U.S. patent application number 14/060143 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-04 for leg restraint device for side-facing seated vehicle occupants.
This patent application is currently assigned to B/E Aerospace, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is B/E Aerospace, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael J. Farvet, Pete C. Meister.
Application Number | 20140353951 14/060143 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51901706 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140353951 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meister; Pete C. ; et
al. |
December 4, 2014 |
LEG RESTRAINT DEVICE FOR SIDE-FACING SEATED VEHICLE OCCUPANTS
Abstract
A leg restraint for side-seated vehicle occupants that includes
a leg-restraining member for being mounted in proximity to a
side-facing vehicle seat and selectively moveable between a
deployed, laterally-extending leg-protecting position and a
retracted, non-leg interfering position, and a sensor for detecting
abrupt movement in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle
incident to an abrupt deceleration of the vehicle and outputting a
signal. A gas-inflatable bag is positioned operatively proximate
the leg-restraining member and is responsive to the signal output
by the sensor for inflating and deploying the leg-restraining
member upon the occurrence of the abrupt deceleration of the
vehicle.
Inventors: |
Meister; Pete C.; (Miami,
FL) ; Farvet; Michael J.; (Wellington, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
B/E Aerospace, Inc. |
Wellington |
FL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
B/E Aerospace, Inc.
Wellington
FL
|
Family ID: |
51901706 |
Appl. No.: |
14/060143 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13907079 |
May 31, 2013 |
|
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14060143 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/730.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 21/20 20130101;
B60R 2021/0273 20130101; B60R 2021/01231 20130101; B60R 2021/161
20130101; B60R 2021/23176 20130101; B64D 11/06 20130101; B64D 25/00
20130101; B60N 2/42727 20130101; B60R 2021/0053 20130101; B60R
21/0428 20130101; B60R 2021/23146 20130101; B60R 21/23138 20130101;
B60R 2021/0093 20130101; B60R 21/0132 20130101; B64D 11/06205
20141201; B64D 11/0619 20141201; B64D 11/0621 20141201; B60R 21/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/730.1 |
International
Class: |
B64D 25/00 20060101
B64D025/00 |
Claims
1. A leg restraint for side-seated vehicle occupants, and
comprising: (a) a leg-restraining member adapted for being mounted
in proximity to a side-facing vehicle seat and selectively moveable
between a deployed, outwardly-extending leg-protecting position and
a retracted, non-leg interfering position; (b) a gas-inflatable air
bag positioned operatively proximate the leg-restraining member and
responsive to a signal output by a sensor for inflating the air bag
and deploying the leg-restraining member upon the occurrence of an
abrupt deceleration of the vehicle sensed by the sensor; and (c)
wherein the air bag is adapted for being positioned for deployment
between the leg-restraining member and the legs of the seat
occupant to cushion the legs against direct impact against the
deployed leg-restraining member.
2. A leg restraint according to claim 1, and including a biasing
member cooperating with the leg-restraining member to move the
leg-restraining member into the retracted position after impact of
an occupant's leg against the leg-restraining member.
3. (canceled)
4. A leg restraint for side-seated vehicle occupants, and
comprising: (a) a leg-restraining member adapted for being mounted
in proximity to a side-facing vehicle seat and selectively moveable
between a deployed, outwardly-extending leg-protecting position and
a retracted, non-leg interfering position; (b) a gas-inflatable air
bag positioned operatively proximate the leg-restraining member and
responsive to a signal output by a sensor for inflating the air bag
and deploying the leg-restraining member upon the occurrence of an
abrupt deceleration of the vehicle sensed by the sensor; and (c)
wherein the air bag inflates during a first phase to deploy the
leg-restraining member and further inflates during a second phase
into a position between the leg-restraining member and the legs of
the seat occupant to cushion the legs against direct impact against
the deployed leg-restraining member.
5. A leg restraint for side-seated vehicle occupants, and
comprising: (a) a leg-restraining member adapted for being mounted
in proximity to a side-facing vehicle seat and selectively moveable
between a deployed, outwardly-extending leg-protecting position and
a retracted, non-leg interfering position; (b) a gas-inflatable air
bag positioned operatively proximate the leg-restraining member and
responsive to a signal output by a sensor for inflating the air bag
and deploying the leg-restraining member upon the occurrence of an
abrupt deceleration of the vehicle sensed by the sensor; and (c)
wherein the air bag inflates during a first phase to deploy the
leg-restraining member and further inflates during a second phase
to a position between the leg-restraining member and the legs of
the seat occupant and beyond an outermost extent of the deployed
leg-restraining member to cushion the legs against direct impact
against the deployed leg-restraining member.
