Fracturable device

Abstract

A rupturable device (14) for an airbag enclosure (2), the device comprising: a body (3) comprising a mechanically weakened portion (22) configured to rupture to provide an opening in the body (3) if the mechanically weakened portion (22) is subjected to a force from an airbag (10) inflated within the airbag enclosure (2); and a releasable attachment (28) coupled to the body (3), the releasable attachment (28) being configured to be releasably attached to the airbag housing (2) to enable the rupturable device (14) to be detached from the airbag housing (2) and replaced after the mechanically weakened portion (22) has ruptured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rupturable device for an airbag housing. More particularly, the present invention relates to a rupturable device for an airbag housing of a wearable safety device. Background Art

[0002] Individuals at risk of injury from falls may benefit from cushioning around vulnerable parts of their body. It is known to provide a wearable safety device that can be worn by an individual for purposes such as providing protection from injuries resulting from falls. The wearable safety device typically includes an airbag that is initially folded and stored in a compact housing worn by the individual. The wearable safety device is activated upon detecting a fall, triggering inflation of the airbag to provide cushioning, thereby protecting the individual from the forces resulting from the fall.

[0003] Conventional wearable safety devices are typically single-use devices that are consumed and discarded after the airbag is activated. Some conventional wearable safety devices can be repaired and restored to working order once consumed. In some cases, repairing such conventional wearable safety devices requires specialized tools and a controlled production environment, making the repair process costly and time-consuming.

[0004] There is a need for a wearable safety device that alleviates at least some of the problems described herein. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a rupturable device according to claim 1 and a safety device according to claim 14.

[0006] In some examples of the present disclosure, the rupturable device is releasably attached to the airbag housing, thereby enabling economical and easy replacement of the rupturable device after it has been ruptured.

[0007] In some examples of the present disclosure, end-user access to the airbag housing may be limited to reduce the risk of the airbag being inadvertently damaged.

[0008] The rupturable device in some examples of the present disclosure provides environmental benefits over conventional rupturable devices because it allows the airbag housing to be easily reused. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In order that the present disclosure may be more readily understood, preferred embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1is a diagrammatic isometric view of a portion of an airbag housing of the present disclosure;

[0011] Figure 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the safety device of the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 3 is an isometric view of a portion of the safety device of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of a section of a rupturable device of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of a section of a rupturable device of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of a section of a rupturable device of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of a section of a rupturable device of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of a section of a rupturable device of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 9 is an isometric view of the safety device of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view of a rupturable device of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 11 is an isometric view of the safety device of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the safety device of the present disclosure during activation;

[0022] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the safety device of the present disclosure during activation; and

[0023] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the safety device of the present disclosure after activation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] First, refer to the accompanying drawings Figure 1In one example of the present disclosure, a safety device 1 includes an airbag housing 2. In some examples, the safety device 1 is a wearable safety device and includes at least one strap or harness (not shown) coupled to the airbag housing 2 to enable the airbag housing to be attached to and worn by a user. In some examples, the safety device 1 includes a strap in the form of a waist belt that enables the safety device 1 to be worn around the waist of the user. In other examples, the safety device 1 is coupled to a piece of clothing that can be worn by the user, such as a vest or jacket.

[0025] The airbag housing 2 comprises a body 3 provided with an opening 4. In this example, the airbag housing 2 is a fabric layer folded along a fold line, which is a first edge 7 of the airbag housing 2, to form a first fabric layer 5 and a second fabric layer 6. The first fabric layer 5 and the second fabric layer 6 are connected along a second edge 8 of the airbag housing and a third edge 9 of the airbag housing, thereby forming a bag having an opening 4 along a fourth edge of the housing.

[0026] In other examples, the body 3 is made of plastic, which may be rigid or flexible.

[0027] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Figure 2 The safety device 1 further includes an airbag 10 that is folded and packaged within the airbag housing 2. The airbag 10 is made of fabric and includes a chamber 11 and an aperture 12 that provides fluid communication from a gas source 13 to the chamber 11. The aperture 12 is configured such that when pressurized gas is introduced into the airbag chamber 11 through the gas source 13, the volume of the airbag chamber 11 will increase and inflate the airbag 10.

[0028] In this example, the safety device 1 includes a sensor and a control unit (not shown) for activating the safety device 1. In some examples of the present disclosure, the sensor is an accelerometer. In other examples, the sensor is a tilt sensor.

