MONUMENT MOUNTED AIRBAG

Abstract

A monument mounted airbag system for arresting passenger movement during a sudden acceleration/deceleration event of a moving vehicle includes an airbag assembly including at least one airbag on a first portion of a monument structure, the airbag assembly having a housing at least partially defined by a space between an external member and the monument structure.

Claims

1. A monument mounted airbag system for arresting passenger movement during a sudden acceleration/deceleration event of a moving vehicle, the monument mounted airbag system comprising: an airbag assembly comprising at least one airbag disposed on a first portion of a monument structure and configured to at least initially deploy along an intercepting course relative to a predetermined path of travel of a passenger during the sudden acceleration/deceleration event and intercept at least a portion of the passenger along the predetermined path of travel, the airbag assembly comprising a housing at least partially defined by a space between an external member and the monument structure; wherein the monument structure is disposed adjacent to a passenger seat that is oriented at an angle relative to an expected direction of travel of the moving vehicle; and wherein the external member is mounted in spaced relation to the first portion of the monument structure.

2. The monument mounted airbag system of claim 1 wherein the first portion of the monument structure is disposed substantially forward of the passenger seated in the passenger seat; and wherein the second portion of the monument structure is laterally disposed to the passenger seated in the passenger seat.

3. The monument mounted airbag system of claim 1 wherein the monument structure is disposed as a partition between passenger seats.

4. The monument mounted airbag system of claim 1 wherein the external member comprises a display screen.

5. The monument mounted airbag system of claim 1 further comprising a surface defining a main body of the at least one airbag with a substantially oblong shape when deployed, the main body being dimensioned and configured to substantially conform to a second portion of the monument structure.

6. The monument mounted airbag system of claim 5 wherein the main body of the at least one airbag comprises a curved configuration along a central axis thereof, such that the main body conforms to a correspondingly curved monument structure when the at least one airbag is deployed.

7. The monument mounted airbag system of claim 5 wherein the main body of the at least one airbag is configured to retain a predetermined volume of gas.

8. The monument mounted airbag system of claim 5 further comprising a lower support portion of the at least one airbag in fluid communication with the main body.

9. The monument mounted airbag system of claim 8 wherein the lower support portion of the at least one airbag is configured to intercept a torso of the passenger such that the torso of the passenger collides with the lower support portion prior to, or substantially concurrently with, a head of the passenger colliding with the main body when the at least one airbag is deployed.

10. The monument mounted airbag system of claim 5 wherein the airbag assembly further comprises a side support portion of the at least one airbag configured to protrude from the main body when the at least one airbag is deployed.

11. The monument mounted airbag system of claim 10 wherein the side support portion and the main body of the at least one airbag are configured to at least partially receive a head portion of the passenger when the at least one airbag is deployed.

12. The monument mounted airbag system of claim 11 wherein the side support portion comprises a substantially longitudinal appendage vertically oriented to deploy in protective relation to the passenger across the external member such that the side support portion forms a cradle providing retaining support for a head and neck portion of the passenger when the at least one airbag is deployed.

13. The monument mounted airbag system of claim 1 wherein the airbag assembly further comprises components disposed substantially behind the external member in relation to the passenger seated in the passenger seat.

14. The monument mounted airbag system of claim 13 wherein the components are selected from the group consisting of an inflator, a sensor, a power supply, and an indicator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system in a pre-deployed state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system in a pre-deployed state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system in a pre-deployed state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a front partial perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system in a pre-deployed state according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system during deployment according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system during deployment according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system during deployment according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system fully deployed according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system fully deployed according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system fully deployed according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system in a passenger receiving configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system in a passenger receiving configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system in a passenger receiving configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 14 is a front partial perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system in a passenger receiving configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system during deployment of an active vent thereof according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 16 is a side perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system during deployment of an active vent thereof according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 17 is a side perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system during deployment of an active vent thereof according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 18 is a front partial perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system during deployment of an active vent thereof according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system during deployment according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 20 is a side perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system during deployment according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 21 is a front three-quarter perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system during deployment according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 22 is a top perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system fully deployed according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 23 is a side perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system fully deployed according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 24 is a front three-quarter perspective view of a monument mounted airbag system fully deployed according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0044] The depicted embodiments generally include a seat 2000 that is disposed at an angle relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle. Accordingly, as a frontal collision is likely, the seat 2000 is also disposed at an angle relative to a predetermined path of travel of the passenger 5000, depicted in FIG. 5 via a dashed arrow. Additionally, the depicted embodiments include a monument 1000 that is disposed and configured in an at least partially curved configuration. An external member 4000 is mounted in spaced relation to a first portion 1010 of the monument 1000 that is directly forward of the passenger 2000. It will be appreciated, however, that the principles disclosed herein may be equally application to myriad other configurations and arrangements.

[0045] Additionally, the following Figures depict a crash event or other sudden acceleration wherein the passenger 3000 travels along a predetermined path under its own momentum. As such, the following figures depict the relevant stages of the event from various views beginning with a pre-deployed state and ending with the receipt and arrest of the passenger 3000 by the system 1.

[0046] With reference to FIGS. 1 through 4, the monument mounted airbag system 1 of the present invention and one embodiment of its intended use and operating environment are depicted. The depicted embodiment comprises an aircraft interior, or other suitable vehicle, such as a ship, bus, train, or the like, including a seat 2000, passenger seated in the seat 3000, and monument 1000 disposed in proximity thereto. The monument 1000 includes a first portion 1010 and a second portion 1020, the first portion 1010 comprising the general area of the monument 1000 which the passenger 3000 faces when seated, the second portion 1020 comprising the general area of the monument 1000 disposed to the side of the passenger 3000 while seated.

[0047] Additionally an external member 4000 is mounted in spaced relation to the first portion 1010. Such an external member 4000 might comprise a display screen, such as LED or LCD, of the type to provide in-transit entertainment or information. Additionally the external member 4000 might also comprise a faade to provide a space between the external member 4000 and monument 1000. In any embodiment, however, the external member 4000 serves to create an at least partially enclosed space between the external member 4000 and the monument 1000 which can be utilized as a housing 200 for at least a portion of the system 1.

[0048] Furthermore, as can particularly be seen in FIG. 4, a removable cover 12 may be included so as to further camouflage the system 1, or portions thereof, from a passenger, without creating obstacles to deployment of the system 1, as will be described.

[0049] Now with reference to FIGS. 5 through 7, the system 1 is depicted in a semi-deployed state, wherein an airbag 100 of the system is ejected from its pre-deployed state within an airbag containment member 11 in response to one or more predetermined conditions, such as a crash event, or other sudden acceleration. Accordingly, as a result of the predetermined condition, the passenger 3000 has begun traveling along a predetermined path 5000, as will be discussed below. Additionally, the cover 12 has pivoted to an open configuration, allowing the airbag 100 to pass substantially un-impeded.

[0050] As can be seen, the initial momentum of the airbag 100 carries it in a direction at least partially away from the passenger 3000, from its initial position within the airbag containment member 11, which is substantially in front of the passenger, as indicated by the dashed arrow tracing the initial deployment path of the airbag 5010 in FIG. 5. Additionally depicted in FIG. 5 is another dashed arrow tracing the predetermined path of travel of the passenger 5000. Note that as the seat 2000 is oriented at an angle relative to the path of travel of the aircraft, the passenger 3000 is not predicted to travel directly forward, i.e., towards the external member 4000, but rather, the passenger's momentum will carry it along the path of travel of the aircraft. In the depicted embodiment, the predetermined path of travel of the passenger 5000 is generally toward the second portion 1020 of the monument 1000.

[0051] As such, and as can be particularly seen in FIG. 5, the system 1 is configured to deploy the airbag 100 from a position directly or substantially in front of the passenger 3000, in a direction away from the passenger 3000 along an intercept course with a predetermined path of travel of the passenger 5000, thus ensuring the receipt and arrest of the passenger 3000 along a wide range of motion, and also in scenarios where the passenger 3000 deviates from the predetermined path of travel 5000.

[0052] Now with reference to FIGS. 8 through 10, the system 1 is depicted in a fully deployed state, and the passenger is continuing to travel along the predetermined path 5000 outlined above. As the airbag 100 is now fully inflated, discussion thereof should be had. In certain embodiments, the airbag 100 includes a surface 101 comprised of material of sufficient strength, impermeability, and inflammability as required to meet at least given airbag regulations. The surface 101 is joined in such a configuration so as to form at least a main body 110 capable of retaining a predetermined volume of gas to be injected into the airbag 100 in accordance with a predetermined event, such as a crash event or other sudden acceleration.

