NL2023172B1 - Vehicle escape assembly - Google Patents
Vehicle escape assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NL2023172B1 NL2023172B1 NL2023172A NL2023172A NL2023172B1 NL 2023172 B1 NL2023172 B1 NL 2023172B1 NL 2023172 A NL2023172 A NL 2023172A NL 2023172 A NL2023172 A NL 2023172A NL 2023172 B1 NL2023172 B1 NL 2023172B1
- Authority
- NL
- Netherlands
- Prior art keywords
- vehicle
- seat belt
- vehicle escape
- assembly
- escape device
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25H—WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, e.g. FOR MARKING-OUT WORK; STORAGE MEANS FOR WORKSHOPS
- B25H3/00—Storage means or arrangements for workshops facilitating access to, or handling of, work tools or instruments
- B25H3/006—Storage means specially adapted for one specific hand apparatus, e.g. an electric drill
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
- A44B—BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
- A44B11/00—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
- A62B3/00—Devices or single parts for facilitating escape from buildings or the like, e.g. protection shields, protection screens; Portable devices for preventing smoke penetrating into distinct parts of buildings
- A62B3/005—Rescue tools with forcing action
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R22/00—Safety belts or body harnesses in vehicles
- B60R22/18—Anchoring devices
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Automotive Seat Belt Assembly (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates to a vehicle escape assembly, comprising a vehicle escape device and a mounting part. The vehicle escape device is configured to be used to break a glass window of a vehicle. The mounting part is configured to be mounted in an interior of the vehicle. The vehicle escape device is releasably connected to the mounting part and the vehicle escape device is configured to be disconnected from the mounting part upon use thereof. The mounting part is adapted to be associated with a seat belt buckle of a seat belt system of the vehicle.
Description
P34101NLOO/TRE Title: Vehicle escape assembly The present invention relates to a vehicle escape assembly. The present invention further relates to a seat belt system and to a vehicle.
Vehicle escape devices have been known for time and are brought on the market by the applicant. These devices are configured to break a glass window of a vehicle and may be used to provide for an escape from an interior of the vehicle in case of an emergency. For example after a crash of the vehicle and/or when the vehicle undesirably tends to submerge in water, the vehicle escape device may be used to provide an emergency exit through the window. Such devices are mainly used in cars to prevent drowning of passengers in a sinking car, wherein the passengers are users for the vehicle escape device to exit the vehicle. Such vehicle escape devices are also used in buses to provide for an emergency escape when, for example, the conventional exits may be blocked as the result of an accident, for example when the bus is tilted.
In order to ensure that users will be able to grab the vehicle escape device in case of an emergency, the device is preferably mounted at a fixed location in the interior of the vehicle. Generally, the known vehicle escape devices are provided as a vehicle escape assembly that also comprise a mounting part, which is to be fixedly arranged in the interior of the vehicle.
The vehicle escape device is normally connected to the mounting part, but may be disconnected and removed when it is necessary to use the vehicle escape device for breaking of the glass window. The vehicle escape device may remain in place in its mounting part during an accident and may be grabbed afterwards.
However, in stressful situations that may occur during emergencies, the users may forget about the vehicle escape device or may not be able to find it. In particular when the users are not familiar with the vehicle in which they are, the known vehicle escape devices may not be found intuitively. This may even result in casualties, since these users may not be able to escape from the vehicle in emergency situations.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle escape assembly that may be localized more intuitively in emergency situations, in order to further prevent casualties resulting from accidents.
The present invention provides a vehicle escape assembly, comprising: a vehicle escape device, configured to be used to break a glass window of a vehicle, and a mounting part, configured to be mounted in an interior of the vehicle,
22.
wherein the vehicle escape device is releasably connected to the mounting part, and wherein the vehicle escape device is configured to be disconnected from the mounting part upon use thereof, characterized in that the mounting part is adapted to be associated with a seat belt buckle of a seat belt system of the vehicle.
The vehicle escape assembly according to the present invention has a mounting part that is adapted to be associated with a seat belt buckle. The mounting part may thereby form part of the seat belt buckle, or may be connected thereto and that it may be located next to the seat of the user. This position of the mounting part gives the result that the vehicle escape device, normally being connected to the mounting part, is located at or close to the seat belt buckle.
