Dummy storage and transport device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adjustable dummy storage and transport device comprising an arm supporter for holding the dummy's armpit joints and a buttocks supporter for supporting the dummy's buttocks. Also included is a thigh supporter for holding the lower joints of the dummy's thighs and a transporter for moving the dummy supported by the device. Therefore, providing safe storing and transporting of the dummy.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Generally, the present invention relates to a vehicle safety testing dummy. More particularly, the present invention relates to a storage and transport device for a vehicle safety testing dummy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Conventional vehicle safety testing dummy (hereinafter dummy) storage and transport systems have several drawbacks. First, the weight of the dummy is traditionally concentrated on the dummy's hup and buttocks area, bringing about deformation of this area.

[0003] Another drawback in the conventional dummy storage and transport device is that the dummy's buttocks, thighs, legs and feet are in contact with the dummy storage and transport device during storage and transportation. This places the load of the dummy on measuring sensors embedded in the dummy, which can result in inadequate measurements during use of the dummy.

[0004] Still another drawback in the conventional dummy storage and transport device is that the devices can not accommodate dummies of varying sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides a dummy storage and transport device adapted to store a dummy while not concentrating the weight of the dummy on the dummy's buttocks, which minimizes the contact between the dummy and the device while accommodating dummies of various sizes. As such, the present invention helps prevent damage or physical alteration to the dummy during its storage and transport.

[0006] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a dummy storage and transport device comprises an arm supporting means for holding the dummy's armpit joints, a buttocks supporting means for insertion into the lower back of the dummy, a thigh supporting means for holding the lower joints of the dummy's thighs, and a transporting means for moving the dummy while the dummy is supported by the above supporting means.

[0007] The transporting means comprises front and rear horizontal panels and connecting panels for supporting the respective supporting means, while connecting the front and rear horizontal panels and wheels installed under the front and rear horizontal panels. Furthermore, the thigh supporting means includes a thigh supporter for holding the dummy's left and right knee joints. The thigh supporting means also includes a vertical panel for supporting the thigh supporter. The thigh supporter vertically slides along the vertical panel while the vertical panel horizontally slides along the connecting panel of the transporting part, and a clamp for controlling and fixing the height of the thigh supporter.

[0008] The arm supporting means comprises two arm rests for supporting the dummy's left and right arms. Also, the arm supporting means includse an arm rest supporter for horizontally sliding and supporting the arm rests and a clamp for controlling the position of the arm rests while fixing them at the arm rest supporter. The buttocks supporting means comprises a buttocks supporter for supporting the upper portion of the dummy's buttocks, a vertical panel for supporting the buttocks supporter while providing for vertical sliding of the arm rest supporter. Furthermore, a clamp is provided for controlling and fixing the height of the arm rest supporter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] For fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a dummy storage and transport device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic of a part for supporting the dummy's buttocks in an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1 shows an arm supporting part 1 that holds the joints of the dummy's armpits and supports the upper torso. Also included is a buttocks supporting part 2 (FIGS. 1 and 2), for insertion into the lower back of the dummy for supporting the weight of the dummy. A thigh supporting part 3 is also included for holding the joints of the dummy's left and right thighs for supporting the dummy's lower body. A transporting part 5, permits movement of the dummy that is supported by the supporting parts 1, 2, and 3.

[0013] The arm supporting part 1 is preferably constructed with two arm rests 1a and 1b. The arm rests 1a and 1b support the dummy's left and right arms respectively. An arm rest supporter 1c supports and provides horizontal sliding of the arm rests 1a, 1b and first clamp Id control the position of the arm rests 1a and 1b by fixing them at the arm rest supporter 1c. The arm rest supporter 1c is configured to vertically slide along the vertical panel 2b of the buttocks supporting part 2. In an alternative embodiment, the arm rest supporter 1c also includes a back panel 4 the provides additional support for the dummy's upper back.

[0014] The buttocks supporting part 2 includes a buttocks supporter 2a that has an end 2a′ that is inserted into an insertion hole 2a″ that is formed above the buttocks of the dummy. A vertical panel 2b supports the buttocks supporter 2a and provides for vertically sliding of the arm rest supporter 1c. In a preferred embodiment, a dummy is specifically configured with a receiving port for receiving the buttocks supporting part 2 which is a protruding member, protruding off an upstanding member, for receiving the receiving port of the dummy. Also included is a second clamp 2c for controlling and fixing the position of the arm rest supporter 1c.

[0015] The thigh supporting part 3 includes a thigh supporter 3a that holds the dummy's left and right knee joints. The thigh supporting part 3 also has a vertical panel 3b that supports the thigh supporter 3a. Furthermore, the thigh supporter 3a also vertically slides along the vertical panel 3b and the vertical panel 3b horizontally slides along the connecting panel 5c of the transporting part 5. A third clamp 3c is also included for controlling the height of the thigh supporter 3a and fixing it with the vertical panel 3b. Finally, a fourth clamp 3d for controlling the position of the vertical panel 3b and fixing it with the connecting panel 5c is also included.

