U.S. patent application number 16/849150 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-22 for whole-body inflatable airbag system with pneumatic lower body garment.
The applicant listed for this patent is CHOPRIX LLC. Invention is credited to Hilary J. Cholhan, Remy A. Cholhan.
Application Number | 20200329789 16/849150 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004884497 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-22 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200329789 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cholhan; Hilary J. ; et
al. |
October 22, 2020 |
WHOLE-BODY INFLATABLE AIRBAG SYSTEM WITH PNEUMATIC LOWER BODY
GARMENT
Abstract
In one example, a system includes an airbag inflating system, a
control system operably coupled to the airbag inflating system, and
a pair of pants and/or other lower-body garments that include one
or more airbags configured to be removably coupled to the airbag
inflating system. The airbag inflating system can be operated
manually by the user, and/or automatically based on input from one
or more sensors. The airbags may be inflated by a compressed gas,
or by a flow of air from a mechanism such as a fan.
Inventors: |
Cholhan; Hilary J.;
(Rochester, NY) ; Cholhan; Remy A.; (Rochester,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CHOPRIX LLC |
Rochester |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004884497 |
Appl. No.: |
16/849150 |
Filed: |
April 15, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62836458 |
Apr 19, 2019 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 2600/10 20130101;
A41D 13/0518 20130101; A41D 13/018 20130101; A41D 13/0543 20130101;
A41D 13/0512 20130101; A41D 13/0531 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/018 20060101
A41D013/018; A41D 13/05 20060101 A41D013/05 |
Claims
1. A system, comprising: an airbag inflating system; a control
system operably connected to the airbag inflating system; and a
pair of pants and/or other lower-body garments comprising one or
more airbags configured to be removably coupled to the airbag
inflating system.
2. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a backpack
to which the airbag inflating system is connected.
3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the backpack comprises
an airbag removably coupled to the airbag inflating system.
4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the airbag inflating
system comprises a fan which is operable to generate a flow of air
to the one or more airbags.
5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the airbag inflating
system comprises a compressed gas cylinder which, in operation,
provides a flow of gas to the one or more airbags.
6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the control system is
operable to trigger operation of the airbag inflating system so
that the one or more airbags are filled with a gas and/or air by
the airbag inflating system.
7. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein the control system is
operable to initiate operation of the airbag inflating system in
response to direct manual and/or wireless activation by a user.
8. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein the control system is
operable to automatically initiate operation of the airbag
inflating system in response to input provided by one or more
sensors of the control system.
9. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the one or more
sensors comprise any one or more of: a motion sensor; spatial
orientation sensor; directional velocity sensor; angular velocity
sensor; rotational motion sensor; shock sensor; collision sensor;
and, an accelerometer.
10. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the pair of pants or
other lower-body garments comprises a plurality of airbags, where
one or more of the airbags are configured to be positioned above a
knee area of the pants, and one or more of the airbags are
positioned to be located below the knee area of the pants on a
lateral aspect of a leg of a wearer, and/or one or more of the
airbags are configured to be positioned above and/or below a knee
of a wearer on a medial side of each leg.
11. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the one or more
airbags of the pants or other lower-body garments are configured to
be inflated simultaneously with inflation of the airbag in the
backpack.
12. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more
airbags in the pants or other lower-body garments have an inflated
configuration that extends partway around a lower extremities of
the user and front and back lower torso when the user is wearing
the pants or other lower-body garments.
13. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising an
upper-body garment including one or more airbags configured to be
removably coupled to the airbag inflating system.
14. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the pants or other
lower-body garment are integrated together with an upper-body
garment in the form of a single-piece suit including one or more
airbags configured to be removably coupled to the airbag inflating
system.
15. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising an
upper-body garment within which the airbag inflating system is
integrated.
16. A system, comprising: an airbag inflating system that is
operable to supply a flow of gas or air; a control system operably
connected to the airbag inflating system and operable to control
the flow of gas supplied by the airbag inflating system; and a pair
of lower-body garments comprising compartments within which
respective airbags are disposed, and the airbags are configured to
be removably coupled to the airbag inflating system, and the one or
more airbags in the lower-body garments have an inflated
configuration that extends partway around a lower extremities and
lower torso of the user when the user is wearing the lower-body
garments.
17. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the control system
is configured to trigger the airbag inflating system so that the
airbag inflating system supplies the flow of gas to the airbags,
and the control system is configured to be operated manually by a
user and/or automatically activated in response to input provided
by one or more sensors of the control system.
18. The system as recited in claim 16, further comprising an
additional airbag that is removably attachable to a backpack or
contained within and arranged so that deployment of the additional
airbag causes the additional airbag to cover a portion of a lower
torso and lower extremities of a user.
19. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the lower body
garments comprise pants.
