Patent Publication Number: US-2004050607-A1

Title: Body-mountable vehicle safety escape apparatus

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] The present Non-Provisional Patent Application relates to co-filed and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/______ entitled VEHICLE SAFETY ESCAPE APPARATUS by MacDougall, et al., filed on Sep. 13, 2002. 
    
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The invention relates to safety systems and apparatuses for shattering glass to facilitate escape from a vehicle, and, more particularly, the invention relates to body-mountable systems and apparatuses that enable the shattering of vehicle glass.  
       PROBLEM STATEMENT  
       [0003] Interpretation Considerations  
       [0004] This section describes the technical field in more detail, and discusses problems encountered in the technical field. This section does not describe prior art as defined for purposes of anticipation or obviousness under 35 U.S.C. section 102 or 35 U.S.C. section 103. Thus, nothing stated in the Problem Statement is to be construed as prior art.  
       [0005] Discussion  
       [0006] Persons may become trapped in a vehicle due to a wide variety of circumstances. During flood conditions, sometimes a person will try to drive through water in a flooded street or depression without realizing how deep the water is or how fast a current is moving. Sometimes, due to poor driving or to poor road conditions, a person will drive a car into a body of water, such as a reservoir or a lake, thereby trapping the occupants of the vehicle inside. In yet other circumstances a vehicle occupant may be trapped inside a car during a wreck. Occasionally, vehicles in a wreck catch on fire and burn any occupants who are trapped inside. Whether due to fire, flood, or other trapping, vehicle occupants need a means for escape in the event they are trapped inside and face potential danger.  
       [0007] Unfortunately, doors are frequently jammed shut in emergency situations such as fires, floods, or wrecks. Therefore, an occupant of the vehicle cannot simply open a door and escape. In addition, since systems are often inoperative in such emergency situations, power windows cannot be opened. Furthermore, even if power systems do work or even if mechanical systems are operable, the windows are also frequently jammed shut or do not completely/sufficiently open.  
       [0008] When the doors and windows are both jammed in an emergency situation, it is necessary to shatter a window so that the occupants can escape. Tools that shatter vehicle glass exist, but these tools suffer the disadvantages of requiring a potential user to store the tool close to them (typically the driver&#39;s seat), and, to operate, requiring a user to be able to access the tool, remove the tool from storage, and then have the freedom of movement required to swing the tool with sufficient force to break the vehicle glass. Unfortunately, few persons have the foresight to properly store, and the presence of mind in an accident to properly use, the tool. Thus, it is desirous to provide a vehicle window-shattering tool that is effective and easily used in an emergency. The present invention provides such systems and devices.  
       SELECTED OVERVIEW OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0009] The invention provides technical advantages as systems and apparatuses that enable the shattering (or dicing) of a vehicle window. One vehicle window dicing system provides a user interface, a propulsion system, and a vehicle glass-dicing tip. Generally, the propulsion system enables a tip to impact a vehicle window with a force sufficient to dice the vehicle window. Preferably, the tip is sufficiently hard and shaped to enable the shattering of a pane of glass. Accordingly, the invention provides advantages over the prior art as an accessible and effective window-dicing means that enables a vehicle occupant to escape in the event of an emergency.  
       [0010] Of course, other features and embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. After reading the specification, and the detailed description of the exemplary embodiment, these persons will recognize that similar results can be achieved in not dissimilar ways. Accordingly, the detailed description is provided as an example of the best mode of the invention and it should be understood that the invention is not limited by the detailed description. Accordingly, the invention should be read as being limited only by the claims.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0011] Various aspects of the invention, as well as at least one embodiment, are better understood by reference to the following EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BEST MODE. To better understand the invention, the EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BEST MODE should be read in conjunction with the drawings, in which:  
     [0012]FIG. 1 is a block-diagram of the invention;  
     [0013]FIG. 2 illustrates the invention as a stand-alone system;  
     [0014]FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention mounted in a vehicle door; and  
     [0015]FIG. 4 teaches an alternative embodiment of the invention that automatically dices a vehicle window upon the detection of a predetermined water pressure.  
