Ford patents emergency glass-breaking windscreen visor

Ford has submitted a patent that reportedly makes use of the windscreen visor as a glass-breaking tool, to free occupants in an emergency such as flood, fire or a crash.

Submitted on 10 October 2023, patent number 11,780,302 B2 aims to provide another use for the connecting rod that holds the visor in place.

According to the US Patent and Trademark Office submission, the visor functions as normal until a window-breaking tool is needed.

A diagram filed with the patent application shows the visor is able to slide off the metal connecting rod, exposing a sharpened end, or “impact point” as Ford says.

Once “vehicle-downward force” is applied to this rod, it is intended to de-couple from the connection point, and be able to serve as a glass-breaking tool.

Considering the submission focuses on the tool itself, Ford doesn’t reveal how it is meant to be used in an emergency.

Historically, the majority of emergency glass-breaking tools have been in the shape of a hammer, and feature a large handle to grip.

Ford does however refer to the L-shape design numerous times throughout the submission, meaning that this element could serve as the gripping point.