WO2012052944A1

WO2012052944A1 - Release assembly for a vehicle emergency escape hatch

Info

Publication number: WO2012052944A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/054667
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tersius Middel; Johan Van Der Merwe
Original assignee: Bae Systems Land Systems South Africa (Pty) Limited
Priority date: 2010-10-19
Filing date: 2011-10-19
Publication date: 2012-04-26

Abstract

This invention relates to a release assembly (10) comprising a first release mechanism (12) to be located inside an armoured vehicle and a second release mechanism (14) to be located outside the armoured vehicle. The release mechanism (10) is adapted to be fitted to the armoured vehicle in order to hold an emergency escape hatch, such as a window (16), onto the vehicle surface (18) and is adapted to free the escape window (16) from the vehicle, either from the inside by means of the first release mechanism (12) or from the outside by means of the second release mechanism (14).

Description

RELEASE ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE EMERGENCY ESCAPE HATCH FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a release assembly for a vehicle emergency escape hatch. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a release assembly for an emergency escape hatch of an armoured vehicle for releasable holding of an escape hatch onto a surface of said vehicle.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

An armoured vehicle is designed and built to be very tough and strong, with an aim of being impenetrable. The armoured vehicle is thus generally also fitted with bulletproof windows. A drawback of being fitted with bulletproof windows is that, during an accident or attack, the heavily armoured doors of the vehicle can jam shut, trapping personnel inside. In such an instance, the personnel would need to escape from the vehicle relatively quickly through an opening other than the doors. However, since the windows are bulletproof, they are not easily removable and cannot open.

As a result, a first known vehicle emergency escape mechanism for the vehicle widows has in the past been fitted to the windows of the armoured vehicle, so that another vehicle can rip the window off, freeing the troops inside.

A second known vehicle emergency escape assembly for a window of the armoured vehicle is located within the vehicle. This assembly allows crews of tactical ground combat vehicles to remove the ballistic windshields and quickly exit the vehicle during an emergency. However, a disadvantage of this known vehicle emergency escape assembly is that is can only be opened form inside of the vehicle. Therefore, in the event that the crew is unconscious or injured, they would not be able to open the widow and thus not able to be rescued from the vehicle.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide to a release assembly for a vehicle emergency escape hatch, with which the aforesaid disadvantages can be overcome or at least minimised.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a release assembly for an armoured vehicle emergency escape hatch comprising:

- a first release mechanism to be located inside the armoured vehicle; and

- a second release mechanism to be located outside the armoured vehicle,

the arrangement being such that the release assembly releasably attaches the escape hatch to the vehicle surface and is adapted to release the escape hatch from the vehicle, either from the inside of the vehicle by means of the first release mechanism or from the outside of the vehicle by means of the second release mechanism. The escape hatch may be a window of the vehicle.

The release assembly may include an elongate mounting member having a first end and an opposite second end.

The mounting member may be adapted to have its length varied, so that it is adapted to attach escape hatches of different thicknesses to vehicle surfaces of different thicknesses.

The first end may include a first engaging formation and may be adapted to receive the first release mechanism.

The second end may include a second engaging formation and may be adapted to receive the second release mechanism.

The first release mechanism may engage the first engaging formation of the first end of the mounting member when it is in a locked state. The first release mechanism may be disengageable from the first engaging formation of the mounting member when it is in a release state.

The first engaging formation may be a first groove defined by the mounting member. The first release mechanism may include a first clamp member and a second clamp member, which causes engagement of the first release mechanism with the first groove, by the first clamp member being provided to surround the first end of the mounting member and the second clamp member provided to engage the first clamp member and the first groove so that the first end of the mounting member is encapsulated by the first and second clamp members.

The first release mechanism may further include a safety pin to prevent accidental release of the first release mechanism, and a handle, the arrangement being such that when the safety pin is released from the first release mechanism, the handle is movable to disengage the first and second clamp members from one another and from the first groove, so that the first release mechanism is in a release state.

Alternatively, the first release mechanism may include an engaging body and a safety pin, which removably locks the engaging body onto the first end if the mounting member. The first release mechanism may further include a plurality of ball bearings retained in the first groove by the engaging body, which may be biased to disengage the mounting member, the arrangement being such that when the safety pin is removed from the first release mechanism, the engaging body is removable from the mounting member so that the ball bearings are released from the first groove, so that the first release mechanism is in a release state.

Further alternatively, the first release mechanism may include a lever and a safety pin which retains the lever in the locked state, so that when the safety pin is removed from the first release mechanism, the lever may be opened so that the first release mechanism is in a release state.

The second release mechanism may engage the second engaging formation of the second end of the mounting member when it is in a locked state.

The second release mechanism may be disengageable from second engaging formation of the mounting member when it is in a release state. The second engaging formation may be a second groove defined by the mounting member.

The second release mechanism may include an over-centre lever member which is movable between the locked state, wherein it engages the second groove and the release state, wherein it is disengaged from the second groove.

The lever member may include receiving formation for receiving an elongate rigid bar in order to aid the over-centre movement between the locked state and the release state. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a hatch for an armoured vehicle including a release assembly according to the first embodiment of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided an armoured vehicle including a release assembly according to the first embodiment of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described further by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: is a perspective view of a release assembly for a vehicle emergency escape hatch according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first release mechanism of the release assembly of figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first release mechanism of figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional side view of the first release mechanism of figure 2 in a locked state;

Figure 5 is a sectional side view of the first release mechanism of figure 2 in a release state; is a perspective view of a release assembly for a vehicle emergency escape hatch according to a second embodiment of the invention;

is a perspective view of the release assembly of figure 6, when installed on an armoured vehicle and as seen from the outside of said vehicle with a second release mechanism in a locked state; is the same as figure 7, but with the second release mechanism in a release state so that the hatch is openable;

is a perspective view of the release assembly of figure 6, when installed on an armoured vehicle and as seen from the inside of said vehicle, showing a plurality of first release mechanisms, some in a locked state and others in a release state;

is an exploded view of the first release mechanism of the release assembly of figure 6;

is a perspective view of a release assembly for a vehicle emergency escape hatch according to a third embodiment of the invention;

is a perspective view of the release assembly of figure 1 1 , when installed on an armoured vehicle and as seen from the inside of said vehicle, showing a plurality of first release mechanisms in a locked state;

is the same as figure 12, showing some of the first release mechanisms in a locked state and others in a release state; Figure 14 is the same as figure 13 showing the first release mechanism in more detail; and

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a release assembly for a vehicle emergency escape hatch according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to figures 1 to 5, a release assembly for a vehicle emergency escape hatch according to a first embodiment of the invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10. Referring to figures 6 to 10, a release assembly for a vehicle emergency escape hatch according to a second embodiment of the invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10A. Referring to figures 11 to 14, a release assembly for a vehicle emergency escape hatch according to a third embodiment of the invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10B; and referring to figure 15, a release assembly for a vehicle emergency escape hatch according to a fourth embodiment of the invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10C.

The release assembly 10, according to the first embodiment of the invention comprises a first release mechanism 12 to be located inside an armoured vehicle (not shown) and a second release mechanism 14 to be located outside the armoured vehicle. The release mechanism 10 is adapted to be fitted to the armoured vehicle in order to releasably hold an emergency escape hatch, such as a window 16, onto the vehicle surface 18 and is adapted to free the escape window 16 from the vehicle, either from the inside by means of the first release mechanism 12 or from the outside by means of the second release mechanism 14. The release assembly 10 includes an elongate mounting member 20 having a first end 22 and an opposite second end 24. In use, the mounting member 20 is passed through the vehicle surface 18 and through window connecting members 26, so that it is positioned to hold the window 16 to the vehicle surface 18 with the first release mechanism 12 located in the inside of the vehicle and the second release mechanism 14 located on the outside of the vehicle. The mounting member 20 could be adapted to have its length varied, as shown in the fourth embodiment of the release assembly 10C. The mounting member 20 would include mounting member parts which are telescopic, so that pretension is possible. The pretension is achieved by torqueing the parts of the mounting member 20.

The first end 22 includes a first engaging formation, in the form of a first groove 28, and is adapted to receive the first release mechanism 12. Similarly, the second end 24 includes a second engaging formation, in the forms of a second groove 30, and is adapted to receive the second release mechanism 14.

According to the first embodiment, the first release mechanism 12 includes a first clamp member 32 and a second clamp member 34, which causes engagement of the first release mechanism 12 with the first groove 28, by the first clamp member 32 being provided to surround the first end 22 of the mounting member 20 and the second clamp member 34 provided to engage the first clamp member 32 and the first groove 28 so that the first end 22 of the mounting member 20 is encapsulated by the first and second clamp members 32 and 34 respectively.

The first release mechanism 12 further includes a safety pin 36 to prevent accidental release of the first release mechanism 12 and a handle 38. An end of the handle 38.1 is provided within a mechanism housing 40, wherein the first and second clamp members 32 and 34 respectively are also located and which are in communication with the handle 38. The mechanism housing 40 includes a first part 40.1 and a second part 40.2 connected to one another to house a clamp link 42, which is connected to the second clamp member 34 via a hinge pin 44. The housing 40 is further provided with safety pin plates 46, having ends which protrude outside the housing and which ends define receiving apertures 48, for receiving the safety pin 36. The first clamp member 32 is hingedly connected to the first part 40.1 and a second part 40.2 of the housing 40. The arrangement is such that when the safety pin 36 is released from the safety pin plates 46, the handle 38 is movable, as shown in figure 4, to disengage the first and second clamp members 32 and 34 from one another and from the first groove 28, so that the first release mechanism 12 is in a release state and can de released from the mounting member 20, so that the window 16 can be opened. According to the second embodiment of the invention and as shown in figures 6 to 10, the first release mechanism 12A includes an engaging body 50 and a safety pin 36, which removably locks the engaging body 50 onto the mounting member 20. The first release mechanism 12A includes a plurality of ball bearings 52 which are retained in the first groove 28 by the engaging body 50. The release mechanism 12A further includes a biasing means, in the form of a spring 54, so that the engaging body is biased to disengage the mounting member 20. More particularly, the first release mechanism 12A engages the first groove 28 of the first end 22 of the mounting member 20 when it is in a locked state and is disengageable from the first groove 28 of the mounting member 20 when it is in a release state. Since the body 32 is biased to disengage the mounting member 20 it is relatively easily removable to open the escape window 16 upon removal of the safety pin 36 and once the safety pin 36 is removed the ball bearings 52 are released from the first groove 28, thus releasing the axial tension.

The second release mechanism 14 includes a plate 15 defining an aperture 17 through which the second end 24 of the mounting member 20 is passed, and an over-centre lever member 56 which is movable relative to the plate 15 between the locked state and the release state. The over-centre lever member 56 includes a locking bar 19, which is receivable by the second groove 30. The lever member 56 further includes a receiving formation 58 for receiving an elongate rigid bar 60 in order to aid the over-centre movement between the locked state and the release state, as shown in figures 7 and 8. When the second release mechanism is therefore in the locked state, the locking bar engages the second groove 30, as shown in figures 6 and 7 and is disengageable from the second groove 30 of the mounting member 20 when it is urged to the release state, as shown in figure 8.

According to a third embodiment of the invention and as shown in figures 11 to 14, the first release mechanism includes a lever 62 which is opened upon removal of the pin 36, so as to disengage the mounting member 20. In the first, second and third embodiments, the release assemblies 10, 10A and 10B all include the same second release mechanism 14, although the first release mechanisms are different. As shown in figure 15, it is foreseen that the first and second release mechanisms 12 and 14 could both be in the form of a lever 36 (as is the case in the third embodiment). It should be clear that various embodiments of the invention are possible by interchanging the various release mechanisms, as depicted herein.

In use, the release assembly 10 is fitted to the armoured vehicle in order to hold the window 16, onto the vehicle surface 18. Should an accident or attack occur and the armoured doors of the vehicle are jammed shut, trapping personnel inside, they would be able to escape from the vehicle relatively quickly through the window 16 by releasing the first release mechanism 12 from the inside of the vehicle. In order to do this, they would merely need to pull out the safety pin 34 to disengage first release mechanism from the mounting member 20, so that the window 16 is openable.