Users in the vehicle are supposed to wear their seat belts in normal situations, e.g. while travelling with the vehicle. In these situations, a seat belt tongue of the seat belt system is inserted in, and fastened to the seat belt buckle. It was found that in emergency situations, itis a conditioned reflex for the users to unfasten their seat belts. This is generally done by pressing a button of the seat belt buckle. During unfastening, the user's hand is thus already present at or near the seat belt buckle.
Since it is intuitive for users to bring their hand towards the seat belt buckle, it has been found that they are also able to intuitively find the vehicle escape device at this location, being releasably connected to the seat belt buckle. Now, the user no longer needs to search where the vehicle escape device is located in the interior of the vehicle, but may rather find it intuitively at or near the seat belt buckle.
In emergency situations, the user may disconnect the vehicle escape device from the mounting part, which may remain associated with the seat belt buckle, and he may use the vehicle escape device to break the glass window.
The present invention further provides the advantage that the position of the seat belt buckle, and thus of the vehicle escape device, is always located in the close proximity of the seat and thus within reach of the user. It is therefore not required that the user needs to stretch to reach the vehicle escape device.
Crashes may give rise to drastic deformations of the vehicle body causing the prior art vehicle escape devices to become damaged or that the mounting parts of the known vehicle escape assemblies are moved to a position out of reach for the user. Instead, the position of the vehicle escape assembly according to the invention at or near the seat belt buckle, is generally influenced less during accidents, which better safeguards reliable usage of the vehicle escape device.
Preferably, the vehicle escape device is located at a side of the seat belt buckle, e.g. facing in a driving direction of the vehicle. This front side may be reached most easily by the
-3- user, allowing for convenient grabbing of the vehicle escape device. As such, the mounting part may be provided in two variants: one being configured to be associated with a seat belt buckle that is located on the right side of the seat of the user, e.g. a left seat in a car, and another one being configured to be associated with a seat belt buckle that is located on the left side of the seat of the user, e.g. a right seat in the car.
In an embodiment of the vehicle escape assembly, the mounting part comprises a holder that is adapted to be associated with the seat belt buckle. The vehicle escape device is configured to be arranged at least partially in an interior of the holder. This holder may be connected to the seat belt buckle or may form part of the seat belt buckle. The vehicle escape device may be arranged in the interior of the holder only partially, such that at least a portion of the vehicle escape device extends out of the holder, to allow for grabbing by the user.
During normal use of the vehicle, the vehicle escape device is releasably connected to the seat belt buckle, being located in the holder that is associated with the seat belt buckle. In an emergency situation, during use of the vehicle escape device for breaking the glass window, the vehicle escape device may be grabbed by the user and may be pulled out of the holder, in order to break the glass window.
The holder may comprise a detent mechanism in its interior, which is configured to interact with a corresponding detent mechanism of the vehicle escape device, in order to secure a position of the vehicle escape device in the interior of the holder. The detent mechanism may, for example, comprise a pawl in the holder that is configured to interlock with a cavity in the vehicle escape device, which are together configured to only allow removal of the vehicle escape device from the interior of the holder, when a pulling force is applied that exceeds a certain threshold pulling force.
In a further embodiment, the holder comprises a first opening, by which access is provided to the interior of the holder and which is adapted to receive the vehicle escape device along an insertion direction. During use of the vehicle escape device, the user may pull the vehicle escape device out of the first opening, in a direction opposite to the insertion direction. As such, the vehicle escape device may be moved out of the interior of the holder, to disconnect the vehicle escape device from the mounting part.
The holder may be positioned with respect to the seat belt buckle such, that the insertion direction is in a substantially downward vertical direction. As such, the vehicle escape device may be inserted in the holder in this downward direction. Furthermore, the user may grab the vehicle escape device from above and may remove it out of the holder in an opposing upward direction. As such, the vehicle escape device may be inserted in, and removed from the holder in a similar manner as the seat belt tongue is to be inserted in, and removed from the seat belt buckle, providing for even more intuitive use of the vehicle escape device.
-4- In an alternative or additional embodiment, the mounting part further comprises an attachment part, which is connected to the holder. The attachment part is configured to be connected to the seat belt buckle in order to associate the holder with the seat belt buckle. According to this embodiment, the holder does not form an integral part of the seat belt buckle, but may be connected to the seat belt buckle by means of the attachment part.
