Inflatable Safety Garment

Abstract

The present invention is an inflatable safety garment. The invention preferably defines an inflatable safety Jacket having improved deployment cushion fill rates and standup times and having a simplified mechanical activation system. The inflatable safety garment is useful in mitigating or preventing injury that may otherwise occur to the wearer of the inflatable safety garment if the wearer were to not wear the inflatable safety garment and be involved in an accident or crash.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/326,214, filed Apr. 20, 2010, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wearable safety devices, and in particular, to inflatable safety garments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Inflatable safety devices, also known as supplemental restraint devices or air bags, are well known, have achieved widespread usage in the automotive industry, and are required for vehicles manufactured in the US. Such inflatable devices have matured such that they have become sophisticated in their arming schemes and deployment profiles. Until recently however, motorcycle riders and the like have suffered from the lack of adequate inflatable safety devices. In recent years, wearable inflatable crash protection devices such as vests have been introduced. An example of such inflatable vests is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,513 by Lewis et al, the whole of being incorporated herein by reference. However, such inflatable vests and related devices have suffered from inadequate inflation profiles and insufficient standup times (the amount of dwell time post deployment that the vest or like inflated cushion device remains inflated to at least a minimum level at which the vest will function for its intended cushioning purpose) and have used CO2 cartridges that inadequately inflate the vest (under fill) or too slowly inflate the vest. Further, such wearable inflatable devices have incorporated significantly complex and expensive sensors and arming devices to active such wearable inflatable devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an inflatable safety garment ISG. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the invention defines an inflatable safety Jacket (ISJ) having improved deployment cushion fill rates and standup times and having a simplified electromechanical activation system.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention mounted on a crash test dummy, and with the sleeves of the invention removed and the inflatable cushion of the invention deployed;

FIG. 3 is a front view of an inflated cushion of the preferred embodiment of the invention mounted on a crash test dummy;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an inflated cushion of the preferred embodiment of the invention mounted on a crash test dummy;

FIG. 5 is a flat pattern view of the inflated cushion of the preferred embodiment of the invention and a side view of the inflator of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a trimetric view of the inflator of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the inflator of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the activation device of the preferred embodiment of the invention, and;

FIG. 9 is a trimetric view of the control unit of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are included to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

FEATURE TABLE
#   Feature
10  Inflatable safety Jacket (ISJ)
20  Jacket shell
30  Inflatable cushion
32  Cushion inflation port
40  Inflator
50  Actuation device 50
60  control unit
62  Housing
64  Battery
66  Circuit board
68  Switch
70  Removable actuation pin
80  Cable tether
90  Buckle
100 Latch
110 Coiled cable tether
120 Reconnectable anchor
130 Crash test dummy

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings, a first embodiment of the invention is an inflatable safety Jacket (ISJ) 10. ISJ 10 comprises a jacket shell 20, an inflatable cushion 30, an inflator 40, and an actuation device 50. Jacket shell 20 preferably defines a jacket of substantially durable and yet drapable and flexible material such as for instance leather, nylon, or like material. For reference, a test dummy is provided as crash test dummy 130. Inflatable cushion 30 preferably defines a “cut and sewn” inflatable cushion of nylon “cloth” but may alternatively define a “one-piece woven” inflatable cushion of preferably nylon material. Inflatable cushion 30 preferably includes an inflation port 32 and may include a coating on the inside of inflatable cushion 30 to decrease gas loss and to increase stand up time or duration of the cushion in the deployed or inflated state. Inflator 40 defines an inflator capable of inflating the inflatable cushion in a relatively short period of time. For instance, inflator 40 may be capable of fully inflating inflatable cushion 30 within 10 to 150 milliseconds but alternatively may be capable of increased or decreased inflation time periods. More specifically, inflator 40 preferably defines an ACH-2.2 side hybrid inflator (a hybrid of stored gas and a pyrotechnic heater) available from Autoliv ASP, Inc. The ACH-2.2 side hybrid inflator is incorporated herein by reference. Actuation device 50 preferably defines the assembly of control unit 60, cable tether 80, buckle 90, latch 100, coiled cable tether 110, and reconnectable anchor 120. Control unit 60 preferably further includes housing 62, battery 64, circuit board 66, switch 68, and removable actuation pin 70. Battery 64, circuit board 66, and switch 68, are attached to the inside of housing 62 and removable actuation pin 70 is actuatingly mounted partially within and partially without of housing 62. Control unit 60 preferably includes an indication means such as a lightable LED or an alarm or both that indicate a low voltage/battery condition. Control unit 60 further preferably includes an indication means such as a lightable LED or an audible alert or both that indicate that ISJ 10 is tethered (such as to a motorcycle or like object) when the latch 100 is engaged to buckle 90. ISJ 10 is assembled such that inflator 40 is portingly connected to inflation port 32 of inflatable cushion 30 and inflatable cushion 30, inflator 40, and control unit 60 (of actuation device 50) are mounted to the inside of jacket shell 20. Control unit 60 of actuation device 50 is electrically connected to the inflator 40. Removable actuation pin 70 of actuation device 50 is connected to cable tether 80, cable tether 80 is connected to buckle 90, and buckle 90 is couplingly and uncouplingly connected to latch 100, latch 100 is connected to coiled cable tether 110, and coiled cable tether 110 is connected to reconnectable anchor 120.

In practice, a user dons assembled ISJ 10, mounts a motorcycle, and connects reconnectable anchor 120 to a stable structural member of the motorcycle. The user then rides the motorcycle while wearing ISJ 10. If an accident or crash occurs while the user is riding the motorcycle and wearing ISJ 10, the movement of the rider from the motorcycle causes removable actuation pin 70 to be mechanically pulled out of control unit housing 62, which in turn sends an actuation signal to inflator 40. Inflator 40 then inflates inflatable cushion 30 before the rider collides with the ground or other object and thus mitigates or prevents injury that may otherwise occur to the rider. It is noted that in an alternate embodiment, in order to prevent an inadvertent deployment, control unit 60 receives an ongoing speed indication signal from the speedometer of the motorcycle and does not send an actuation signal to inflator 40 unless the speed of the motorcycle is above a predetermined speed. It is further noted that the invention is adapted for other uses such as use when a user is riding a horse, a bicycle, a snowmobile, etc, or for when the user is on an elevated structure or for use by the elderly.

Claims

1. An inflatable garment apparatus having an inflatable cushion, an inflation device, and an actuation control device, wherein said inflation device defines a hybrid stored gas inflator, and wherein said apparatus is adapted such that when said inflatable cushion is inflated, said inflatable cushion remains inflated for a stand up time of at least one of 5 seconds to 120 seconds, 5 seconds to 90 seconds, 5 seconds to 60 seconds, 5 seconds to 30 seconds, and 5 seconds to 15 seconds.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said actuation control device defines an electromechanical actuation control device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said inflatable cushion is fully inflated within at least one time range of 10 to 150 milliseconds, 10 to 120 milliseconds, 10 to 90 milliseconds, 10 to 60 milliseconds, and 10 to 40 milliseconds.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said control device includes a pin and a pin receptacle, and wherein said inflatable garment is deployed upon removal of said pin from said pin receptacle.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said pin is connected to a tether, and

wherein when a tether extraction load is applied to said tether, said pin is removed from said pin receptacle in response to said tether extraction load.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said tether is further connected to a motorcycle such that if a wearer of said inflatable garment falls from said motorcycle, a tether extraction load is automatically applied to said tether in response to such fall.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said garment defines a jacket, and wherein said cushion is substantially contained within said jacket.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said inflatable cushion defines at least one of a cushion having at least one cushion member cut from a sheet of cushion material and sewn to form a cushion, and a cushion comprised of a one-piece woven cushion member.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said hybrid stored gas inflator defines an ACH-2.2 side hybrid inflator.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes at least one of an alert that actuates upon a low voltage condition, and an alert that actuates upon an apparatus tethered condition.

11. An inflatable garment apparatus having an inflatable cushion, an inflation device, and an actuation control device, wherein said actuation control device defines an electromechanical actuation control device, and wherein said apparatus is adapted such that when said inflatable cushion is inflated, said inflatable cushion remains inflated for a stand up time of at least one of 5 seconds to 120 seconds, 5 seconds to 90 seconds, 5 seconds to 60 seconds, 5 seconds to 30 seconds, and 5 seconds to 15 seconds.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said inflation device defines a hybrid stored gas inflator.

13.. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said inflatable cushion is fully inflated within at least one time range of 10 to 150 milliseconds, 10 to 120 milliseconds, 10 to 90 milliseconds, 10 to 60 milliseconds, and 10 to 40 milliseconds.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said electromechanical actuation control device includes a pin and a pin receptacle, and wherein said inflatable garment is deployed upon the removal of said pin from said pin receptacle.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said pin is connected to a tether, and wherein when a tether extraction load is applied to said tether, said pin is removed from said pin receptacle in response to said tether extraction load.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said tether is further connected to a motorcycle such that if a wearer of said inflatable garment falls from said motorcycle, a tether extraction load is automatically applied to said tether in response to such fall.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said garment defines a jacket, and wherein said cushion is substantially contained within said jacket.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said inflatable cushion defines at least one of a cushion having at least one cushion member cut from a sheet of cushion material and sewn to form a cushion, and a cushion comprised of a one-piece woven cushion member.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said hybrid stored gas inflator defines an ACH-2.2 side hybrid inflator.

20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said apparatus includes at least one of an alert that actuates upon a low voltage condition, and an alert that actuates upon an apparatus tethered condition.

21. An inflatable garment apparatus having an inflatable cushion, an inflation device, and an actuation control device, wherein said inflation device defines a hybrid stored gas inflator, and wherein said actuation control device defines an electromechanical actuation control device, and wherein said apparatus is adapted such that when said inflatable cushion is inflated, said inflatable cushion remains inflated for a stand up time of at least one of 5 seconds to 120 seconds, 5 seconds to 90 seconds, 5 seconds to 60 seconds, 5 seconds to 30 seconds, and 5 seconds to 15 seconds.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said inflatable cushion is fully inflated within at least one time range of 10 to 150 milliseconds, 10 to 120 milliseconds, 10 to 90 milliseconds, 10 to 60 milliseconds, and 10 to 40 milliseconds.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said electromechanical actuation control device includes a pin and a pin receptacle, and wherein said inflatable garment is deployed upon the removal of said pin from said pin receptacle.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said pin is connected to a tether, and wherein when a tether extraction load is applied to said tether, said pin is removed from said pin receptacle in response to said tether extraction load.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein tether is further connected to a motorcycle such that if a wearer of said inflatable garment falls from said motorcycle, a tether extraction load is automatically applied to said tether in response to such fall.

26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said garment defines a jacket, and wherein said cushion is substantially contained within said jacket.

27. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said inflatable cushion defines at least one of a cushion having at least one cushion member cut from a sheet of cushion material and sewn to form a cushion, and a cushion comprised of a one-piece woven cushion member.

28. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said hybrid stored gas inflator defines an ACH-2.2 side hybrid inflator.

29. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said apparatus includes at least one of an alert that actuates upon a low voltage condition, and an alert that actuates upon an apparatus tethered condition.

30. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said apparatus is deployed upon the actuation of a mechanical switch, and wherein said inflatable cushion is fully inflated within 10 to 40 milliseconds, and wherein said stand up time defines a stand up time of 5 seconds to 15 seconds.