In an event that an accident or attack occurs with the personnel being unconscious and trapped inside the vehicle, the escape windows would need to be opened form the outside of the vehicle by disengaging the second release mechanism 14 from the mounting member 20. An elongate rigid bar 60 would be positioned in the receiving formation 58 of the over-centre lever member 56 in order to aid the over-centre movement of the lever member 56 between the locked state and the release state in order to force the second release mechanism 14 to disengage the second groove 30 of the mounting member 20. The escape window 16 is thus openable from the outside of the vehicle in order to free personnel trapped inside said vehicle. It will be appreciated that variations in detail are possible with a release assembly for a vehicle emergency escape hatch according to the invention without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A release assembly for an armoured vehicle emergency escape hatch comprising: a first release mechanism to be located inside the armoured vehicle; and a second release mechanism to be located outside the armoured vehicle, the arrangement being such that the release assembly releasably attaches the escape hatch to the vehicle surface and is adapted to release the escape hatch from the vehicle, either from the inside by means of the first release mechanism or from the outside by means of the second release mechanism.

2. A release assembly according to claim 1 wherein the escape hatch is a window of the vehicle. 3. A release assembly according to claim 1 or 2 which includes an elongate mounting member having a first end and an opposite second end.

A release assembly according to claim 3 wherein the mounting member is adapted to have its length varied, so that it is adapted to attach escape hatches of different thicknesses to vehicle surfaces of different thicknesses.

5. A release assembly according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the first end includes a first engaging formation and is adapted to receive the first release mechanism.

A release assembly according to claim 5 wherein the first release mechanism engages the first engaging formation of the first end of the mounting member when it is in a locked state.

A release assembly according to claim 6 wherein the first release mechanism is disengageable from the first engaging formation of the mounting member when it is in a release state.

A release assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 7 wherein the first engaging formation is a first groove defined by the mounting member.

9. A release assembly according to claim 8 wherein the first release mechanism includes a first clamp member and a second clamp member, which causes engagement of the first release mechanism with the first groove, by the first clamp member being provided to surround the first end of the mounting member and the second clamp member provided to engage the first clamp member and the first groove so that the first end of the mounting member is encapsulated by the first and second clamp members.

10. A release assembly according to claim 9 wherein the first release mechanism further includes a safety pin to prevent accidental release of the first release mechanism and a handle, the arrangement being such that when the safety pin is released from the first release mechanism, the handle is movable to disengage the first and second clamp members from one another and from the first groove, so that the first release mechanism is in a release state.

11. A release assembly according to claim 8 wherein the first release mechanism includes an engaging body and a safety pin, which removably locks the engaging body onto the first end if the mounting member. 12. A release assembly according to claim 11 wherein the first release mechanism further includes a plurality of ball bearings retained in the first groove by the engaging body, which is biased to disengage the mounting member, the arrangement being such that when the safety pin is removed from the first release mechanism, the engaging body is removable from the mounting member so that the ball bearings are released from the first groove, so that the first release mechanism is in a release state.

13. A release assembly according to claim 8 wherein the first release mechanism includes a lever and a safety pin which retains the lever in the locked state, so that when the safety pin is removed from the first release mechanism, the lever is movable so that the first release mechanism is in a release state.

14. A release assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 13 wherein the second end includes a second engaging formation and is adapted to receive the second release mechanism.

15. A release assembly according to claim 14 wherein the second release mechanism engages the second engaging formation of the second end of the mounting member when it is in a locked state.

16. A release assembly according to claim 15 wherein the second release mechanism is disengageable from the second engaging formation of the mounting member when it is in a release state.

17. A release assembly according to any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein the second engaging formation is a second groove defined by the mounting member.

18. A release assembly according to claim 17 wherein the second release mechanism includes an over-centre lever member which is movable between the locked state, wherein it engages the second groove and the release state, wherein it is disengaged from the second groove.

19. A release assembly according to claim 18 wherein the lever member includes a receiving formation for receiving an elongate rigid bar in order to aid the over-centre movement between the locked state and the release state.

20. A hatch for an armoured vehicle including a release assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. An armoured vehicle including a release assembly according to the any one of claims 1 to 19. 22. A hatch for an armoured vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

23. An armoured vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.