[0029] In other examples, the safety device 1 includes a mechanical activation mechanism for activating the safety device 1. The mechanical activation mechanism is provided in place of a sensor or in addition to a sensor to activate the safety device 1 by mechanical force. In some examples of the present disclosure, the mechanical activation mechanism is a strap or other elongated member attached to a trigger provided on the safety device 1. When the strap is pulled, the strap applies a mechanical force to the trigger, which in turn activates the safety device 1. In these examples, a person may wear the safety device 1 and attach the strap to an object that the person is using, so that the safety device 1 is activated when the person moves away from the object. For example, the safety device 1 may be inside a jacket or vest worn by a person participating in an activity (such as horseback riding or cycling), where the strap is attached to an object close to the person so that if the person separates from the object, the safety device 1 is activated by the strap.

[0030] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Figure 3 and Figure 4 Safety device 1 includes a rupturable device 14 configured to be releasably attached to airbag housing 2. Rupturable device 14 includes an elongated body 15, which in this example is a fabric. Elongated body 15 includes a first edge 16 and a second edge 17 spaced apart from each other. In this example, first edge 16 and second edge 17 are parallel and connected by a third edge 18 and a fourth edge 19. Rupturable device 14 also includes a releasable attachment 20 configured to be releasably attached to opening 4 of airbag housing 2. This allows rupturable device 14 to be easily replaced.

[0031] In this example, the releasable attachment is a first side 20 of the zipper that is configured to releasably attach to a second side 21 of the zipper that extends from the airbag housing 2. The first side 20 of the zipper extends from the first edge 16, the second edge 17, and the third edge 18 of the elongated body 15, thereby forming a single U-shaped zipper 20. The second side 21 of the zipper extends from the opening 4 of the airbag housing 2 in a U-shape that is configured to attach to the first side 20 of the zipper.

[0032] The elongated body 15 of the rupturable device 14 includes a mechanically weakened portion 22. The mechanically weakened portion 22 is configured to rupture upon application of force from the airbag, thereby providing an opening in the airbag housing 2. The mechanically weakened portion 22 is weakened so that the force from the inflation of the airbag 10 will cause the mechanically weakened portion 22 to rupture, rather than the releasable attachment 20. The mechanically weakened portion 22 is configured to rupture upon application of force exceeding a predetermined level. Thus, the mechanically weakened portion 22 is configured to adapt to the desired specifications of the safety device 1 or to the requirements of the end user. In this example, the mechanically weakened portion 22 is elongated and extends along at least a portion of the elongated body 15.

[0033] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Figure 5 In some examples of the present disclosure, the mechanically weakened portion 22 includes a plurality of holes 23 that mechanically weaken the portion of the elongated body 15. These holes 23 may extend partially or completely along the length of the elongated body 15.

[0034] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Figure 6 In some examples of the present disclosure, the mechanically weakened portion 22 is a first portion 24 of the elongated body 15 having a thickness less than a second portion 25 of the elongated body 15 that at least partially surrounds the first portion of the elongated body 15 .

[0035] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Figure 7 In some examples of the present disclosure, the elongated body 15 includes a hole, and the mechanically weakened portion 22 includes a membrane 26 that at least partially closes the hole. The membrane 26 may include a mesh or a perforated fabric.

[0036] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Figure 8 In some examples of the present disclosure, the elongated body 15 includes a hole, and the mechanically weakened portion 22 includes a breakable link 27 that extends at least partially across the hole. In this example, the breakable link 27 is a thread sewn to the fabric of the elongated body 15 to close or substantially close the hole.

[0037] In another example of the present disclosure, the rupturable device 14 includes two releasable attachments, rather than the single zipper 20 of the example described above. This example will now be described below.

[0038] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Figure 9 and Figure 10In this example of the present disclosure, the rupturable device 14 includes a releasable attachment 28 and a further releasable attachment 29, both of which are configured to be releasably attached to the airbag housing 2. The releasable attachment 28 includes a first side 30 of a zipper extending from the first edge 16 of the elongated body 15. The zipper 30 is configured to be releasably attached to a second side 31 of the zipper extending from the first layer 5 of the opening 4 of the airbag housing 2. The further releasable attachment 29 includes a first side 32 of the further zipper, the first side of the further zipper being configured to be releasably attached to a second side 33 of the further zipper.

[0039] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Figure 11 In one embodiment, the first side 30 of the zipper includes a zipper slider 34 that is slidably mounted to the first side 30 of the zipper. The zipper slider 34 is configured to receive the second side 31 of the zipper and to fasten or release the releasable attachment 28 by sliding along the length of the aligned first side 30 and the aligned second side 31 of the zipper. The zipper slider 34 in this example is configured to releasably attach to a zipper pull tab 36 so that a user can grasp and slide the zipper slider 34 using the zipper pull tab 36 to fasten and release the releasable attachment 28. In this example, the zipper slider 34 includes a zipper slider hook 34a that is configured to receive a zipper pull tab loop 36a provided on the zipper pull tab 36 to releasably attach the zipper pull tab 36 to the zipper slider 34. This releasable attachment enables the zipper pull tab 36 to be removed after replacement of the rupturable device 14 to prevent easy access to the airbag housing 2 by the end user.

[0040] In the example where the rupturable device 14 includes another releasable attachment 29, the first side 32 of the other zipper includes another zipper slider 35. In this example, the other zipper slider 35 includes another zipper slider hook 35a and is configured to function in the same manner as the zipper slider 34 described above.

[0041] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings Figures 12 to 14 The method of operation of the safety device 1 is described. Figure 12 A safety device 1 is shown in which a folded airbag 10 is disposed within an airbag housing 2. In this configuration, an opening 4 in the airbag housing 2 is closed or substantially closed by a rupturable device 14. The airbag 10 is configured to inflate when the safety device 1 is activated and pressurized gas is provided by a gas source 13.

[0042] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Figure 13Upon activation, the gas source 13 provides pressurized gas to the airbag chamber 11, causing the volume of the airbag chamber 11 to rapidly increase, thereby inflating the airbag 10. During inflation, the amount of force exerted by the airbag 10 on the airbag housing 2 and the rupturable device 14 continues to increase. When sufficient force is exerted on the rupturable device 14, the mechanically weakened portion 22 ruptures, thereby providing an opening through which the inflated airbag 10 expands.

[0043] Now refer to the accompanying drawings Figure 14 The airbag 10 continues to expand through the opening provided by the rupturable device 14 until the airbag 10 is fully inflated. The safety device 1 is now deployed and provides protection to the user wearing the safety device 1.

[0044] After use of the security device 1 , the consumed rupturable device 14 is easily removed from the security device 1 using the releasable attachment 28 and a new, unconsumed rupturable device 14 attached.

[0045] The safety device of some examples of the present disclosure provides an advantage over conventional wearable safety devices that include breakable zippers, Velcro, or button systems because once the zipper pull tab is removed, access to the airbag contained within the airbag housing is limited. This minimizes the risk of a user destroying or inadvertently damaging the airbag.

[0046] Unlike conventional wearable safety devices that include sewn-in rupturable devices, the safety devices in some examples of the present disclosure include a rupturable device that is configured to be releasably attached to the airbag housing. Thus, the rupturable device can be easily replaced and restored to working condition.

[0047] When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. These terms should not be interpreted as excluding the presence of other features, steps or components.

[0048] The present invention may also broadly include the parts, elements, steps, examples, and / or features mentioned or indicated in the specification individually, or in any and all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements, steps, examples, and / or features. In particular, one or more features of any embodiment described herein may be combined with one or more features from any other embodiment described herein.

[0049] Protection may be sought for any feature disclosed in any one or more of the publications cited herein in conjunction with the present disclosure.

[0050] Although certain exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited to only these embodiments. The claims should be interpreted literally, objectively, and / or to encompass equivalents.

[0051] Representative characteristics

[0052] Representative features are listed in the following clauses, which stand alone or can be combined in any combination with one or more features disclosed in the text and / or drawings of this specification.

[0053] 1. A rupturable device for an airbag housing, the device comprising:

[0054] a body including a mechanically weakened portion configured to rupture to provide an opening in the body when the mechanically weakened portion is subjected to a force from an airbag inflating within the airbag housing; and

[0055] A releasable attachment is coupled to the main body, the releasable attachment being configured to releasably attach to the airbag housing to enable the rupturable device to be separated from the airbag housing and replaced after the mechanically weakened portion has been ruptured.

[0056] 2. The device according to clause 1, wherein the mechanically weakened portion is a portion of the body comprising a plurality of holes, the plurality of holes mechanically weakening the portion of the body.

[0057] 3. A device according to clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the mechanically weakened portion is a first portion of the body, the first portion having a smaller thickness than a second portion of the body, the second portion at least partially surrounding the first portion of the body.

[0058] 4. A device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the mechanically weakened portion is a mechanically weakened line extending along at least a portion of the length of the body.

[0059] 5. The device of clause 1, wherein the body comprises a hole and the mechanically weakened portion comprises a membrane at least partially closing the hole.

[0060] 6. The device of clause 1, wherein the body comprises a hole and the mechanically weakened portion comprises a breakable link extending at least partially across the hole.

[0061] 7. The device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the body is a fabric layer.

[0062] 8. The device according to any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the body is made of plastic.

[0063] 9. The device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the releasable attachment comprises a first side of a zipper, the first side of the zipper being configured to be releasably attached to a second side of the zipper provided on the airbag housing.

[0064] 10. The apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the apparatus comprises:

[0065] Another releasable attachment is coupled to the main body, the other releasable attachment being configured to releasably attach to the airbag housing.

[0066] 11. The device of clause 10, wherein the further releasable attachment comprises a first side of a further zipper, the first side of the further zipper being configured to be releasably attached to a second side of the further zipper provided on the airbag housing.

[0067] 12. A device according to claim 9 or claim 11, wherein the first side of each zipper includes a corresponding zipper slider, which is slidably mounted to the first side of the zipper, and the zipper slider includes a zipper pull tab so that the zipper slider can be manually slid along the first side of the zipper by a user, so that the user can fasten and loosen the zipper.

[0068] 13. The device of clause 12, wherein the zipper puller is removable from the zipper slider.

[0069] 14. A safety device, comprising:

[0070] an airbag housing, the airbag housing including an opening;

[0071] A rupturable device according to any preceding clause, releasably attachable to the airbag housing to at least partially close the opening; and

[0072] An airbag is folded and packaged within the airbag housing such that upon inflation of the airbag, the airbag applies a force to the mechanically weakened portion of the rupturable device, the force rupturing the mechanically weakened portion to allow the airbag to inflate outwardly through the opening in the airbag housing.

[0073] 15. The device of clause 14, wherein the device is a wearable safety device and comprises:

[0074] At least one strap or harness is coupled to the airbag housing to enable the airbag housing to be attached to and worn by a user.

Claims

1. A rupturable device for an airbag housing, the device comprising: a body including a mechanically weakened portion configured to rupture to provide an opening in the body when the mechanically weakened portion is subjected to a force from an airbag inflating within the airbag housing; and A releasable attachment is coupled to the main body, the releasable attachment being configured to releasably attach to the airbag housing to enable the rupturable device to be separated from the airbag housing and replaced after the mechanically weakened portion has been ruptured. 2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the mechanically weakened portion is a portion of the body comprising a plurality of holes that mechanically weaken the portion of the body.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the mechanically weakened portion is a first portion of the body, the first portion having a smaller thickness than a second portion of the body, the second portion at least partially surrounding the first portion of the body.

4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanically weakened portion is a mechanically weakened line extending along at least a portion of the length of the body.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a hole and the mechanically weakened portion comprises a membrane at least partially closing the hole.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the body includes a hole and the mechanically weakened portion includes a breakable link extending at least partially across the hole.

7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body is a fabric layer.

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the body is made of plastic.

9. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the releasable attachment comprises a first side of a zipper configured to be releasably attached to a second side of the zipper provided on the airbag housing.

10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises: Another releasable attachment is coupled to the main body, the other releasable attachment being configured to releasably attach to the airbag housing.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the further releasable attachment comprises a first side of a further zipper, the first side of the further zipper being configured to be releasably attached to a second side of the further zipper disposed on the airbag housing.

12. The device of claim 9 or claim 11, wherein the first side of each zipper includes a corresponding zipper slider, the corresponding zipper slider being slidably mounted to the first side of the zipper, the zipper slider including a zipper pull tab so that the zipper slider can be manually slid along the first side of the zipper by a user, so that the user can fasten and loosen the zipper.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the zipper puller is removable from the zipper slider.

14. A safety device, comprising: an airbag housing, the airbag housing including an opening; a rupturable device according to any one of the preceding claims, said rupturable device being releasably attached to said airbag housing to at least partially close said opening; and An airbag is folded and packaged within the airbag housing such that upon inflation of the airbag, the airbag applies a force to the mechanically weakened portion of the rupturable device, the force rupturing the mechanically weakened portion to allow the airbag to inflate outwardly through the opening in the airbag housing.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the device is a wearable safety device and the device comprises: At least one strap or harness is coupled to the airbag housing to enable the airbag housing to be attached to and worn by a user.

Images