Adaptable aircraft airbag protection apparatus and method

• US 5,335,884 A
• Filed: 04/28/1993
• Issued: 08/09/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Flight Safety Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Flight Safety Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Kreutzer, Kevin W., Kalberer, Rober C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huppert, Michael S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BIDWELL, ANNE
• Application Number:
  US08/054,925
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• Field of Search: 244/121, 244/118.5, 280/730 A, 280/730 R, 280/731, 280/728 R
• US Class Current: 244/121
• 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: B64D 2201/00 Airbags mounted in aircraft for any use
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 25/02 Supports or holding means for living bodies

Abstract

Airbags are positioned relative to an aircraft yoke so as to minimize undesired force application to that yoke upon actuation thereof. The airbag actuation is accomplished by sensors which are capable of responding to multiple traumatic forces upon the aircraft to either establish multiple actuation of a common airbag, or actuation of separate airbags, upon occurrence of each event. The airbags can assume a side lobe configuration so as to minimize the possibility of impact upon side posts, or the interior side of the aircraft cabin structure. The sensors are arranged in an array with common directional alignment for maximizing probability of appropriate actuation. Use of multiple sensors and majority voting circuitry enhances the reliability of the systems and process. The airbag container is mounted on the control yoke post to allow relatively free motion in a direction generally parallel to the direction of motion of the craft while retaining it against motion in any other direction thereby allowing the container to seek a balanced or neutral position independent of the position or movement of the yoke post.

Claims

1. Apparatus for minimizing the prospect for loss of control in a craft which has a movable control yoke having a post extending from a control panel to a member which is manually grippable by an individual for multiple degrees of motion thereof for controlling the craft operation comprising:

means for sensing that the craft has experienced an abnormal force,

an airbag assembly including an inflatable airbag mounted relative to the control yoke for responding to an actuation signal by expanding so as to substantially fill the space both between the control yoke and an individual in proximity to the control yoke as well as between the control yoke and the control panel of the craft thereby obtaining a balanced position between the control panel and said individual while allowing said control yoke to remain in a relatively neutral position,

means mounting said airbag assembly for free movement along a line in a direction generally parallel to the control yoke post while retaining said airbag assembly against movement in any other direction, and

means responsive to said sensing means for producing said airbag actuation signal for rapidly expanding said airbag upon the occurrence of the abnormal force relative to the craft whereby said airbag assembly will assume a neutral position along said control yoke post parallel line.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said airbag assembly includes a plurality of means for inflating said airbag, said means responsive to said sensing means including means for producing a multiplicity of said actuation signals for sequential application to said plurality of inflating means.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said airbag assembly includes a plurality of airbags each of which has an inflation means therefor, said means responsive to said sensing means including means for producing said actuation signals for sequential application to said airbag inflation means.

4. The method of minimizing injuries to an occupant of an aircraft which has a manually operable yoke positioned between a front panel and the seat of the occupant for manual control of the aircraft as it moves in a given line of direction comprising the steps of:

detecting that an excessive G-force was applied to the aircraft in the general direction of movement thereof,

responding to said detecting step by filling the space between the occupant and the front panel with a force absorber normally stored in a container, and

allowing said force absorber container to move in a direction generally parallel to said line of direction of movement of said aircraft while preventing movement thereof in any other direction whereby filling of the space between the front panel and the seat occupant by the force absorber pursuant to said responding step causes the force absorber to seek a balanced position independent of the position or movement of the manually operable yoke.

5. The method in accordance with claim 4 wherein said responding step includes the step of inflating an airbag from said yoke towards the occupant and towards the front panel concurrently.

6. The method in accordance with claim 5 wherein said responding step includes positioning of a portion of said airbag which moves toward the occupant so as to intervene between the occupant and at least a portion of the aircraft interior which is offset with respect to the occupant and the direction of movement of the aircraft.

7. Apparatus for minimizing the prospect for loss of control in a craft which has a control yoke having an elongated post extending from a control panel to a member which is manually grippable by an individual for multiple degrees of motion thereof for controlling the craft operation comprising:

means for sensing that the craft has experienced an abnormal force,

an airbag assembly including a housing containing an inflatable airbag,

means mounting said airbag assembly housing to the control yoke post for free movement along a line generally parallel to the length of said elongated control yoke post while generally retaining said airbag assembly housing against movement in any other direction,

means coupled to said airbag for responding to an actuation signal by causing said airbag to expand so as to substantially fill the space both between the control yoke and an individual in proximity to the control yoke as well as between the control yoke and the control panel of the craft thereby retaining the control yoke in a relatively neutral position, and

means responsive to said sensing means for producing said airbag actuation signal for rapidly expanding said airbag upon the occurrence of the abnormal force relative to the craft whereby said airbag assembly will assume a neutral position along said control yoke post independently of the position of the control yoke.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said airbag assembly includes a plurality of means for inflating said airbag, said means responsive to said sensing means including means for producing a multiplicity of said actuation signals for sequential application to said plurality of inflating means.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said airbag assembly includes a plurality of airbags each of which has an inflation means therefor, said means responsive to said sensing means including means for producing said actuation signals for sequential application to said airbag inflation means.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 which includes means for positioning a portion of said airbag so as to intervene between the occupant and at least a portion of the craft which is in offset relation with respect to the occupant and the direction of movement of the craft.