring  44 , and actuator pin  46 , and a pusher pin  48 . Furthermore, a housing  47  surrounds compression spring  44 . Actuator pin  46  may include a circular bushing to permit to spring  44  to act upon the actuator pin  46  and housing  47 . When spring  44  is released, housing  47  and actuator pin  46  are driven forward such that pusher pin  48  engages and rotates pawl arm  32 . As pawl arm  32  rotates, pawl tooth  34  is removed from the second locking aperture  26   b  to, thereby, allow releasable tang  26  to be removed from mechanism  20 . Alternatively, when spring  44  is compressed (note  FIG. 5B ), pusher pin  48  contacts but does not rotate pawl arm  32 . Thus, when spring  44  is compressed, tooth  34  remains engaged with aperture  26   b  to thereby secure tang  26  within mechanism  20 . This is the locked and un-actuated configuration. 
         [0037]    Actuator assembly  40  further includes a collapsible bobbin  50 , which controls the operation of spring  44 . Bobbin  50  can be any of a variety of supports that collapse in the presence of water. As illustrated, bobbin  50  is initially mounted about both the actuator pin  46  and pusher pin  48 . When dry, bobbin  50  acts as a retainer and prevents actuator pin  46  from moving forward. This, in turn, prevents spring  44  from releasing. However, if bobbin  50  contacts water, it degrades and collapses, which in turn, permits actuator  46  to enter the housing under the force of spring  44 . This results in pusher pin  48  rotating pawl  28  to thereby release tang  26 . Bobbin  50  is preferably held in position via a bobbin holder  54  and outer bobbin housing  56 . Pusher pin  48  extends through an aperture in the bobbin holder  54 . An actuator cap  58 , in turn, is positioned over both the holder and housing ( 54  and  56 ). Bobbin  52  is preferably a V85000 model bobbin from Halkey-Roberts of St. Petersburg, Fla., which is described in U.S. Pat. 7,572,161. The &#39;161 patent is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0038]    The preferred bobbin  50  is next described in more detail in connection with  FIGS. 5A-5C . Namely, bobbin  50  includes a number of bobbin fingers  52  that extend about the inner circumference of bobbin  50 . Fingers  52  are initially supported by a dissolvable pill  53  that extends between fingers  52  and the inner surface of the bobbin housing. With pill  53  intact and un-dissolved, fingers  52  create a seat upon which actuator pin  46  rests. However, pill  53  dissolves upon contacting water. Once dissolved, fingers  52  expand outwardly toward the outer periphery of bobbin  50 . This, in turn, allows spring  44  to expand and force actuator pin  46  into the interior of bobbin  50 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5C , this allows pusher pin  48  to rotate pawl  28  and unlock tang  26 . Bobbin  50  also includes an outer protective shroud  51 . One or more drainage apertures  51   a  are included within shroud  51 . These drainage apertures  51   a  control the flow of water into bobbin  50 . These apertures prevent the unintended actuation of the device. Namely, a small amount of fluid will be insufficient to trigger bobbin  50 . However, if the device is completely submerged, water enters into shroud  51  via apertures  51   a  to trigger bobbin  50  and release tang  26 . The speed with which bobbin  50  is triggered can be effectively controlled by altering the number, size, and location of apertures  51   a.    
         [0039]    Spring  44 , pawl  32 , pusher pin  48 , actuator pin  46 , and torsion spring  38  are ideally sized and dimensioned to allow tang  26  to be released while under load. This can also be accomplished by varying the tension of spring  38  and coating the parts with a nickel-Teflon® coating. In the event the occupant is inverted or inclined following an accident, the webbing “W” may encounter significant loads. It is important that upon release mechanism  30  being triggered, that tang  26  have the capacity to be successfully ejected from buckle  20  even under such loads. The dimensions, spring tensions, and coatings are selected to accomplish this result. 
