WO1998005535A1

WO1998005535A1 - Device for protection against personal injury at accidental release of air bag

Info

Publication number: WO1998005535A1
Application number: PCT/SE1997/001241
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gunnar Alm; Jan Axel Lindberg
Original assignee: Bagbuster Ab
Priority date: 1996-07-09
Filing date: 1997-07-08
Publication date: 1998-02-12
Also published as: SE507610C2; SE9602719D0; SE9602719L; AU3639097A

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for mounting protection against personal injury at accidental release of air bags. An accidentally released air bag constitutes a risk of personal injury in the work of rescue teams taking care of victims in traffic accidents, for instance. This is solved according to the invention by allowing secure attachment of a protective plate (1) provided with penetration members (2) at a suitable distance within the operating area of one or more non-activated air bags within the region of the instrument panel - steering wheel. Attachment is effected against the side frame-posts (3, 4) of the windscreen with a cross bar (27) and against the floor (36) of the vehicle with supports (8). The invention is used to provide protection against an air bag situated in the instrument panel in front of the passenger seat and also an air bag situated in the hub of the steering wheel.

Description

Device for protection aαainst personal injury at accidental release of air bag

The present invention relates to a device, for assembly and use in a not moving vehicle, for absorbing forces released at accidental release of at least one air bag in the vehicle, comprising at least one protective plate for placing within the area of the air bag in its inflated state, which protective plate is provided with penetration members on the side facing the air bag, said members puncturing the air bag at said release.

It is well known that an airbag released unintentionally can constitute a serious risk of personal injury. This is particularly so during rescue work to extricate injured people from a vehicle after a traffic accident. An air bag that has not released at the time o the accident may entail a risk to the rescue team equivalent to that of a time-bomb. It is impossible to know in advance if, and in that case when, the air bag may be triggered. Even if the mechanics behind an air bag are fairly simple it must be assumed that a certain number of these will in time become potential "duds". Both mechanical faults and electrical contact faults may occur in the equipment's accelerometer or accelerometers. The problems may increase with increasing numbers of older vehicles. When the rescue team starts trying to extricate people clamped in the vehicle, the measures required may be sufficient under unfortunate circumstances to finally release the air bag. More and more models of vehicles are now being provided with air bags not only for the driver but also for the front-seat passenger. The problem with the risk is therefore greatly magnified.

The object of the invention is to solve said problem by providing the rescue team, for instance, with protection equipment designed to substantially reduce this risk. The device according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a torsionally rigid, telescopic cross bar comprising at least two parts movable in relation to each other and provided with a connection joint at each of the two opposite ends for assembly of the cross bar on the forward side frame-posts, in that the cross bar- includes a locking device to lock the parts of the cross bar to each other in their assembled position between the side frame-posts, in that it includes clamping devices joined to the connection joints to clamp the cross bar to the side frame-posts via the connection joints, in that the protective plate comprises an engagement element at its upper part for cooperation with an engagement element of the cross bar to retain the protective plate at the cross bar, and in that the protective plate comprises at least one lower support forming a distinct counterstay and extending in downward direction from the protective plate to cooperate with lower, fixed parts of the vehicle to secure the protective plate in a predetermined position at a distance from the panel covering the air bag which is broken through upon activation of the air bag.

The invention will be described in more detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows schematically from behind parts of a vehicle with a device according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a view along the line II-II in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view along the line III-III in Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows an enlarged detail of part of the circled part in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a view along the line V-V in Figure 2.

Figure 6 shows an enlarged detail of the circled part in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a view substantially equivalent to that shown in Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a view similar to that in Figure 7, but illustrating a different embodiment of a lower support.

Figure 9 shows schematically from above parts of a vehicle with a device according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 10 shows an enlarged detail of part of the circled part in Figure 9.

Figure 11 shows the device according to Figure 1, but applied on the driver's place in the vehicle.

Figure 12 is a view along the line XII-XII in Figure 11.

Figures 13-15 are views along the line XIII-XIII in

Figure 11, showing three different embodiments of a lower support forming a counterstay.

The drawings show schematically a safety device for assembly and use in a not moving vehicle for absorbing the considerable forces released at accidental release of an air bag (not shown) in the driver's and/or passenger seat. The safety device has a protective plate 1 to be placed within the area to which the air bag extends in its inflated state. On the side facing the air bag, the protective plate is provided with penetration members 2 which shall penetrate the air bag when it is released unintentionally.