[0016] The transporting part 5 includes both front and rear horizontal panels 5a and 5b and a connecting panel 5c. The connecting panel 5c supports the respective vertical panels 2b and 3b of the buttocks supporting part 2 and the thigh supporting part 3 while connecting the front and rear horizontal panels 5a and 5b. The transporting part 5 also has wheels 5d installed at the lower surfaces of the front and rear horizontal panels 5a and 5b and a brake 5e mounted at each side of the wheels 5d.

[0017] In use, when the dummy is transported and stored using the dummy storage and transport device of the present invention, the dummy's armpit joints are held at the left and right arm rests 1a and 1b supporting the upper torso of the dummy. The distance between the left and right arm rests 1a and 1b is adjustable to accommodate the width between a particular dummy's shoulders. Next, the first clamp 1d is used to fix the left and right arm rests 1a and 1b at the arm rest supporter 1c.

[0018] Furthermore, the end 2a′ of the thigh support panel 2a is inserted into the insertion hole 2a″. The insertion hole 2a″ is formed in the lower back region of the dummy, such that the thigh and lower portions of the upper torso of the dummy are supproted. The arm rest supporter 1c vertically slides, thereby providing adjustment to accommodate different dimensions between the buttocks supporter 2a and the arm rests 1a and 1b of different size dummies. The second clamp 2c fixes the arm rest supporter 1c at the horizontal panel 2b.

[0019] The left and right knee joints are held at the thigh supporter 3a. The height of the thigh supporter 3a is adjustable, and the thigh supporter 3a is fixed at the vertical panel 3b with the third clamp 3c. Thus, the device prevents a load from being placed on the knee joints and feet of the dummy.

[0020] Furthermore, the distance between the vertical panel 2b and the thigh support panel 3a is adjustable by moving the vertical panel 3b. And the fourth clamp 3d fixes the vertical panel 3b with the connecting panel 5c.

Claims

1. A dummy storage and transport device, comprising:

arm supporting means for holding an armpit joints of a dummy;

buttocks supporting means for supporting an upper portion of the dummy's buttocks;

thigh supporting means for holding joints of the dummy's thighs; and

transporting means for moving the dummy.

2. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein the transporting means comprises:

front and rear horizontal panels;

a connecting panel for supporting said arm supporting means, said buttocks supporting means, and said thigh supporting means wherein said connecting panel is also configured to connect said front and rear horizontal panels; and

wheels installed at the lower surfaces said front and rear horizontal panels.

3. The device as defined in claim 2, wherein a brake is installed at one side of the wheels.

4. The device as defined in claim 2, wherein the thigh supporting means comprises:

a thigh supporter for holding the dummy's left and right knee joints;

a vertical panel for supporting said thigh supporter such that said thigh supporter can vertically slide; and

a third clamp for controlling and fixing the height of said thigh supporter.

5. The device as defined in claim 4, wherein the vertical panel is configured to horizontally slide along said connecting panel and is fixed into position by a fourth clamp.

6. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein the arm supporting means further comprises:

two arm rests for supporting the dummy's left and right arms; and

an arm rest supporter for supporting the arm rests.

7. The device as defined in claim 6, wherein said arm rests horizontally slides along the arm rest supporter and includes a first clamp for controlling and fixing the position of said arm rests.

8. The device as defined in claim 6 or 7, wherein the buttocks supporting means further comprises:

a buttocks supporter for supporting the upper portion of the dummy's buttocks;

a vertical panel for supporting the buttocks supporter and the arm rest supporter such that the arm rest supporter vertically slides; and

a second clamp for controlling and fixing the height of said arm rest supporter.

9. A dummy storage and transport device, comprising:

left and right arm rests configured for supporting a dummies left and right arms;

a buttocks supporting part configured for insertion into a buttocks receiving portion of a dummy;

a thigh supporter configured for receiving the dummies left and right knee joints; and,

a frame adjustably interconnecting said left and right arm rests with said buttocks supporting part and said thigh supporter.

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising wheels coupled with said frame.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising brakes coupled to said wheels.

12. The device of claim 9, further comprising a dummy defining an opening for receiving said buttocks supporting part mounted thereto.

13. A dummy storage and transport device, comprising:

a base comprising of at least two substantially parallel members coupled with a transverse member therebetween;

upstanding members coupled with and protruding from said base configured for receiving a dummy; and

a protruding receiving member extending from one said upstanding member configured for receiving a receiving port of a dummy wherein the receiving port of the dummy is positioned near the buttocks region of the dummy.