GB2373622A

GB2373622A - Vehicle passenger dummy.

Info

Publication number: GB2373622A
Application number: GB0107401A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Isaacs; Alan Driver
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-03-23
Filing date: 2001-03-23
Publication date: 2002-09-25
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-23
Also published as: GB2373622B; GB0107401D0

Abstract

A dummy for simulating a passenger in a vehicle comprises at least two sheets of material 1,2, the outline of which is in the form of the head and upper torso of a person. The sheets of material include means, preferably slots 5, 6, for assembling them together to form a quasi three-dimensional representation (Fig. 2). The dummy is attached to a head rest in such a way that it can move in response to forces generated by movement of the vehicle, e.g. by means of a hook.

Description

MAN ONBOARD SAFETY AID

The present invention relates to a simulator for giving the impression that a seat of a motor vehicle is occupied.

Attempts to intimidate single persons in motor vehicles are becoming more and more frequent, particularly at night in inner-city areas, and many people are becoming very apprehensive about driving alone in such places.

Also, so-called'road rage'attacks are becoming more common. Another activity which is on the increase is theft from and of parked cars. People have tried to alleviate these problems by carrying dummies in their cars to give the impression that there is more than one occupant present. However, this practice is not entirely satisfactory. If the dummy is solid, then it is cumbersome and takes up space within the car. If the dummy is inflatable, then there is the inconvenience of having to inflate it. In either case, the representation of the facial features of most dummies is not very realistic, and the rigidity of dummies rapidly gives away the fact that the"occupant" of a car seat is not a human being as human beings respond to the movements of a car.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved simulator for giving the impression that a seat of a motor vehicle is occupied.

According to the present invention, there is provided a simulator for providing the impression that a seat of a motor vehicle is occupied, including at least two sheets of material, the outline of which is that of the head and upper torso of a human being and which bear pictorial representations of aspects of the head and upper torso of a human being,

means for assembling the sheets of material to provide a quasi threedimensional representation of the head and upper torso of a human being, and means for attaching the simulator to a head rest of a motor vehicle seat in such a manner as to permit motion of the simulator relative to the vehicle seat in response to forces generated as a result of the motor vehicle.

The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : Figure 1 shows the components of an embodiment of the invention, and Figure 2 is a representation of the embodiment of Figure 1 when assembled.

Referring to the drawings, a simulator for giving the impression that a seat of a motor vehicle is occupied consists of two sheets, 1 and 2, of a stiff board material such as hardboard or medium density fibre board of some 3 mm in thickness. The board 1 is shaped to represent, life size, a full-face view of the head and upper torso of a human being and the board 2 is shaped to represent the profile of the same head and upper torso. The board 2 has a hook 5 projecting from its rearward edge so that the simulator can be hung over the back of a car seat 4, as shown in Figure 2.

The boards 1 and 2 have slots 3 and 4, respectively, formed in them so that they can be assembled orthogonally to form a quasi three-dimensional figure. The boards 1 and 2 have upon them representations of the appropriate views of the head and upper torso such that when the simulator is assembled there is created the illusion of the head and upper torso of a human being. The illusion can be heightened by fitting the assembled

simulator with a pair of spectacles, which can serve the dual purpose of assisting in holdings the boards 1 and 2 in position. The single hook 5 allows the simulator to move in relation to the car seat 6 as the vehicle changes its speed and/or direction, further assisting the illusion that there is a real person present in the seat occupied by the simulator.

When the simulator is not required, it is dismantled readily for storage until it is again required.

Claims

CLAIMS I. A simulator for providing the impression that a seat of a motor vehicle is occupied, including at least two sheets of material, the outline of which is the head and upper torso of a human being and which bear pictorial representations of aspects of the head and upper torso of a human being, means for assembling the sheets of material to provide a quasi three dimensional representation of the head and upper torso of a human being, and means for attaching the simulator to a head rest of a motor vehicle in such a manner as to permit motion of the simulator relative to the vehicle seat in response to forces generated as a result of the movements of the motor vehicle
2. A simulator according to Claim 1 wherein there are two sheets of material adapted to fit together orthogonally to provide the quasi three-dimensional representation of the torso of a human being.
3 A simulator according to Claim I or Claim 2 wherein the means for attaching the simulator to the head rest of a seat of a motor vehicle so as to permit motion of the simulator relative to the vehicle seat comprises a hook attached to one of the sheets of material.
4. A simulator for providing the impression that a seat of a motor vehicle is occupied substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawing.