Metal deforming – By or with work-constrainer and/or manipulated work-forcer
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-15
2001-11-20
Tolan, Ed (Department: 3725)
Metal deforming
By or with work-constrainer and/or manipulated work-forcer
C072S301000, C072S447000, C072S705000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318144
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a vehicle accident rescue tool. More specifically, it relates to a multi-purpose tool, for use at a vehicle accident scene, primarily useful for lifting and pulling the steering column of a wrecked vehicle. Other uses will be described herein and recognized by those skilled in the art.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is well known that as a result of an automobile accident, involving single or multiple vehicles, accident victims are often trapped within a vehicle. Often times, the driver of the vehicle is pinned between the steering column and the drivers seat. And, a number of devices have been invented for rescuing trapped individuals. Perhaps most notable among the known prior art is the device commonly referred to as the JAWS OF LIFE, described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,819,153, issued to Hurst et al. on Jun. 25, 1974. Other rescue tools known in the art include U.S. Pat. No. 3,577,881, issued to Markovics on May 11, 1971; U.S. Pat. No. 3,985,014, issued to Smith on Oct. 12, 1976; U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,029, issued to Bertino on Mar. 22, 1988; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,260, issued to Gehron on Jun. 20, 1995. Other known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 2,852,971, issued to Macaluso, Jr. on Sep. 23, 1958; U.S. Pat. No. 3,206,966, issued to Fagan on Sep. 21, 1965; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,729,974, issued to Tidwell on May 1, 1973. Notable of these references are the Bertino reference, (the '029 patent), and the Gehron reference, (the '260 patent). Each of these rescue tools is adapted to be used in conjunction with the JAWS OF LIFE, or other pulling device such as a ratcheting cable winch puller.
Referring to the '260 patent, Gehron's device includes a load bearing base, a base arm fixedly attached to base and a lifting arm pivotably attached to base. It is readily known to those skilled in the art, that in use, the load bearing base must be positioned over a reinforced section of the frame of the automobile, such as over the firewall, immediately forward of the windshield. Those skilled in the art recognize that if the base is positioned over an unsupported portion of, for instance, the hood, the force transferred through the lifting arm to the base will merely crush the hood. It has been learned that the pivotal attachment of the lifting arm to the base only allows the lifting arm to apply lifting force to the steering column as the lifting arm approaches vertical. This limits the vertical displacement of the steering column to a few inches. Further, using the example of placement of the rescue tool on the hood in order to lift the steering column, the Gehron device does lift the steering column a limited vertical distance but in most cases does not pull the steering column in a horizontal direction. Accordingly, there is a need for a vehicle accident rescue tool that simultaneously lifts and pulls a vehicle's steering column through a full range of motion.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle accident rescue tool that is capable of lifting and pulling a steering column away from an accident victim.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle accident rescue tool that also provides a readily adaptable configuration for also shielding the interior of the vehicle from an inadvertent deployment of a passenger side airbag.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle accident rescue tool that is readily adaptable for use as a mini-boom at an accident scene.
Other objects and advantages over the prior art will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description together with the drawings as described as follows.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention a vehicle accident rescue tool is provided that lifts a steering column vertically, and pulls the steering column horizontally so as to free an obstructed accident victim. The rescue tool includes a base, base arm carried by the base, and a lifting arm pivotally engaged with the base arm in spaced relation from the base. The base arm includes a distal end that carries a first actuator anchor point and a second anchor point. The second anchor point provides a point of attachment for a first detention cable for securing the distal end to a selected point on the vehicle frame. In the preferred embodiment, the base arm is defined by a first arm member and an arm extension member that is telescopically received by the first arm member in a manner that is securable and adjustable.
The distal end of the lifting arm carries a second actuator anchor point and an additional anchor point. In use, the rescue tool is placed on the vehicle with the base proximate the steering column and, preferably, positioned over a portion of the vehicle capable of supporting a load. In this regard, the rescue tool is preferably placed over the front end of the vehicle with the base proximate the steering wheel and placed over the firewall/forward edge of the dash, proximate the base of the windshield. The distal end of the base arm is secured to a rigid point of attachment on the vehicle's frame. An actuator, such as a ratcheting cable winch puller, is operatively engaged with the first and second actuator anchor points so as to provide a force that pulls the lifting arm in a pivoting fashion. The distal end of the lifting arm is secured as by a pulling cable to the steering column. As the actuator causes the lifting arm to rotate upwards towards a vertical position, the steering column is lifted and pulled.
In the preferred embodiment, the rescue tool also includes a passenger-side air airbag shredder assembly for protecting a passenger or rescue personnel from injury associated with the inadvertent deployment of the passenger side airbag. In this regard, a lateral extension arm is telescopically received by an end of the base. A riser is slidably carried by the lateral extension arm and supports an adjustable boom arm which in turn carries an airbag shield. The airbag shield carries a plurality of blades for deflating an inadvertently deployed passenger side airbag. The adjustable boom arm is configured to allow ready adjustment for positioning the airbag shield in close proximity to the vehicle's passenger side airbag.
The rescue tool can also be used as a mini-boom for other pulling type operations. In this regard, the arm extension member is telescopically engaged with the lifting arm. In order to stabilize the rescue tool while in use as a mini-boom, a stabilizer arm is provided and is adapted to be telescopically received by the first arm member. Further, the stabilizer arm is adapted to be engaged with a vehicle, such as a rescue vehicle, such that the weight of the vehicle serves to stabilize the rescue tool.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2852971 (1958-09-01), Macaluso. Jr.
patent: 3206966 (1965-09-01), Fagan et al.
patent: 3577881 (1971-05-01), Markovics
patent: 3729974 (1973-05-01), Tidwell
patent: 3819153 (1974-06-01), Hurst et al.
patent: 3891187 (1975-06-01), Bearden, Jr.
patent: 3985014 (1976-10-01), Smith
patent: 4257255 (1981-03-01), Sanchez
patent: 4732029 (1988-03-01), Bertino
patent: 5425260 (1995-06-01), Gehron
patent: 5730019 (1998-03-01), Venalainen
Pitts & Brittian P.C.
Tolan Ed
LandOfFree
Vehicle accident rescue tool does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Vehicle accident rescue tool, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Vehicle accident rescue tool will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2595246