Side Impact Protection Device

Abstract

A plurality of air bags is provided as part of a child safety seat for use in a vehicle. The decompressed external air bag extends outwardly from a wing of the seat and transfers an air volume to the initially compressed internal bag, causing it to inflate and cushion the head and/or upper body of the occupant of the safety seat. When installed in a vehicle the seat equipped with air bags serves to mitigate any free flight zones during a collision, increase ride down time, and allow early loading onset, and thereby improve the safety of the occupant. The external airbag may be adjustable for tailoring the safety seat to the vehicle dimensions and being collapsible for stowage.

Claims

1. A safety seat including: a seat portion, a pair of side walls and a back rest portion for receiving an occupant; an internal bladder at an interior side of at least one of the pair of side walls; an external bladder at an exterior side of the at least one of the pair of side walls; wherein the external bladder is configured to fluidly communicate, through the at least one of the pair of side walls, with the internal bladder; wherein, in use, the external bladder is configured to be in a decompressed state and the internal bladder is configured to be in a compressed state, such that an impact event against the external bladder causes inflation of the internal bladder.

2. The safety seat of claim 1, wherein the external bladder is located in a position corresponding to one or both of a head portion and a substantive portion of the at least one of the pair of side walls.

3. The safety seat of claim 1, wherein one or both of the external bladder and the internal bladder includes at least one valve or aperture configured to allow one or more of equilibrium to ambient pressure, a retention of a volume of fluid during operation, and refilling of the external bladder after deflation by expansion, drawing in air through the at least one valve or aperture.

4. The safety seat of claim 1, wherein the external bladder is biased to the decompressed state by a concertina or bellows structure.

5. The safety seat of claim 1, wherein the external bladder is configured to extend outwardly for accommodating a plurality of side wall to interior wall distances of a vehicle in which the safety seat is installed.

6. The safety seat of claim 1, wherein the external bladder is located at a relative height on the at least one of the pair of side walls corresponding, in use, to a typical window sill height of a rear door of a vehicle in which the safety seat is installed.

7. The safety seat of claim 1, wherein the external bladder is configured for attachment to either of the pair of side walls.

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. The safety seat of claim 1, wherein the external bladder includes a threaded connector for receipt by an opening through the at least one of the pair of side walls.

11. The safety seat of claim 1, wherein the external bladder is incorporated into or includes a hinged portion, hingedly connected with the at least one of the pair of side walls, and the hinged portion includes or is associated with a latch to stow the external bladder in a compressed state.

12. (canceled)

13. The safety seat of claim 1, including a reservoir bladder for storing a fluid to be supplied into one or both of the external bladder and the internal bladder and a volume ratio of the external bladder to the internal bladder in decompressed states is between 1.5:1 and 3.5:1.

14. (canceled)

15. The safety seat of claim 1, wherein the safety seat further includes a headrest and the headrest includes wings or cradling walls that at least partially enclose a head of the occupant.

16. (canceled)

17. The safety seat of claim 15, wherein the headrest is laterally moveable and the internal bladder is interposed between the headrest and a side wall such that the headrest laterally moves in response to inflation of the internal bladder.

18. (canceled)

19. The safety seat of claim 15, wherein the headrest incorporates at least part of the internal bladder or a further bladder in communication with the external bladder.

20. The safety seat according to claim 1, where one or both of the external bladder and the internal bladder are selectively detachable from the seat portion.

21. The safety seat according to claim 3, wherein the valve or aperture is located on a wall of the external bladder facing the side wall and that, when the safety seat is subjected to impact, the wall of the external bladder contacts the side wall and acts to cut-off or restrict any pressure lost to atmosphere.

22. The safety seat according to claim 1, wherein the external bladder is in a form of a collapsible bellow configured to maintain both a self-supporting collapsed state and self-supporting expanded state.

23. The safety seat according to claim 1 wherein the internal bladder is elongate.

24. The safety seat according to claim 1, wherein the internal bladder extends down substantially a full length of the of the side wall and the internal bladder is configured to engage one or both of a head/upper torso and a hips/lower torso of the occupant in use.