20. The system as recited in claim 16, further comprising a
backpack that includes a compartment within which an airbag(s) is
disposed, and the airbag(s) in the compartment of the backpack is
removably coupled to the airbag inflating system.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application hereby claims priority to U.S. Patent
Application Ser. 62/836,458, entitled WHOLE-BODY INFLATABLE AIRBAG
SYSTEM WITH PNEUMATIC LOWER BODY GARMENT, and filed Apr. 19,
2019.
[0002] This application is related to the following applications
and patents: U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,311,801; 9,569,951; 9,922,536;
10,140,841; and, U.S. Continuation patent application Ser. No.
16/197,884.
[0003] All of the aforementioned applications and patents are
incorporated herein in their respective entireties by this
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present disclosure is generally concerned with safety
systems for use by snow sports participants and others. More
specifically, at least some of the disclosed embodiments are
concerned with a backpack-integrated whole-body airbag system,
including wearable inflatable lower body/lower extremity garments
to provide whole-body flotation during avalanche incidents and/or
potentially catastrophic high-impact crashes.
BACKGROUND
[0005] Many outdoor activities, sports, recreations and pastimes
pose inherent risks and dangers, especially while participating in
such activities in avalanche-prone areas. In particular, snow
sports enthusiasts and those engaged in mountaineering, that is,
endeavors such as mountain hiking and climbing, face the real
dangers of becoming involved in an avalanche incident and/or
high-impact crashes.
[0006] In the more recent past, there has been a significant
increase in participation in sports and recreational activities in
avalanche-prone areas as well as other venues where high-impact
crashes can occur. In an attempt to attenuate the inherent risks of
such activities, participants dedicate considerable efforts to
minimize such risks and avail themselves of various risk-mitigating
avalanche protective equipment, including: mechanical gear such as
avalanche shovels, portable collapsible probes; avalanche
transceivers such as beacons; Avalung air filtration systems; and,
RECCO.RTM. rescue system reflectors.
[0007] In addition to these items, back-pack avalanche airbag
systems have become increasingly prominent. These airbag systems
use either compressed air released from cartridges contained in the
backpack apparatus, or are inflated with ambient air by an electric
fan, to inflate an airbag which is released from the backpack
apparatus and surround the upper portion of the body of the
wearer.
[0008] The deployed airbag provides 2 functions: it may help the
wearer to stay afloat atop the cascading avalanche debris by
utilizing the buoyancy factor of the airbag (see FIG. 1), and the
airbag may provide some degree of physical protection to the
wearer, though such protection is limited to, at most, the head,
neck, shoulders and upper torso, of the user.
[0009] Usage of airbags, particularly in the backcountry and on
off-piste terrain, has increased dramatically primarily because of
perceived effectiveness. Industry reports tout extraordinary
initial survival rates upwards of 97%. However, the ultimate
long-term survival rates are much lower, around 50%. Among the most
likely reasons for this disparity is that victims who survive the
initial avalanche or other traumatic event may later succumb to an
immense degree of polytrauma to the lower abdominal/pelvic region,
lower torso and lower extremities, including osseous and
soft-tissue trauma (i.e., ligaments, tendons, muscles, internal
hemorrhaging) from which the victims cannot recover. However,
little to no emphasis has been placed on protection of the lower
body of a user, or on systems for providing such protection.
ASPECTS OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0010] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein do
not constitute an exhaustive summary of all possible embodiments,
nor does this brief summary constitute an exhaustive list of all
aspects of any particular embodiment(s). Rather, this brief summary
simply presents selected aspects of some example embodiments. It
should further be noted that nothing herein should be construed as
constituting an essential or indispensable element of any invention
or embodiment. Rather, various aspects of the disclosed embodiments
may be combined in a variety of ways so as to define yet further
embodiments. Such further embodiments are considered as being
within the scope of this disclosure. As well, none of the
embodiments embraced within the scope of this disclosure should be
construed as resolving, or being limited to the resolution of, any
particular problem(s). Nor should such embodiments be construed to
implement, or be limited to implementation of, any particular
technical effect(s) or solution(s).
[0011] In general, disclosed embodiments are concerned with a
whole-body airbag system that may provide consistent protection not
just to the caput, shoulders and upper torso, but comprehensive
protection to the entire body, including the lower torso, pelvic
region and lower extremities. This is accomplished by way of a
selectively inflatable lower body garment that, depending upon the
embodiment, may or may not, be integrated together with an upper
body protection/flotation system. Such embodiments may optimize
short and long-term survivability in avalanche situations,
high-impact falls, or other traumatic events.
[0012] Example embodiments of the invention may provide any one or
more of the various features and elements disclosed herein. Such
features and elements include, but are not limited, those discussed
immediately below.