An advantage of the vehicle escape assembly according to this embodiment lies in the fact that it may be brought on the market as an after-market part, which may be mounted in vehicles at a later stage. This assembly is connectable to existing seat belt buckles, without requiring replacement of such buckles. This embodiment thereby provides that the vehicle escape assembly may not only be provided in new vehicles with new seat belt buckles, or at least in combination with new seat belt buckles, but that it may also be retro-fitted onto seat belt buckles of existing vehicles.
In a further embodiment of the vehicle escape assembly, the attachment part is a sleeve with a second opening. The sleeve is adapted to be mounted over the seat belt buckle, such that the seat belt buckle is clamped within the second opening. As such, the sleeve may be securely connected to many different types of seat belt buckles, without requiring one specific variant for each different seat belt buckle.
The sleeve may be configured to be connected to the holder, such that the first opening in the holder may be located adjacent the second opening in the sleeve and that both may be aligned parallel to each other. As such, the first opening is, when the sleeve is drawn over the seat belt buckle, located adjacent the seat belt buckle, which allows the vehicle escape device to be located adjacent the seat belt buckle as well.
In a further embodiment, the holder is configured to be arranged in the second opening as well, such that both the seat belt buckle and the holder are configured be arranged in the same second opening of the sleeve and that the sleeve is configured to clamp the holder and the seat belt buckle against each other, within its second opening. Alternatively, the sleeve comprises a third opening adjacent the second opening, wherein the seat belt buckle is configured to be arranged at least partially in the second opening of the sleeve and wherein the holder is configured to be arranged at least partially in the third opening of the sleeve, such that the seat belt buckle and the holder are configured to be arranged adjacent to each other in separate openings, being separated by a wall of the sleeve.
In an additional or alternative embodiment, the holder is integrally connected to the attachment part and forms part of the sleeve. In this embodiment, it may be prevented more easily that the holder is unintentionally disconnected from the sleeve, upon removing the vehicle escape device from the first opening. Furthermore, the first opening for receiving the vehicle escape device may be provided directly in the sleeve and does not require a separate
-5- holder. This may provide for a less complex and thus less expensive and more reliable mounting part of the vehicle escape assembly.
In an additional or alternative embodiment, the sleeve is made from a flexible material. This flexible material may be stretched to a certain extent, such that the sleeve may be clamped over the seat belt buckle by means of elastic forces that are initiated by the sleeve.
Preferably, the clamping force of the sleeve acting on the seat belt buckle is larger than a retaining force of the vehicle escape device in the first opening of the holder. As such, it is safeguarded that the vehicle escape device will be pulled out of the holder when a pulling force is applied thereon and that it is prevented that the sleeve is moved with respect to the seat belt buckle.
The second opening in the sleeve may have a cross-section that is smaller than the cross-section of the seat belt buckle, which may require that the sleeve is stretched when it is moved over the seat belt buckle. Once arranged over the seat belt buckle, the sleeve may remain stretched, providing for an elastic clamping force of the sleeve, acting on the seat belt buckle. Besides the fact that this elastic clamping may provide for a reliable connection between the seat belt buckle and the vehicle escape assembly, does the elastic sleeve provide a further advantage in that the sleeve may be connected to seat belt buckles with different shapes and/or sizes, since the clamping connection may fit universally.
According to this embodiment, the sleeve may be made from a silicone rubber, which may have sufficient elastic properties and which may be shaped by means of injection moulding, to provide for the required shape of the sleeve.
In an embodiment, the attachment part comprises an adhesive tape, which is applied on the holder. The adhesive tape is configured to be adhered to the seat belt buckle. The adhesive tape may for example comprise a double-sided adhesive tape, comprising an adhesive on two opposite sides. The double-sided adhesive tape is, with one side thereof, adhered to the holder, in order to form a rigid connection between the attachment part, e.g. the adhesive tape, and the holder. A second opposing side of the double-sided adhesive tape is configured to be adhered to the seat belt buckle in the vehicle, in order to connect the holder to the seat belt buckle by means of the tape.
This embodiment of the vehicle escape assembly also provides the advantage that the holder may be connected to existing seat belt buckles, without requiring replacement of the entire seat belt buckle. Furthermore, the adhesive tape may provide that the holder may be connected to various seat belt buckles with different shapes and/or sizes, since the adhesive tape allows for more universal connecting to the seat belt buckle.