6. A leg restraint for side-seated vehicle occupants, and
comprising: (a) a leg-restraining member adapted for being mounted
in proximity to a side-facing vehicle seat and selectively moveable
between a deployed, outwardly-extending leg-protecting position and
a retracted, non-leg interfering position; (b) a gas-inflatable air
bag positioned operatively proximate the leg-restraining member and
responsive to a signal output by a sensor for inflating the air bag
and deploying the leg-restraining member upon the occurrence of an
abrupt deceleration of the vehicle sensed by the sensor; and a
retractor for returning the leg-restraining member back into its
retracted position upon the leg-restraining member reaching its
fully deployed position, wherein the retractor comprises a spring
having a bias that is initially overpowered by the operation of the
air bag as the leg-restraining member is deployed, and is biased to
return the leg-restraining member to its retracted position as the
air bag deflates.
7. (canceled)
8. A leg restraint according to claim 6, wherein the air bag is
adapted to inflate into a shape having its widest extent at its
distal end.
9. A leg restraint according to claim 1, wherein the
leg-restraining device comprises a restraint panel having
relatively upright side walls.
10. A leg restraint according to claim 1, and including a sensor
for detecting abrupt movement of the vehicle in the direction of
forward travel of the vehicle incident to an abrupt deceleration
and outputting a responsive signal to a trigger responsive to the
signal from the sensor for activating the air bag.
11. A leg restraint adapted for being mounted on a side-facing
aircraft seat for protecting the legs of the seat occupant, and
comprising: (a) a restraint panel mounted in proximity to the
side-facing aircraft seat and selectively moveable between a
deployed, laterally-extending leg-protecting position and a
retracted, non-leg interfering position; (b) a sensor for detecting
abrupt movement of the vehicle in the direction of forward travel
of the vehicle incident to an abrupt deceleration and outputting a
responsive signal; (c) an air bag mounted on the restraint panel in
a normally deflated configuration and in a position wherein, upon
inflation, the air bag propels the restraint panel into the
deployed position and then deflates; (d) a trigger responsive to
the signal output by the sensor for inflating the air bag; and (e)
a biasing member comprising a spring that is initially overpowered
by the operation of the air bag as the restraint panel is deployed,
and is biased to return the restraint panel to its retracted
position as the air bag deflates.
12. A leg restraint according to claim 11, wherein the restraint
panel is mounted in a housing adapted for being positioned under
the seat bottom of the side-facing aircraft seat.
13. A leg restraint according to claim 12, wherein the restraint
panel comprises a slide mounted in the housing for movement on at
least one stationary guide shuttle mounted on an inner surface of
the housing.
14. A leg restraint according to claim 12, wherein the air bag is
adapted for being positioned for deployment between the restraint
panel and the legs of the seat occupant to cushion the legs against
direct impact against the deployed leg-restraining member.
15. A leg restraint according to claim 12, wherein the air bag is
adapted to inflate during a first phase to deploy the restraint
panel and to further inflate during a second phase to a position
between the restraint panel and the legs of the seat occupant to
cushion the legs against direct impact against the deployed
restraint panel.
16. A leg restraint according to claim 12, wherein the air bag is
adapted to inflate during a first phase to deploy the restraint
panel and to further inflate during a second phase to position the
air bag between the restraint panel and the legs of the seat
occupant and beyond the outermost extent of the deployed restraint
panel to cushion the legs against direct impact against the
deployed restraint panel.
17. A leg restraint according to claim 12, and including a spring
for returning the leg-restraining member back into its retracted
position upon the leg-restraining member reaching its fully
deployed position.
18. A leg restraint according to claim 13, wherein the spring has a
bias that is initially overpowered by the operation of the air bag
as the leg-restraining member is deployed, and is biased to return
the leg-restraining member to its retracted position as the air bag
deflates.