[0053] The main body 110 may be comprised of a plurality of sub-portions, each in fluid communication with one another. The main body 110 may also include a plurality of internal tethering, or portions of the surface 101 that are joined internally, such as by stitching together. As such, the main body 110 may be given a distinct shape or configuration as desired or required by the operating environment. In the depicted embodiment, the main body 110 is configured to include a substantially curved configuration as evidenced by the curvature of the seam 102 along the main body 110. The curved configuration can contribute to an at least partially conforming relation to the second portion 1020 of the monument, thereby increasing the ability for the system 1 to receive and arrest the passenger 3000. Such a curved configuration may be accomplished, for example, by constructing one half of the main body 110 to be larger than the other half of the main body 110. Such a configuration may also be supplemented with tethers as desired.

[0054] The airbag 100 may also include other portions, which may be unitarily formed or otherwise integrated with the surface 101 of the airbag 100, including but not limited to, side support 130 and lower support 120. The lower support 120, in various embodiments, is disposed and configured to initially intercept a torso portion 3010 of the passenger and apply an arresting force there, thereby reducing the likelihood of a head and/or neck injury to the passenger 3000. This mechanism will be disclosed further in the following Figures. Additionally, the side support 130, in various embodiments, is disposed and configured to cradle and/or otherwise prevent the head portion 3020 from traveling off of the airbag 100 and/or into any surrounding environmental features. Likewise, this mechanism will be disclosed in further detail in the following Figures.

[0055] Now with reference to FIGS. 11 through 14, the passenger 3000 has continued along the predetermined path of travel 5000, as detailed above, and has made contact with the airbag 100 via the torso portion 3010 contacting the lower support 120 and the head portion 3020 contacting the main body 110. As can be seen the torso portion 3010 is in contact the lower support 120 which provides an auxiliary region of support for the arresting force of the system 1, thereby relieving the head and/or neck of the passenger 3000 of substantial stress. Additionally, the lower support 120 maintains the passenger 3000 at such an angle so as to avoid neck injuries. Additionally, as can also be seen, the main body 110 has now substantially conformed to the second portion 1020 of the monument 1000.

[0056] With reference specifically to FIG. 14 yet another feature of the present invention can be seen. The airbag 100 may include an active vent 140 that is configured to release fluid pressure within the airbag 100 at a predetermined point. As such, the depicted embodiment comprises perforations or scores in the surface 101 in order to weaken the material comprising the surface 101 to a predetermined extent. Thus, when the passenger 3000 collides with the airbag 100 the pressure within the airbag 100 increases until the perforations or scores comprising the active vent 140 fail and an aperture opens in the material, allowing gas within the airbag 100 to escape. Such an active vent 140 allows for more time to arrest the passenger's momentum, thereby reducing the overall force applied to the passenger 3000.

[0057] Now with reference to FIGS. 15 through 18, the passenger has continued on the predetermined path of travel 5000, as detailed above. Notably, the head portion 320 is received at least partially by the side support 130 and main body 110 and is at least temporarily maintained thereby, preventing the head portion 3020 from contacting other objects or surfaces that may be disposed nearby.

[0058] Additionally, and with specific reference to FIG. 18, aperture 142 of the active vent has formed 140, thereby allowing gas within the airbag 100 to vent. Such a configuration reduces the stiffness or overall hardness of the airbag 100 at a predetermined point so as to first provide an initial arresting force on the passenger 3000 until the active vent 140 activates (via formation of the aperture 142). Once the active vent 140 activates, the pressure in the airbag 100 decreases, allowing a smaller arresting force to be applied to the passenger 3000 and also providing a longer distance and time over which to arrest the momentum of the passenger 3000, further decreasing the applied force to the passenger 3000.

[0059] Now with reference to FIGS. 19 through 21, depicted is another embodiment of the system 1 of the present invention during deployment of the airbag 100 therein. Notably, the airbag 100 includes a side support 130 of partially elongated configuration. As such, the side support 130 of the present embodiment is more suited to projecting across a predetermined area, rather than the side support 130 of the previous embodiments, which may be more suitable to cradling and/or retaining a head portion 3020.

[0060] As can be further seen, with reference now to FIGS. 22 through 24, the side support 130 is configured and disposed to project substantially across the external member 4000 when fully deployed and thereby prevent direct collision with the passenger 3000.

[0061] Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

[0062] Now that the invention has been described,