Life preserver device

• US 4,565,535 A
• Filed: 07/18/1984
• Issued: 01/21/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Design Company A Company-Partnership Van NUYS
• Original Assignee: Design Company A Company-Partnership Van NUYS
• Inventors: Tassy, Tomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Blix, Trygve M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARTZ, CLIFFORD T
• Application Number:
  US06/632,049
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 441/92, 441/80, 441/83, 441/106, 441/118, 441/119, 441/117, 441/123, 441/125, 441/129, 441/131, 441/132, 280/728, 280/730, 280/732, 280/733, 280/743, 2/2, 244/121, 244/118.5, 244/122 AG
• US Class Current: 441/118
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0004 Frontal collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0093 Aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23107 the bag being integrated in a multi-bag system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• 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: B64D 11/06205 Arrangements of airbags
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2201/00 Airbags mounted in aircraft for any use
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 25/02 Supports or holding means for living bodies

Abstract

The improved device includes a hollow container with latched door, inside of which is coiled an inflatable, body contoured gas bag releasably connected to the container and gravity deployable through the door. The device includes valves, conduits and the like to automatically or manually inflate and deflate the bag. The container is adapted to fit into the back of an airliner seat and when in that position and inflated acts as an effective crash barrier for a passenger sitting behind the bag. A strap or the like is also provided for releasably securing the bag to a person as a flotation device when the need arises. Therefore, the bag serves a dual function. The bag, when inflated, includes an upper horizontal portion with head-receiving opening and a vertical lower portion with end panel sides adapted to receive a passengers upper torso. The bag can include two sections releasably secured front to back, both of which act as the crash barrier and one of which acts as an individual flotation device. The device is simple and effective.

Claims

1. An improved life preserver device, said device comprising, in combination:

(a) a chair having an upwardly extending back portion;

(b) said back portion including a container having a central storage space and an openable lid covering an opening in said container providing access to said space;

(c) an inflatable, body contoured gas bag folded in said storage space and deployable through said opening when said lid is opened;

(d) connector means for releasably securing said gas bag to said back portion, said bag when inflated having;

(i) an upper portion defining an opening adapted to receive a human head;

(ii) and a lower contoured portion connected to said upper portion and including a thickened end wall and spaced sides adapted to abut and receive the front and sides of a person for water flotation purposes, after disconnecting said bag from said back portion, said bag, when secured to said back portion in a vehicle and inflated, then serving as a crash barrier;

(e) whereby release of said interconnection means enables a person to use said gas bag as a flotation preserver; and

(f) means for selectively inflating and deflating said bag.

2. The improved device of claim 1 wherein said gas bag when inflated and still connected to said back portion faces in a first direction and acts as a crash barrier and wherein said inflated bag when disconnected from said back portion is reversible for donning by a person for use as a water flotation life preserver.

3. The improved device of claim 2 wherein said device includes a gas pressure source and gas presssure relief means connected to said bag and wherein said means for releasably securing said inflated bag to a person as a life preserver comprises at least one strap and releasable strap-anchoring means.

4. The improved device of claim 3 wherein said bag when deflated is coiled in said storage space and is deployable therefrom by gravity, and wherein said container is adapted to be secured in the back of a vehicle seat with said lid facing rearwardly, for access by a passenger behind said seat.

5. The improved device of claim 4 wherein said upper portions of said inflated bag is horizontal and wherein said lower portion of said inflated bag is generally vertical.