[0013] The disclosed whole-body airbag system may be configured in
a variety of ways and configurations (as disclosed in FIGS. 3-8,
discussed below). Example embodiments of the whole-body inflatable
airbag system may include any one or more of the following
components and technologies:
[0014] 1. airbag deployment system contained in an internal
compartment within a dedicated backpack;
[0015] 2. airbag inflating system configured to provide sufficient
simultaneous deployment of the main airbag for the caput, neck,
shoulders and upper torso, as well as internal bifurcated tubing
that would exit the bottom/lateral aspects of the backpack;
[0016] 3. lower body garment made from any one or more of a variety
of textiles and materials, with separate airbag compartments on the
lateral and/or medial aspects of the lower extremities above and
below the knee;
[0017] 4. integrated tubing within the lower-body garment to
deliver air simultaneously to each separate compartment, with such
tubing connecting to the backpack tubing using any type of quick
connect/disconnect connections such as, for example, quick-connect
hose fittings;
[0018] 5. manual deployment system utilizing a mechanical draw cord
approach or comparable system/device, such as an actuating push
button, positioned within the whole-body inflatable airbag system
for easy access by the wearer;
[0019] 6. automatic deployment system utilizing appropriate
accident detection/sensing technologies (e.g., motion sensors,
spatial orientation sensors, directional velocity sensors, angular
velocity sensors (i.e., gyrometer sensors), rotation sensors, shock
sensors, collision sensors, accelerometers, etc.);
[0020] 7. threshold parameters for automatic deployment of the
airbag system will be determined and programmed into a processor
that is integrated in the airbag system;
[0021] 8. automatic deployment of the airbag system can also be
effected by rapid separation of the rider from the vehicle upon
which the user is riding (e.g., skis, snowboard or snowmobile),
with such a tethering mechanism automatically signaling the
actuator to deploy the airbag system;
[0022] 9. all, or any of the above, accident detection/sensing or
any other technologies known by one of skill in the art may be
housed in the sensory unit housed within any portion of the
backpack;
[0023] 10. the airbag-containing garments will allow deployment of
each separate airbag through a lateral window or slit secured via a
common hook-and-loop fastener (e.g., Velcro.RTM.), such that each
deployed airbag can be subsequently refitted for future use;
[0024] 11. manual or automatic deployment of the whole-body airbag
system may be integrated with a manual or automatic emergency
alerting system (e.g., AvR Alert System.TM.) to communicate with
avalanche search and rescue teams, ski patrol and/or other
emergency responders the precise location of the victim using a
current global positioning system (GPS) or similar
technologies;
[0025] 12. embodiments of the invention may include a wireless
activation feature--for example, a wearable activation device may
be attached to clothing, gloves, a helmet or independently to the
wearer, for example, that is operable to wirelessly activate the
airbag deployment system, such as by a communication system
conforming to the Bluetooth or other short range communication
protocols, the whole-body airbag system;
[0026] 13. one or more inflating systems operable to inflate some
or all compartments of the airbag system by a fan, compressed gas,
or both, or any other mechanism(s) of comparable
functionality--where a fan or fans are used, the whole-body airbag
system may be deployed repeatedly during a single outing;
[0027] 14. one or more of the airbags may be configured in a
modular fashion so that they can be readily removed and replaced,
on an individual basis, if/when needed;
[0028] 15. embodiments may provide a degree of protection against
hypothermia--particularly, because one or more portions of the
whole-body airbag system may be configured and arranged so that the
system may prevent or reduce, when deployed, direct contact between
a portion of the body of the user and the snow, heat transfer from
the user to the snow/environment may be relatively less than would
be the case if the user were in direct contact with the snow to
illustrate, an inflated bag such as those disclosed herein is a
poor conductor of heat, so that placement of such an inflated bag
between the user and the snow will tend to reduce the rate of heat
transfer from the user to the surrounding environment which may
comprise snow and/or exposure to the atmosphere;
[0029] 16. the airbag(s) of the lower body garment, in combination
with an inflatable air bag in a backpack or similar configuration,
provides additional flotation capability, in the event of an
avalanche, beyond what a backpack airbag might solely provide;
and
[0030] 17. separately from, or in addition to, the lower-body
garment, one or more additional airbags and associated compartments
may be provided that may be connected, releasably or permanently,
to a bottom portion within, or external to, a backpack, which may
or may not include its own airbag(s), so that the additional
airbags may provide protection to the rear and lateral aspects of
the lower body and lower extremities portions of the user such
additional airbags may extend down as far as the inferior-most
portions of the lower extremities of the user and up to the middle
portion of the back of the user. The additional airbags may be
contained within and released from the backpack or attached to the
backpack with straps, buckles, clips, or other suitable devices.
The additional airbags would be released, activated and inflated
simultaneously by the airbag deployment system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The appended drawings contain figures of some example
embodiments to further explain various aspects of the present
disclosure. It will be appreciated that these drawings depict only
some embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit
its scope in any way. The disclosure will be described and
explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of
the accompanying drawings.
[0032] FIGS. 1 and 2 disclose aspects of airbag deployment and
functionality.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a rear view of an example embodiment of the
invention.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a left side view of an example embodiment of the
invention.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a rear view of an example embodiment of the
invention, disclosing proximal and distal inflation tubes.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a side view of an example embodiment of the
invention with one or more airbags inflated.
[0037] FIG. 7 is a side view of another example embodiment of the
invention with one or more airbags inflated.
[0038] FIG. 8 is a rear view of an example embodiment of the
invention with one or more airbags inflated.
[0039] FIG. 8 is a rear view of an example embodiment of the
invention with one or more airbags inflated.
[0040] FIG. 9 is a section view of an example embodiment of the
invention disclosing deployed shapes of various airbags.
[0041] FIGS. 10a-10c disclose aspects of an example embodiment that
includes one or more airbags associated with a backpack.
[0042] FIG. 11 is a diagram of an example airbag deployment control
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0043] The present disclosure is generally concerned with systems
and devices designed to enhance long-term survivability while
participating in activities in avalanche-prone venues (for example,
alpine downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and
mountaineering), and in activities posing a risk for high-impact
crashes.
A. General Aspects of Some Example Embodiments
[0044] As noted, current technologies intended to provide
protection for avalanche/high-impact crash survival, including
current versions of the avalanche airbag systems, do not offer
genuine long-term survivability.
[0045] Accordingly, in order to provide enthusiasts engaged in
outdoor activities in avalanche-prone venues (where such activities
may include, but are not limited to, downhill skiing, snowboarding,
snowmobiling, and mountaineering) with greater potential for true
long-term survival beyond the immediate period of avalanche
involvement or high-impact fall, embodiments of the invention
embrace, among other things, an apparatus comprising a specialized
wearable pneumatic lower body garment (which may be referred to
herein as `avypants`) integrated with an upper-body avalanche
airbag flotation system to provide whole-body protection during
avalanche involvement, increase whole-body buoyancy and flotation
above the careening avalanche, thereby decreasing whole-body
injuries, and thus increasing long-term avalanche/crash
survivability and maximizing recovery of pre-incident quality of
life.
[0046] Various materials can be used in the construction of the
disclosed embodiments. For soft and flexible elements of such
embodiments, such as the airbags, clothing pieces, backpacks, and
other garments, materials that can be used include, but are not
limited to, any combination of textiles, plastic in sheet or other
forms, and rubber. Tubing, such as that used to convey gas to an
inflatable bladder or bag, can made of rubber, plastic, silicone,
and/or other suitable materials. In some embodiments at least, the
tubing is crush-resistant. Where metal is employed in an
embodiment, such metal may be a metal or metals, including alloys,
that is relatively light and strong, such as, but not limited to,
titanium or aluminum, for example. As well, some embodiments may
employ composite materials including, but not limited to,
carbon-based composites or fiberglass composites, wherever
relatively light weight, strength, and some degree of stiffness,
are needed in a component of an embodiment.
B. Structural and Operation Aspects of Some Embodiments
[0047] It should be noted that while example embodiments are
referred to as including "airbags" and using "air" (which refers to
atmospheric air), the scope of the invention is not so limited.
Rather, and more broadly, any non-explosive and non-toxic gas(es)
or combinations of gases, including inert gases such as nitrogen
for example, may be used in various embodiments of the invention
for the purpose of inflating one or more airbags.
[0048] As indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2, an inflatable airbag worn by
a user may provide various functionalities. The deployed airbag may
provide various functions, including: it allows the wearer to stay
afloat atop, or at least in the upper zone of, the cascading
avalanche debris utilizing the buoyancy factor of the airbag, and
the airbag provides varying degrees of physical protection to head,
neck, shoulders and upper torso of the wearer, as indicated in the
Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3, attitudes of a skier as the skier is
caught and carried in an avalanche. These functions may be
particularly useful where the user is performing an activity in
rocky and/or treed areas where blunt force trauma is a potential
concern as the user is being carried by an avalanche. FIG. 2
illustrates possible outcomes when a user is wearing, and deploys,
an airbag (upper arrow), and when a user is not wearing, or does
not deploy, an airbag (lower arrow). In the former case, the user
may end up in an upper portion of, or above, avalanche debris,
while in the latter case, the user may be fully buried.
[0049] With reference now to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the invention
100 includes various internal components of the airbag system
contained in a backpack 102, including the airbag inflating system
104, main airbag 106 for upper body coverage and descending
connecting tube 108 emanating from the airbag inflating system 104.
As further indicated, the connecting tube 108 splits into 2 tubes
108a and 108b, which each extend to a respective side of the user.