The device comprises a torsionally rigid, telescopic cross bar 27 consisting of at least two parts 5, 6 (or alternatively more parts, e.g. three) movable in relation to each other to allow adjustment of the length of the cross bar to a particular vehicle. The cross bar is provided with a connection joint 28, 29 at each of the two opposite ends for assembly of the cross bar on the forward side frame-posts 3, 4 of the vehicle. The cross bar includes a locking device 7, e.g. a pin or the like, which is passed through apertures aligned with each other in the two displaceable parts 5, 6, to lock the parts together at the set length of the cross bar. Furthermore, the safety device has clamping devices 30, 31 joined to the connection joints 28, 29 to clamp the cross bar 27 to the side frame-posts via the connection joints 28, 29. The protective plate 1 is provided with an engagement element 32 at its upper part for cooperation with an engagement element 33 on the cross bar so that the protective plate 1 is retained by the cross bar 27. The protective plate 1 is also provided with one or more lower supports 8 extending in downward direction from the lower part of the protective plate 1 to cooperate with lower, fixed parts of the vehicle to secure the protective plate 1 at a predetermined distance from the panel 21 covering the air bag which is broken through upon activation of the air bag. It will be understood that the protective plate 1 is then secured with its upper part securely locked to the cross bar 27.

A first embodiment of the safety device, intended to offer protection against a non-released air bag on the passenger's side, is shown schematically in Figures 1-8, where the penetration members of the protective plate 1 constitute knives 2 to puncture the air bag. At its lower part the protective plate 1 is provided with an assembly element 35 to enable connection of at least one support 8 in the form of a leg. An aperture 22 is provided at the edge of the protective plate for connection to another support of telescopic type. The upper edge of the protective plate is provided with an engagement element 32 in the form of a fold in the protective plate 1. When the device is fitted into the vehicle, this fold 32 surrounds an engagement member 33, arranged transversely in the part 6, in the form of a lip. A similar lip 33 is provided at the other, upper, free edge of the cross bar so that it can be used regardless of which end is inserted into the vehicle first. The clamping devices 30, 31 comprise two retaining straps and a clamping and locking mechanism 38 for tightening them against the windscreen 34 and around the side frame-posts 3, 4 so that the cross bar 27 is firmly secured to the side frame-posts. The connection joints 28, 29 have shafts 11 permitting them to be angled to agreement with the orientation of the forward side frame-posts 3, 4 of different vehicles or in the event of them having been deformed during a collision. As mentioned the telescopic parts 5, 6 can be locked together when they are being assembled on the side frame-posts 3, 4 of the windscreen to enable them to absorb compressive and tensile forces upon accidental release of the air bag. This is particularly important when the roof of the vehicle must be sawn or cut to provide easier access to the interior of the vehicle.

Figure 7 shows that the assembly element 35 and support leg 8 can be turned from an angular direction directed forwards to support against the floor 36, to an angular position directed rearwards enabling use as counterstay located beneath the passenger seat 13. Figure 8 shows a telescopic support 8 comprising two angled telescope parts 23, 24 fitted in apertures 22 in the lower side of the vehicle and in the edge of the protective plate 1. The telescopic support serving as counterstay is adjustable and lockable in longitudinal direction with a locking device ( not shown ) .

Figure 9 shows schematically another method of fitting the safety and protective device to the side frame-posts 3, 4. In this case the connection joints 28, 29 are extended past the side frame-posts 3, 4. Two locking arms 15 and 17 are pivotably journalled at its extended portion 14. The arm 17 is provided with a stop 18 equipped with a friction-producing layer 20 (see Figure 10), e.g. rubber, to ensure firm retention against the side frame-posts 3, 4. The arm 17 is also provided with teeth which, upon assembly, engage in teeth in the stop

16 on the locking arm 15. A tension spring 19 is provided between the locking arms 17 and 15 to ensure secure locking.

Figure 11 shows schematically an orientation of the protective plate 1 providing protection from an air bag placed in the hub of a steering wheel, which has not released. In this position also the protective plate is detachably joined to the cross bar 27 at its upper part.

Figures 11, 13 and 14 also show how the protective plate 1 can be provided at its lower edge with support legs 8 against the floor in the vehicle or a support leg 8 against the lower side of the driver's seat 12. Another alternative, or a combination with either of the two others, is to apply a telescopic support 8 of substantially the same basic design as that in Figures 1 and 8. Such a telescopic counterstay may be provided with a shank 26 which, via a holder 25, is movable but can be locked in the desired position along the telescope part 24. The safety device functions as follows. When there is a risk of unintentional release of an air bag, located either in the instrument panel on the passenger's side or in the hub of the steering wheel 37, the safety device is assembled by securing the cross bar 27 to the side frame-posts 3, 4 of the windscreen. This can be done either with the aid of retaining strips 30, 31 and an associated clamping and locking mechanism 38 or using the tong-like elements 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. In this connection it is to be ensured that the distance between the protective plate 1 and the panels 21 normally covering each air bag is sufficient to permit the latter to be open. The distance is regulated by varying the vertical position when fitting the cross bar 27 onto the side frame-posts 3, 4. The telescope parts 5, 6 of the cross bar 27 are then locked together in a suitably extended position. The protective plate 1 is then fitted with the fold 32 over the lip 33. The connection forms a joint so that the forces acting on the protective plate 1 will be transmitted to the cross bar 27 primarily as tensile forces in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This avoids the cross bar being twisted since the protective plate is prevented from acting as torque arm. In suitable cases contact between the support leg 8 and the floor of the vehicle is ensured at a point at a safe distance from the vertical line from the cross bar. If necessary, the length of the support leg 8 can be adjusted in order to obtain this position.