As an alternative, the mounting part may also only comprise an adhesive tape, preferably a double-sided adhesive tape, not comprising a holder. The adhesive tape is
-6- thereby directly connected to the vehicle escape device and configured to be connected to the seat belt buckle, in order to form a connection between both.
In a further alternative embodiment of the vehicle escape assembly, the attachment part comprises a bracket that is integrally formed with the holder. This bracket is configured to be connected to the seat belt buckle, for example by means of a snap-fit connection. The bracket thereby defines the first opening for the receiving of the vehicle escape device by itself, without requiring a separate holder that is connected to the bracket. In this embodiment, it may be prevented that the bracket is unintentionally disconnected from the holder upon removing the vehicle escape device out of the first opening. Furthermore, this embodiment may provide for a less complex and thus less expensive and more reliable mounting part of the vehicle escape assembly.
As an alternative, the mounting part may also comprise a bracket with a separate holder, which are both configured to be connected to each other.
In an embodiment, the first opening is, in a transverse direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, set a distance from the seat belt buckle when the vehicle escape assembly is associated with the seat belt buckle, such that the vehicle escape device in the first opening projects away in the transverse direction from a seat belt tongue of the seat belt assembly that is inserted in the seat belt buckle.
This distance may thereby be selected such, that the vehicle escape device is located at a sufficient distance from the seat belt tongue in the seat belt buckle. There, the seat belt tongue may not hinder the grabbing of the vehicle escape device and the pulling thereof from the holder. This may in particular be advantageous in a situation where the seat belt tongue is jammed within the seat belt buckle, making it impossible to unfasten the seat belt tongue in a normal manner. In this situation, the vehicle escape device is located sufficiently far away, that the seat belt tongue may not hinder removal of the vehicle escape device With the appropriate distance between the seat belt tongue and the vehicle escape device, the vehicle escape device may be freely removed from the holder. This distance may, for example, be in the range between half the width of the seat belt tongue and the entire width of the seat belt tongue. Additionally, the vehicle escape device may comprise a seat belt cutter, which may be used to cut the seat belt in case of a jammed seat belt tongue, in order to safely escape from the vehicle.
In an embodiment of the vehicle escape assembly, the mounting part comprises a hook-and-loop fastener, e.g. Velcro, comprising a hook portion and a loop portion. The hook portion of the fastener is connected to the vehicle escape device and the loop portion of the fastener is configured to be connected to the seat belt buckle, or vice versa.
The hook-and-loop fastener between the vehicle escape device and the seat belt buckle may provide for a releasable connection that is sufficiently strong hold the vehicle
-7- escape device in place during normal usage of the vehicle, but which allows the vehicle escape device to be disconnected easily from the seat belt buckle in an emergency situation.
Either one of the hook portion or the loop portion may thereto be connected to the vehicle escape device, whereas respectively a loop portion or a hook portion may be connected to the seat belt buckle, for example by means of an adhesive tape or the like. The hook portion and the loop portion are configured to interlock with each other to provide for the releasable connection between the vehicle escape device and the seat belt buckle.
In an alternative embodiment of the vehicle escape assembly, the mounting part comprises a female coupling, for example comprising one or more grooves or holes, configured to be connected to the seat belt buckle. Furthermore, the vehicle escape device comprises a male coupling, for example comprising one or more corresponding ridges or grooves.
The male coupling of the vehicle escape device is configured to be inserted in the female coupling for the seat belt buckle, which may provide for a releasable connection between the vehicle escape device and the seat belt buckle. The female coupling may be rigidly connected to the seat belt buckle or may form an integral part of an outer wall of the seat belt buckle. Similarly, the male coupling may form an integral part of the vehicle escape device, such that a rigid coupling may be achieved between the seat belt buckle and the vehicle escape device.
Similarly, the mounting part may comprise a male coupling, configured to be connected to the seat belt buckle and the vehicle escape device may comprise a female coupling.
In a further embodiment, the male coupling and/or the female coupling comprises a snap-fit portion, which is configured to secure a connection between the male coupling and the female coupling, and thus between the vehicle escape device and the seat belt buckle.