    
    
     EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF A BEST MODE  
     [0016] Introduction  
     [0017] The invention provides vehicle window-shattering (or dicing) systems and apparatuses that allow vehicle occupants to escape a vehicle, particularly when a door or other means of escape is inoperable, such as in an emergency. One vehicle window dicing system provides a user interface, and a propulsion system that enables a tip to impact a vehicle window with a force sufficient to dice the vehicle window.  
     [0018] Interpretation Considerations  
     [0019] When reading this section (An Exemplary Embodiment of a Best Mode, which describes an exemplary embodiment of the best mode of the invention, hereinafter “exemplary embodiment” ), one should keep in mind several tips. First, the following exemplary embodiment is what the inventor believes to be the best mode for practicing the invention at the time this patent was filed. Thus, since one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from the following exemplary embodiment that substantially equivalent structures or substantially equivalent acts may be used to achieve the same results in exactly the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way, the following exemplary embodiment should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to one embodiment. Likewise, individual aspects (sometimes called species) of the invention are provided as examples, and, accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize from a following exemplary structure (or a following exemplary act) that a substantially equivalent structure or substantially equivalent act may be used to either achieve the same results in substantially the same way, or to achieve the same results in a not dissimilar way.  
     [0020] Accordingly, the discussion of a species (or a specific item) invokes the genus (the class of items) to which that species belongs as well as related species in that genus. Likewise, the recitation of a genus invokes the species known in the art. Furthermore, it is recognized that as technology develops, a number of additional alternatives to achieve an aspect of the invention may arise. Such advances are hereby incorporated within their respective genus, and should be recognized as being functionally equivalent or structurally equivalent to the aspect shown or described.  
     [0021] Second, the only essential aspects of the invention are identified by the claims. Thus, aspects of the invention, including elements, acts, functions, and relationships (shown or described) should not be interpreted as being essential unless they are explicitly described and identified as being essential. Third, a function or an act should be interpreted as incorporating all modes of doing that function or act, unless otherwise explicitly stated (for example, one recognizes that “tacking” may be done by nailing, stapling, gluing, hot gunning, riveting, etc., and so a use of the word tacking invokes stapling, gluing, etc., and all other modes of that word and similar words, such as “attaching”).  
     [0022] Fourth, unless explicitly stated otherwise, conjunctive words (such as “or”, “and”, “including”, or “comprising” for example) should be interpreted in the inclusive, not the exclusive, sense. Fifth, the words “means” and “step” are provided to facilitate the reader&#39;s understanding of the invention and do not mean “means” or “step” as defined in 112, paragraph 6 of 35 U.S.C., unless used as “means for functioning—” or “step” for —functioning—“in the Claims section.  
     [0023] Exemplary Devices and Systems  
     [0024] In one embodiment, the invention provides systems that enable an occupant to escape a vehicle. FIG. 1 is a block-diagram of the invention embodied as a system for dicing vehicle glass (the system)  100 . The system  100  includes a user interface  110 , a propulsion system  120  in communication with the user interfacel  10 , and a vehicle glass dicing tip system (the tip system)  130 . The user interface can be any means that enables a user to actively or passively order a window to be diced. For example, the user interface  110  may provide a button for activation, or by means that require no action by vehicle occupants, such as detecting that a person&#39;s biorhythms are behaving in a manner that indicate the person needs to immediately exit a vehicle. In some alternative embodiments, the user interface  110  is optional and the process of dicing a vehicle window is initiated via other means, as discussed below.  
     [0025] The propulsion system  120  is any means that enables the tip system  130  to impact into a vehicle window with a force sufficient to dice the vehicle window. Generally, this means that the propulsion system  120  includes means for propelling the tip system  130 , as well as means for guiding the tip system  130 . However, it should be understood that in some alternative embodiments means for propelling is provided by a user or other device, and the propulsion system  120  merely channels energy to the tip system  130 , and thus to a vehicle window. The tip system  130  is any system of devices capable of dicing a vehicle window (meaning that the generally sound and uniformly transparent state of the window is altered to a generally fractured state that enables a window to be easily (if only partially) removed from an automobile window seal).  
