U.S. patent application number 10/209435 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-05 for anti-hijacking system.
Invention is credited to Kneisl, Philip.
Application Number | 20040021036 10/209435 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30770591 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040021036 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kneisl, Philip |
February 5, 2004 |
ANTI-HIJACKING SYSTEM
Abstract
The present invention provides an anti-hijacking system. In one
embodiment, the anti-hijacking system is used in an airplane
cockpit to provide forceful contact to disarm, disable, immobilize
or otherwise incapacitate a hostile intruder who has entered the
cockpit. The anti-hijacking system includes one or more inflation
devices, such as deployable air bags.
Inventors: |
Kneisl, Philip; (Pearland,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TIM W. CURINGTON
4035 OAKRIDGE STREET
HOUSTON
TX
77009
US
|
Family ID: |
30770591 |
Appl. No.: |
10/209435 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
244/118.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B64D 45/0044 20190801;
B64D 45/0036 20190801; B64D 2201/00 20130101; G08B 15/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
244/118.5 |
International
Class: |
B64D 011/00; B64D
013/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An anti-hijacking system for use in an airplane, comprising: one
or more inflation devices adapted to provide forceful contact.
2. The anti-hijacking system of claim 1, wherein the one or more
inflation devices are located in the airplane cockpit.
3. The anti-hijacking system of claim 1, wherein the one or more
inflation devices are located in an area selected from outside the
cockpit door, staff work areas, aircraft exits, and aircraft
restrooms.
4. The anti-hijacking system of claim 1, wherein the one or more
inflation devices comprise deployable air bags.
5. The anti-hijacking system of claim 4, wherein the air bags are
pyrotechnically deployed.
6. The anti-hijacking system of claim 4, wherein the air bags are
deployed by compressed gas.
7. The anti-hijacking system of claim 1, wherein the forceful
contact provides disarming, disabling, immobilizing, or
incapacitating contact.
8. The anti-hijacking system of claim 1, wherein the one or more
inflation devices are further adapted to propel at least one
projectile.
9. An anti-hijacking system for use in an airplane cockpit,
comprising: one or more inflation devices adapted to provide
forceful contact upon receipt of an initiation signal; and an
activation device adapted to provide an initiation signal to
activate the one or more inflation devices.
10. The anti-hijacking system of claim 9, wherein the one or more
inflation devices comprise deployable air bags.
11. The anti-hijacking system of claim 10, wherein the air bags are
deployed pyrotechnically.
12. The anti-hijacking system of claim 10, wherein the air bags are
deployed by compressed gas.
13. The anti-hijacking system of claim 9, wherein the one or more
inflation devices are located in the walls of the cockpit.
14. The anti-hijacking system of claim 9, wherein the one or more
inflation devices are located in the floor of the cockpit.
15. The anti-hijacking system of claim 9, wherein the one or more
inflation devices are located in the ceiling of the cockpit.
16. The anti-hijacking system of claim 9, wherein the one or more
inflation devices are located in the back of the pilot's chair.
17. The anti-hijacking system of claim 9, wherein the one or more
inflation devices are located in the back of the co-pilot's
chair.
18. The anti-hijacking system of claim 9, wherein the one or more
inflation devices are located proximal a strike zone.
19. The anti-hijacking system of claim 9, wherein the forceful
contact provides disarming, disabling, immobilizing or
incapacitating force.
20. The anti-hijacking system of claim 9, wherein the one or more
inflation devices are further adapted to propel at least one
projectile.
21. The anti-hijacking system of claim 9, wherein the activation
device is one or more triggers in wired communication with the one
or more inflation devices.
22. The anti-hijacking system of claim 21, wherein the one or more
triggers are located proximal the pilot's chair.
23. The anti-hijacking system of claim 21, wherein the one or more
triggers are located proximal the co-pilot's chair.
24. The anti-hijacking system of claim 9, wherein the activation
device is a remote actuator in radio communication with the one or
more inflation devices.
25. The anti-hijacking system of claim 9, wherein the activation
device is a sensor-controlled energizer in communication with the
one or more inflation devices.
26. The anti-hijacking system of claim 25, wherein the
sensor-controlled energizer is a pressure plate.
27. The anti-hijacking system of claim 25, wherein the
sensor-controlled energizer is a motion detector.
28. The anti-hijacking system of claim 27, wherein the motion
detector is one or more infrared sensors.
29. The anti-hijacking system of claim 27, wherein the motion
detector is one or more Doppler radar sensors.
30. The anti-hijacking system of claim 27, wherein the motion
detector is selected from proximity detectors, eddy current
sensors, and laser detectors.
