US 11,998,775 B2
Vehicle window breaker tool and alert
Stuart C. Salter, White Lake, MI (US); Mark Roseman, Southfield, MI (US); Jeff Robert Seaman, Brownstown, MI (US); David Brian Glickman, Southfield, MI (US); and Annette Lynn Huebner, Highland, MI (US)
Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Sep. 20, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/479,102.
Prior Publication US 2023/0089364 A1, Mar. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. A62B 3/00 (2006.01); B60R 22/32 (2006.01); B60W 40/02 (2006.01); B60W 50/14 (2020.01); F21V 33/00 (2006.01); G01S 5/04 (2006.01); G08B 25/10 (2006.01); H04B 1/38 (2015.01)
CPC A62B 3/005 (2013.01) [B60R 22/32 (2013.01); B60W 40/02 (2013.01); B60W 50/14 (2013.01); F21V 33/0084 (2013.01); G01S 5/04 (2013.01); G08B 25/10 (2013.01); H04B 1/38 (2013.01); B60R 2022/328 (2013.01); B60W 2050/143 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A window breaker tool for use on a vehicle, the vehicle having a plurality of RF signal communication devices, the tool comprising:
a body having a handle to enable a user to grip the tool;
a window breaker member extending from the handle configured to impact a glass window with force to break the glass window;
an accelerometer operatively coupled to the body to sense acceleration during the impact and generate a signature signal; and
an RF signal communication device located on the tool for communicating with the plurality of RF signal communication devices on the vehicle to determine a location of the tool relative to the vehicle, wherein the RF signal communication device communicates with a controller for processing the signature signal and determining whether the signature signal is indicative of the tool in use to break a window, wherein the controller further determines the tool is within the vehicle based on the location and outputs an alert signal, wherein the tool is attached to the vehicle to form an assist handle on the vehicle, wherein the tool has a first connector at a first end and a second connector at a second end, wherein the first and second connectors are releasably connected to supporting portions of the vehicle and wherein the tool comprises a release button to enable a user to remove the tool from the supporting portions.