burstable device

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a rupturable device for an airbag enclosure, and more particularly to a rupturable device for an airbag enclosure of a wearable safety device. [Background technology]

[0002] Individuals at risk of injury from falls can benefit from cushioning around vulnerable body parts. It is known to provide wearable safety devices that can be worn by an individual, such as to provide protection from injury from falls. The wearable safety devices typically include an airbag that is initially folded and stored within a compact enclosure worn by the individual. The wearable safety devices are activated upon detection of a fall, triggering inflation of the airbag to provide cushioning to protect the individual from forces generated by the fall.

[0003] Conventional wearable safety devices are typically disposable devices that are used up and discarded after an airbag deployment. Some conventional wearable safety devices can be repaired to restore them to working order after they have been used up. In some instances, repairing such conventional wearable safety devices requires specialized tools and a controlled manufacturing environment, making the repair process expensive 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 as claimed in claim 1 and a safety device as claimed in claim 14.

[0006] In some examples of the present disclosure, the rupturable device is releasably attached to the airbag enclosure, thus allowing for economical and easy replacement of the rupturable device after it ruptures.

[0007] In some examples of the present disclosure, end-user access to the airbag enclosure may be restricted to reduce the risk of the airbag being unintentionally compromised.

[0008] The rupturable devices of some examples of the present disclosure provide an environmental benefit over conventional rupturable devices in that the devices allow for easy reuse of the airbag enclosure. [Brief explanation 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: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of a portion of an airbag enclosure of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the safety device of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a portion of the safety device of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of a rupturable device of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of a rupturable device of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of a rupturable device of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of a rupturable device of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of a rupturable device of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the safety device of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a rupturable device of the present disclosure. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the safety device of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the safety device of the present disclosure in operation. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the safety device of the present disclosure in operation. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the safety device of the present disclosure after activation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Referring initially to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, an example safety device 1 of the present disclosure includes an airbag enclosure 2. In some examples, the safety device 1 is a wearable safety device, and the safety device 1 includes at least one strap or harness (not shown) coupled to the airbag enclosure 2 to attach the airbag enclosure to a user and allow the safety device 1 to be worn by the user. In some examples, the safety device 1 includes a strap in the form of a belt that allows the safety device 1 to be worn around the waist of the user. In other examples, the safety device 1 is coupled to an article of clothing, such as a vest or jacket, that can be worn by the user.

[0011] The airbag enclosure 2 comprises a body 3 provided with an opening 4. In this example, the airbag enclosure 2 is a layer of fabric folded along a fold line to form a first layer of fabric 5 and a second layer of fabric 6, the fold line being a first edge 7 of the airbag enclosure 2. The first layer of fabric 5 and the second layer of fabric 6 are connected along a second edge 8 of the airbag enclosure and a third edge 9 of the airbag enclosure so as to form a pocket with an opening 4 along a fourth edge of the enclosure.

[0012] In another example, the body 3 is of plastic, which may be rigid or flexible.

[0013] 2 of the accompanying drawings, the safety device 1 further comprises an airbag 10 folded and housed within the airbag enclosure 2. The airbag 10 is made of fabric and comprises a chamber 11 and a hole 12 which provides fluid communication to the chamber 11 from a gas source 13. The hole 12 is configured such that when pressurized gas is introduced into the airbag chamber 11 by the gas source 13, the airbag chamber 11 increases in volume, causing the airbag 10 to inflate.

[0014] In this example, the safety device 1 comprises a sensor and a control unit (not shown) for actuating 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.

[0015] In other examples, the safety device 1 includes a mechanical actuation arrangement for actuating the safety device 1. The mechanical actuation arrangement is provided instead of or in addition to a sensor to actuate the safety device 1 by mechanical force. In some examples of the present disclosure, the mechanical actuation arrangement is a strap or other elongated member attached to a trigger provided on the safety device 1. When the strap is pulled, it exerts a mechanical force on the trigger, thereby actuating the safety device 1. In these examples, a person can wear the safety device 1 and attach the strap to an object the person is using, such that when the person moves away from the object, the safety device 1 is activated. For example, the safety device 1 can be in a jacket or vest worn by a person participating in an activity such as horseback riding or bicycling, with the strap attached to the object near the person so that the safety device 1 is actuated by the strap if the person moves away from the object.

[0016] 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings, the safety apparatus 1 comprises a rupturable device 14 configured to be releasably attached to the airbag enclosure 2. The rupturable device 14 comprises an elongate body 15, which in this example is made of fabric. The elongate body 15 includes a first edge 16 and a second edge 17 that are spaced apart from one another. In this example, the first edge 16 and the second edge 17 are parallel and connected by a third edge 18 and a fourth edge 19. The rupturable device 14 further comprises a releasable attachment 20 configured to be releasably attached to the opening 4 of the airbag enclosure 2. This allows the rupturable device 14 to be easily replaced.

[0017] In this example, the releasable attachment is a first side of zipper 20 configured to be releasably attached to a second side of zipper 21 extending from airbag enclosure 2. The first side of zipper 20 extends from first edge 16, second edge 17, and third edge 18 of elongate body 15 to form a single U-shaped zipper 20. The second side of zipper 21 extends from opening 4 of airbag enclosure 2 in a U-shape configured to be attached to the first side of zipper 20.

[0018] The elongated body 15 of the rupturable device 14 includes a mechanically weakened portion 22. The mechanically weakened portion 22 is configured to rupture when subjected to a force from the airbag to provide an opening in the airbag enclosure 2. The mechanically weakened portion 22 is weakened such that the force from the inflating airbag 10 ruptures the mechanically weakened portion 22 instead of rupturing the releasable attachment 20. The mechanically weakened portion 22 is configured to rupture when subjected to a force above a predetermined level. Thus, the mechanically weakened portion 22 is configured to be adapted according to the required specifications of the safety device 1 or 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.

[0019] 5 of the accompanying drawings, in some examples of the present disclosure, mechanically weakened portion 22 includes a plurality of holes 23 that mechanically weaken portions of elongate body 15. These holes 23 may extend partially or entirely along the length of elongate body 15.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 6 of the accompanying drawings, in some examples of the present disclosure, the mechanically weakened portion 22 is a first portion 24 of the elongate body 15 and has a thickness less than a second portion 25 of the elongate body 15 that at least partially surrounds the first portion of the elongate body 15.

[0021] 7 of the accompanying drawings, in some examples of the present disclosure, elongate body 15 comprises a hole and mechanically weakened portion 22 includes a membrane 26 that at least partially closes the hole. Membrane 26 may comprise a mesh or a perforated fabric.

[0022] 8 of the accompanying drawings, in some examples of the present disclosure, elongate body 15 includes a hole and mechanically weakened portion 22 includes a frangible bond 27 that extends at least partially across the hole. In this example, frangible bond 27 is a thread sewn into the fabric of elongate body 15 to close or substantially close the hole.

[0023] In another example of the present disclosure, the rupturable device 14 includes two releasable attachments instead of the single zipper 20 of the above example. This example is described below.

[0024] 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings, in this example of the disclosure, the rupturable device 14 comprises a releasable attachment 28 and a further releasable attachment 29, both configured to be releasably attached to the airbag enclosure 2. The releasable attachment 28 includes a first side of a zipper 30 extending from the first edge 16 of the elongate body 15. The zipper 30 is configured to be releasably attached to a second side of a zipper 31 extending from the first layer 5 of the opening 4 of the airbag enclosure 2. The further releasable attachment 29 includes a first side of a further zipper 32 configured to be releasably attached to a second side of a further zipper 33.

[0025] 11 of the accompanying drawings, the first side of the zipper 30 includes a zipper slider 34 slidably mounted to the first side of the zipper 30. The zipper slider 34 is configured to receive the second side of the zipper 31 and slide along the length of the aligned first side of the zipper 30 and the second side of the zipper 31 to fasten or unfasten the releasable attachment 28. The zipper slider 34 in this example is configured to be releasably attached to a zipper puller 36 such that a user can grasp and use the zipper puller 36 to slide the zipper slider 34 to fasten and unfasten the releasable attachment 28. In this example, the zipper slider 34 includes a zipper slider hook 34a configured to receive a zipper puller loop 36a provided on the zipper puller 36 to releasably attach the zipper puller 36 to the zipper slider 34. The releasable attachment allows the zipper puller 36 to be removed after replacement of the rupturable device 14 to prevent easy access to the airbag enclosure 2 by the end user.

[0026] In the example where the rupturable device 14 comprises a further releasable attachment 29, the first side of the further zipper 32 comprises a further zipper slider 35. In this example, the further zipper slider 35 comprises a further zipper slider hook 35a and is configured to function in the same manner as the zipper slider 34 described above.

[0027] The method of operation of the safety device 1 will now be described with reference to Figures 12 to 14 of the accompanying drawings. Figure 12 of the accompanying drawings shows the safety device 1 having a folded airbag 10 provided within an airbag enclosure 2. In this configuration, an opening 4 in the airbag enclosure 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.

[0028] 13 of the accompanying drawings, upon actuation, gas source 13 provides pressurized gas to airbag chamber 11, causing the volume of airbag chamber 11 to rapidly increase, thereby inflating airbag 10. During inflation, airbag 10 exerts increasing amounts of force on airbag enclosure 2 and rupturable device 14. When sufficient force is exerted on rupturable device 14, mechanically weakened portion 22 ruptures, providing an opening through which the inflating airbag 10 expands.

[0029] 14 of the accompanying drawings, 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 a user wearing the safety device 1.

[0030] After the safety device 1 has been used, the spent rupturable device 14 is easily removed from the safety device 1 using the releasable attachment 28 and a new, unused rupturable device 14 is attached.

[0031] The safety devices of some examples of the present disclosure offer advantages over conventional wearable safety devices that include rupturable zipper, Velcro, or button devices because, when the zipper puller is removed, access to the airbag contained within the airbag enclosure is limited, thereby minimizing the risk of the airbag being tampered with or unintentionally damaged by the user.

[0032] Unlike conventional wearable safety devices that include a sewn-in rupturable device, some example safety devices of the present disclosure include a rupturable device configured to be releasably attached to the airbag enclosure, so that the rupturable device can be easily replaced and restored to working order.

[0033] As 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 are not to be interpreted as excluding the presence of other features, steps or components.

[0034] The invention may also broadly reside in the parts, elements, steps, examples, and / or features referred to or shown herein individually, or collectively in any and all combinations of two or more such parts, elements, steps, examples, and / or features. In particular, one or more features from any of the embodiments described herein may be combined with one or more features from any other embodiment described herein.

[0035] Protection may be sought for any feature disclosed in any one or more of the published documents referenced herein in connection with this disclosure.

[0036] While specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described, the appended claims are not intended to be limited to only these embodiments, and the claims should be interpreted literally, flexibly, and / or to encompass equivalents.

[0037] Typical features Representative features are described in the following clauses, which may be used alone or in any combination with one or more features disclosed in the text and / or drawings of this specification. 1. A rupturable device for an airbag enclosure, comprising: a body incorporating a mechanically weakened portion, the mechanically weakened portion configured to rupture and provide an opening in the body when the mechanically weakened portion is subjected to a force from an airbag inflating within the airbag enclosure; and a releasable attachment coupled to the body, the releasable attachment configured to be releasably attached to the airbag enclosure to allow the rupturable device to be separated from the airbag enclosure and replaced after the mechanically weakened portion is ruptured. 2. The device of clause 1, wherein the mechanically weakened portion is a portion of the body, the portion of the body comprising a plurality of holes that mechanically weaken the portion of the body. 3. The device of clause 1 or 2, wherein the mechanically weakened portion is a first portion of the body, the first portion of the body having a thickness less than a second portion of the body that at least partially surrounds the first portion of the body. 4. A device described in any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the mechanically weakened portion is a series of mechanical weaknesses extending along at least a portion of the length of the body. 5. The device of clause 1, wherein the body comprises a hole and the mechanically weakened portion comprises a membrane that at least partially closes the hole. 6. The device of clause 1, wherein the body comprises a hole and the mechanically weakened portion comprises a frangible bond extending at least partially across the hole. 7. The device of any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the body is a layer of fabric. 8. A device according to any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the body is made of plastic. 9. The device of any one of clauses 1-8, wherein the releasable attachment comprises a first side of a zipper configured to be releasably attached to a second side of a zipper provided on the airbag enclosure. 10. The device is 10. The apparatus of any one of clauses 1 to 9, comprising a further releasable attachment coupled to the body, the further releasable attachment configured to be releasably attached to the airbag enclosure. 11. The apparatus of clause 10, wherein the further releasable attachment comprises a first side of a further zipper configured to be releasably attached to a second side of a further zipper provided on the airbag enclosure. 12. The apparatus of clause 9 or 11, wherein the first side of each zipper comprises a respective zipper slider slidably mounted to the first side of the zipper, the zipper sliders comprising zipper pullers that allow the zipper sliders to be manually slid by a user along the first side of the zipper to enable the user to fasten and unfasten the zipper. 13. The device of clause 12, wherein the zipper puller is detachable from the zipper slider. 14. A safety device comprising: an airbag enclosure incorporating an opening; a rupturable device according to any one of clauses 1 to 13 releasably attached to the airbag enclosure to at least partially close the opening; an airbag, the airbag being folded and housed within the airbag enclosure such that, upon inflation of the airbag, the airbag applies a force to a mechanically weakened portion of a rupturable device, thereby rupturing the mechanically weakened portion and allowing the airbag to inflate outward through an opening in the airbag enclosure. 15. The device is a wearable safety device, the device comprising: 15. The apparatus of clause 14, comprising at least one strap or harness coupled to the airbag enclosure to attach the airbag enclosure to a user and enable the airbag enclosure to be worn by the user.

Claims

1. 1. A rupturable device for an airbag enclosure, said device comprising: a body incorporating a mechanically weakened portion, the mechanically weakened portion configured to rupture and provide an opening in the body when the mechanically weakened portion is subjected to a force from an airbag inflating within the airbag enclosure; a releasable attachment coupled to the body, the releasable attachment configured to be releasably attached to the airbag enclosure to allow the rupturable device to be separated from the airbag enclosure and replaced after the mechanically weakened portion is ruptured.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the mechanically weakened portion is a portion of the body, the portion of the body comprising a plurality of holes that mechanically weaken the portion of the body.

3. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the mechanically weakened portion is a first portion of the body, the first portion of the body having a thickness less than a second portion of the body that at least partially surrounds the first portion of the body.

4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mechanically weakened portion is a series of mechanical weaknesses 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 that at least partially closes the hole.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a hole and the mechanically weakened portion comprises a frangible bond extending at least partially across the hole.

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the body is a layer of fabric.

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

9. 9. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the releasable attachment comprises a first side of a zipper configured to be releasably attached to a second side of a zipper provided on the airbag enclosure.

10. The device, 10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a further releasable attachment coupled to the body, the further releasable attachment configured to be releasably attached to the airbag enclosure.

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

12. 12. The apparatus of claim 9 or 11, wherein the first side of each zipper comprises a respective zipper slider slidably mounted to the first side of the zipper, the zipper slider comprising a zipper puller that allows the zipper slider to be manually slid by the user along the first side of the zipper to enable the user to fasten and unfasten the zipper.

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

14. A safety device, an airbag enclosure incorporating an opening; a rupturable device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 releasably attached to the airbag enclosure to at least partially close the opening; an airbag that is folded and contained within the airbag enclosure such that, upon inflation of the airbag, the airbag applies a force to the mechanically weakened portion of the rupturable device, thereby rupturing the mechanically weakened portion and allowing the airbag to expand outwardly through the opening in the airbag enclosure.

15. the device is a wearable safety device, the device comprising:

15. The device of claim 14, comprising at least one strap or harness coupled to the airbag enclosure to attach the airbag enclosure to and enable it to be worn by a user.

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