FR2723896A1 - Impact-initiated distress flare system for highway vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The discharge tubes (2), fitted, e.g. in the front wings (5), direct the flares (4) upwards and backwards. The propellant (3) is a mechanically tripped pre-compressed spring, or explosive charges or other pyrotechnic devices, detonated electrically or by percussion cap and fuse. In all cases, the initiating devices are sensors (1) capable of detecting minor bumper impacts or front coachwork deformation. The flare is long lasting and brightly burning. Opt., it produces two successive bursts of light. The location of the discharge tubes depends on vehicle design and configuration. Highway codes would be amended to require following drivers to switch on emergency warning lights immediately on seeing flares ahead.

Description

AUTOMATIC DISTRESS ROCKETS
FOR ROAD VEHICLES
The subject of the invention is an apparatus fixed to each front wing (5) of a car or any other vehicle which, at the slightest impact, during a collision, sends high and rear a very illuminating rocket to warn -especially in foggy period- all vehicles -trucks and cars arriving, this before being on the scene of the accident.

 This system would have the advantage of avoiding chain collisions as it happens too frequently, inter alia on motorways.

 Each apo device will therefore include: a kind of small cannon (2) with for example a primer (1) yes will ignite the explosive or trigger a spring 13) very powerful that will send up and back the light rocket (4) like fire 'artifice with prolonged lighting, inciting all the following to trigger the hazard lights - which will have to be the subject of an addition to the driving license -.

 Manufacturers will have to study an aesthetic means depending on the type of vehicle to incorporate these two devices on each front fender, which seems between the best location.

 This device, fitted to all vehicles, with primers located behind the bumper for example, can work in several ways depending on the choice of the car manufacturer - like an airbag to trigger the inflating balloons thanks to a slight deformation of the bodywork, either by a mechanical system with ratchet and spring to send the rocket, or by a primer to ignite an explosive which sends the flare, or by a primer and rocket with propulsion, and whatever the choice at a sufficient distance to warn -the closest and the most distant- the vehicles that follow. If necessary, a double distance rocket with a different distance would be recommended to warn the closest as well as the most distant.

 The detonator can also be electric.

Finally, it can be envisaged according to the method used, to place only the detonators at the front and the barrel and its rocket at the rear of the vehicle. All kinds of hearth variants envisaged.

 This schematic description is based on several existing systems which it is useless to develop. as for the drawing, also schematic, the rocket and the cannon will be much more discreet in size.

Claims (4)

 1- Collision signaling device for a vehicle, characterized in that it is fixed at the front and on each side of the vehicle and includes a flare (4) with prolonged lighting to warn the other vehicles.  2- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the departure of the rocket (4) is triggered at the slightest shock deforming the body.  3- Device according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a primer (1) which will ignite the explosive or a mechanical pawl (1) and a spring (3) or an electrical contactor, to send up to the rear the rocket lighting (4) from a cannon (2).  4- Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the barrel (2) and the rocket (4) are placed at the rear or at the front on the wings (5) with the primer (1) which will be attached to the front.