19. A leg restraint according to claim 12, wherein the air bag has
a shape that is adapted to inflate into a shape having its widest
extent at its distal end and to project outwardly beyond the distal
end of the restraint panel at its fullest deployed extent.
20. A leg restraint according to claim 12, wherein the restraint
panel includes a recess extending along a length of the restraint
panel, and a guide shuttle mounted on the housing and having wheels
engaging opposing top and bottom sides of the recess to guide the
restraint panel between its retracted and deployed positions.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims
priority from pending patent application Ser. No. 13/907,079, the
full contents of which are incorporated into this application by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a leg restraint device for
side-seated vehicle occupants. In particular, the invention relates
to a leg restraint device for side-seated occupant of, for example,
corporate aircraft of the type offering side-facing seats for
passengers. The disclosed invention has application in any form of
vehicle transportation where passenger or occupant seats may be
mounted in a side-facing orientation in relation to the direction
of forward travel of the vehicle, such as an aircraft. The FAA has
released Policy PS-ANM-25-03-R1 requiring leg flail prevention for
occupants seated in side-facing seats when the occupant's upper leg
is restricted by contact with the seat itself and/or with an
interior component. In order to provide adequate occupant
protection, the lower legs must also be restricted in a similar
manner to avoid upper leg femur bone torsion. Thus, there is a need
for a device that will provide this lower leg support during a
dynamic event such as a crash.
[0003] Violent or abrupt deceleration can cause high g-force
lateral loading on a side-facing passenger, causing lateral leg
movement and leg rotation about the knee and femur. This can cause
dislocations, muscle and tendon injuries and fractures due to the
restraint exerted on the passenger's torso by seat belts and/or arm
rests while the legs are unrestrained. However, belts or similar
restraints on the legs are not advisable due to the additional time
needed to remove the restraints, as well as the possibility that
injuries to the passenger may make it difficult for either the
passenger or emergency personnel to remove such restraints.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a type of leg restraint that
provides protection to the legs of side-facing seat occupants in
the event of a crash or other rapid deceleration, while not
inhibiting rapid egress from the seat after the event.
[0005] The leg flail prevention device disclosed in this
application deploys automatically and is designed to be triggered
by the same sensor and trigger that is used to deploy inflatable
shoulder harness air bags also installed on the side-facing seat.
As such, for installations that restrict the side-facing occupant's
upper legs in the forward direction, the automatic leg flail
prevention device is utilized to introduce the higher level of
occupant protection. In the embodiment disclosed in the
application, a linear restraint panel presents the main restriction
to the occupant's lower legs to prevent leg flail. This restraint
panel is deployed by the inflation force of an attached air bag.
Once the air bag deploys the restraint panel, the portion of the
air bag attached to the restraint panel further inflates between
the restraint panel and the leg to cushion the impact of the
occupant's legs with the restraint panel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a leg restraint that provides protection to the legs of
side-facing seat occupants in the event of a crash or other rapid
deceleration.
[0007] It is another object of the invention to provide a leg
restraint device that provides protection to the legs of
side-facing seat occupants in the event of a crash or other rapid
deceleration, while not inhibiting rapid egress from the seat after
the event.
[0008] It is another object of the invention to provide a leg
restraint device that provides protection to the lower legs of
side-facing seat occupants in the event of a crash or other rapid
deceleration, but that need not be deployed during taxi, take-off
and landing ("TTOL").
[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide a leg
restraint that includes an air bag as a means of deploying a linear
restraint panel that acts to restrict lateral movement of the lower
legs of a side-seated occupant.
[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide a leg
restraint that includes a deployable air bag as a means of
cushioning and restricting lateral movement of the lower legs of a
side-facing seat occupant.
[0011] It is another object of the invention to provide a leg
restraint that includes a deployable air bag utilized to deploy
outwardly from the seat a linear restraint panel that acts to
restrict lateral movement of the lower leg, whereupon the air bag
continues deploying and serves the further purpose of cushioning
and restricting lateral movement of the lower legs of a side-facing
seat occupant.
[0012] These and other objects and advantages of the invention are
achieved by providing a leg restraint for side-seated vehicle
occupants, and including a leg-restraining member adapted for being
mounted in proximity to a side-facing vehicle seat and selectively
moveable between a deployed, outwardly-extending leg-protecting
position and a retracted, non-leg interfering position and a
gas-inflatable air bag positioned operatively proximate the
leg-restraining member and responsive to a signal output by a
sensor for inflating the air bag and deploying the leg-restraining
member upon the occurrence of an abrupt deceleration of the vehicle
sensed by the sensor.
