Inflatable restraint device

• US 6,859,939 B1
• Filed: 10/21/2002
• Issued: 03/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ralph J. Osburn Sr
• Original Assignee: Ralph J. Osburn Sr
• Inventors: Osburn, Ralph J Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vanatta, A.
• Application Number:
  US10/277,118
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 245/5, 245/6, 2DI/G 3, 2459-462, 246/5, 2466-468, 226/7, 226/8, 2 1/6, 2 2/2, 2 4/4, 2 4/5, 2/214, 2/2, 2 1/5, 2 6/9, 2 7/9, 210/2, 2 9/2, 602/13, 128/845, 128/846, 128/847, 128/869, 128/875, 128/870, 128/873, 128/874, 128/876, 128/878, 128/882, 280/728.1, 280/729, 280/730.1, 280/733, 280/734, 280/735, 280/736, 441/92, 441/108, 441/55, 441/59, 441/60, 441/88, 441/96, 441/102, 441/103, 441/106, 441/119, 441/116, 441110-112, 441/107, 441/118, 441120-123
• US Class Current: 2/69
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/018 inflatable automatically
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 2/03 Inflatable garment

Abstract

An inflatable restraint for selectively restraining the movement of a person. The inflatable restraint includes an inflation unit, a harness, and a plurality of selectively inflatable chambers connected to the harness. The chambers are strategically positioned around selective parts of a body of the person and held in position by the harness. When the inflation unit is activated the plurality of selectively inflatable chambers are caused to inflate thereby restricting movement of the selective body parts of the person.

Claims

1. An inflatable restraint for selectively restraining movement of a person, said restraint comprising:

a) an inflation unit;

b) a harness; and

c) a plurality of selectively inflatable chambers connected to said harness strategically positioned around selective parts of a body of the person and held in position by said harness whereby upon activation of said inflation unit said plurality of selectively inflatable chambers are caused to inflate thereby restricting movement of the selective body parts of the person, wherein said plurality of selectively inflatable chambers includes;

a) a neck chamber for positioning around a rear portion of the neck of the person and extending partially therearound;

b) a right arm chamber for receiving a right arm of the person;

c) a left arm chamber for receiving a left arm of the person; and

d) a leg chamber positioned between the legs of the person.

2. The inflatable restraint as recited in claim 1, wherein said harness comprises:

a) a lower harness for positioning around a waist of the person, said lower harness connected to said leg chamber; and

b) an upper harness for positioning around a torso of said person, said upper harness is connected to said neck chamber, right arm chamber, and left arm chamber.

3. The inflatable restraint as recited in claim 1 further comprising a remote control unit for transmitting a signal to said inflation unit for controlling said inflation unit to inflate said plurality of selectively inflatable chambers thereby restricting movement of the person wearing said inflatable restraint.

4. The inflatable restraint as recited in claim 2 further comprising a remote control unit for transmitting a signal to said inflation unit for controlling said inflation unit to inflate said plurality of selectively inflatable chambers thereby restricting movement of the person wearing said inflatable restraint.

5. The inflatable restraint as recited in claim 4, wherein said inflation unit further comprises:

a) at least one compressed air tank; and

b) a housing comprising;

i) a valve control unit for selectively restricting flow of air from said at least one compressed air tank;

ii) a power source connected to said valve control unit;

iii) an inflation line extending between said at least one compressed air tank and said plurality of selectively inflatable chambers for supplying air thereto.

6. The inflatable restraint as recited in claim 5, wherein said inflation line includes an upper inflation line connected between said at least one compressed air tank and all of said neck chamber, right arm chamber, and left arm chamber for supplying air thereto, and a lower inflation line connected between said at least one compressed air tank and said leg chamber for supplying air thereto.

7. The inflatable restraint as recited in claim 3, wherein said inflation unit further comprises:

a) at least one compressed air tank; and

b) a housing comprising;

i) a valve control unit for selectively restricting flow of air from said at least one compressed air tank;

ii) a power source connected to said valve control unit; and

iii) an inflation line extending between said at least one compressed air tank and said plurality of selectively inflatable chamber, for supplying air thereto, and wherein said remote control unit includes;

a) an inflation button for generating a signal for controlling said inflation unit to instantaneously inflate said plurality of inflatable chambers;

b) a pressure increase for generating a signal for controlling said inflation unit for selectively increasing the amount of air released by said at least one compressed air tank; and

c) a pressure decrease for generating a signal for controlling said inflation unit for selectively decreasing the air pressure within said inflatable chambers.

8. The inflatable restraint as recited in claim 5, wherein said remote control unit includes:

a) an inflation button for generating a signal for controlling said inflation unit to instantaneously inflate said plurality of inflatable chambers;

b) a pressure increase for generating a signal for controlling said inflation unit for selectively increasing the amount of air released by said at least one compressed air tank; and

c) a pressure decrease for generating a signal for controlling said inflation unit for selectively decreasing the air pressure within said inflatable chambers.

9. The inflation restraint as recited in claim 1, wherein said inflation unit contains a first air tank and a second air tank.

10. The inflation restraint as recited in claim 6, wherein said inflation unit contains a first air tank and a second air tank.

11. The inflation restraint as recited in claim 10, wherein said first air tank is connected to said upper inflation line and said second air tank is connected to said lower inflation line.

12. The inflation restraint as recited in claim 6, wherein the upper inflation line is enclosed within a protective shell.

13. The inflation restraint as recited in claim 6, wherein the lower inflation line is enclosed within a protective shell.

14. The inflation restraint as recited in claim 12, wherein the lower inflation line is enclosed within a protective shell.