Floating air bag

• US 20090111341A1
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Charles Rodriguez
• Original Assignee: Charles Rodriguez
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Charles
• Application Number:
  US11/818,868
• Publication Number:
  US 20090111341A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 441/95
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0016 Fall in water
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 2009/0041 activated by presence of water
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 7/26 Means for indicating the location of underwater objects, e.g. sunken vessels means for searching for underwater objects B63C11/48; buoys in general B63B22/00
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/28 Adaptations of vessel parts or furnishings to life-saving purposes

Abstract

A Floating Air Bag device for a vehicle includes a Floating Air Bag that is installed folded inside a container with one opening that has a cover inside the back rest of the driver or passenger seat facing the rear of the vehicle. The Floating Air Bag activating mechanism includes a water sensor and a gas inflator that inflates the Floating Air Bag when excessive amount of water is detected. The Floating Air Bag bursts from the storage site and it could be detached from the container Attached to the Floating Air Bag is a tether so the driver or passenger could grasp on to and use as a life line and float to the surface. The Floating Air Bag safety device could be used immediately a life saver in the event a vehicle is submerged in water.

Claims

1. A Floating Air Bag system comprising:

A container having an open face and attached to a vehicle to have an open face facing inside of a compartment of the vehicle.

A Floating Air Bag contained in a folded state in said container, said Floating Air Bag, when inflated, being expanded out of said container into the compartment of the vehicle.

An inflator for generating a gas and a container for receiving the Floating Air Bag.

The container having a cover to protect said Floating Air Bag with a weakened portion which is broken when the Floating Air Bag is inflated, an upper portion of said cover member being opened upwardly and a lower portion of said cover member being opened downwardly when the weakened portion is broken.

2. An Floating Air Bag system as recited in claim 1 wherein the cover member is opened like a double door.

3. An Floating Air Bag system as recited in claim 1 wherein the container is provided with a breakable cover that covers the opening of the container.

4. An Floating Air Bag system as recited in claim 1 wherein container of the Floating Air Bag unit is carried by the back of the seat back rest support member, said seat back rest is provided with a lid member with a the upper weakened portion opening upwardly and the lower weakened portion opening downwardly when the inflating force is applied to the container cover and then to the seat back rest lid member, said Floating Air Bag is then detached from the container that has a quick disconnect gas plug.

5. An Floating Air Bag system as recited in claim 1 wherein the Floating Air Bag is provided with straps, handles, tether, and beacons.

6. An Floating Air Bag system as recited in claim 1 wherein this Floating Air Bag, container, and inflator is provided independently to facilitate handling.