Structure mounted airbag assemblies and associated systems and methods

• US 9,889,937 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2015
• Issued: 02/13/2018
• 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
• Application Number:
  US14/705,915
• Publication Number:
  US 20150232184A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 2807282, 2807283, 2807302
• 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 21/231 characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10
• 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 11/06205 Arrangements of airbags
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0621 Airbag initiation or activation means
• 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 in an aircraft, the airbag system comprising:

a monument having a cavity, wherein the monument is an independent structural assembly fixedly attached to an interior of the aircraft, and wherein the entire monument is offset to one side of a centerline of the aircraft seat and forward of the aircraft seat relative to a forward aircraft direction;

an airbag assembly positioned within the cavity of the monument, the airbag assembly having an airbag configured to deploy toward the aircraft seat through an opening in the monument to protect an occupant in the aircraft seat during a crash event; and

an inflator operably coupled to the airbag.

2. The airbag system of claim 1 wherein the airbag, when inflated, is offset to one side of the centerline of the aircraft seat to avoid direct contact with the occupant when the occupant is in a brace position.

3. The airbag system of claim 1 wherein the monument is adjacent to an aisle of the aircraft.

4. The airbag system of claim 1 wherein the monument is adjacent to an interior wall of the aircraft between a foot well of the aircraft seat and the interior wall of the aircraft.

5. The airbag system of claim 1 wherein the monument is positioned forward of and between the aircraft seat and an adjacent seat in the aircraft.

6. The airbag system of claim 1 wherein the airbag, when inflated, is configured to protect a head of the occupant during forward rotation about a two-point seat belt of the aircraft seat.

7. The airbag system of claim 1 wherein the aircraft seat is positioned at an angle relative to the forward aircraft direction.

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

a housing having a cavity, wherein the housing is forward of and offset to one side of the aircraft seat;

an airbag assembly positioned within the cavity of the housing, the airbag assembly having an airbag configured to deploy through a portion of the housing and inflate toward the aircraft seat to protect an occupant in the aircraft seat during a crash event, wherein—

the aircraft seat defines a first zone,

an area directly forward of the aircraft seat defines a second zone, and

the airbag, when inflated, is spaced apart from and avoids entering the first zone and the second zone; and

an inflator operably coupled to the airbag.

9. The airbag system of claim 8 wherein the aircraft seat is positioned at an angle relative to a forward aircraft direction.