The snap-fit portions are configured to only allow disconnection between the male coupling and the female coupling, when a disconnecting force is applied that exceeds a certain threshold disconnecting force.
In an embodiment, the vehicle escape device comprises a grip that is adapted to be gripped by a user for disconnecting the vehicle escape device from the mounting part. This grip may be arranged at a rear side of the vehicle escape device and may be adapted to project at least partially out of the first opening in the holder of the assembly, in order to allow for convenient and reliable gripping by the user in an emergency situation.
In an embodiment, the vehicle escape device comprises an impact tip, which is configured to impact the glass window during use of the vehicle escape device. The impact tip may be made of a material with a hardness that is higher than the hardness of a typical glass window of a vehicle. As such, a user may hit the glass window with the impact tip, in order to break the window and to escape from the vehicle in emergency situations.
-8- In a further embodiment, the vehicle escape device comprises a housing and an actuator mechanism. The impact tip is connected to the actuator mechanism, which is located in an interior of the housing. The actuator mechanism is configured to move the impact tip with respect to the housing, in order to impact the glass window during use of the vehicle escape device.
The movable impact tip may thereby be arranged entirely in the housing when the vehicle escape device is connected to the mounting part of the vehicle escape assembly. During use of the vehicle escape device, when it is disconnected from the mounting part, the actuator mechanism may be activated, for example by means of pre-tensioning a spring mechanism of the actuator mechanism against the window. After which the impact tip is moved out of the housing at least partially, in order to impact the glass window and to break the glass.
This vehicle escape device with the actuator mechanism may provide the advantage that the user no longer needs to hit the glass window with the tip of the device, but that the impact tip is configured to hit the glass window under the influence of the actuator mechanism instead.
In a further embodiment, the vehicle escape device comprises a light source, which is located at a front side of the vehicle escape device where the impact tip located. The light source may be switched off when the device is connected to the mounting part, but is configured to be switched on when the vehicle escape device is disconnected from the mounting part.
The light source may provide, in particular in dark situations at night or when the vehicle is submerged in the water, that the front side of the device with the impact tip can be recognized the user, such that he knows which side of the device should be used for breaking the glass window. Hence, this may not become sufficiently clear with the retracted impact tip and by the visual appearance of the device alone. Furthermore, the light source may provide a visual reference for the user when he accidentally drops or loses the device in the interior of the vehicle, in particular in dark situations.
In an additional or alternative embodiment, the vehicle escape device may comprise a phosphorescent material. The phosphorescent material may illuminate in dark situations, also forming a visual reference for the user in dark situations.
In a further embodiment, a portion of the housing of the vehicle escape device is made from the phosphorescent material. This portion of the housing may be located at a rear side of the housing, being located opposite to the front side where the impact tip is located and/or being located adjacent the grip that protrudes from the housing for being gripped by a user.
-9- The present invention further provides a seat belt system, comprising: a seat belt buckle, configured to receive a seat belt tongue plate, and a vehicle escape assembly according to the present invention, as described above, wherein the mounting part of the vehicle escape assembly is associated with the seat belt buckle.
The vehicle escape assembly of the seat belt system according to the present invention is described above and comprises a vehicle escape device and a mounting part. The mounting part is associated with the seat belt buckle and the vehicle escape device is releasably connected to the mounting part. As such, the vehicle escape device is located in the proximity of the seat belt buckle, which has been found to be an intuitive location for users to find the vehicle escape device. This position provides the advantage that the user no longer needs to search where the vehicle escape device is located in the interior of the vehicle, but may rather find it intuitively at or near the seat belt buckle. In emergency situations, the user may disconnect the vehicle escape device from the mounting part and may use the vehicle escape device to break the glass window to escape from the interior of the vehicle.
In an embodiment of the seat belt system, the mounting part of the vehicle escape assembly is connected to the seat belt buckle. The mounting part may comprise a holder with an interior to receive the vehicle escape device and may form a connection between the holder and the seat belt buckle. According to this embodiment, the holder does not form an integral part of the seat belt buckle, but is connected to the seat belt buckle.
An advantage of the seat belt system according to this embodiment lies in the fact that it may be brought on the market as a whole, including the seat belt buckle. However, the vehicle escape assembly may also be brought on the market as an after-market part, which may be mounted in vehicles at a later stage, being connectable to existing seat belt buckles, without requiring replacement of such buckles.