These tubes 108a and 108b join respective proximal portion of the
avypant tubes 110a and 110b via quick-connect hose fittings 112, or
other suitable coupling/uncoupling mechanism. The backside of the
avypants illustrates the laterally-positioned avybag compartments
114a (lateral of the thigh), 114b, 114c (lateral of the fibula) and
114d above and below the knee in the undeployed state. In
operation, the airbag inflating system 104 serves to inflate the
laterally-positioned avybag compartments 114a, 114b, 114c and
114d.
[0050] It is noted that any of the avybag airbag compartments
included in garments or backpacks disclosed herein may be closed
with a suitable closure that is adequate to retain the airbag in
the compartment, but which will not impede a deployment of the
airbag. One example of such a closure is a hook-and-loop type of
closure, but any other closure, such as snaps for example, that
will perform the aforementioned functionalities may alternatively
be employed. The closure may, or may not, run a majority of a
length of the opening to the compartment. Also, the disclosed
airbags may be made of any suitable material, examples of which
include, nylon, nylon coated with plastic or rubber, plastic,
rubber, composite materials, mylar, as well as any flexible
reinforced materials, where such reinforcing may take the form of
rip-stop or other fabrics, or any combination of the foregoing. In
general, the airbag material may be sufficiently strong and
flexible to withstand inflation forces, while also maintaining an
inflated state when deployed. The airbag material may be
water-resistant, or waterproof.
[0051] With reference next to FIG. 4, a left side view is provided
of the backpack 102 containing the main airbag 106, airbag
inflating system 104 and descending connecting tube 108 to lateral
exit point to tube 108a at the bottom of the backpack 102. The
quick-connect hose fittings 112 couple the exiting backpack tubes
108a and 108b to the lateral column tubes 116a (left side) and 116b
(right side not shown) integrated in the sidewall of the avypants
118. The descending lateral tube 116a splits into a proximal tube
116a-1 which terminates at the left upper airbag (lateral to the
thigh), while the distal tube 116a-2 traverses lateral to the knee
and terminates in the lower airbag lateral of the gastrocnemius
calf muscle, that is, between the lateral aspect of the fibular
head and above the lateral malleolus of the ankle.
[0052] Turning next to FIG. 5, the proximal tube 116a-1 and distal
tube 116a-2 are indicated. The inner descending proximal tube
116a-1 terminates in the proximal/upper avybag compartment 114a
(lateral of the thigh) and the outer descending tube 116a-2
terminates in the distal/lower airbag 114c (lateral of the
fibula).
[0053] With reference now to FIG. 6, aspects of an example of one
embodiment of the present invention are indicated in which a main
airbag 106 is deployed. As well, FIG. 6 shows the deployed upper
left and lower left (avypant) airbags 114b and 114d, respectively,
in one particular configuration of airbags of the whole-body airbag
system 100.
[0054] FIG. 7 discloses the deployed main airbag 106 and lower body
(avypants) airbags 114b and 114d with different configurations of
airbags of the whole-body airbag system (upper and lower airbags in
the avypants).
[0055] FIG. 8 is a rear view disclosing an alternative
configuration of a deployed whole-body airbag system, with the main
airbag 106 and avypants airbags 114a, 114b, 114c, and 114d
deployed.
[0056] With reference next to FIG. 9, an example embodiment is
indicated that discloses three alternative cross-sectional shapes
122a, 122b, and 122c, of the airbags as they deploy to afford
protection to the anterior, lateral and posterior aspects of the
lower extremities of a user. Various different airbag
configurations may be combined in a single embodiment. Lateral
pylons may be used to connect the airbags to the lateral aspect of
the avypants in the deployed state. In general, it is noted that
one or more airbags as disclosed herein may be located in any
compartment of a backpack and/or avypants. As well, the example
disclosed airbags may have any desired position and/or orientation
with respect to any one or more portions of the anatomy of a user,
and the placements and positioning shown herein are presented only
by way of example and not limitation.
[0057] It is noted that while the discussion thus far has primarily
been directed to lower-body garments, such as pants for example,
such garments are presented only by way of example, and the scope
of the invention embraces other garments as well. By way of
illustration, some embodiments additionally, or alternatively,
include an upper-body garment, such as a jacket for example, that
includes one or more inflatable airbags connected, and/or
connectible, to an airbag inflation system such as the airbag
inflation system 104. In still other embodiments, the garment that
includes one or more airbags is a single-piece suit that includes
an upper-body garment and lower-body garment that are integrated
together with each other. More generally, embodiments of the
invention can include any garment or other wearable item within
which one or more airbags can be included.