6. An improved life preserver device, said device comprising, in combination:

(a) a container having a central storage space and an openable lid covering an opening in said container providing access to said space;

(b) an inflatable, body contoured gas bag releasably connected by connector means to the interior of said container, folded in said storage space and deployable through said opening when said lid is opened, said bag when inflated having;

(i) an upper portion defining an opening adapted to receive a human head;

(ii) and a lower contoured portion connected to said upper portion and including a thickened end wall and spaced sides adapted to abut and receive the front and sides of a person for water flotation purposes, said bag, when maintained by said container in a vehicle and inflated, also serving as a crash barrier;

(c) means connected to said bag for releasably securing said bag, when inflated, to a person as a flotation preserver; and

(d) means for inflating and deflating said bag,

(e) wherein said gas bag when inflated and still connected to said container faces in a first direction and acts as a crash barrier and wherein said inflated bag when disconnected from said container is reversible for donning by a person for use as a water flotation life preserver,

(f) wherein said device includes a gas pressure source and gas pressure relief means connected to said bag and wherein said means for releasably securing said inflated bag to a person as a life preserver comprises at least one strap and releasable strap-anchoring means,

(g) wherein said bag when deflated is coiled in said storage space and is deployable therefrom by gravity, and wherein said container is adapted to be secured in the back of a vehicle seat with said lid facing rearwardly, for access by a passenger behind said seat,

(h) wherein said upper portions of said inflated bag is horizontal and wherein said lower portion of said inflated bag is generally vertical,

(i) wherein said bag includes two contoured mating sections readily separable from each other when said bag is inflated, said sections being disposed in generally abutting front-to-rear alignment, the first of said sections having said upper and lower portions and useable as a water flotation life preserver, as well as crash barrier, the second of said section cooperating with said first section to act as a crash barrier.

7. The improved device of claim 6 wherein said sections include releasably connected gas conduits for inflation and deflation thereof.

8. The improved device of claim 7 wherein said second section is fixedly connected to said container interior.

9. The improved device of claim 8 wherein said first section is releasably connected by said connector means to the interior of said container.

10. The improved device of claim 9 wherein said connector means comprises mating velcro-type strips secured to said bag and the interior of said container.

11. The improved device of claim 9 wherein said upper horizontal portion of said bag first section is releasably connected to said container interior.

12. An improved life preserver device adapted for use on an aircraft, said device comprising:

(a) a shock absorbing member adapted to be interposed between a passenger and the back of a chair diposed in front of the passenger to brake forward movement of the person'"'"'s body during a crash of the airplane;

(b) releasable interconnection means securing said shock absorbing member to said chair,

(c) said shock absorbing member having an opening therein adapted to receive a human head and further having a portion thereof contoured to receive a portion of a human body, and

(d) means associated with said member to attach said member to the passenger so as to act as a life preserver when said interconnection means are released.

13. The improved device of claim 12 wherein said member is an inflatable body.

14. The improved device of claim 12 wherein a storage space is provided in said back to store said member.

15. The improved device of claim 13 wherein a gas pressure source is provided to inflate said member.

17. The improved device of claim 14 wherein said member is coiled in said storage space when not in use and is deployable therefrom by gravity when in use.

16. The improved device of claim 16 wherein gas pressure relief means is connected to said gas pressure source.

18. An improved life preserver device, said device comprising, in combination:

(a) a chair having an upwardly extending back portion;

(b) said back portion including a container having a central storage space and an openable lid covering an opening in said container providing access to said space;

(c) an inflatable, body contoured gas bag folded in said storage space and deployable through said opening when said lid is opened,

(d) connection means for releasably securing said gas bag to said back portion, said bag when inflated having;

(i) an upper portion defining an opening adapted to receive a human head;

(ii) and a lower contoured portion connected to said upper portion and including a thickened end wall and spaced sides adapted to abut and receive the front and sides of a person for water flotation purposes, after disconnecting said bag from said back portion said bag, when secured to said back portion in a vehicle and inflated, then serving as a crash barrier;

(e) whereby release of said interconnection means enables a person to use said gas bag as a flotation preserver; and

(f) means for selectively inflating and deflating said bag,

(g) wherein said bag includes two contoured mating sections readily separable from each other when said bag is inflated, said sections being disposed in generally abutting front-to-rear alignment, the first of said sections having said upper and lower portions and useable as a water flotation life preserver, as well as crash barrier, the second of said section cooperating with said first section to act as a crash barrier.

19. The improved device of claim 18 wherein said second section is fixedly connected to said back portion and said first section is releasably connected to said back portion.