25. (canceled)

26. The safety seat according to claim 1, wherein the internal bladder comprises a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being axially longer than the second end portion and the first end portion and the second end portion are connected via a narrower neck portion and wherein the first end portion is at least partially interposed between the side wall and a headrest.

27. (canceled)

28. (canceled)

29. The safety seat according to claim 1, wherein inflation of the internal bladder causes the internal bladder to press against the headrest, thereby restricting a freedom of movement of the headrest.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of child safety seat according to an embodiment of the invention wherein external and internal air bladders are installed on one side;

[0028] FIG. 2(a) illustrates an isometric view of a child safety seat according to the invention showing a cutaway of the interior of the external air bladder, internal air bladder and a portion of the headrest;

[0029] FIG. 2(b) shows a cutaway of the external air bladder, the connection between air bladders and the valve;

[0030] FIG. 3(a) shows a side perspective view of the child seat where the external air bladder is fully inflated/decompressed;

[0031] FIG. 3(b) shows a plan view of the child seat from FIG. 3(a)where the external air bladder is fully inflated/decompressed;

[0032] FIG. 4(a) shows a side perspective view of the child seat where the external air bladder is compressed/folded for storage;

[0033] FIG. 4(b) shows a plan view of the child seat from FIG. 4(a) where the external air bladder is compressed/ folded for storage;

[0034] FIG. 5(a) shows the connection between the external and internal air bladders wherein the internal air bladder remains compressed while the external air bladder is decompressed;

[0035] FIG. 5(b) shows the connection between the external and internal air bladders wherein the external bladder is compressed;

[0036] FIG. 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c) show a sequence of steps for the attachment of a removable external air bladder from a rear exterior view of the safety seat shown in FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 7(a) shows the safety seat of FIG. 1 prior to collision;

[0038] FIG. 7(b) shows the safety seat of FIG. 1 at the point of collision, with arrows indicating air flow within the air bladder system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that illustrate two embodiments of the invention. However, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the precise details of the embodiments, with variations apparent to a skilled person deemed also to be covered by the description of this invention. Furthermore, terms for components used herein should be given a broad interpretation that also encompasses equivalent functions and features. Descriptive terms should also be given the broadest possible interpretation; e.g. the term “comprising” as used in this specification means “consisting at least in part of” such that interpreting each statement in this specification that includes the term “comprising”, features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprises” are to be interpreted in the same manner. The present description refers to embodiments with particular combinations of features, however, it is envisaged that further combinations and cross-combinations of compatible features between embodiments will be possible.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, a child seat 101 includes a seat portion 102, for receiving a pelvic region of a child; side wall portions 103a and 103b, extending forward from and connected to a back portion 104, for receiving the back and arms of a child; and a headrest 105, including side head cradling portions 106a and 106b, extending from and connected to rear portion 107, for receiving the head of the child.

[0041] The side wall portions 103 of the seat body 101 feature a visible opening 108 for connecting the airbag system comprising external 109 and internal 110 air bladders and a connecting portion. The external air bladder 109 and internal air bladder 110 occupy a connective opening - obscured on the left hand side, but visible on the right hand side, denoted 108. The air bladders could be filled with ambient air or another suitable fluid such that a reservoir may be provided in addition to the illustrated air bladders. The headrest 107, back portion 104, side portions 103a and 103b and seat portion 102 are preferably comprised primarily of a shock absorbing material, however, other materials and combinations such as rigid and shock absorbing layers, can be contemplated.

[0042] The headrest 105 is movable with respect to the seat 101 (i.e. the back portion 104, side 103a,103b etc.). The headrest 105 is movable in a lateral direction (i.e. in a horizontal direction in use). The headrest 105 is therefore movable in the space between the side walls 103a,103b in use. In this regard, the headrest 105 may be mounted to the seat 101 via a bracket/connector or the like that allows some play or tolerance in the position of the headrest. The seat may comprise a height adjustment mechanism for the headrest which may create play/tolerance in the lateral position of the headrest.