This embodiment thereby provides a seat belt system that may not only be provided in new vehicles with new seat belt buckles, or at least in combination with new seat belt buckles, but that it may also be retro-fitted onto seat belt buckles of existing vehicles.
In an alternative embodiment of the seat belt system, the mounting part of the vehicle escape assembly forms part of the seat belt buckle. For example, the mounting part of the vehicle escape assembly forms part of an outer wall of the seat belt buckle.
According to this embodiment of the seat belt system, the mounting part forms an integral part of the seat belt buckle. As such, the seat belt buckle may comprise a holder that is integrally connected to it, forming a fixed connection between both. In this embodiment, it may be prevented more easily that the holder is unintentionally disconnected from the seat belt buckle, upon removing the vehicle escape device from the holder. Furthermore, the
-10 - vehicle escape device may be received directly in the seat belt buckle, which may provide for a less complex and thus less expensive and more reliable mounting part of the vehicle escape assembly.
The present invention further provides a vehicle that comprises a vehicle escape assembly according to the present invention, as described above, and/or that comprises a seat belt system according to the present invention, as described above.
Further characteristics of the invention will be explained below, with reference to embodiments, which are displayed in the appended drawings, in which: Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of the vehicle escape assembly according to the present invention, being located in an interior of a vehicle, Figure 2 depicts an embodiment of the vehicle escape assembly with a seat belt buckle, Figure 3 depicts a different embodiment of the vehicle escape assembly, and Figure 4 depicts a further different embodiment of the vehicle escape assembly. Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals are used to refer to corresponding components or to components that have a corresponding function.
Figure 1 schematically depicts an embodiment of the vehicle escape assembly according to the present invention, to which is referred with reference numeral 1. The vehicle escape assembly comprises a vehicle escape device 10, which is inserted partially in a holder 21 of a mounting part 20 of the assembly 1. The mounting part 20 further comprises a sleeve 22 as an attachment part, in which the holder 21 is inserted. The sleeve 22 is connected to a seat belt buckle 100 in an interior of a vehicle, adjacent a seat 101 of the vehicle.
In figure 2, the vehicle escape assembly 1 is displayed in more detail. The assembly 1 is connected to a seat belt buckle 100, together forming an embodiment of the seat belt system according to the present invention. The seat belt buckle 100 is configured to releasably receive a seat belt tongue and comprises a button 102 to disconnect seat belt tongue from the seat belt buckle 100, for unfastening the seat belt.
The vehicle escape device 10 is located adjacent the seat belt buckle 100, which allows for intuitive localization of the device 10 in case of an emergency, when it is required to break a glass window of the vehicle, providing for an emergency exit for the user. The vehicle escape device 10 comprises an impact tip 11 with which it is configured to impact the glass window to break the glass. The vehicle escape device 10 further comprises a housing 12 and an actuator mechanism 13 that is arranged at least partially within the housing 12. The
-11 - actuator mechanism 13 is configured to move the impact tip 11 with respect to the housing 12 for breaking the glass.
In figure 2A, the vehicle escape device 10 is arranged partially in an interior 23 of the holder 21, being inserted in a first opening 24 in the holder 21 that provides access to the interior 23 along an insertion direction I. The vehicle escape device 10 comprises a grip 14, which is connected to the housing 12 and which protrudes from the holder 21, in order to be gripped by a user. The user may apply a pulling force onto the grip 14 in a direction opposite to the insertion direction I, in order to pull the vehicle escape device 10 out of the holder 21, prior to the breaking of a glass window.
In figure 2B, the vehicle escape assembly 1 is displayed in an exploded-view configuration. The vehicle escape device 10 has been pulled out of the holder 21 and the sleeve 22 is disconnected from the seat belt buckle 100. The sleeve 22 of the assembly 1 is made of a flexible and elastic material, e.g. silicone rubber, and comprises a second opening
25. The sleeve 22 is adapted to be arranged around the seat belt buckle 100.
In an installed configuration of the vehicle escape assembly 1, the buckle 100 is located within the second opening 25 of the sleeve 22. In the installed configuration, the holder 21 is also arranged in the second opening 25 of the sleeve 22, being located side-by- side with the seat belt buckle 100. The elastic sleeve 22 is configured to provide a clamping force onto the seat belt buckle 100 and the holder 21 in its second opening 25, in order to securely position the holder 21 and the seat belt buckle 100 with respect to each other.