     [0026] Better understanding of the invention can be gained by viewing a more specific embodiment. Accordingly, FIG. 2 illustrates the invention as a stand-alone system  200 , including a user-interface  210  having a user-activated button  212 , while FIG. 2B provides a top view of the container  228  having a propulsion system  220  and a tip system  230  therein. This and other embodiments of the user interface  210  which are known in the art allow the user interface  210  to be coupled to a steering wheel, a vehicle door, a glove box, or other vehicle surface (not shown). Notice that the container abuts the vehicle glass  290 , and although illustrated generally as a rectangle, may be any shape capable of achieving the functions described herein.  
     [0027] In FIG. 2, the user interface  210  is coupled to a propulsion system  220  via wire  218 , while a second user interface  214  uses an antenna  216  to communicate with the propulsion system  220  via a radio wave (illustrated by the thunderbolt). The propulsion system  220  provides mechanical energy through a spring  221 , which is preferably factory-set in a position that stores sufficient mechanical energy to propel a tip system  230  with sufficient force to dice or shatter a vehicle window  290 . Of course, although the spring  221  is illustrated, to provide the force needed to dice or shatter a vehicle window, the propulsion system could use any system for delivering a mechanical force, such as a hand punch (see FIG. 3), a compressed-air container, or a material that quickly expands as a gas when heated, for example. The propulsion system  220  also includes a guide  222  that controls the direction of movement of the tip system  130  towards a vehicle window  190 .  
     [0028] Accordingly, the guide assists with the delivery of the proper force, and in the proper direction, so that the vehicle window  190  can be shattered. To control the release of mechanical energy, the propulsion system  220  of FIG. 2 comprises an actuator  226  that releases a spring lock  224  from a position where the spring  221  is secured, to a position that releases the mechanical energy of the spring  221 . Similarly, other actuators may be used to release mechanical energy in other systems, as is known in the art.  
     [0029] A tip system  230  (a “dicer”), generally includes a slug, such as a metal slug  321 , and a tip  322 . The tip comprises a material that is harder than glass, and is preferably carbide steel (the entire tip system may be made of a material that is harder than vehicle glass). In addition, the tip  322  may be of any shape capable of properly directing force at a vehicle window such that the vehicle shatters when an approximate predetermined force is applied, and, in one preferred embodiment, the tip is a point.  
     [0030] In addition to embodiments that actively apply a mechanical force, other alternative embodiments merely direct a human generated force. Accordingly, FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention mounted in a vehicle door, known as a door-mounted vehicle glass dicing apparatus (the dicing apparatus)  300 . The dicing apparatus includes a user interface  310 , a propulsion system  320  in communication with the user interface, a vehicle glass dicing tip system (the tip system)  330  coupled to the propulsion system  320  such that the propulsion system  320  enables the tip system  330  to impact into a vehicle window  390  with a force sufficient to dice the vehicle window  390 .  
     [0031] In addition, the dicing apparatus  300  preferably includes an egression tool container  312  configured to fit into a vehicle door between an inside door  392  and a vehicle window  390 , while simultaneously storing the tip system  320  and the propulsion system  330 . Of course, the invention could easily be arranged to fit into the exterior sidewall  394  of the car (the sidewall is emphasized via the rear view mirror  396 )—although such an embodiment is not shown, it is easily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present discussion. Thus, the egression tool container  312  typically requires vehicle-specific design, and is thus preferably made via plastic molding (although, of course, other forms of manufacture are entirely permissible and known in the art of container manufacturing).  