[0043] FIG. 2(a) shows the safety seat of FIG. 1 with a cutaway section detailing the interior of the connection between air bladders 109 and 110. In this embodiment the air bladders 109 and 110 are installed on either side of the side wall portion 103a with the opening 108 left empty on side portion 103b. External bladder 109 preferably has greater volume than the internal bladder 110, although it is noted that the internal bladder 110 may be configured to occupy a greater surface area. The external air bladder 109 is fully decompressed, i.e. expanded, and connected to the internal air bladder 110 which preferably extends the length of the interior of the side portions 103a and 103b.

[0044] The internal bladder 110 extends down the lateral side 103b of the seat 101. In the present embodiment, the internal bladder 110 extends down substantially the full length of the lateral side 103b. The internal bladder 110 therefore spans the length between the top of the side 103b and the seat portion 102. As such the internal bladder 110 is elongate. In other examples, the internal bladder may extend part-way down, e.g. a majority of the way down, the lateral side wall.

[0045] The internal bladder 110 comprises a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion may be axially elongate. The second end portion may be smaller than the first end portion. The second end portion may be substantially circular.

[0046] The first and second end portion may be connected via a narrow neck portion. The first end of the internal air bladder 110 is interposed the side wall 103a and headrest 107. The first end portion at least partially overlaps with the headrest cradle/wing 106a. The fist end portion may engage the upper torso (e.g. the arms) of the child in use.

[0047] The second end portion is provide the seat portion 102 and engages the lower torso and/or hips of the child in use.

[0048] It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the airbag system can alternatively and/or in addition be installed on side portion 103b to achieve the same effect for an impact originating in an opposite direction or depending on the side of most proximal interior wall of the vehicle.

[0049] In the embodiment of the invention shown by FIG. 2(a) the fluid within the airbags is preferably ambient air and may be replenished and relieved to the atmosphere. Communication with atmosphere is via a valve 113, as shown in FIG. 2(b) proximate to which there is also a connection 212 for air occupying the empty space of the decompressed external bladder 109 to communicate with the opening for the compressed internal air bladder 110. The valve 113 allows pressure within the air bladders to equilibrate with the atmosphere and relieves the internal pressure of the airbags in a controlled manner, such that during a collision the controlled deflation of the airbag due to the pressure of the head of the occupant reduces the acceleration of the head of the occupant. In the event of such an impact the valve is configured to allow only a small volume of air already in the airbag system to escape while the air will be primarily pushed from the external to the internal airbags.

[0050] FIGS. 3 and 4 show various views of another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the external or primary airbag 409 is incorporated with a hinged element in order to facilitate compressing from an open position (FIGS. 3(a) and (b)) toward a closed position (FIGS. 4(a) and (b). The primary airbag 409 is effectively hinged to side wall portion 103a and can be latched into the closed position.

[0051] In a preferred form (of any embodiment disclosed herein) the bladder is made of a resilient material such that the concertina structure retains its extended form when manually expanded in order to be filled with air. In this embodiment the air bag system can be relocated from left side 103a to right side 103b by utilising the opening 108. Alternatively, a permanent right side hinged element/external bladder 409 could be installed, i.e. a hinged bladder at both sides. In general the external bladder should be biased to maintain an inflated position which could be by virtue of a relatively rigid/resilient surface material or internal structure. The internal bladder could be optionally biased to a deflated position that is inflated only upon sufficient force (such as an impact) which overcomes the bias.

[0052] FIG. 3(b) shows a view from above the safety seat wherein the expanded concertina fold of the airbag is clearly seen while FIG. 4(b) shows the fully compressed external airbag from above, showing that the outer panel/hinged element lies flush with the exterior of left side portion 103a.

