Communications: electrical – Aircraft alarm or indicating systems
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-18
2002-09-10
Swarthout, Brent A. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Aircraft alarm or indicating systems
C244S12200B, C280S801100, C297S468000, C297S477000, C340S457100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06448907
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to passenger control systems, and more specifically to a system for monitoring and controlling movement of passengers on board an airliner. The present system includes a remotely controllable belt latch assembly for each passenger, with an integrated information system and/or crewmember serving to disable or unlock the novel seat belt latch release mechanism selectively for one or more of the passengers in order to retain the passenger(s) in their seats as desired by the crew.
2. Description of the Related Art
While airline hijackings have occurred on several occasions in the past, it was not until the events of Sep. 11, 2001 that the potential use of such aircraft for mass destruction was seen by most people. While boarding checks and other security measures have been in place for many years, the events of Sept. 11 have driven home the point that it is possible for potential terrorists to carry objects on board which under virtually any other circumstances would be completely innocuous, but when placed in the hands of terrorists on an airliner, become deadly weapons. There is thus considerable concern that regardless of the security measures taken before boarding, there is still some element of danger present if significant numbers of potentially dangerous passengers are able to roam freely within the aircraft cabin during flight.
The present invention provides a solution to this potential problem by means of a computerized system installed in the aircraft, for controlling the ability of passengers to release their seat belt latches. The present invention includes a novel latch assembly for each passenger seat belt, with each latch assembly having a remotely actuated control which when activated, disables the belt latch release mechanism to restrain the passenger within the seat. The present system provides for a computer managed or crewmember controlled release of passengers on a selective basis, with the risk level of the passenger(s) taken into account before release during flight. Safeguards are built into the system to provide for automatic release in the event of an electrical power failure or other emergency, or upon reaching the arrival gate after landing.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,351,381 issued on Nov. 7, 1967 to Oliver W. Boblitz, titled “Automatic Safety Belt Devices,” describes a system for use in automobiles or aircraft, for alerting seat occupants of the need to fasten their seat belts securely. The Boblitz system includes a weight sensor installed within each seat and a switch contact within each belt latch assembly, for sending a signal if the latch assembly has not been latched. The disclosure of these devices of the Boblitz '381 U.S. Patent, is incorporated herein by reference. Such devices are conventional and well known in the art. Boblitz also provides an electrical switch with each belt for indicating when the belt has tension applied to it, i.e., when the belt is tightly fastened around the seat occupant. The present invention includes a device performing the same function, but having a different structure. The Boblitz system sends a signal to an annunciator panel whenever a seat is occupied and the corresponding seat belt is only loosely fastened about the occupant. While the present invention incorporates technology which also accomplishes this function, the present invention goes even farther by providing a seat belt latch assembly which cannot be unlatched by the seat occupant, whenever the latch opening mechanism is disabled by remote means. Boblitz does not disclose such a mechanism, and thus cannot restrain passengers within their seats, as can the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,891,272 issued on Jun. 24, 1975 to Tazeko Takada, titled “Motor Vehicle Safety Devices,” describes a seat belt and ignition interlock system, as was applied to new automobiles sold in the U.S. for a brief period in the mid-1970s. The Takada system also includes a weight sensor for each seat and a switch mechanism for each seat belt latch to indicate whether or not the belt latch is fastened. However, as in the Boblitz '381 U.S. Patent discussed immediately above, Takada does not provide any means of remotely disabling the latch release mechanism in order to restrain passengers in their seats as desired, which function and structure are parts of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,119 issued on Feb. 21, 1984 to O. Jay Schwark et al., titled “Electrically Released Seat Belt Buckle,” describes a seat belt latch mechanism including an electrical solenoid therewith. The solenoid actuates a lever which bears against the belt tongue retaining member within the latch when actuated, to release the opposite seat belt tongue member from the latch remotely and automatically. The Schwark et al. latch release mechanism teaches away from the present invention by providing for remote release of the seat belt latch, rather than providing for remote disabling of the seat belt latch release mechanism, as is accomplished by the present invention. The Schwark et al. apparatus would do nothing to retain passengers within their seats, as is accomplished by the present system.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,600 issued on Jun. 26, 1990 to Osamu Kawai et al., titled “Passive Seat Belt System,” describes an electronic system for preventing lockup of an automated automobile seat belt system (i.e., “moving mouse” system) under certain conditions. The Kawai et al. system prevents lockup of the belt system when a vehicle door is opened and for a short time after it is closed and when the seat is being adjusted, and also considers vehicle movement in making the determinations. However, Kawai et al. do not disclose any remote means to allow the belt latch assembly to be unlatched, or to remotely prevent a passenger from unlatching the belt assembly, as provided by the present invention. The Kawai et al. system does nothing to retain a passenger in his or her seat, but rather teaches away from this function.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,609 issued on Dec. 31, 1991 to Han J. Park, titled “Electronic Control Method Of A Car Safety Belt,” describes a control system for a “moving mouse” type passive or automated belt system. The Park system utilizes an electronic controller to determine the status of the various switch states of the system, and reacts accordingly. However, no disclosure is made in the Park '609 U.S. Patent of any means for remotely preventing a passenger from unlatching his or her seat belt. The present invention provides such remote belt unlatching prevention means, for the control of airline passengers in flight.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,736 issued on Jul. 6, 1993 to Andreas Sedlmayer et al., titled “Safety Belt Arrangement For Occupants Of Land Vehicles And Aircraft,” describes a computerized system which takes into account acceleration and deceleration characteristics of: the vehicle in determining belt lockup. The Sedlmayer et al. system has no effect upon the belt latch mechanism per se. Rather, Sedlmayer et al. only provide a means of locking the belt extension mechanism to preclude further extension of the belt under certain conditions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,458 issued on Sep. 10, 1996 to Darrell Large, titled “Passenger Safety Status Indicator,” describes a two way annunciator system for alerting cabin attendants of improper passenger status or seat conditions (e.g., belt unfastened, seat not upright for landing, etc.), and also for alerting the passenger(s) of such conditions as well, for their correction. Large provides an annunciator panel at a cabin crewmember station, as well as individual annunciator panels for each seating position. The master annunciator panel alerts the cabin crew as to the status (either proper or improper) of any passenger restraint and/or seat. The cabin crew can respond audibly to each passenger by means of individual
Litman Richard C.
Swarthout Brent A.
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