31. An anti-hijacking system, comprising: one or more strike zones;
and one or more inflation devices adapted to provide forceful
contact within the strike zone upon actuation.
32. The anti-hijacking system of claim 31, wherein the one or more
strike zones are located within an airplane cockpit.
33. The anti-hijacking system of claim 31, wherein the one or more
strike zones are located at a convenience store cashier booth.
34. The anti-hijacking system of claim 31, wherein the one or more
strike zones are located at a bank teller booth.
35. The anti-hijacking system of claim 31, wherein the one or more
strike zones are located at a restricted access location.
36. The anti-hijacking system of claim 31, wherein the one or more
strike zones are located on the floor of a protected location.
37. The anti-hijacking system of claim 31, wherein the one or more
strike zones are located on the ground of a protected location.
38. The anti-hijacking system of claim 31, wherein the one or more
inflation devices comprise pyrotechnically deployed air bags.
39. The anti-hijacking system of claim 31, wherein the one or more
inflation devices comprise gas deployed air bags.
40. The anti-hijacking system of claim 31, wherein the one or more
inflation devices are further adapted to propel at least one high
speed projectile into the strike zone upon actuation.
41. The anti-hijacking system of claim 40, wherein the projectile
is a projectile cap.
42. The anti-hijacking system of claim 40, wherein the at least one
projectile is a tethered projectile.
43. The anti-hijacking system of claim 40, wherein the at least one
projectile is an untethered projectile.
44. The anti-hijacking system of claim 31, wherein the one or more
inflation devices are actuated by receipt of an initiation signal
from a trigger in wired communication with the one or more
inflation devices.
45. The anti-hijacking system of claim 31, wherein the one or more
inflation devices are actuated by receipt of an initiation signal
from a remote actuator in radio signal communication with the one
or more inflation devices.
46. The anti-hijacking system of claim 31, wherein the one or more
inflation devices are actuated by receipt of an initiation signal
from a sensor-controlled energizer in communication with the one or
more inflation devices.
47. The anti-hijacking system of claim 46, wherein the
sensor-controlled energizer is one or more pressure plates located
proximal the one or more strike zones.
48. The anti-hijacking system of claim 46, wherein the
sensor-controlled energizer is one or more sensors adapted to
detect motion in the strike zone.
49. The anti-hijacking system of claim 48, wherein the one or more
sensors are infrared sensors.
50. The anti-hijacking system of claim 48, wherein the one or more
sensors are selected from proximity detectors, ultrasound sensors,
eddy current sensors, and laser detectors.
51. The anti-hijacking system of claim 48, wherein the one or more
sensors are Doppler radar sensors.
52. A method of providing forceful contact in a restricted access
zone, comprising: providing one or more inflation devices adapted
to provide forceful contact upon receipt of an initiation signal;
and providing an initiation signal upon intrusion into the
restricted access zone.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject matter of the present invention relates to an
apparatus and method to forcefully disable, disarm, immobilize, or
otherwise incapacitate a hostile intruder. More specifically, the
subject matter of the present invention provides an anti-hijacking
device that forcefully incapacitates a hostile intruder entering an
aircraft cockpit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Presently, airplane personnel and pilots are somewhat
defenseless against a would-be hijacker that has gained access to
the cockpit of an airplane. For a multitude of reasons, it remains
illegal for pilots to carry firearms as a possible deterrent to
hostile intruders. Thus, once an intruder enters the cockpit, there
are few options available to the endangered pilot. Consequentially,
the passengers and crew are all placed in immediate danger.
[0003] Devices that attempt to slow entry into the cockpit or
attempt to confine a hostile intruder, while somewhat effective,
may simply delay the inevitable. If the intruder is heavily armed
or equipped, there may be nothing available to alleviate the
potential danger.
[0004] There exists, therefore, a need for an anti-hijacking system
that can be used to forcefully incapacitate a hostile intruder to
maintain the safety of the pilots, crew, and passengers on an
airplane.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] One embodiment of the present invention provides an
anti-hijacking system used in an airplane cockpit or other
restricted access area to provide forceful contact to disarm,
disable, immobilize or otherwise incapacitate a hostile intruder
who has entered the restricted area. The anti-hijacking system
includes one or more inflation devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIGS. 1A and 1B provide a cross-sectional elevational view
of a prior art inflation device.
[0007] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an embodiment of the
anti-hijacking system having one or more inflation devices located
in the side walls of the cockpit.
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a wired trigger embodiment of the signal
generator of the anti-hijacking system.
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a remotely actuated embodiment of the
signal generator of the anti-hijacking system.
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates a sensor-controlled embodiment of the
signal generator of the anti-hijacking system.
[0011] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an embodiment of the
anti-hijacking system having one or more inflation devices located
in the ceiling and floor of the cockpit.
[0012] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an embodiment of the
anti-hijacking system having one or more inflation devices located
in the pilot's and co-pilot's chairs.
[0013] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the anti-hijacking
system having one or more inflation devices located in the cockpit
walls and the pilot's and co-pilot's chairs.
[0014] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an alternate embodiment of the
one or more inflation devices utilized by the anti-hijacking
system.
[0015] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate an embodiment of the
anti-hijacking system used at a bank.
[0016] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an embodiment of the
anti-hijacking system used as an "air bag land mine."
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] The anti-hijacking system of the present invention utilizes
an inflation device to forcefully disable or otherwise incapacitate
a hostile intruder. Although the present invention is described
primarily with reference to a hostile intruder entering into the
cockpit of an airplane, it should be understood that the present
invention has equal applicability in any number of physical
locations where it is necessary to forcefully incapacitate a
hostile individual.
[0018] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a typical inflation device 2 used
as an automobile air-bag safety device or a confinement system as
discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,976 to Genovese issued Aug. 11,
1998. The typical inflation device 2 has a device housing 5 that
contains an air bag 10, a propellant 12, and a propellant primer
14. FIG. 1A illustrates the inflation device 2 with the air bag 10
in its uninflated, folded state. FIG. 1B illustrates the inflation
device 2 with the air bag 10 in its inflated, deployed state.
[0019] In the exemplary inflation device 2, an end cap 16 is
rigidly affixed to one end of the housing walls 18. A containment
cap 20 is attached to the other end of the housing walls 18 by a
frangible seal 22. A rigid partition 24, fixed to the inside
surface of the housing walls 18, divides the device housing 5 into
a propellant chamber 26 and a bag chamber 28. A gas flow tube 30 is
secured within an opening in the rigid partition 24 to enable
inflation gas generated in the propellant chamber 26 to enter the
bag chamber 28.
[0020] The propellant 12 and propellant primer 14 are located in
the propellant chamber 26. The primer 14 is mounted on the inside
surface of the end cap 16 and includes lead wires 32 that extend
from the primer 14 to the exterior of the device housing 5 through
a sealed passage in the end cap 16.
[0021] In its uninflated state, as shown in FIG. 1A, the air bag 10
is completely contained within the bag chamber 28. The air bag 10
is formed from a flexible, impervious material having a single
opening that is firmly fixed and sealed to the inside surface of
the bag chamber 28. In the prior art inflation device 2 shown in
FIGS. 1A and 1B, the containment cap 20 is preferably cemented to
the outside surface of the air bag 10 to prevent the containment
cap 20 from becoming a dangerous projectile during deployment.
[0022] A pressure-relief valve 34 is mounted on the device housing
5 such that it acts as a vent for the bag chamber 28. Adjustment of
the operational pressure of the relief valve 34 regulates the
inflation rate of the air bag 10.
[0023] To activate the inflation device 2 to deploy the air bag 10,
an initiation signal is first applied to the lead wires 32 to
energize the propellant primer 14. Upon the energizing of the
propellant primer 14, the propellant 12 burns to produce an
inflation gas that flows through the flow tube 30 into the bag
chamber 28. The resulting pressure increase in the bag chamber 28
acts to fracture the frangible seal 22 and propel the containment
cap 20 away from the device housing 5. Because the cap 20 is
cemented to the exterior of the air bag 10, propelling of the
containment cap 20 acts to help release the bag 10 from the bag
chamber 28 while the inflation gases continue to fill the interior
of the bag 10. Once the bag 10 is completely inflated, the relief
valve 34 opens to permit vent gases to escape. The relief valve 34
remains open until all of the propellant is consumed.
[0024] It should be noted that the above-described activation of a
conventional inflation device takes place at an extremely rapid
rate. Conventional automobile air bags usually inflate within
milliseconds. Such rapid inflation results in extremely high force
generation. As discussed in detail below, such high force
generation is used to advantage in the present invention.
[0025] An embodiment of the anti-hijacking system, indicated
generally as numeral 1, of the present invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 2A and 2B. In this embodiment, the anti-hijacking system 1 is
used to counteract a hostile intruder that has entered into the
cockpit 40 of an airplane. In FIG. 2A, the inflation devices 2 of
the anti-hijacking system I are shown with their air bags 10 in
their uninflated, undeployed state. In FIG. 2B, the inflation
devices 2 are shown with their air bags 10 in their inflated,
deployed state.
[0026] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, one or more
inflation devices 2 are located in the walls 42 of the cockpit 40.
The one or more inflation devices 2 are located such that upon
activation of the system 1, the fully deployed and inflated air
bags 10 come into forceful contact with any item or individual
located within the strike zone 44. Thus, if the anti-hijacking
system 1 is activated while a hostile intruder is standing within
the strike zone 44, the deployed air bags 10 will strike the
intruder to forcefully disable, disarm, immobilize or otherwise
incapacitate the hostile intruder. The forceful deployment acts to
impart injury, potentially serious, to the hostile intruder without
any potential of injuring the remaining passengers. Further, the
anti-hijacking system 1 is not a weapon that can be used by the
hostile intruder against the remaining passengers or crew.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the one or more inflation
devices 2 are located in the walls 42 of the passageway 43 to the
cockpit 40. However, it should be recognized that the one or more
inflation devices 2 can be located in the walls 42, floor or
ceiling of the cockpit 40, or at any other strategic location that
would enable a forceful strike on a hostile intruder that has
entered a protected zone.
[0028] As discussed above, activation of the one or more inflation
devices 2 is achieved by sending an initiation signal to the lead
wires 32 which in turn energizes the propellant primer 14. It
should be understood that the initiation signal can be sent by any
known means accessible by the pilots or other aircraft personnel.
In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, the initiation signal is
provided by triggers 46, 47 that are in wired communication with
the lead wires 32. The triggers 46, 47 may be any conventional
mechanism capable of energizing the primer 14. In the embodiment
shown, one trigger 46 is located in the arm 48a of the pilot's
chair 48, while the other trigger 47 is located in the arm 50a of
the co-pilot's chair 50. It should be understood that the triggers
46, 47 can be located anywhere within the cockpit 40 that enables
access by the aircraft crew.
[0029] In alternate embodiments, the initiation signal can be
provided remotely by conventional remote-controlled energizers
responsive to radio signals. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4,
a radio receiver 51 can be connected to the lead wires 32 such that
upon receipt of a proper radio signal from a remote actuator 52,
the radio receiver 51 applies a trigger signal to the wires 32 to
energize the primer 14. In such embodiments, the pilots can
maintain a remote actuator 52 on their body to facilitate urgent
activation. Alternatively, or in conjunction with, remote
actuator's 52 can be maintained by personnel outside the cockpit
40, or even outside the plane to facilitate activation in instances
where the pilots are unable to send the trigger signal, for
example.
[0030] In further alternate embodiments, the initiation signal can
be provided automatically by use of conventional sensor-controlled
energizers. One example of an embodiment employing a
sensor-controlled energizer is shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment,
a pressure plate 53 is located within the strike zone 44. In use,
the pressure plate 53 is activated to sense pressure during times
when no one should be located within the strike zone 44. Entry into
the strike zone 44 by an intruder results in a pressure that is
applied to and detected by the pressure plate 53. Upon detection,
an initiation signal is sent by the pressure plate 53 to the lead
wires 32 and the air bags 10 are deployed to provide force to
disable, disarm or otherwise incapacitate the intruder.
[0031] Examples of other conventional sensor-controlled energizers
with applicability in the present invention are those that detect
motion. For example, infrared sensors, Doppler radar sensors,
proximity detectors, ultrasound sensors, eddy current sensors,
laser detectors, and the like can be used to patrol the strike zone
44.
[0032] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate another embodiment of the
anti-hijacking system 1 in which the one or more inflation devices
2 are located in the cockpit floor 54 and the cockpit ceiling 56.
In FIG. 6A, the one or more inflation devices 2 are shown before
deployment, while in FIG. 6B, the one or more inflation devices 2
are shown after deployment.
[0033] As with the earlier discussed embodiments, the one or more
inflation devices 2 are located such that upon activation of the
system 1, the fully deployed and inflated air bags 10 come into
forceful contact with any item or individual located within the
strike zone 44. Again, such forceful contact acts to forcefully
disable, disarm, immobilize or otherwise incapacitate a hostile
intruder.
[0034] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate another embodiment of the
anti-hijacking system 1 in which the one or more inflation devices
2 are located in the back of the pilot's chair 48 and the
co-pilot's chair 50. In FIG. 7A, the one or more inflation devices
2 are shown before deployment, while in FIG. 7B, the one or more
inflation devices 2 are shown after deployment. Upon activation of
the system 1, the fully deployed and inflated air bags 10 come into
forceful contact with any item or individual located within the
strike zones 57, 58 to forcefully disable, disarm, immobilize or
otherwise incapacitate a hostile intruder. It should be understood
that separate signal generators 46, 47 can be used to control
activation of the inflation devices 2 located in the different
chairs 48, 50.
[0035] It should be noted that any number of combinations of
inflation device 2 locations remain within the scope of the
anti-hijacking system 1 of the present invention. For example, in
the embodiment of the anti-hijacking system 1 illustrated in FIG.
8, the one or more inflation devices 2 are located in the cockpit
walls 42 as well as in the back of the pilot's chair 48 and the
back of the co-pilot's chair 50. The one or more inflation devices
2 located in the walls 42 protect the strike zone 44 and are
activated by a first initiation signal. Similarly, the one or more
inflation devices 2 located in the chairs 48, 50 protect the
associated strike zones 57, 58 and are activated by separate
initiation signals. In this manner, the system 1 provides both an
internal back-up system and provides the ability to incapacitate a
plurality of intruders into the cockpit 40.
[0036] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an alternate embodiment of the
one or more inflation devices 2 utilized by the anti-hijacking
system 1. In this embodiment, the containment cap 20 is replaced by
a projectile cap 60. The projectile cap 60 is again attached to the
housing walls 18 by a frangible seal 22. However, the projectile
cap 60 is not cemented or otherwise affixed to the outside surface
of the air bag 10. Thus, upon activation of the system 1, as shown
in FIG. 9B, the cap 60 becomes a high-speed projectile directed
toward the strike zone 44. Depending upon the amount of force and
type of impact desired, the projectile cap 60 can be formed of any
number of materials and can take on any number of geometries. For
example, in one embodiment, the projectile cap 60 is a tethered
projectile. The use of the tethered projectile limits the injury
potential to innocent bystanders.
[0037] Furthermore, in alternate embodiments, the projectile cap 60
can be pre-fragmented to break into multiple projectiles upon
activation of the system 1. Similarly, the containment cap 20 can
be replaced by a plurality of projectile caps 60.
[0038] As discussed above, although the anti-hijacking system 1 of
the present invention has been described in conjunction with an
airplane cockpit 40, it should be understood that the system I has
equal application in any number of locations within the plane. For
example, the anti-hijacking system 1 can be used to protect the
passageway located immediately outside the cockpit door, staff work
areas, aircraft exits, restrooms, and the like. Furthermore, the
system I has equal application in any number of non-aircraft
related restricted access environments. One such example is
provided in FIGS. 10A and 10B.
[0039] In FIGS. 10A and 10B, the anti-hijacking system 1 is shown
having one or more inflation devices 2 located in front of a bank
teller booth 70. If a hostile individual is located in the strike
zone 72 (e.g., during a holdup), the teller can send an initiation
signal to deploy the airbag 10 to forcefully disarm, disable,
immobilize or otherwise incapacitate the hostile individual.
Similarly, the anti-hijacking system 1 of the present invention can
be used to advantage in convenience stores, gas stations, or other
fixed locations subject to unwarranted intrusion.
[0040] It should be noted that any number of types of inflation
devices 2 can be used to advantage in the present invention. For
example, in applications where pyrotechnic inflation is not
desirable or feasible, pressurized gas feed systems using
compressed gas can be employed to deploy the contained air bag 10.
Further, the air bag 10 can be made of various materials such as
polymers, natural rubber, woven fabrics, etc. Still further, the
air bags 10 can take on a variety of shapes and sizes depending
upon the space requirements and intended strike area.
[0041] Another embodiment of the anti-hijacking system 1 of the
present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B. In this
embodiment, the anti-hijacking system provides an "air bag land
mine." In this embodiment, one or more inflation devices 2 are
located at various floor (or ground) locations and are activated by
sensor-controlled energizers such as pressure plates or motion
detectors, or can be activated by remote-controlled energizers. In
FIG. 11A, the one or more inflation devices 2 are shown before
deployment, while in FIG. 11B, the one or more inflation devices 2
are shown after deployment.
[0042] As discussed with earlier embodiments, upon deployment, the
inflated air bags 10 come into forceful contact with any item or
individual located within the various strike zones 80. Again, such
forceful contact acts to forcefully disable, disarm, immobilize or
otherwise incapacitate a hostile intruder. However, unlike
conventional land mines using explosives, the injurious force can
be concentrated and better controlled, enabling forceful strikes
that are less likely to critically wound an intruder.
[0043] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention,
and all such are intended to be included within the scope of the
following non-limiting claims.
* * * * *