[0013] According to another embodiment of the invention, a biasing
member cooperates with the leg-restraining member to move the
leg-restraining member into the retracted position after impact of
an occupant's leg against the leg-restraining member.
[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, the air
bag is adapted for being positioned for deployment between the
leg-restraining member and the legs of the seat occupant to cushion
the legs against direct impact against the deployed leg-restraining
member.
[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention, the air
bag inflates during a first phase to deploy the leg-restraining
member and further inflates during a second phase into a position
between the leg-restraining member and the legs of the seat
occupant to cushion the legs against direct impact against the
deployed leg-restraining member.
[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, the air
bag inflates during a first phase to deploy the leg-restraining
member and further inflates during a second phase to a position
between the leg-restraining member and the legs of the seat
occupant and beyond an outermost extent of the deployed
leg-restraining member to cushion the legs against direct impact
against the deployed leg-restraining member.
[0017] According to another embodiment of the invention, a
retractor is provided for returning the leg-restraining member back
into its retracted position upon the leg-restraining member
reaching its fully deployed position.
[0018] According to another embodiment of the invention, the
retractor includes a spring having a bias that is initially
overpowered by the operation of the air bag as the leg-restraining
member is deployed, and is biased to return the leg-restraining
member to its retracted position as the air bag deflates.
[0019] According to another embodiment of the invention, the air
bag is adapted to inflate into a shape having its widest extent at
its distal end.
[0020] According to another embodiment of the invention, the
leg-restraining device includes a restraint panel having relatively
upright side walls.
[0021] According to another embodiment of the invention, a sensor
is provided for detecting abrupt movement of the vehicle in the
direction of forward travel of the vehicle incident to an abrupt
deceleration and for outputting a responsive signal to a trigger
responsive to the signal from the sensor for activating the air
bag.
[0022] According to another embodiment of the invention, a leg
restraint is provided and is adapted for being mounted on a
side-facing aircraft seat for protecting the legs of the seat
occupant, and includes a restraint panel mounted in proximity to
the side-facing aircraft seat and selectively moveable between a
deployed, laterally-extending leg-protecting position and a
retracted, non-leg interfering position. A sensor is provided for
detecting abrupt movement of the vehicle in the direction of
forward travel of the vehicle incident to an abrupt deceleration
and outputting a responsive signal. An air bag is mounted on the
restraint panel in a normally deflated configuration and in a
position wherein, upon inflation, the air bag propels the restraint
panel into the deployed position and then deflates. A trigger
responsive to the signal output by the sensor is provided for
inflating the air bag. A biasing member, for example, a spring, is
provided that is initially overpowered by the operation of the air
bag as the restraint panel is deployed, and is biased to return the
restraint panel to its retracted position as the air bag
deflates.
[0023] According to another embodiment of the invention, the
restraint panel is mounted in a housing adapted for being
positioned under the seat bottom of the side-facing aircraft
seat.
[0024] According to another embodiment of the invention, the
restraint panel includes a slide mounted in the housing for
movement on at least one stationary guide shuttle mounted on an
inner surface of the housing.
[0025] According to another embodiment of the invention, the air
bag is adapted for being positioned for deployment between the
restraint panel and the legs of the seat occupant to cushion the
legs against direct impact against the deployed leg-restraining
member.
[0026] According to another embodiment of the invention, the air
bag is adapted to inflate during a first phase to deploy the
restraint panel and to further inflate during a second phase to a
position between the restraint panel and the legs of the seat
occupant to cushion the legs against direct impact against the
deployed restraint panel.
[0027] According to another embodiment of the invention, the air
bag is adapted to inflate during a first phase to deploy the
restraint panel and to further inflate during a second phase to
position the air bag between the restraint panel and the legs of
the seat occupant and beyond the outermost extent of the deployed
restraint panel to cushion the legs against direct impact against
the deployed restraint panel.
[0028] According to another embodiment of the invention, a spring
is provided for returning the leg-restraining member back into its
retracted position upon the leg-restraining member reaching its
fully deployed position.
