INFLATABLE PERSONAL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS HAVING WEB-MOUNTED INFLATORS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE

• US 20090236828A1
• Filed: 03/19/2008
• Published: 09/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AmSafe, Inc. (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: AmSafe, Inc. (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Foubert, Daniel Nick, Keeslar, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 7,980,590 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/728.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0093 Aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/027 Four-point seat belt systems, e.g. with the two upper points connected together
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/18 the inflatable member formed as a belt or harness or combined with a belt or harness arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/062 Belts or other passenger restraint means for passenger seats
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/06205 Arrangements of airbags
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2201/00 Airbags mounted in aircraft for any use

Abstract

Inflatable restraint systems for restraining an occupant in a vehicle are disclosed herein. An inflatable restraint system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes an airbag carried by a web. The web has an end portion coupled to a vehicle and is configured to extend around a portion of the occupant. The restraint system further includes a gas source that is also carried by the web. The gas source is operably coupled to the airbag to inflate the airbag in the event of a rapid deceleration or other dynamic event.

Claims

1. A personal restraint system for use with an occupant seated in a vehicle, the personal restraint system comprising:

a web having an end portion operably coupled to the vehicle, wherein the web is configured to extend around at least a portion of the occupant when the occupant is seated in the vehicle;

an airbag carried by the web; and

a gas source carried by the web and operably coupled to the airbag, wherein the gas source is configured to inflate the airbag.

2. The personal restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a web retractor operably coupled to the end portion of the web to adjust tension of the web, wherein the gas source is positioned between the airbag and the retractor.

3. The personal restraint system of claim 1 wherein the gas source is spaced apart from the airbag.

4. The personal restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a cover positioned over a portion of the web and the inflator, wherein the cover at least partially retains the inflator on the web.

5. The personal restraint system of claim 1 wherein the airbag includes a first bag portion and a second bag portion, wherein the first bag portion extends adjacent to the web in a generally vertical direction when inflated, and wherein the second bag portion extends from the first bag portion in a generally lateral direction adjacent to the occupant when inflated.

6. The personal restraint system of claim 1 wherein the airbag has a generally inverted “

L”

shape when inflated.

7. The personal restraint of claim 1 wherein the airbag has a generally tubular shape extending adjacent to a portion of the web when inflated.

8. The personal restraint system of claim 1 wherein the web is a first web, the airbag is a first airbag, and the gas source is a first gas source, and wherein the personal restraint system further comprises:

a second web having a second end portion operably coupled to the vehicle, wherein the second web is configured to extend around at least another portion of the occupant when the occupant is seated in the vehicle;

a second airbag carried by the second web; and

a second gas source carried by the second web and operably coupled to the second airbag, wherein the second gas source is configured to inflate the second airbag.

9. The personal restraint system of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor; and

an electrical link operably coupling the sensor to the gas source, wherein the sensor is configured to transmit a signal to the gas source via the electrical link in response to a rapid deceleration of the vehicle, and wherein the gas source is configured to dispense gas into the airbag in response to the signal.

10. The personal restraint system of claim 1 wherein the web is a shoulder web.

11. A personal restraint system for use with an occupant in a vehicle, the personal restraint system comprising:

a web retractor attached to the vehicle;

a web having an end portion operably coupled to the retractor, wherein the web is configured to extend around at least a portion of the occupant when the occupant is seated in the vehicle;

an airbag carried by the web;

an inflator carried by the web;

a fluid conduit operably coupled between the airbag and the inflator; and

a sensor operably coupled to the inflator, wherein the sensor is configured to transmit a signal to the inflator in response to a rapid deceleration of the vehicle, and wherein the inflator is configured to dispense gas into the airbag through the conduit in response to the signal.

12. The personal restraint system of claim 11 wherein the airbag includes a first bag portion and a second bag portion, wherein the first bag portion is attached to the web and inflates generally vertically adjacent to the web, and wherein the second bag portion inflates from the first bag portion laterally adjacent to the occupant.

13. The personal restraint system of claim 11, further comprising an electrical link operably coupling the sensor to the inflator and extending through the retractor.

14. The personal restraint system of claim 11 wherein the inflator is carried by the web at a location positioned between the airbag and the retractor.

15. The personal restraint system of claim 11 wherein the vehicle is an aircraft and the web retractor is attached to an interior portion of the aircraft.

16. A personal restraint system for use in a vehicle, the personal restraint system comprising:

a web for restraining an occupant in the vehicle;

an airbag attached to the web, wherein the airbag extends at least partially in front of the occupant when inflated; and

means for inflating the airbag in response to a rapid deceleration of the vehicle, wherein the means for inflating the airbag is carried on the web.

17. The personal restraint system of claim 16, further comprising a retractor for adjusting tension of the web, wherein the means for inflating is carried by the web at a position between the airbag and the retractor.

18. A method for restraining an occupant in a vehicle, the method comprising:

detecting a rapid deceleration of the vehicle; and

inflating an airbag in response to the detected deceleration, wherein the airbag is carried by a web operably coupled to the vehicle, and wherein the airbag in inflated with a gas source carried by the web.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein inflating the airbag in response to the detected deceleration includes inflating the airbag from the web which is a shoulder web positioned around at least a portion of the occupant.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein inflating the airbag in response to the detected deceleration includes inflating the airbag from the web which has an end portion operably coupled to a retractor that is attached to the vehicle, wherein the gas source is positioned on the web between the airbag and the retractor.