[0053] FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) show a cutaway view wherein the external and internal air bladders 409 are fixed to one side 103a of the safety seat. The connection between the airbags is revealed by the cutaway where the volume of the decompressed external airbladder 409 in FIG. 5(a) can be released, e.g. into the atmosphere via a valve (not seen), allowing the external airbag to be deflated, for example for stowage. In this embodiment the external air bladder 409 can be latched closed as in FIG. 5(b). Fixing the airbag to one side of the safety seat as in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) provides impact absorbance from one lateral direction only and is most suitable where industry standards advise placement of a vehicle seat on a particular side of the vehicle, e.g. behind a drivers or passenger seat. It will be apparent to a skilled person that the seat can be configured with a second external and internal air bag system on the opposite side, thereby providing the option for relocating the seat to the other side of a rear vehicle bench seat.

[0054] FIGS. 6(a), (b) and (c) show the safety seat of FIG. 1 from a rear angled view. In this embodiment the primary/external air bladder 109 is selectively removable from the seat 101. The external air bladder 109 comprises a threaded connector configured to be screwed into a correspondingly threaded recess 108 (see FIG. 1).

[0055] In other examples, a bayonet, twist-lock or push-lock connector, or other suitable connector could be used. The connection may be releasable.

[0056] The internal air bladder can be connected in a similar fashion within the side portions 103a and 103b or may be retained by a resilient connection. A threaded connection enables easy operation and installation of the airbag system according to the day to day functionality wherein the safety seat may be moved frequently from one side of the rear vehicle seat to the other.

[0057] A variation on construction of the external bladder 109 can involve forming the component as a collapsible bellow, e.g. of silicone/rubber, which is able to maintain both a self-supporting collapsed state and self-supporting expanded state. Common devices that use this construction methodology include space saving bowls/cups for camping/lifestyle applications, e.g. where the bowl or cup can pop-out from a stowed/collapsed state to an expanded state ready for use. Such a form as applied to the safety seat of the invention has an advantage of being adjustable in the y-axis depending on the space available in the vehicle and negates the need for a catch when collapsed as it is self-supporting in both extended and collapsed positions.

[0058] FIG. 7(a) shows the resting position of an occupant, e.g. a young child, with head 715 resting in headrest 105, having upper body 716 flanked by side wall portions 103a and 103b and seated by seat portion 102. By contrast, FIG. 7(b) shows an impact event where air is transferred from the external air bladder 109 by its compression to the internal air bladder 110 upon impact with an external object, e.g. interior wall/door of vehicle 714.

[0059] Directional arrows indicate the flow of air into internal bladder 110, the upper portion of which pushes the wing of headrest 105 towards the occupant’s head 715 via lateral movement thereof, and the lower portion of which expands from side portion 103a to cushion the impact on the upper body 716. During a side impact event against the inner bag the torso 716 of the occupant will be the first contact point against the lower portion of the internal bladder 110 and will, as a result, generate a pressure rise to further improve the response of the upper portion of 110 to generate enhanced response time and displacement of the headrest 105 bias to collect/accommodate the occupant’s head 715.

[0060] In alternative forms internal bladder 110 could form or be incorporated with headrest 105 such that it inflates upon impact. Preferably the wings and general structure of headrest 105 are of a resilient foam or equivalent.

[0061] The valve mentioned herein may be a small aperture that restricts airflow due to its size or it may be a valve, i.e. being actuatable between closed and open conditions. The valve might be a simple aperture 113 as pictured, positioned such that it allows equalization with ambient air for the external bladder. The valve location when subjected to impact acts to cut-off or restrict external bladder pressure bleed away from inflation of the inner bladder. As such, the valve is provided on a portion of the external bladder that is obscured (i.e. engages the seat 101 or another portion of the bladder 109) when the bladder is in the compressed state. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, valve is provided on a portion of bladder facing the seat 101. When the bladder is compressed, the valve engages the side wall 103a and is therefore obscured, preventing release of air therefrom. In other embodiments, the valve may be obscured by the bladder itself, for example, the valve could be provided in one of the folds of the bellows.

[0062] It will be apparent that the seat of the invention is a ‘standalone’ device that is not reliant on an existing vehicle air bag system. Such a seat can be installed into existing vehicles with or without an air bag system. The safety seat is considered ‘in use’ when in a condition ready to function as a safety device, i.e. with the external air bag deployed.