In the present embodiment, a nominal, non-stretched cross-section of the sleeve 22 is smaller than a combined cross-section of the seat belt buckle 100 and the holder 21. As such, it may be provided that the sleeve 22 is elastically tensioned in the installed configuration of the vehicle escape assembly 1, in order to subject the holder 21 and the seat belt buckle 100 to the elastic clamping force.
In figure 2B, it is furthermore displayed that the holder 21 comprises a detent mechanism 26, which is configured to interact with a corresponding detent mechanism 15 of the vehicle escape device 10. The detent mechanisms 15, 26 are configured to secure a position of the vehicle escape device 10 in the interior 23 of the holder 21. In the embodiment of figure 2B, the detent mechanism comprises a pawl 26 in the holder 21, which is configured to interlock with a cavity 15 in the housing 12 of the vehicle escape device 10. The pawl 26 is configured to withstand a pulling force of the user, acting on the grip 14 while the vehicle escape device 10 is pulled out of the holder 21, until the pulling force exceeds a certain threshold pulling force. At the threshold pulling force, the pawl 26 is adapted to disengage from the cavity 15.
In figure 2C, the embodiment vehicle escape assembly 1 is displayed from above. The vehicle escape assembly 1 is in its installed configuration, being connected to the seat belt
-12 - buckle 100. A seat belt tongue 103 of the seat belt system is inserted in the seat belt buckle 100, such that the displayed seat belt 104 is fastened. In the top view of figure 2C, it is displayed that the first opening 24 in the holder 21 is set at a distance D from the seat belt buckle 100, such that the vehicle escape device 10 projects away from the seat belt tongue 103 that is inserted in the seat belt buckle 100. As such, the seat belt tongue 103 does not hinder the grabbing of the vehicle escape device 10 by the user. Furthermore, the distance D provides that the vehicle escape device 10 may be freely pulled out of the holder 21 with the grip 14, in a direction opposite to the insertion direction I, without the seat belt tongue 103 being in the way.
In figure 3, a different embodiment of the vehicle escape assembly is displayed, to which is referred with reference numeral 1’. This vehicle escape assembly 1' also comprises a vehicle escape device 10’ and a holder 21’. The holder 21’ is configured to be connected to the seat belt buckle 100 by means of an attachment part that is provided as a double-sided adhesive tape 27, which comprises an adhesive on its two opposite sides.
In figure 3B, the vehicle escape assembly 1’ is displayed in an exploded-view configuration. The holder 21’ is provided as an L-shaped shell, which comprises an opening 26’ in a corner portion of the L. The opening 26’ is configured to receive a protrusion 15’ of the housing 12’ of the vehicle escape device 10’, in order to provide the releasable connection between the vehicle escape device 10’ and the holder 21°.
The holder 21’ comprises a groove 28, which is configured to receive the double-sided adhesive tape 27. The double-sided adhesive tape 27 is, with one side thereof, adhered to the groove 28 in the holder 21’, thereby forming a rigid connection between the attachment part, e.g. the adhesive tape 27, and the holder 21°. A second opposing side of the double- sided adhesive tape 27 is configured to be adhered to the seat belt buckle 100, in order to connect the holder 21’ to the seat belt buckle 100 by means of the tape 27.
This embodiment of the vehicle escape assembly 1’ provides the advantage that the adhesive tape 27 may be adhered to the seat belt buckle 100 at many different locations on the buckle 100. Furthermore, this embodiment does not require a separate sleeve and may thus be provided less complex and therefore less expensive, when compared to the embodiment in figure 2.
A further embodiment of the vehicle escape assembly is displayed in figure 4, to which is referred with reference numeral 1”. This embodiment of the assembly 1” also comprises a vehicle escape device 10”, which is releasably connectable to a seat belt buckle 100” by means of a mounting part 20”. This embodiment of the vehicle escape device 10” has a substantially flat shape and is adapted to be connected to a front wall of the seat belt buckle 100”. The vehicle escape device 10” may have dimensions that substantially correspond to the dimension of the seat belt buckle 100”.