If the floor 36 of the vehicle should for some reason be unsuitable as a contact point for said support leg 8, this may be replaced with a support leg 8 according to Figures 7 and 14. The seat 12, 13 will then function as counterstay for the forces acting on the system.

If both the floor 36 of the vehicle and the front seats 12, 13 should be unsuitable as support points the telescopic support 8 is used as counterstay. This is fitted by the upper telescope part 23 being threaded through the apertures 22 in the edge of the protective plate 1. The length of the counterstay is then adjusted by compressing the telescope parts 23, 24 until contact is obtained against the lower side of the vehicle, after which they are firmly locked together.

Various embodiments of a device for assembling a protection device against personal injuries in the event of accidental release of an air bag have been described above. An air bag which is accidentally released constitutes a risk of personal injury to the rescue team taking care of victims in a traffic accident. The invention solves this by allowing flexible and secure attachment of a protective plate 1 provided with penetration members 2 at a suitable distance within the operating area of one or more non-activated air bags within the region of the instrument panel - steering wheel. Attachment is effected against the side frame-posts 3, 4 of the windscreen with a cross bar 27 and against the floor of the vehicle with supports 8 or with telescope parts 23, 24. One advantage is that the device can be used to mount protections against both an air bag situated in the instrument panel in front of the passenger seat and also an air bag situated in the hub of the steering wheel .

The device according to the invention can also be used in a vehicle repair shop or the like, or some other place, in order to protect the mechanic who is to carry out work inside the vehicle, e.g. a vehicle that has been damaged in a collision without the air bag having been released.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A device for assembly and use in a not moving vehicle, for absorbing forces released at accidental release of at least one air bag in the vehicle, comprising at least one protective plate ( 1 ) for placing within the area of the air bag in its inflated state, which protective plate is provided with penetration members (2) on the side facing the air bag, said members puncturing the air bag at said release, characterized in that said device comprises a torsionally rigid, telescopic cross bar (27) comprising of at least two parts (5, 6) movable in relation to each other and provided with a connection joint (28, 29) at each of the two opposite ends for assembly of the cross bar (27) on the forward side frame-posts (3, 4), in that the cross bar includes a locking device ( 7 ) to lock the parts (5, 6) of the cross bar (27) to each other in their assembled position between the side frame-posts (3, 4), in that it includes clamping devices (30, 31) joined to the connection joints (28, 29) to clamp the cross bar (27) to the side frame-posts (3, 4) via the connection joints (28, 29), in that the protective plate (1) comprises an engagement element (32) at its upper part for cooperation with an engagement element ( 33 ) of the cross bar ( 27 ) to retain the protective plate ( 1 ) at the cross bar (27), and in that the protective plate (1) comprises at least one lower support ( 8 ) forming a distinct counterstay and extending in downward direction from the protective plate (1) to cooperate with lower, fixed parts of the vehicle to secure the protective plate ( 1 ) in a predetermined position at a distance from the panel covering the air bag which is broken through upon activation of the air bag.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the clamping devices comprise retaining straps (30, 31) running around the side frame-posts (3, 4) of the windscreen and a clamping and locking mechanism ( 38 ) .

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the clamping devices comprise tong-like members (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) which can be assembled around the side frame-posts (3, 4) of the windscreen.

4. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping devices are designed in such a manner that, upon release of the air bag, forces directed substantially only in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle will be transmitted to the side frame-posts (3, 4) of the windscreen.

5. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support ( 8 ) provided at the lower edge of the protective plate ( 1 ) is in the form of an adjustable support leg resting against the floor (36) of the vehicle.

6. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support ( 8 ) is reversible enabling it to act against the under side of the frame of the seat (12 or 13).

7. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (8) is provided with two mutually adjustable and lockable telescope parts

(23, 24) fitted in apertures (22) in the protective plate (1) and at the door sill box of the vehicle.

8. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cross bar (27), clamping devices (30, 31) and support (8) enable assembly of the protective plate (1) as protection for non-released air bags situated both in the instrument panel in front of a passenger and in the steering wheel of the vehicle.