Ford has had some pretty nifty ideas as of late in terms of patents that have recently been published. Most recently is a set of screen doors for the Ford Bronco that The Drive has located while lurking around Ford’s patent applications (and who hasn’t these days?). Since the Ford Bronco can remove the roof panels and doors, the “Screen Deployable Across Opening In-Vehicle Body” works as a safety measure for passengers should an excursion take an unexpected turn.
Ford Bronco Screen Door Patent Looks Ready For A Safari
If the doors and roof panels are removed, the driver can push a button on a touchscreen, and screens that are stored on spring-loaded spools will quickly extend with help from some chains and an electric motor. The system would also have logic to determine whether the roof panels and doors have been removed, ensuring that the screens wouldn’t be deployable while the items are equipped on the Ford Bronco. Once it’s clear the system is ready for use, chains located in the pillars will pull the screens down and across the door openings.
While the screens would work wonders in keeping pesky bugs from bothering you while out on a trail or even keeping rocks and other debris from getting into the vehicle, they also have safety benefits. As indicated by the documents, in case of an off-road accident, the screens are equipped with pyrotechnic devices to quickly extend them across the door openings. Theoretically, this would keep all hands, arms, feet and legs of passengers inside the vehicle and ensure no one is put in the way of undue harm. In addition, the screens would likely be relatively easy to cut through or retract after they do their job so that people don’t get trapped inside the Bronco. Still, the document didn’t detail what would happen after emergency deployment.
Like most of these wild Ford Bronco patents we’ve seen over the years, it’s unclear just what will go into production, and what won’t. But we’re here for all of this innovation, and to see what Jeep will do in response.
Image via Ford.