         [0040]    The underside of release mechanism  20  is illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . These figures show the manual release aperture  62 . A screwdriver, or other suitable implement, can be inserted into the elongated release aperture  62  in order to release tang  26  without triggering the actuator assembly. Likewise, release mechanism  20  includes an indicator  64  and indicator window  66  for viewing the actuator assembly. Indicator  64  can take the form of red and greed colored sleeves to indicate whether actuator assembly has been fired. If the actuator assembly has not been fired it shows the green sleeve ( FIG. 6A ). Alternatively, after firing, the red sleeve is visible ( FIG. 6B ). 
         [0041]    In the preferred embodiment, the indicator function is achieved by coloring spring housing  47  green and spring  44  red. Prior to the unit being actuated, spring  44  is housed within housing  47 . Accordingly, a user looking through indicator window  66  would see the green spring housing  47 . This signals that the unit is available for use and has not be activated. As described above, the unit is activated upon being immersed in water. When activated, spring  44  pushes housing  47  forward. Thus, following actuation, the red spring  44  is visible through indicator window  66 . This visual indication denotes that the unit has been activated and should not be used. In lieu of a red colored spring  44 , it is also possible to include a red cylindrical housing between spring  44  and housing  47 . This extra housing would become visible once the unit was activated. 
         [0042]    Also, once activated, tang  26  cannot be inserted into buckle  20 . This is because once spring  44  moves forward, it holds pawl  32  in the opened configuration, such that tang  26  cannot be locked. 
       Additional Embodiment 
       [0043]    An additional embodiment of the present invention is described in connection with  FIGS. 8-14 . This alternative restraint system  100  is the same in most respects to the release system  10  as described above. However, system  100  has a thinner profile and is specifically adapted for use as an airline buckle. System  100  includes a conventional aircraft belt connector  110  and a conventional adjuster  120 . Adjuster  120  can slide within an associated slot to lock or unlock and adjust the webbing as needed. A spring loaded pawl  130  is similarly included. Pawl  130  operates by lockingly engaging an aperture  110   a  within belt connector  110 , whenever connector  110  is inserted within the housing. Connector  110  can be released either automatically in the presence of water, or by pivoting lever  140  that forms the top of the buckle housing. More specifically, as lever  140  is rotated in the direction “R” (as noted in  FIG. 9 ), the leading edge of lever  140  contacts pawl  130 . Continued rotation of lever  140  causes pawl  130  to lift and disengage from aperture  110   a . This, in turn, allows connector  110  to be removed from the buckle housing. 
         [0044]    The automatic release mechanism is next described. As illustrated, system  100  includes a spring  150  that is positioned about a binding post  152 . Binding post  152  includes a bolt and washer  152   a . A bobbin assembly  154  is included about the binding post  152  with the bobbin assembly  154  initially keeping spring  150  in compression. More specifically, spring  150  is initially compressed between an outer bobbin housing  164  and the bolt/washer  152   a  at the end of binding post  152 . With spring  150  compressed, the pawl  130  is prevented from rotating so as to release belt connector  110  from buckle housing. Bobbin assembly  154  includes an outer housing  164  that is adapted to slide with respect to an inner housing  156  (note  FIG. 13 ). A series of fingers  158  are positioned about the interior of the inner housing  156 . A water dissolvable pill  160  is positioned between housing  156  and fingers  158 . Pill  160  in its un-dissolved state operates to keep the fingers  158  from collapsing. While in this configuration, the fingers  158  create a seat for an inner most annular portion  164   a  of bobbin housing  164 . When pill  160  comes into contact with water it dissolves such that the fingers  158  are no longer supported. As a result, spring  150  is released and pushes outer housing  164  over the inner housing  156 . Outer housing  164  then contacts pusher bar  162  and forces pusher bar  162  to rotate pawl  130 . This, in turn, releases belt connector  110 . As noted above, apertures can be formed within housing  164  to control in rate at which water flows into the interior of bobbin  154 . This avoids accidental firing of bobbin  154 . 
         [0045]    The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one or more preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims.