Abstract:
A crash protection system includes a base connectable to a support on an open vehicle or an animal. The base includes a front airbag module arranged proximate a front end of the base and a rear airbag module arranged proximate a rear end of the base. The front airbag module has a front airbag, and the rear airbag module has a rear airbag. The system further includes a belt system having a first belt connectable around a waist of a rider and at least one strap connecting the first belt to the base. A control system includes sensors that are monitored to determine whether a crash situation is present and the control system actuates the front airbag module and the rear airbag module and releases the base from the support when the crash situation is present.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/767,412, filed Feb. 21, 2013, and this application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a protection device for a rider of an open vehicle, such as a motorcycle or snowmobile, or an animal, such as a horse, the protection device cushioning an impact of the rider after ejection from the open vehicle or animal. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0005]    Air bag devices are used extensively in automobiles to cushion the impact of a driver or rider in the event that the automobile is involved in a collision. For automobiles, the airbag prevents impacts within the structure of the vehicle. However, a different type of device for cushioning the impact of motorcycle riders during accidents is required because motorcycle riders are easily thrown from or otherwise separated from their vehicles. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,151 discloses apparel in the form of a jacket that is inflatable in the event of an accident to protect a motorcycle rider from an impact. Here, the rider is required to wear the jacket to obtain protection. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,090 discloses another type of air bag device for a motorcycle in which the air bag is incorporated on the motorcycle. Here the air bag device protects the rider under circumstances limited to a frontal collision. Furthermore, the protection is limited to a limited range of forward thrust of the rider. It is still possible for rider to be thrown from the motorcycle, in which case this prior art air bag device fails to provide adequate protection. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    An object of the present invention is provide an improved system for protecting a rider of an open vehicle or an animal. 
         [0009]    The object is net by a crash protection system including a base connectable to a support on an open vehicle or an animal, a front airbag module arranged proximate a front end of the base and comprising a front airbag, a rear airbag module arranged proximate a rear end of the base and comprising a rear airbag, and a belt system including a first belt connectable around a waist of a rider and at least one strap connecting said first belt to said base. The crash protection system further includes a control system including sensors. The control system monitors the sensors to determine whether a crash situation is present and the control system actuates the front airbag module and the rear airbag module and releases the base from the support when the crash situation is present. 
         [0010]    Thus, according to the present invention, the base is connected to the rider and the base is released from the open vehicle or animal when a crash situation is detected. The base includes the airbags that are deployed to protect the rider. 
         [0011]    According to an embodiment of the invention, the front airbag is deployed upward from the base and in front of the rider when the front airbag module is actuated, and the rear airbag is deployed upward from said base and in back of the rider when the front airbag is actuated. 
         [0012]    According to a further embodiment, the front airbag is deployed downward from said base and in front of the rider when the front airbag module is actuated, and said rear airbag is deployed downward from said base and in back of the rider when the rear airbag module is actuated. 
         [0013]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first belt includes a front first belt portion and a rear first belt portion that are connectable by a right fastener and a left fastener, which the rider fastens once the rider is in position on the base. The front first belt portion is connected to the base by a right front strap and a left front strap, and the rear first belt portion is connected to the base by a right rear strap and a left rear strap. The right fastener is arranged between the right front strap and the right rear strap on the right side of the base and the left fastener is arranged between the left front strap and the left rear strap on the left side of the base. 
         [0014]    The crash protection system may further include an upper outer belt comprising a front left upper outer belt connected to a left side of the front airbag and the left fastener, front right upper outer belt connected to a right side of the front airbag and the right fastener, a rear left upper outer belt connected to a left side of the rear airbag and the left fastener, and a rear right upper outer belt connected to a right side f the rear airbag and the right fastener. 
         [0015]    The upper outer belt is separable from the first belt at the right fastener and the left fastener during deployment of the front airbag and the rear airbag while maintaining an integrity of the upper outer belt and the first belt. For this purpose, each of the right fastener and the left fastener includes a first portion connecting the inner belt and a second portion connecting the upper outer belt, the first portion being connected to the second portion by a frangible connection that breaks away in response to a deployment force of the airbags. 
         [0016]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, the crash protection system further includes an upper outer belt comprising a left upper outer belt connected between a left side of the front airbag and a left side of the rear airbag, and a right upper outer belt connected between a right side of the front airbag and a left side of the rear airbag. The upper outer belt retains the front airbag and rear airbag proximate a front and rear of the rider when the airbags are deployed. 
         [0017]    According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the front airbag module is an upper front airbag module with an upper airbag and the rear airbag module is an upper rear airbag module with an upper rear airbag, and the crash protection system further includes a lower front airbag module arranged proximate a front end of the base and having a lower front airbag, and a lower rear airbag module arranged proximate a rear end of the base and having a lower rear airbag. The upper front airbag is deployed upward from the base and in front of the rider when the upper front airbag module is actuated, the upper rear airbag is deployed upward from said base and in back of the rider when the upper rear airbag module is actuated, the lower front airbag is deployed downward from the base and in front of the rider when the lower front airbag module is actuated, and the lower rear airbag is deployed downward from the base and in back of the rider when the lower rear airbag module is actuated. 
         [0018]    According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the base is a motorcycle seat. Alternatively, the base comprises a portion of the motorcycle seat and is released from another portion of the seat upon determination of a crash situation. The present invention is not limited to motorcycles. The seat may also be used on snowmobiles or any other open vehicles from which a rider may be thrown or otherwise separated. Moreover, the present invention may also be used for riders of animals such as horses. In one example, the base is part of a saddle and is separable from the saddle. Accordingly, the invention protects a rider that is thrown from a horse or other animal. 
         [0019]    In an additional embodiment, the crash protection device includes an elector that pushes the base away from the support upon release of the base from the support. 
         [0020]    In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the belt system includes a front right strap connected to a front right side of the base, a rear right strap connected to a rear right side of the base, a front left strap connected to a front left side of the base, and a rear left strap connected to a rear left side of the base. The front right strap is reeved through a front right pulley and connected to a portion of a right fastener, the rear right strap is reeved through a rear right pulley and connected to another portion of the right fastener, the front left strap is reeved through a front left pulley and connected to a portion of a left fastener, and the rear left strap is reeved through a rear left pulley and connected to another portion of the left fastener. The front right pulley is connected to the front left pulley by a front portion of the first belt, and the rear right pulley is connected to the rear left pulley by a rear portion of the first belt. When the rider moves off of or away from the base, such as in a crash situation, the first belt tightens around the rider&#39;s body. 
         [0021]    At least one of the front right strap, the front left strap, the rear right strap, and the rear left strap is connected to the base by a retractor mechanism. This retractor mechanism may be any known or hereafter developed retractor mechanism that is used with automotive seat belts. 
         [0022]    The sensors of the control system include a tension sensor on the at least one of the front right strap, the front left strap, the rear right strap, and the rear left strap. 
         [0023]    The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0024]    In the drawing: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a rider on a motorcycle with a protection system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2A  is a schematic diagram showing a seat of the motorcycle according to an embodiment of the present invention with the belt unbuckled; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2B  is a schematic diagram of the seat of  FIG. 2A  showing the airbag modules; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of an inner belt according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of an inner belt and two outer belts according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4A  is a schematic sectional diagram of the buckle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of the protection system showing a deployed position of the upper airbags; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of the control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the motorcycle and driver with an ejector actuated; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the motorcycle with the upper air bags deployed; 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the motorcycle with the upper air bags and the lower air bags deployed; 
           [0036]      FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram showing internal features of the upper airbags; 
           [0037]      FIG. 11  is a schematic top view of the deployed upper air bags; and 
           [0038]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  are schematic top view diagrams of two stages of deployment of the upper air bags. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0039]      FIG. 1  shows a rider  20  on a motorcycle  10  equipped with a protection system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further details of the protection system  100  are shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , which show that a seat  128  of the motorcycle includes front airbag modules  130 ,  134  and rear airbag modules  132 ,  136  disposed within the seat. Each of the airbag modules  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  is connected to a controller  138 , which is depicted in the seat  128 . Although, the controller  138  is depicted as being disposed in the seat, the controller  138  can be located at any convenient location on the motorcycle. The controller  138  is described in more detail below. 
         [0040]    Furthermore, the seat  128  is attached to the rider  20  by straps  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  and inner belt  110 . The inner belt  110  includes an inner belt front portion  120  and an inner belt rear portion  122 , which are connected to each other by buckles  124  and  126  or other known or hereafter developed releasable fasteners. As shown in  FIG. 2A , before a rider  20  mounts the motorcycle  10 , the buckles  124 ,  126  are opened. The rider sits on the seat so that the rider&#39;s right leg is between the front right strap  118  and rear right strap  114 , and the rider&#39;s left leg is between the front left strap  116  and the rear left strap  112 . The rider pulls the inner belt front portion  120  and inner belt rear portion  122  up around the rider&#39;s waist and attaches the buckles  124 ,  126 . The straps  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  may be connected to the seat by conventional methods such as sewing One or more of the straps  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  may be connected to the seat  128  by a retractor mechanism and/or a pretensioner that are currently used with automotive seatbelts. 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  shows another embodiment of the present invention in which the inner belt  110  is connected to the straps  114  and  118  via pulleys  140 ,  142 . In this embodiment, a belt forming the strap  114  is reeved through pulley  140  and is connected to the fastener  124 . Likewise, the belt forming strap  118  is reeved through pulley  142  and connected to the fastener  124 . The front and back portions of the inner belt are connected to the axles of the pulleys  140 ,  142 . A similar configuration is disposed on the left side of the seat  128 . Accordingly, as the rider lifts up from the seat, the straps  114 ,  118  lengthen and the inner belt  110  shortens.  FIG. 3  further shows that the straps  114 ,  118  are each connected to the seat  128  by a retractor mechanism  141 ,  143 . Similarly, the straps  112  and  116  may also be connected to the seat by retractor mechanisms. 
         [0042]      FIG. 4  shows another feature of the present invention. An upper right outer belt  144  has an outer belt front portion  146  connected on the right side of an airbag  130   a  in airbag module  130  and an outer belt rear portion  148  right side of an airbag  132   a  in airbag module  130 . The outer belt front portion  146  is connected to the outer belt rear portion  148  by an outer belt fastener  150 . A left outer belt  154  (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) with a similar construction is connected to the left side of the air bag  130   a  and left side of airbag  132   a  in the seat  128 . The outer belt  144  facilitates keeping the air bags  130   a  and  132   a  proximate the rider during deployment of the air bags. As shown schematically in  FIG. 5 , the deployed air bags  130   a  and  132   a  remain connected to each other by the outer belts  144  and  154  when they are deployed. This connection keeps the airbags  130 ,  132  proximate the rider during deployment for maximum protection. Similarly, a lower outer belt  244  having front and rear portions  244   a ,  244   b  and a buckle  151  is connected to the right side of airbags  134   a ,  136   a  in airbag modules  134 ,  136 . The right lower outer belt  244  and left lower outer belt (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) facilitate keeping the air bags  134   a ,  136   a  proximate the rider&#39;s legs during deployment. 
         [0043]    Connections of the belts  144 ,  154  to the airbags may be accomplished by both adhesives and/or stitching. In one embodiment, the belt ends overlap and/or meet at the front or back so that a continuous loop is formed around the airbags for increased strength and thereby minimizing strain on the airbag fabric. 
         [0044]      FIG. 4A  shows a sectional schematic view of the buckles  124 ,  150  and  151 . Each of the buckles includes a male part  124   b ,  150   b ,  151   b  and a female part  124   a ,  150   a ,  151   a . Each female part includes a releasable latch  124   c ,  150   c ,  151   c  for releasably engaging the respective male part, as in any conventional buckle. The male parts  124   b ,  150   b ,  151   b  are connected by frangible connections  250 . Similarly, the female parts  124   a ,  150   a ,  151   a  are connected by frangible connections  260 . The buckles can be operated simultaneously via pushbutton  246  and connectors  248 . However, during deployment, the inner belt  110  and the two outer belts  144 ,  244  are required to separate from each other, while the buckles remain closed. The frangible connections allow the separation of the belts from each other. In general, the frangible connections  250 ,  260  should be strong enough to maintain the connection of the buckles during normal handling and weak enough to separate in response to the deployment of the airbags. If the portions of the buckles that are connected are plastic, the frangible connection may comprise small connection areas. If the portions of the buckles that are connected are metal, the frangible connection may be a spot weld. Alternatively, the frangible connections  250 ,  260  may comprise hook and loop fasteners such as VELCRO™. As a further alternative, a releasable magnetic lock  251 ,  261  may be used instead of the frangible connections  250 ,  260 . The magnetic lock may work on the principle of magnetic door lock devices known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,223, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Each magnetic lock includes an electromagnet  166  controlled by the controller (see  FIG. 6 ) and an armature  167 . In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic lock is fail-secure so that the magnetic lock does not accidentally release when no power is provided, such as in a low battery condition. 
         [0045]    According to  FIG. 6 , the controller  138  includes a central controller  158  connected to accelerometers  160 , seatbelt tension sensors  162 , and other crash sensors  164  such as speed sensors and/or  3 D position sensors. The accelerometers  160  may comprise ID,  2 D, and/or  3 D accelerometers, depending on the particular requirements. The present invention may also employ any known or hereafter developed safing sensors to ensure operational reliability. 
         [0046]    Specific combinations of sensor signals will be recognized by the central controller  158  as a crash situation requiring actuation of the airbag modules  130 ,  132 ,  134 , and  136 . In one example, a crash situation occurs when at least one of the sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164  indicates a front collision at greater than a predetermined speed. Other crash situations may include when the vehicle is tilting and a rider is falling off of the vehicle, when the vehicle is hit from behind, and when the vehicle is hit from the side. In the first scenario, the sensors would sense a speed of the vehicle and the accelerometers would sense that the vehicle is tilting. If the tilt occurs to a degree that is outside of a normal operation at the sensed speed, deceleration or acceleration by a predetermined amount, the airbag modules  130 ,  132 ,  134 , and  136  would deploy. For the rear and side impacts, the accelerometers would sense that which is considered to be unusual accelerations. 
         [0047]    Once a crash situation is recognized, the central controller  158  actuates a seat ejector  156 , which releases the seat  128 , or at least a portion of the seat  128  from the motorcycle  10  (see  FIG. 7 ). The seat ejector  156  may simply comprise a latch that is released upon detection of a crash situation so that the seat is released from the motorcycle. Alternatively, the ejector may further include an energy storage unit such as a spring that urges the seat  128  away from the motorcycle after the latch is released. As a further alternative, the seat ejector may have a variable force that takes into account anticipated impact and weight of rider upon detection of a crash situation. Here, the ejector  156  may comprise an explosive cartridge, similar to the explosive cartridges used for ejection seats in aircraft. To achieve a variable force, two or more explosive cartridges of different charges, i.e., a first charge  156   a  and a second charge  156   b  may be used 
         [0048]    Simultaneously with the actuation of the seat ejector  156 , or with a nominal delay, the central controller  158  actuates the air bag modules  130 ,  132 ,  134 , and  136 . According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper air bags  130   a ,  132   a  are deployed first as shown in  FIG. 8 . After a small delay, the lower airbags  134   a ,  136   a  are deployed as shown in  FIG. 9 . As an alternative, all of the airbags  130   a ,  132   a ,  134   a ,  136   a  may be deployed simultaneously. Each of the air bags  130   a ,  132   a ,  134   a ,  136   a  is deployed with a respective conventional airbag inflator (not shown) as is used for automotive airbags. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the airbags  130   a ,  132   a  have internal webs or strings connecting the walls of the respective air bags  130   a ,  132   a  so that the air bags are deployed in the proper shape. The upper front airbag is shaped so that it has a height that extends over a top of a head of a typical rider and will arch back over the top of the rider&#39;s head. The depth of the inflated airbag  130   a  from front to back is large enough so that it is greater than a length of the rider&#39;s arms. 
         [0050]    The upper rear airbag  132   a  also has a height that extends over a top of a head of a typical rider and will arch over the rider&#39;s head and meet the top of the upper front airbag  130   a . Further, the upper rear airbag designed to curve around a back of the rider toward the front and cover sides of the rider (see, e.g.,  FIG. 11 ). The outer belt  144  will facilitate maintaining the airbags  130   a ,  132   a  in place around the rider. 
         [0051]    Similarly, the lower front and rear airbags  134   a ,  136   a  are shaped to cover the rider&#39;s legs. More specifically, the lower airbags are shaped and deployed to cover the typical riding position of the legs. 
         [0052]    Furthermore, the air bags  130   a ,  132   a  may include a number of different internal chambers that are separated by valves. For example,  FIG. 10  shows portions  166 ,  168  in the areas facing the riders head. These portions  166 ,  168  are separated from the remainder of the airbag volume by respective valves  166   a ,  168   a , which are dimensioned so that portions remain softer than the remainder of the air bags during a predetermined time period after deployment. As an alternative, separate inflators may be used for each internal chamber. Accordingly, the initial, impact of the drivers head is further cushioned during this time period, 
         [0053]      FIG. 11  shows how the upper outer belts  144 ,  154  are secured to the airbags  130 ,  132 . According to an embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the rear upper air bag  132  includes an inner chamber  132 ′ and an outer chamber  132 ″. The inner chamber  132 ′ inflates first so that the outer beats.  144 ,  154  can easily move upward as the airbags are deployed, then the outer chamber  132 ″ inflates to tighten the outer belts, which causes the airbags  130 ,  132  to be urged toward or held close to the rider. 
         [0054]    Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions&#39; and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements, which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same. Way to achieve the same results, are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.