-13 - Furthermore, the vehicle escape device 10” comprises a seat belt cutter 17. The seat belt cutter 17 may be used when the vehicle escape device 10” has been disconnected from the seat belt buckle 100” and is configured to be used to cut the seat belt 104 in case the seat belt release, by means of the button 102, does not function properly. By cutting the seat belt 104, the user may safely escape from the vehicle.
The mounting part 20” comprises a male coupling 29 and a female coupling 30, as is best displayed in figure 4A, which shows a top view on the vehicle escape assembly 1”. The male coupling is provided as a ridge 29, having a cross-section with the shape of a dovetail. The ridge 29 is fixedly connected to the vehicle escape device 10” and forms part of the housing 12” of the device 10”. The female coupling is provided as a groove 30, which has a cross-section that corresponds to the dovetail of the ridge 29. The groove 30 is provided in an outer wall of the seat belt buckle 100” and extends in an insertion direction I. The ridge 29 is configured to be inserted in the groove 30 by means of a sliding movement in the insertion direction I, thereby connecting the vehicle escape device 10” and the seat belt buckle 100”. For disconnecting the vehicle escape device 10” from the seat belt buckle 100”, the device 10” may be sled in an upward direction opposite to the insertion direction I. The dovetail shapes of the ridge 29 and the groove 30 thereby provide for a shape fit between the vehicle escape device 10” and the seat belt buckle 100”. Figure 4D shows a schematic representation of another vehicle escape assembly 1”, similar to the assembly 1” in figures 4A — 4C. The assembly 1” of figure 4D comprises a bracket 31 that is connected to a conventional seat belt buckle 100. The bracket 31 comprises a female coupling, which is provided as a groove, similar as the groove in figures 4A — 4C. The assembly 1” further comprises a vehicle escape device 10°”, which comprises a ridge that forms part of a housing 12” of the device 10°”, which is configured to interlock with the groove, in order to releasably connect the vehicle escape device 10” to the bracket
31. As such, the vehicle escape device 10” is connected to the seat belt buckle 100.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2023172A NL2023172B1 (en) | 2019-05-21 | 2019-05-21 | Vehicle escape assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2023172A NL2023172B1 (en) | 2019-05-21 | 2019-05-21 | Vehicle escape assembly |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| NL2023172B1 true NL2023172B1 (en) | 2020-12-01 |
Family
ID=66776856
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL2023172A NL2023172B1 (en) | 2019-05-21 | 2019-05-21 | Vehicle escape assembly |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| NL (1) | NL2023172B1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES2942957A1 (en) * | 2021-12-07 | 2023-06-07 | Moreno Francisco Jose Fuertes | DEVICE FOR FASTENING A VEHICLE SEAT BELT (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5878478A (en) * | 1995-02-23 | 1999-03-09 | Kabushiki-Kaisha Hasekou Seisakusho | Method for attaching a seat belt cutter to a pad in a vehicle |
| CA2347524A1 (en) * | 2000-10-02 | 2002-04-02 | Daniel D. L. Thibodeau | Backup buckle for a seat belt |
| CN106143401A (en) * | 2015-04-03 | 2016-11-23 | 李苗 | Seat belt apparatus |
| US20180250533A1 (en) * | 2017-03-03 | 2018-09-06 | Andrew Petersen | Vehicle Seatbelt with Spring-loaded Window Breaker |
-
2019
- 2019-05-21 NL NL2023172A patent/NL2023172B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5878478A (en) * | 1995-02-23 | 1999-03-09 | Kabushiki-Kaisha Hasekou Seisakusho | Method for attaching a seat belt cutter to a pad in a vehicle |
| CA2347524A1 (en) * | 2000-10-02 | 2002-04-02 | Daniel D. L. Thibodeau | Backup buckle for a seat belt |
| CN106143401A (en) * | 2015-04-03 | 2016-11-23 | 李苗 | Seat belt apparatus |
| US20180250533A1 (en) * | 2017-03-03 | 2018-09-06 | Andrew Petersen | Vehicle Seatbelt with Spring-loaded Window Breaker |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES2942957A1 (en) * | 2021-12-07 | 2023-06-07 | Moreno Francisco Jose Fuertes | DEVICE FOR FASTENING A VEHICLE SEAT BELT (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MM | Lapsed because of non-payment of the annual fee |
Effective date: 20220601 |