# US 7,407,188 B2 · Roll bar assembly for a vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,407,188 B2 - Document ID: US7407188B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/927,246 - Filed: 2004-08-26 - Published: 2005-04-21 - Granted: 2008-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2003-08-27 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Charles Wildig; Robert Mackie; Paul Ottley; Chris Kavanagh; Nigel Toney; John Mulherin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7407188B2 ## CPC - B60R 21/13: Roll-over protection (electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A roll bar assembly capable of punching through a rear window on deployment comprises a deployable u-shaped roll bar fitted with a pin made of hard material. The pin may be fixed to an upper surface of the roll bar or may be housed inside the top portion of the roll bar and deployed at the appropriate moment by pyrotechnic means. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A roll bar assembly for a vehicle, the assembly comprising: a deployable roll bar; and a breaking device being operative to break a rear window of the vehicle on deployment of the roll bar; the breaking device being a pin, in part fixed to and in part protruding from an upper surface of the roll bar with said pin being fixed to an upper surface of the roll bar by means of a threaded joint. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A roll bar assembly according to claim 1 wherein the pin includes a protruding portion having a frusto-conical form. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A roll bar assembly according to claim 1 wherein the protruding portion of the pin is composed of tungsten carbide. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A roll bar assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a spring-loaded means and a solenoid switch for effecting deployment of the roll bar. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A roll bar assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a spring-loaded means and a pyrotechnic device for effecting deployment of the roll bar. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A roll bar assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a pyrotechnic means for effecting deployment of the roll bar. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A roll bar assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a sensor means for detecting imminent rollover of the vehicle and for generating a control signal for deployment of the roll bar. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A roll bar assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly further comprises a vehicle seat affixed to the roll bar. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The roll bar assembly according to claim 1, further including an item of trim which is frangible and located so as to cover the roll bar when the roll bar is in a stowed position and to fracture on deployment of the roll bar. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A roll bar assembly according to claim 1, further including an item of removable trim which is located so as to cover the roll bar when the roll bar is in a stowed position and to be displaced on deployment of the roll bar. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A roll bar assembly according to claim 1 wherein the deployable roll bar is an inverted u-shape and in which the device is positioned close to the shoulder of the u-shape. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A roll bar assembly according to claim 1 wherein the deployable roll bar is an inverted u-shape and incorporates two of said devices for breaking the rear window, one device positioned close to a first shoulder of the u-shape and one device positioned close to the other shoulder of the u-shape. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A roll bar assembly according to claim 1, wherein the roll bar is provided with an orifice in an upper surface thereof and wherein the device comprises a pyrotechnic actuator incorporating a deployable pin, said actuator being located within the roll bar such that on deployment of the actuator, the deployable pin extends through the orifice beyond the upper surface of the roll bar. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A roll bar assembly according to claim 13 in which the pyrotechnic actuator is fixed to the upper surface of the roll bar by means of a threaded joint. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A roll bar assembly according to claim 13 in which an upper part of the deployable pin is frusto-conical in form. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) A roll bar assembly according to claim 13 in which an upper part of the deployable pin is composed of tungsten carbide. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) A roll bar assembly according to claim 13 and further including spring-loaded means and a solenoid switch for effecting deployment of the roll bar. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) A roll bar assembly according to claim 13 and further including spring-loaded means and a pyrotechnic device for effecting deployment of the roll bar. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) A roll bar assembly according to claim 13 and further including pyrotechnic means for effecting deployment of the roll bar. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) A roll bar assembly according to claim 13 and further including means for detecting imminent roll over of the vehicle and generating a control signal for deployment of the roll bar and of the pyrotechnic actuator. ### Claim 21 A roll bar assembly for a vehicle, the assembly comprising: a deployable roll bar; and a breaking device being operative to break a rear window of the vehicle on deployment of the roll bar; said breaking device being a pin, in part fixed to and in part protruding from an upper surface of the roll bar; said pin including a protruding portion having a frusto-conical form. ### Claim 22 A roll bar assembly for a vehicle, the assembly comprising: a deployable roll bar; and a breaking device being operative to break a rear window of the vehicle on deployment of the roll bar; said deployable roll bar having an orifice in an upper surface thereof; said breaking device being a pyrotechnic actuator incorporating a deployable pin; said pyrotechnic actuator being located within said deployable roll bar such that on deployment of said actuator, said deployable pin extends through said orifice beyond said upper surface of said deployable roll bar.