Multi-chamber airbag systems for use in aircraft and other vehicles are described herein. In some embodiments, an occupant restraint system includes a multi-chamber airbag that deploys from an occupant restraint (e.g., a lap seat belt) in an aircraft. The multi-chamber airbag can include a first portion that inflates generally upward in front of the occupant's torso, and a second portion that inflates in front of the first portion. The first portion and/or the second portion can include multiple chambers (e.g., generally cylindrical-shaped chambers) that, when inflated, provide the airbag with a shape and/or contact surfaces which can help to maintain the position of the airbag between the occupant and a strike object or hazard. In other embodiments, multi-chamber airbags configured in accordance with the present disclosure can me mounted to a structure (e.g., a monument, console, seat back, etc.) positioned generally in front of the occupant. The structure-mounted airbag can deploy generally toward the occupant in the event of a vehicle impact or other potentially harmful event to protect the occupant from impact injury.

Multi-chamber airbag systems for use in aircraft and other vehicles are described herein. In some embodiments, an occupant restraint system includes a multi-chamber airbag that deploys from an occupant restraint (e.g., a lap seat belt) in an aircraft. The multi-chamber airbag can include a first portion that inflates generally upward in front of the occupant's torso, and a second portion that inflates in front of the first portion. The first portion and/or the second portion can include multiple chambers (e.g., generally cylindrical-shaped chambers) that, when inflated, provide the airbag with a shape and/or contact surfaces which can help to maintain the position of the airbag between the occupant and a strike object or hazard. In other embodiments, multi-chamber airbags configured in accordance with the present disclosure can me mounted to a structure (e.g., a monument, console, seat back, etc.) positioned generally in front of the occupant. The structure-mounted airbag can deploy generally toward the occupant in the event of a vehicle impact or other potentially harmful event to protect the occupant from impact injury.

There is provided an occupant protection device for protecting an occupant seated on a seat, including: an airbag folded and accommodated in a bag shape made of a flexible sheet material; and a holding belt portion that is wrapped around a hip of the occupant and holds the folded airbag. The airbag is configured to, when the airbag is activated, allow an inflation gas to flow thereinto, and inflate to protrude forward and upward from the holding belt portion, and includes an upper body restraining surface capable of restraining an upper body of the occupant, on a rear surface side, when inflation is completed, and a vehicle body side member abutting surface that abuts against a vehicle body side member provided in front of the seat to be capable of ensuring a reaction force of the airbag when the occupant is restrained, on a front surface side.

A vehicle safety seat for protecting a vehicle occupant from injury due to impact and airborne debris, in the event of a collision. The vehicle safety seat includes a seat bottom, a backrest, and a headrest, wherein the seat is secured to a frame. The frame is pivotally secured to the floor and frame of a vehicle, wherein the seat can recline immediately in advance of a collision for absorbing impact forces. The safety seat further includes telescoping shields that are retractably secured to the lateral sides of the seat bottom, backrest, and headrest. The shields are projected from the safety seat, creating a protective cocoon around the seat occupant prior to a collision. The seat is operably connected to one or more sensors that can detect an imminent collision between the vehicle and another object, wherein a pneumatic system deploys the shields and an electro-mechanical system reclines the seat.

A vehicle safety seat for protecting a vehicle occupant from injury due to impact and airborne debris, in the event of a collision. The vehicle safety seat includes a seat bottom, a backrest, and a headrest, wherein the seat is secured to a frame. The frame is pivotally secured to the floor and frame of a vehicle, wherein the seat can recline immediately in advance of a collision for absorbing impact forces. The safety seat further includes telescoping shields that are retractably secured to the lateral sides of the seat bottom, backrest, and headrest. The shields are projected from the safety seat, creating a protective cocoon around the seat occupant prior to a collision. The seat is operably connected to one or more sensors that can detect an imminent collision between the vehicle and another object, wherein a pneumatic system deploys the shields and an electro-mechanical system reclines the seat.

A restraint system in a vehicle includes a first retractor, a second retractor, a first webbing retractably coupled to the first retractor, a second webbing retractably coupled to the second retractor, a first lower vest panel attached to the first webbing, and a second lower vest panel attached to the second webbing. The lower vest panels are inflatable and releasably attachable to each other.

A restraint system in a vehicle includes a first retractor, a second retractor, a first webbing retractably coupled to the first retractor, a second webbing retractably coupled to the second retractor, a first lower vest panel attached to the first webbing, and a second lower vest panel attached to the second webbing. The lower vest panels are inflatable and releasably attachable to each other.

A lap expanding reactionary airbag apparatus includes separate expanding lap and chest portions of the airbag. When loaded in a frontal or oblique crash event, the two portions act as a reactionary surface against each other, reducing the chest velocity of a vehicle occupant, thereby reducing the forward movement of the occupant. This restriction in forward movement results in reduced lumbar injuries.

A lap expanding reactionary airbag apparatus includes separate expanding lap and chest portions of the airbag. When loaded in a frontal or oblique crash event, the two portions act as a reactionary surface against each other, reducing the chest velocity of a vehicle occupant, thereby reducing the forward movement of the occupant. This restriction in forward movement results in reduced lumbar injuries.

An occupant protection device which is configured to protect an occupant seated on a seat, includes a seat belt, an airbag, and an inflator configured to supply inflation gas to the airbag. The airbag has a bag shape formed of a flexible sheet body, the airbag is folded and stored in a storage part provided in a lap belt, the airbag is inflated so as to project toward a front upper side when the inflation gas flows into the airbag, and the airbag has a substantially triangular prism shape whose axial direction is substantially aligned with a left-right direction so as to include a leg abutting surface which is capable of abutting an upper surface of a leg of the occupant and an upper body restraining surface which is capable of restraining the occupant from a chest to a head, when the airbag is completely inflated.