[0058] Turning next to FIGS. 10a-10c, details are provided
concerning one example alternative embodiment. As indicated, a
primary avalanche airbag 150 may be contained with an upper
compartment of a backpack 150a. When the primary avalanche airbag
150 is deployed, it may afford a measure of flotation for a user
who is entrained in avalanche debris, and may also provide some
protection to the head, neck, upper torso and upper extremities of
the user. A further secondary avalanche airbag 151 may be provided
that is contained within a lower compartment of the backpack and
coupled to the airbag deployment system via connecting tubes (see,
e.g., FIG. 5). When deployed, the secondary avalanche airbag 151
may slide beneath the user 152 and may afford flotation of the user
152 and/or protection to the lower torso (lumbosacral and pelvic
regions) and lower extremities of the user 152.
[0059] In one alternative, a secondary avalanche airbag 153 may be
attachable to the exterior of the backpack and coupled to the
airbag deployment system via connecting tubes (see, e.g., FIG. 5).
When deployed, the secondary avalanche airbag 153 may slide beneath
the user 152 and may afford flotation of the user 152 and/or
protection to the lower torso (lumbosacral and pelvic regions) and
lower extremities of the user 152. Reference 154 denotes a fully
deployed state of the lower airbag, that is, the secondary
avalanche airbag 153.
[0060] With continued reference to FIGS. 10a-10c, FIG. 10a
discloses a user 152 in an upright position, and having a backpack
containing primary avalanche airbag 150. The example configuration
in FIG. 10a further includes either the secondary avalanche airbag
153 attached to the exterior of the backpack 150a, or the secondary
avalanche airbag 151 disposed within the backpack 150a.
[0061] Turning next to FIG. 10b, a user 152 is indicated in a
recumbent position, as may occur when the user 152 is caught in an
avalanche. Reference 155 indicates a fully deployed state of a
primary avalanche airbag 150, while reference 154 denotes a fully
deployed state of the lower airbag, that is, the secondary
avalanche airbag 151 or 153.
[0062] In FIG. 10c, the user 152 is shown in a recumbent position,
similar to that shown in FIG. 10b, viewed from a perspective in
which the boots of the user are facing toward the viewer, and the
head of the user 152 and deployed primary avalanche airbag 150
appear in the background. As shown, the fully deployed state 154 of
the secondary avalanche airbag 151 or 153 may cradle the user 152
so as to minimize lateral displacement of lower extremities of the
user while also affording flotation to the lower torso and lower
extremities. Note that lateral displacement of the lower
extremities may also be minimized by the shouldering of the lower
deployed airbag on cross section 156, as seen in FIG. 10c.
[0063] Turning finally to FIG. 11, details are provided concerning
some example control systems operable to actuate inflation of the
airbags of embodiments of the invention. In general, actuation can
be manual or automatic, and can be based on a variety of different
inputs from, for example, a user and/or from one or more sensors.
Some examples of sensors, and the signals that they generate, which
can be used to control operation of embodiments of the disclosed
airbag inflating system, are disclosed in one or more of the
Related Applications. For example, one or more of the Related
Applications discloses a pressure sensor that can be positioned on
the body of a user and is operable to detect pressure exerted on
the user, such as by a snow load as would be experienced in an
avalanche burial scenario. Following is a general discussion of
some example modes of operation that can be implemented in
connection with example control systems.
[0064] One mode of operation that can be employed to trigger airbag
inflation is a manual mode. As used herein, a manual actuation is
any actuation that requires some type of affirmative input by the
user. One example of manual actuation system and operation is a
handle attached to a cable or other device that is in turn
connected to a gas cylinder for example. In operation, a user can
pull the handle, which may be located on the front of the torso of
the user, causing the release of compressed gas from the gas
cylinder to one or more airbags. Another example of a manual
actuation system and operation is a voice-actuated device which,
upon detecting the voice of the user, can cause, in conjunction
with a control circuit, the release of compressed gas from the gas
cylinder to one or more airbags. Still another example of a manual
actuation system is a pushbutton that a user can squeeze or depress
to cause, either in conjunction with a control circuit or not, the
release of compressed gas from the gas cylinder to one or more
airbags.
[0065] Another mode of operation that can be employed to trigger
airbag inflation is an automatic mode. As used herein, an automatic
actuation of the airbag inflating system is any actuation that is
performed without affirmative action or input by the user. The
automatic inflation of one or more airbags can be performed based
on input received by one or more sensors of a control system. The
control system can be configured to initiate inflation in a variety
of scenarios, such as a falling scenario, burial scenario, and
sudden acceleration/deceleration scenarios.
[0066] In the falling scenario for example, one or more
accelerometers and/or position-sensing devices can be provided that
predict an impending high-impact crash by sensing speed and/or
multi-axis movement of the person wearing the airbag inflating
system. In an avalanche burial scenario, for example, one or more
pressure sensors, examples of which are disclosed in one or more of
the Related Applications, detect gradual and/or sudden increases in
pressure on the body of a user. Such sensors (which may be zeroed
at atmospheric pressure, or any other pressure or range of
pressures) can thus detect situations in which snow and/or debris
are being piled on top of and/or around a user. These pressure
sensors, and any other sensors disclosed herein, can be integrated
into clothing and/or equipment so as to be distributed at various
locations on the body of the user. In one particular example,
multiple pressure sensors are centripetally arranged on the body of
the user.
[0067] As another example, an audio sensor can be used as a basis
to trigger inflation of one or more airbags when ambient noise
begins to quickly decrease, as could occur in a burial scenario
when the user is buried under snow and debris. Further, these, or
other audio sensors can also be configured to trigger inflation
when ambient noise begins to rapidly increase, as can occur when an
avalanche has started.
[0068] It will be appreciated that various other scenarios can be
addressed, through the use of appropriate sensors and combinations
of sensors in embodiments of the invention. As well, any given
embodiment can be configured with a variety of different sensors
that individually and/or collectively are configured to address one
or more scenarios that may potentially be experienced by a
user.
[0069] With particular reference now to FIG. 11, details are
provided concerning a control system, one example of which is
denoted at 200 and operates in conjunction with an airbag inflating
system 300 which can include any, or all, of the elements of the
other disclosed embodiments of an airbag inflating system, such as
the airbag inflating system 104. The example control system 200
includes a sensor array 202 which can include any one or more of
the disclosed sensors. The sensor array 202 may communicate with a
processor 204 that can comprise, or consist of, one or more
application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) and/or
field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA). In general, the processor
204 can execute instructions for receiving and processing sensor
input, and for causing operation of the airbag inflating system
300. To this end, the control system 200 may include RAM 206 and
memory 208 where executable instructions are stored. The example
control system 200 may further include a power source 210, such as
a battery for example, that powers the other components of the
control system 200. In some embodiments, the control system 200
includes a GPS unit 212 that operates to collect, and transmit,
information about the location of the user. This information can be
associated with airbag deployment information so that, for example,
rescue or other personnel can identify the location where the
deployment occurred. Data concerning the operation of the control
system 200, including any airbag deployments that have occurred,
can be collected, stored and processed by the control system 200.
In some embodiments, this data can be downloaded wirelessly, and/or
transmitted, by way of a wireless communication unit 214, which can
include an antenna. The wireless communication unit 214 may operate
according to the Bluetooth protocol, and/or a near-field radio
communication standard and/or long-range radio frequency protocols.
As noted elsewhere herein, some embodiments may provide for
wireless activation of the airbag inflating system 200 by way of a
wearable, or other, device.
[0070] With continued reference to FIG. 11, and as noted, the
control system 200 generally operates to, among other things,
control operation of the airbag inflating system 300. In one
example embodiment, the airbag inflating system 300 includes one or
more inflatable airbags 302, as disclosed herein, each of which is
connected to a source 304 of compressed gas, or a fan, for example.
The source 304 may be connected to a solenoid valve 306 that is
responsive to signals from the control system 200 and operable to
trigger or release a flow of gas or air from the source 304 to the
airbags 302. In some embodiments, one or more solenoid valves 306
are located inline between the source 304 and airbags 302. The
solenoid valve 306 and fan, when provided, can be powered by a
power source 308, such as a battery for example.
[0071] The airbag inflating system 300 may be configured to be
operated in various modes. Thus, in some embodiments, the airbag
inflating system 300 can be operated automatically, such as by the
control system 200, as well as manually such as by a pullcord or
pushbutton, as disclosed elsewhere herein. In other embodiments,
only the manual control system, or only the automatic control
system, is provided. The scope of the invention is not limited to
any particular control scheme, control system, or airbag inflating
system.
[0072] Finally, it is noted with respect to the example of FIG. 11
that any of the electronic components, and/or other components, of
the control system 200 may be disposed in an external wearable
device. The wearable device, which may include a waterproof
housing, may be removably attachable to clothing such as a glove, a
ski helmet, and/or other clothing or equipment. The wearable device
may be permanently, or removably, attached. Alternatively, and as
noted herein, any of the electronic components and/or other
components of embodiments of the control system 200 may be included
in a backpack, for example.
[0073] Regardless of where the control system 200, or portion
thereof, is located, such as in a backpack, external to a backpack,
or in a wearable device, for example, embodiments of the control
system 200 may activate the airbag inflating system via a wireless
connection between the control system 200 and the airbag inflating
system 300, one example of which is a short range wireless
connection conforming to the Bluetooth protocol. Further,
embodiments of the airbag inflating system 300 may be triggered by
input from one or more sensors that are not part of the control
system, such as sensors disclosed in any of the Related
Applications noted in priority application U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. 62/836,458, entitled WHOLE-BODY INFLATABLE AIRBAG
SYSTEM WITH PNEUMATIC LOWER BODY GARMENT, and filed Apr. 19,
2019.
C. Further Example Embodiments
[0074] Following are some further example embodiments of the
invention. These are presented only by way of example and are not
intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
Embodiment 1
[0075] A system, comprising: an airbag inflating system; a control
system operably connected to the airbag inflating system; and a
pair of pants and/or other lower-body garments comprising one or
more airbags configured to be removably coupled to the airbag
inflating system.
Embodiment 2
[0076] The system as recited in embodiment 1, further comprising a
backpack to which the airbag inflating system is connected.
Embodiment 3
[0077] The system as recited in embodiment 2, wherein the backpack
comprises an airbag removably coupled to the airbag inflating
system.
Embodiment 4
[0078] The system as recited in any of embodiments 1-3, wherein the
airbag inflating system comprises a fan which is operable to
generate a flow of air to the one or more airbags.
Embodiment 5
[0079] The system as recited in any of embodiments 1-3, wherein the
airbag inflating system comprises a compressed gas cylinder which,
in operation, provides a flow of gas to the one or more
airbags.
Embodiment 6
[0080] The system as recited in any of embodiments 1-5, wherein the
control system is operable to trigger operation of the airbag
inflating system so that the one or more airbags are filled with a
gas by the airbag inflating system.
Embodiment 7
[0081] The system as recited in embodiment 6, wherein the control
system is operable to initiate operation of the airbag inflating
system in response to manual and/or wireless activation by a
user.
Embodiment 8
[0082] The system as recited in embodiment 6, wherein the control
system is operable to automatically initiate operation of the
airbag inflating system in response to input provided by one or
more sensors of the control system.
Embodiment 9
[0083] The system as recited in embodiment 8, wherein the one or
more sensors comprise any one or more of: a motion sensor; spatial
orientation sensor; directional velocity sensor; angular velocity
sensor; rotational motion sensor; shock sensor; collision sensor;
and, an accelerometer.
Embodiment 10
[0084] The system as recited in any of embodiments 1-9, wherein the
pair of pants or other lower-body garments comprises a plurality of
airbags, where one or more of the airbags are configured to be
positioned above a knee area of the pants, and one or more of the
airbags are positioned to be located below the knee area of the
pants on a lateral aspect of a leg of a wearer, and one or more of
the airbags are configured to be positioned above and below a knee
of a wearer on a medial side of each leg.
Embodiment 11
[0085] The system as recited in embodiment 3, wherein the one or
more airbags of the pants or other lower-body garments are
configured to be inflated simultaneously with inflation of the
airbag in the backpack.
Embodiment 12
[0086] The system as recited in any of embodiments 1-10, wherein
the one or more airbags in the pants or other lower-body garments
have an inflated configuration that extends partway around a limb
of the user when the user is wearing the pants or other lower-body
garments.
Embodiment 13
[0087] The system as recited in any of embodiments 1-12, further
comprising an upper-body garment including one or more airbags
configured to be removably coupled to the airbag inflating
system.
Embodiment 14
[0088] The system as recited in any of embodiments 1-13, wherein
the pants or other lower-body garment are integrated together with
an upper-body garment in the form of a single-piece suit including
one or more airbags configured to be removably coupled to the
airbag inflating system.
Embodiment 15
[0089] The system as recited in any of embodiments 1-14, further
comprising an upper-body garment within which the airbag inflating
system is integrated.
Embodiment 16
[0090] A system, comprising: an airbag inflating system that is
operable to supply a flow of gas; a control system operably
connected to the airbag inflating system and operable to control
the flow of gas supplied by the airbag inflating system; and a pair
of lower-body garments comprising compartments within which
respective airbags are disposed, and the airbags are configured to
be removably coupled to the airbag inflating system, and the one or
more airbags in the lower-body garments have an inflated
configuration that extends partway around a lower limb of the user
when the user is wearing the lower-body garments.
Embodiment 17
[0091] The system as recited in embodiment 16, wherein the control
system is configured to trigger the airbag inflating system so that
the airbag inflating system supplies the flow of gas to the
airbags, and the control system is configured to be operated
manually by a user and/or automatically activated in response to
input provided by one or more sensors of the control system.
Embodiment 18
[0092] The system as recited in any of embodiments 16-17, further
comprising an additional airbag that is contained within the
backpack compartment, or removably attachable to an exterior of the
backpack and arranged so that deployment of the additional airbag
causes the additional airbag to cover a portion of a lower torso
and/or lower extremities of a user.
Embodiment 19
[0093] The system as recited in any of embodiments 16-18, wherein
the lower body garments comprise pants.
Embodiment 20
[0094] The system as recited in any of embodiments 16-19, further
comprising a backpack that includes a compartment within which an
airbag is disposed, and the airbag in the compartment of the
backpack is removably coupled to the airbag inflating system.
[0095] Although this disclosure has been described in terms of
certain example embodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art are also within the scope of this
disclosure.
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