A grounded and modular fall-impact protection airbag system designed to absorb the kinetic energy of objects or persons falling from high elevations in such a manner that concurrently cushions impact while minimizing the transfer of elastic potential energy that can result in a rebound event. In this manner, the potential for damage or injury is minimized in both the impact and rebound kinetic energy transfer events. In contrast to existing grounded fall-protection airbag systems that require continuous airflow from pneumatic devices to maintain optimal pressure before and after impact, this system provides the to use air pressure release valves that are actuated upon impact and release air pressure at a rate that safely decelerates the object or individual without a rebound effect. This allows for the system to be pressurized once per use, thus decreasing energy requirements and operational costs, improving system reliability, and increasing overall safety to the site.

A mobile safety device (1) is for rescuing at least one person at risk of falling. The safety device includes a support device (2) in the form of a jumping cushion, jumping sheet, platform, base plate or stretcher for receiving and transporting the person at risk of falling. A positioning device (3) locally positions the support device (2) at the location of the person at risk of falling. At least one unmanned, remote-controlled drone (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) is provided as the positioning device (3).

A mobile safety device (1) is for rescuing at least one person at risk of falling. The safety device includes a support device (2) in the form of a jumping cushion, jumping sheet, platform, base plate or stretcher for receiving and transporting the person at risk of falling. A positioning device (3) locally positions the support device (2) at the location of the person at risk of falling. At least one unmanned, remote-controlled drone (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) is provided as the positioning device (3).

In an aspect, a crash bag is provided, which includes an impact structure and an outlet valve. The impact structure has a first bag wall partially defining a first bag air chamber having an inlet for receiving pressurized air, and having a first operating pressure, and a second bag wall partially defining the first bag air chamber and partially defining a second bag air chamber having an inlet for receiving pressurized air and that has a second bag air chamber operating pressure. The outlet valve discharges air from the second bag air chamber upon an impact on the impact structure. The second bag air chamber includes fluidically connected projections that are adjacent one another. The first bag wall is positioned atop the projections and extends across the projections such that the operating pressure in the first bag air chamber is applied to all the projections.

In an aspect, a crash bag is provided, which includes an impact structure and an outlet valve. The impact structure has a first bag wall partially defining a first bag air chamber having an inlet for receiving pressurized air, and having a first operating pressure, and a second bag wall partially defining the first bag air chamber and partially defining a second bag air chamber having an inlet for receiving pressurized air and that has a second bag air chamber operating pressure. The outlet valve discharges air from the second bag air chamber upon an impact on the impact structure. The second bag air chamber includes fluidically connected projections that are adjacent one another. The first bag wall is positioned atop the projections and extends across the projections such that the operating pressure in the first bag air chamber is applied to all the projections.

A high-rise building escape apparatus enables user to quickly exit a high-rise building in the event of an emergency. It mainly includes a damper which withstands impact of termination of descent and decreases terminal velocity due to its mushroomlike shape, a compartment, side and bottom nets, a parachute, an air source system, hoses, rotatable and fix frames, and a safety belt. The apparatus is operated following the procedure below. A user sets up the fix frame and rotatable frame attaching the dropping parts on the sill of a window or on the top of a balcony, makes the rotatable frame swing to the outside, opens the dropping part pack, fills the high pressure air to the airbags simultaneously through a number of internal hoses and an external hose, and disconnects the hoses. The user then moves from the inside of the building to the compartment in the middle of the damper through the rotatable frame with hands grabbing it, reaches the bottom portion of the compartment, fastens the safety belt, and releases the dropping parts. As a result, the user will move down with the damper, the parachute will be extended, released, and deployed, and the rotatable frame will rotate back. As soon as the user reaches the ground, the user will unbuckle the safety belt, get out of the damper, and release the high pressure air.

A high-rise building escape apparatus enables user to quickly exit a high-rise building in the event of an emergency. It mainly includes a damper which withstands impact of termination of descent and decreases terminal velocity due to its mushroomlike shape, a compartment, side and bottom nets, a parachute, an air source system, hoses, rotatable and fix frames, and a safety belt. The apparatus is operated following the procedure below. A user sets up the fix frame and rotatable frame attaching the dropping parts on the sill of a window or on the top of a balcony, makes the rotatable frame swing to the outside, opens the dropping part pack, fills the high pressure air to the airbags simultaneously through a number of internal hoses and an external hose, and disconnects the hoses. The user then moves from the inside of the building to the compartment in the middle of the damper through the rotatable frame with hands grabbing it, reaches the bottom portion of the compartment, fastens the safety belt, and releases the dropping parts. As a result, the user will move down with the damper, the parachute will be extended, released, and deployed, and the rotatable frame will rotate back. As soon as the user reaches the ground, the user will unbuckle the safety belt, get out of the damper, and release the high pressure air.

In an aspect, an outlet valve for a crash bag is provided, and includes a peripheral wall defining an inlet and outlet. The peripheral wall is flexible and has an inner face that defines a passage. The peripheral wall has an outer face that is in an air chamber. The valve has an axis between the inlet and outlet. The peripheral wall includes panels each having first and second side edges that extend generally axially. The first side edge from each of the panels is joined to a second side edge of an adjacent panel by a seam. At least one of the seams is a slope-change seam such that a slope of the peripheral wall in a transverse plane changes by more at said slope-change seam than along a portion of the peripheral wall extending between the slope-change seam and a subsequent one of the seams.

In an aspect, an outlet valve for a crash bag is provided, and includes a peripheral wall defining an inlet and outlet. The peripheral wall is flexible and has an inner face that defines a passage. The peripheral wall has an outer face that is in an air chamber. The valve has an axis between the inlet and outlet. The peripheral wall includes panels each having first and second side edges that extend generally axially. The first side edge from each of the panels is joined to a second side edge of an adjacent panel by a seam. At least one of the seams is a slope-change seam such that a slope of the peripheral wall in a transverse plane changes by more at said slope-change seam than along a portion of the peripheral wall extending between the slope-change seam and a subsequent one of the seams.

A recovery device (100, 200) for persons positioned above the ground, and a system (400) and method (300) including the recovery device (100, 200). The recovery device (100, 200) includes an expandable base portion (110, 210), and a person receiving portion (120, 220) configured to receive a person when the expandable base portion (110, 210) is expanded.