Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Controlled by condition responsive means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-01
2001-07-31
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Controlled by condition responsive means
C052S002110, C102S303000, C049S009000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266926
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for protecting building occupants from injury caused by flying debris from an explosion or the like. More particularly, it relates to such an apparatus and method wherein a gas generator is used to deploy a protective barrier such as an air bag or the like.
Terrorist bomb attacks provide a demonstrable need for increased protection for building occupants from the debris hazards generated by the blast. Loss of life in such attacks is caused mainly by the debris hazard generated by the blast (i.e., debris from the breakup of the windows, cladding, and ceiling and room fixtures. While debris hazards can be mitigated by the use of increased standoff, airblast barriers, stronger cladding and windows, and window coatings, such devices merely reduce but do not totally eliminate the personnel injury and, in many cases, are difficult and/or expensive to install.
Accordingly, a need has arisen for a simple and effective protection system that provides a “last line of defense” for the occupants of a building subjected to an explosion and prevents or significantly reduces injury to the occupants. The protection apparatus and method of the present invention fills this need and is not subject to any of the disadvantages of previously used systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the method and apparatus of the present invention, a protective barrier which can be deployed by inflation is mounted adjacent a window or other structure providing a debris hazard in the event of an explosion. The protective barrier is movable from a stored position adjacent the window to a deployed position wherein it covers the window to prevent injury to the occupants from flying debris from the window. Preferably, the protective barrier is mounted on the inside of the window or other structure, although it could be mounted on the outside thereof.
A suitable type of gas generating device is used to deploy the inflatable protection barrier in the event of an explosion. As an illustrative example, a suitable sensor may be mounted outside of the building to detect an explosion and activate an igniter which would then ignite a suitable gas generating composition to rapidly generate gas for deploying the protective barrier by inflation. Such a system would operate to deploy the protective barrier in about one illisecond such that the window would be covered before it is subjected to the explosion blast to prevent flying debris from the window and protect the building occupants from injury from such debris. The gas generating composition could use a solid propellant, a liquid propellant, or a mixture thereof.
The protective barrier and inflation apparatus of the present invention may be mounted in any suitable housing disposed adjacent the window or other structure, such as a window valance, piece of furniture or the like, so that it is hidden from view in the stored position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3831318 (1974-08-01), Richmond
patent: 4040210 (1977-08-01), Land
patent: 4187896 (1980-02-01), Shore
patent: 4262045 (1981-04-01), Cheng et al.
patent: 4344473 (1982-08-01), Shore
patent: 4346132 (1982-08-01), Cheng et al.
patent: 5647438 (1997-07-01), Chatrathi et al.
patent: 5653062 (1997-08-01), Shustov
patent: 5719350 (1998-02-01), Parkes et al.
patent: 5732510 (1998-03-01), Sutton et al.
patent: 0161002 (1985-11-01), None
Crawford John
Figge Ward
Graham Kenneth
Anderson Jerry
Atlantic Research Corporation
Cuomo Peter M.
Nixon & Vanderhye PC
Presta Frank P.
LandOfFree
Gas generator deployed occupant protection apparatus and method does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Gas generator deployed occupant protection apparatus and method, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Gas generator deployed occupant protection apparatus and method will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2442425