[0029] According to another embodiment of the invention, the spring
has a bias that is initially overpowered by the operation of the
air bag as the leg-restraining member is deployed, and is biased to
return the leg-restraining member to its retracted position as the
air bag deflates.
[0030] According to another embodiment of the invention, the air
bag has a shape that is adapted to inflate into a shape having its
widest extent at its distal end and to project outwardly beyond the
distal end of the restraint panel at its fullest deployed
extent.
[0031] According to another embodiment of the invention, the
restraint panel includes a recess extending along a length of the
restraint panel, and a guide shuttle mounted on the housing and
having wheels engaging opposing top and bottom sides of the recess
to guide the restraint panel between its retracted and deployed
positions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0032] The present invention is best understood when the following
detailed description of the invention is read with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a side-seated aircraft seat,
showing a leg restraint device according to a preferred embodiment
of the invention in its retracted position;
[0034] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a side-seated aircraft seat,
showing a leg restraint device according to a preferred embodiment
of the invention in its retracted position;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a side-seated aircraft seat,
showing a leg restraint device according to a preferred embodiment
of the invention in its deployed position;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a side-seated seat, showing a
leg restraint device according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention in its deployed position;
[0037] FIG. 5 is a partially-exploded view of one embodiment of the
invention showing the air bag in its stowed, retracted
position;
[0038] FIG. 6 is a partially-exploded view of one embodiment of the
invention showing the air bag in its fully deployed position;
[0039] FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-section taken along line 7-7 of
FIG. 5;
[0040] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the
invention from a side opposite FIGS. 5 and 6; and
[0041] FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-section taken along line 9-9 of
FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0042] Referring now specifically to the drawings, the environment
of the disclosure is an aircraft of the type having side-facing
seats, such as seat 10, having a seat bottom 12, seat back 14 and
an armrest/end bay 16. Accordingly, a seat occupant sits with his
or her back to the aircraft fuselage "A", facing outward in a
generally perpendicular direction in relation to the longitudinal
dimension of the aircraft and its direction of forward travel. For
this reason, the occupant is subject to substantial lateral g-force
loading along the longitudinal axis of the aircraft in the event of
an abrupt deceleration such as might result during hard braking or
a forward-directed crash event. While the upper torso and the thigh
area of the legs are restrained to some extent by the armrest 16
and the seat belt 18, the lower legs are free to be projected
laterally forward, rotating violently around an axis defined by the
knees, causing potential serious injury to both the knees and lower
legs unless they are restrained in some manner. Injury to the legs
is a particularly serious concern since such injuries could prevent
the passenger from being able to egress unaided from the aircraft
in the event of an accident.
[0043] Thus, in accordance with the invention, a leg restraint
device 20 is provided. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the leg restraint
device 20 is mounted under the seat 10 forward of the occupant in
relation to the aircraft's direction of forward travel. The leg
restraint device 20 includes two principal elements, a housing 22
mounted under the seat 10, and a deployable restraint panel 24,
which includes a cap plate 28 on the distal end. During boarding,
deplaning and normal flight, the leg restraint device 20 remains in
a retracted condition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the event of
an emergency that may result in an abrupt deceleration, the
restraint panel 24 is automatically deployed, as explained
below.
[0044] The leg restraint device 20 as shown in the Figures is a
"left-hand" oriented device shown mounted under a seat 10 and a
left-hand side of the aircraft fuselage "A", from the position of
the seat occupant. A right-hand device constructed in accordance
with the invention would be utilized on seats facing inward from
the right-hand side of the aircraft fuselage "A." In general, the
left and right-hand versions both require mounting an air bag in a
housing so that the air bag inflates against the leg of a seat
occupant seated in a seat facing inward from the side of the
aircraft fuselage, and are mirror constructions of each other.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the restraint panel 24, when
deployed, projects forwardly of the seat 10 into a position where
the legs of the seat occupant are positioned behind the restraint
panel 24 in relation to the aircraft's direction of forward travel.
In the event of an actual abrupt deceleration of the aircraft, the
occupant's legs are prevented from continued unrestrained forward
motion by the restraint panel 24. As described in further detail
below, the restraint panel 24 is deployed by the inflation force
imposed on the restraint panel 24 by an air bag 26 that is stored
in the housing 22. Upon the occurrence of an event requiring side
restraint protection of the seat occupant, the air bag 26 is
triggered and during a first phase inflates and deploys the
restraint panel 24 by forcing it rapidly out of the end of the
housing 22.
