Abstract: An energy absorbing airbag system includes one or more vent valve assemblies for controlling the release of airbag inflation gases to maintain inflation gas pressure within an airbag at a substantially constant pressure during a ride-down of an energy absorbing event. Each vent valve assembly includes a cantilever spring that is flat in an unstressed condition and that has a free end portion. The cantilever spring is secured to an exterior surface of the airbag housing and flexed to cause the second free end portion of the cantilever spring to be pressed, with a preset force, against a vent port or a closure covering the vent port to seal the vent port until inflation gas pressure within the airbag reaches a preselected value determined by the preset force whereupon the free end portion of the cantilever spring is lifted from the vent port by the inflation gases within the airbag to vent the inflation gases from within the airbag.

Abstract: A gas-powered landing velocity attenuator for reducing the final descent velocity (and consequent ground impact load) of a parachutist or parachuted cargo. Immediately prior to impact, the gas source powers a device for drawing the load (either a parachutist or cargo) closer to the canopy of the paracute. In a first preferred embodiment, the load and the canopy are brought closer together by a single action piston and cable assembly powered by the gas source. A second embodiment uses an inflator assembly connected to an air bag or a braided tube to decrease the distance between the load and the parachute canopy.

Abstract: A constant-load deformable bracket for protecting the occupants of vehicles and/or objects from injury or damage resulting from vertical acceleration or deceleration. The constant-load deformable bracket starts to deform when the magnitude of the vertical force on the bracket reaches a predetermined value. In vehicle applications, the deformable bracket is installed between a seat and its platform. The deformable bracket may also be used in a storage container to protect goods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to crewseats for aircraft such as helicopters, and to thigh support and lumbar support mechanisms for such crewseats. The thigh support mechanism is a tilt plate hingeably attached to a base plate, and a locking tang extending downward from the tilt plate to engage a lock lug attached to the base plate. The lumbar support mechanism is a flex plate between the seat back cushion and the rigid back of the crewseat. The degree of bow in the flex plate can be adjusted by moving an adjustment lever up or down, thus rotating a cam shaft, and a lift cam attached to the cam shaft. The lift cam increases or decreases the amount of bow in the flex plate, according to the position of the adjustment lever.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inflatable air bag apparatus attached to a harness restraint system in a vehicle which inflates if an impact sensor detects an impact. The apparatus comprises an bladder attached to the harness's shoulder strap. The sides of the bladder wrap around the shoulder strap and are folded on top of the shoulder strap. When an impact is detected, the impact sensor transmits an electrical signal which ignites the gas generator, and inflates the bladder. In a preferred embodiment, the bladder member comprises three chambers, a central chamber and two side chambers. The chambers are formed by two vertical webs that divide the bladder into the central chamber and the side chamber. The webs are fabricated from permeable material, such that the side chambers inflate before the central chamber inflates, thus stabilizing the air bag apparatus.

Abstract: A cylinder housing an oil chamber and a piston housing a pair of concentric gas chambers define a telescopingly compressible shock strut. Upon compression of the shock strut, oil under pressure flows from the oil chamber into a compartment defined in part by a floating piston of one of the gas chambers to urge translation of the floating piston if the pressure exerted is above a first threshold and to compress the gas within the chamber. When the oil under pressure exceeds a second threshold, a floating piston of the other of the gas chambers and forming a part of the compartment is urged to translate and to compress the gas in the other gas chamber. A relief valve associated with each gas chamber relieves pressure therein above a further threshold.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the change in position of a travelling block coupled to a wire line which is wrapped around a drum, comprising a motion pickup device responsive to the drum for providing a first shaft output having a fixed relationship to the rotation of the drum, an infinitely adjustable drive unit responsive to the first shaft output for providing a second shaft output having an adjustable relationship to the rotation of the drum, a pneumatic logic circuit responsive to the second shaft output for providing pulses that approximately coincide with each foot and each five-foot multiple of travelling block movement, and an output unit for displaying the foot and five-foot pulses. Calibration of the apparatus is accomplished by adjusting the drive unit to provide an average of the correct rate of travelling block movement relative to rotary motion of the drum.