LIFESAVING SUPPORT SYSTEM

• US 3,603,535 A
• Filed: 11/13/1968
• Issued: 09/07/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Maurice Depolo
• Original Assignee: Maurice Depolo
• Inventors: DePolo, Maurice
• Primary Examiner(s): Buchler, Milton
• Assistant Examiner(s): Weinrieb, Steven W.
• Application Number:
  US04/775,300
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• Field of Search: 244/121 105/369 280/150
• US Class Current: 244/121
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0093 Aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23169 specially adapted for knee protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23176 specially adapted for foot protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23192 Roof bags, i.e. protecting the occupant in a roll-over situation
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2615 for diverting the gas into a plurality of bags
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/16 Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags protective garments with automatically inflatable shock-absorbing means A41D13/018; connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/207 in vehicle seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23138 specially adapted for side protection B60R21/23184, B60R21/232 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/33 Arrangements for non-electric triggering of inflation electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01

Abstract

A lifesaving support system comprising inflatible panels positioned on the seats, bulkheads and baggage racks of an airplane or the like. A gas system is provided for inflating the panels with carbon dioxide during takeoff and landing, the inflated panels cushion the shock and thereby protect the passengers in case of a crash or a violent landing.

Claims

1. A lifesaving support system for use in a transportation vehicle having at least two seats, one being in front of the other, comprising an inflatable, expansible panel adapted to be positioned in said vehicle, a source of gas under a greater than atmospheric pressure, means connecting said source to the interior of said inflatable panel, controllable means for inflating said panel from said source and for deflating said panel, and valve means connected to the interior of said panel for venting the gas within said panel, said valve means being responsive to the deceleration of said transportation vehicle and opening to vent said gas when the deceleration of said transportation vehicle exceeds a predetermined limit.

2. A lifesaving support system for use in a transportation vehicle having at least two seats, one being in front of the other, comprising:

a plurality of inflatable, expansible panels adapted to be positioned at various locations in said vehicle, means for storing a gas under pressure, controllable means for delivering said gas from said storing means to the interior of each of said panels to inflate said panels and for pumping gas from said panels into said storing means, and control means positioned at a location remote from said panels for operating said controllable means.

3. A lifesaving support system according to claim wherein said gas is carbon dioxide whereby when the panels are punctured the carbon dioxide provides retardation against fire.

4. A lifesaving support system according to claim 2 in which said controllable means comprises a reversible pump.