[0046] During a second phase of the deployment of the air bag 26,
it continues inflating and projects outwardly along the side of the
deployed restraint panel 24 nearest the seat occupant's foot and
lower leg. In this configuration, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the air
bag 26 provides an air cushion between the seat occupant's feet and
lower legs that prevents direct contact with the inner side of the
restraint panel 24. Note that in its fully deployed configuration,
the air bag 26 extends beyond the fully deployed position of the
cap plate 28 of the restraint panel 24 in order to fully protect
the seat occupant's feet and lower legs.
[0047] The restraint panel 24 is caused to retract back in to the
housing 22 by the rapid deflation of the air bag 26, as is typical
of air bag operation. This retraction occurs very rapidly and thus
clears the area around the seat 10 for rapid, unrestricted egress
by both the seat occupant and other aircraft occupants who may have
to move past the seat 10 in order to egress from the aircraft.
[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 5-9 the housing 22 of the restraint
device 20 is formed from two stationary housing covers 30, 32. The
restraint panel 24 and the cap plate 28 slide in and out of the
retracted and deployed positions on a wheeled guide shuttle 34
mounted on the inner surface of housing cover 32. Note that the
restraint panel 24 has a "corrugated" cross-section, FIGS. 7 and 9,
that provides the necessary spacing for the movable components. The
guide shuttle 34 is captured in and rides along a central,
longitudinally-extending recess 36 in the restraint panel 24.
[0049] The restraint panel 24 is attached to a retractor that
includes a spring housing 38 mounted on the cover 30. A vertical
pin 40 mounts a coiled steel spring 42 that is mounted on the
restraint panel 24 and biased towards its retracted position. See
FIG. 5. Activation of the air bag 26 overcomes the bias of the
spring 42 during inflation, allowing the restraint panel 24 to
deploy, as shown in FIG. 6. As inflation ends and deflation begins,
the spring 42 causes the restraint panel 24 to immediately retract
so that, as described above, the restraint panel 24 does not
project into the aircraft aisle impeding egress from the
aircraft.
[0050] The air bag 26 is mounted on and extends along the length of
the restraint panel 24. As is shown in FIG. 5, the air bag 26,
before deployment, resides in a deflated configuration against the
restraint panel 24. The air bag 26 includes a tubular neck 44 that
is attached to an inflator 46 mounted on the cover 32. In the
deflated configuration, the neck 44 is folded in an accordion
manner between the inflator 46 and the air bag 26. The term "air
bag" is generally used to describe this device even though gases
other than "air" cause the bag to inflate. The inflator 46 may be a
cold gas inflator, a hybrid inflator, or a pyrotechnic inflator
depending on the design factors of the device. Speed, deployment
time, gas temperature, etc. can all dictate the type of inflator 46
utilized to achieve the desired operation and may be the subject of
varying legal and technical requirements.
[0051] The inflator 46 may be triggered by a trigger/sensor 48 that
is also used to activate the seat belt 18, see FIG. 6, or by a
trigger/sensor that functions only to inflate the air bag 26. As
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the trigger/sensor 48 communicates with the
inflator 46 through a shielded conduit 50. As shown in FIG. 6,
inflation of the air bag 26 causes the neck 44 to first inflate as
gas passes from the inflator 46 to the air bag 26. This inflation
causes the neck 44 to unfold and straighten, driving the air bag 28
and the restraint panel 24 on which it is mounted rapidly forward
out of the housing 22 and into the aisle of the aircraft, as shown
in FIGS. 3 and 4. Typically, the air bag 26 is fully inflated
within approximately 60-80 milliseconds, and vents in the air bag
26 allow the gas to escape, very rapidly deflating the air bag 26.
The spring 42 rapidly returns the restraint panel 24 and air bag 26
to the position shown in FIG. 5, as described above.
[0052] A leg restraint device for side-seated vehicle occupants
according to the invention has been described with reference to
specific embodiments and examples. Various details of the invention
may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention.
Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments
of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are
provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the
purpose of limitation, the invention being defined by the
claims.
* * * * *