     [0032]FIG. 3, the user interface  310  is an impact surface, meaning that the surface is preferably ergonomically designed to take a “punch” or other quick human-generated impact via foam or leather covering, for example. In addition, the impact surface  310  may include lettering such as “punch here to break glass” or other emergence message/reminder. A steady-state spring  324  coupled between the tip system  330  and the user interface  310  holds the user interface in a benign position gently enough such that when a predetermined force is applied to the user interface  310 , the tip system impacts the vehicle glass  390  with sufficient force to shatter the vehicle glass  390 . Although a spring  324  is shown here, of course, any mechanical item capable of performing the same function is interchangeable, such as a blown-up bag, a plastic stick(s), or mechanical diaphragm. Guide channels  322  form part of the propulsion system  320  and are used to guide the tip system  330  to the vehicle glass  390 . Of course, although guide channels  322  are shown, many methods of mechanically guiding an object to a desired location are known, and the guide channels  322  although preferred, are exemplary.  
     [0033] The tip system  330  includes a slug  331  adapted to fit securely, yet movably in the channel guide  332 . In addition, a tip  332  is disposed upon the slug  331 . The tip  332  is enabled (via shape and hardness) to shatter the vehicle glass  390 . In one embodiment, the tip  332  is generally a point, however, it should be understood that many shapes capable of shattering a window are readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, and any shape capable of shattering a vehicle window is within the scope of the invention. In addition, the tip  332  is made of material that is harder than a pane of vehicle glass, and is preferably a carbide-based material, such as carbide-steel. However, many materials capable of shattering a window are readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, and any material capable of shattering a vehicle window is also within the scope of the invention.  
     [0034] Other embodiments of the invention provide additional features and functionality. For example, FIG. 4 teaches an alternative embodiment of the invention that automatically dices a vehicle window upon the detection of a predetermined water pressure (the automatic system  400 ). The automatic system  400  typically includes a first water pressure detector  441  in communication with a propulsion system of a window dicing apparatus  401 . The first water pressure detector  441  enables the window dicing apparatus  401  to operate when the first water pressure detector  441  detects a predetermined water pressure. This is accomplished, in part by the propulsion system that is coupled to the tip system in the window dicing apparatus such that the propulsion system enables the dicing of a vehicle window by the tip system. An additional feature provided by the window dicing apparatus  401  is a strobe light  405  that is mounted in the window dicing apparatus  401 . In operation, when the first water pressure detector  441  detects a predetermined water pressure, the strobe light receives power and begins functioning by emitting strobes of light via a water resistant light source, such as an LED.  
     [0035] Additional functionality is provided to the present inventive embodiment via a second water pressure detector  442  that is coupled to the propulsion system of the window dicing apparatus  401 . The second water pressure detector  442  automatically activates the propulsion system when the second water pressure detector  442  detects a second predetermined water pressure. Similarly, the first water pressure detector  441  may be enabled to detect multiple water pressures, in which case multiple water pressure detectors are unnecessary. In such a case, the window dicing apparatus  401  activates to dice a vehicle window  434  when the first water pressure detector  441  detects a second predetermined water pressure. Preferably, the first water pressure indicates a probable vehicle partial submersion, and a second water pressure indicates that it is likely that water is within a couple of feet of completely submerging the vehicle. Of course, multiple water pressure detectors can be mounted to account for front-submersion, rear-submersion, upside-down, and other submersion conditions.  
     [0036] Furthermore, it is understood that readily identifiable user interfaces may make the invention more useful. For example, a user interface may be a bright neon color, may include lights and light emitting diodes (LEDs) which may light upon water detection, or may provide a point-source identifiable audible sound to help a user locate the apparatus in the event of an emergency. Additionally, a user interface may also be located on the outside of a vehicle to enable a rescue worker or other person located outside of the vehicle to dice or shatter a window. It is understood that various readily identifiable means exist and will be developed for making bases more readily identifiable in the event of an emergency, and that these means are incorporated in the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.  
     [0037] Though the invention has been described with respect to a specific preferred embodiment, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present application. The appended claims are to be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications.