Adaptable aircraft airbag protection apparatus and method
US5556056A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 8, 1994 |
| Grant date | Sep 17, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 8, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64D2201/00
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An airbag assembly is positioned relative to an aircraft control yoke in a manner to minimize the application of an undesired force to the control yoke when the airbag assembly is inflated. A disc-shaped airbag assembly is horizontally rod-supported from an aircraft's instrument panel so as to surround the aircraft's horizontally extending control yoke and so as to be independent mechanically thereof. The rods that support the airbag assembly may be spring biased to a quiescent position, and may then be of the telescoping type to accommodate full inward movement of the control yoke as the aircraft's pitch attitude is controlled. In a alternate embodiment of the invention, the airbag assembly is mounted on the ceiling of the aircraft, generally above and somewhat forward of the pilot, the airbag assembly being of a size when inflated whereby the pilot is protected from impact with the instrument panel, and yet subsequent operation of the control yoke by the pilot is not prevented by obstruction of the control yoke.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.