Airbag in privacy wall

• US 8,556,291 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2012
• Issued: 10/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Safran Seats Co.
• Original Assignee: Zodiac Seats France (Safran SA)
• Inventors: Islam, Rakibul, Trimble, Robert W., Aguirre, Raul Daniel Flores, Quatanens, Frederic, Cailleteau, Jeremy, Gaudin, Jeremy, Martinez, Virgile, Obadia, Jean-Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US13/428,123
• Publication Number:
  US 20130009009A1
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 280/733, 280/730.2
• US Class Current: 280/730.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0093 Aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/20 Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23184 Tubular air bags connected to the vehicle at their two extremities
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0604 including a bed, e.g. cocoon type passenger seat modules
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/06205 Arrangements of airbags
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2201/00 Airbags mounted in aircraft for any use

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide an airbag system designed to deploy from a privacy wall in a diagonal manner.

Claims

1. An airbag system, comprising:

(a) a curved privacy wall on an aircraft having a side wall and a front wall; and

(b) an airbag having a first connection end and a second connection end;

wherein the first connection end is configured to be secured on a portion of the side wall close to or behind a passenger'"'"'s shoulder, and wherein the second connection end is configured to be secured on a portion of the front wall located in front of and across from the passenger'"'"'s other shoulder, such that in use, the airbag deploys diagonally across the passenger, spanning a distance from close to or behind the passenger'"'"'s shoulder nearest the side wall, across the passenger'"'"'s body, to a distance away from the passenger'"'"'s opposite shoulder on the privacy wall.

2. The airbag system of claim 1, wherein the airbag comprises a tension-applying support feature that causes the airbag to shorten in length and increase in height upon deployment.

3. The airbag system of claim 2, wherein the tension-applying support feature comprises a woven or knitted braid.

4. The airbag system of claim 1, further comprising a gas inflator in fluid communication with the airbag, and a crash sensor configured to activate inflation of the airbag.

5. The airbag system of claim 1, wherein the airbag comprises a generally tubular cross-sectional shape.

6. An airbag designed for deployment from an aircraft privacy wall, comprising a generally tubular cross-section, a first connection end, a second connection end, and a tension-applying support feature;

wherein the first connection end is configured to be secured on a portion of a privacy side wall close to or behind a passenger'"'"'s shoulder, and wherein the second connection end is configured to be secured on a portion of a privacy front wall located forward of and across from the passenger'"'"'s other shoulder, such that the airbag deploys diagonally across the passenger, spanning a distance from close to or behind the passenger'"'"'s shoulder nearest the side wall, across the passenger'"'"'s body, to a distance away from the passenger'"'"'s opposite shoulder on the privacy wall.

7. The airbag of claim 6, installed in an aircraft privacy wall.