Structure mounted airbag assemblies and associated systems and methods

• US 9,511,866 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2013
• Issued: 12/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AmSafe, Inc. (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: AmSafe, Inc. (Transdigm Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gehret, William J., Vyrostek, Joshua, Keeslar, Kevin J., Foubert, Daniel Nick
• Primary Examiner(s): TO, TOAN C
• Application Number:
  US14/384,655
• Publication Number:
  US 20150042078A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,427 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.2, 280/728.3, 280/730.2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/06 Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats crew seat constructions for emergency purposes B64D25/04
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0604 including a bed, e.g. cocoon type passenger seat modules
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/062 Belts or other passenger restraint means for passenger seats
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/06205 Arrangements of airbags
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2201/00 Airbags mounted in aircraft for any use

Abstract

Structure mounted airbag assemblies and associated systems and methods are described herein. An airbag system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure can include, for example, a housing having a cavity and an opening in communication with the cavity, an airbag assembly within the cavity, and an inflator operably coupled to the airbag assembly. The airbag assembly can include an airbag configured to deploy through the opening of the housing during a crash event. The airbag system can further include a door removably positioned across the opening and configured to move away from the opening during airbag deployment. The housing can be affixed to an interior portion of an aircraft, forward of and offset from an aircraft seat.

Claims

1. An airbag system for use with an aircraft seat, the airbag system comprising:

a housing having a cavity and an opening in communication with the cavity; and

an airbag assembly positioned within the cavity, wherein the airbag assembly comprises—

an airbag configured to deploy through the opening toward the aircraft seat to protect an occupant in the aircraft seat during a crash event, and

a mounting structure including at least one mounting plate within the airbag and configured to attach the airbag assembly to the housing;

an inflator spaced apart from the airbag; and

a gas delivery hose extending from the inflator to the airbag, wherein the gas delivery hose is configured to provide a fluid passageway from the inflator to the airbag.

2. The airbag system of claim 1 wherein the mounting plate is an interior mounting plate, and wherein the airbag assembly further includes an exterior mounting plate attached to the interior mounting plate and configured to attach the airbag assembly across the opening of the housing.

3. The airbag system of claim 1, further comprising a door removably covering the opening, the door being configured to move away from the opening during airbag deployment.

4. An airbag assembly for a seat in an aircraft, the airbag assembly comprising:

an airbag; and

a mounting structure comprising an internal mounting plate positioned within the airbag and an external mounting plate positioned outside of the airbag and attached to the internal mounting plate, wherein a peripheral portion of the external mounting plate is configured to fixedly attach to a portion of the aircraft.

5. The airbag assembly of claim 4, further comprising a monument having a plurality of sidewalls that form a cavity, at least one of the sidewalls having an opening, wherein the airbag and the mounting structure are positioned in the cavity and generally aligned with the opening.

6. An airbag system configured for use with an aircraft seat, the airbag system comprising:

a monument configured to be positioned forward of the aircraft seat, wherein the monument includes a covered opening; and

an airbag assembly comprising a mounting structure and an airbag, wherein the mounting structure comprises an external mounting plate configured to be secured to the monument and

an internal mounting plate positioned within the airbag and attached to the external mounting plate, wherein

a peripheral portion of the external mounting plate is configured to fixedly attach to the monument within the aircraft, and

the airbag is configured to deploy through the opening in the monument during a crash event.