Apparatus and method for mitigating toe strike in aircraft

• US 6,896,224 B1
• Filed: 03/18/2004
• Issued: 05/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Goodwin, John L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eldred, J. Woodrow
• Application Number:
  US10/807,577
• Time in Patent Office: 432 Days
• Field of Search: 244/122.A, 244/121, 244/122.AG, 280/732
• US Class Current: 244/121
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23176 specially adapted for foot protection
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2201/00 Airbags mounted in aircraft for any use
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 25/10 Ejector seats

Abstract

A method for mitigating toe strike in a cockpit of an aircraft includes providing an airbag module attached to an instrument console located in the cockpit of the aircraft; releasing an airbag from the airbag module after an ejection sequence begins; using the airbag to protect a pilot'"'"'s lower limbs from striking the instrument console as the pilot begins ejecting.

Claims

1. A method for mitigating toe strike in a cockpit of an aircraft, comprising:

providing an airbag module mounted to a bottom surface of an instrument console located in the cockpit of the aircraft;

releasing an airbag from the airbag module after an ejection sequence begins; and

using the airbag to protect a pilot'"'"'s lower limbs from striking the instrument console as the pilot begins ejecting.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the airbag module is flush mounted on said bottom surface of the instrument console.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the airbag is a balloon type airbag.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of releasing an airbag includes releasing a balloon type airbag and at least one side curtain type airbag.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the airbag module is surface mounted on said bottom surface of the instrument console.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the airbag is a balloon type airbag.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said releasing said airbag in a first direction opposite of a second direction of said pilot after said ejection sequence begins.

7. A method for mitigating toe strike in a cockpit of an aircraft comprising:

providing an airbag module mounted to an instrument console located in the cockpit of the aircraft;

releasing an airbag from the airbag module after an ejection sequence begins; and

using the airbag to protect a pilot'"'"'s lower limbs from striking the instrument console as the pilot begins ejecting,

wherein the airbag module is mounted on a rear surface of the instrument console and flush with said bottom surface of the instrument console.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of releasing an airbag includes releasing a balloon type airbag and at least one side curtain type airbag.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein said releasing said airbag in a substantially downward direction opposite of an upward direction of said pilot after said ejection sequence begins.

11. A method for mitigating toe strike in a cockpit of an aircraft, comprising:

providing an airbag module mounted to an instrument console located in the cockpit of the aircraft;

releasing an airbag from the airbag module after an ejection sequence begins; and

using the airbag to protect a pilot'"'"'s lower limbs from striking the instrument console as the pilot begins ejecting,

wherein said cockpit comprises a floor, said releasing said airbag in a direction of said floor.