Patent Description:
Rescue cushions based on pneumatic frame are widely used by Fire Departments around the world due to their compact design and relatively low weight. Their design is based on a pneumatic frame inflated from a cylinder with compressed air. There are covers attached to the frame that restrict a certain volume of gas and thus form an air cushion onto which the evacuated person falls. Due to the large volume of the airbag, it is not possible to fill it with compressed air from a cylinder and the airbag is self-inflated with atmospheric air. When the pneumatic frame is unfolded, the gas pressure inside the cushion is equalized due to the inflow of air through holes in the side covers of the rescue cushion.

The rescue cushion can be considered fully deployed and ready to receive the impact when the gas pressure inside the airbag of the rescue cushion is equal to the ambient pressure. Depending on current operational and visibility conditions, it may be difficult to assess the readiness of the rescue cushion to receive an impact. At the same time it is required for the effectiveness of the rescue cushion to be fully inflated before jumping on it. The proposed invention provides automatic detection of the readiness of the rescue cushion by the electronic system and its visual indication, which allows the rescue cushion operator and/or the evacuee to ascertain the possibility of making a safe jump onto the rescue cushion.

The state of the art describes utility model <CIT>, which pertains to a rescue cushion comprising a light source in the form of reflective tapes and or electric lamps. The said electric lamps can be switched on manually or they can switch on automatically when the cushion is filled. The solution presents the concept of using a light signal of the rescue cushion filling. The model does not disclose how and by which technical means the said automatic switching on of the lighting is performed.

Known is the rescue cushion by I. Brindle & Co Ltd. The distributor's reference materials do not disclose the presence of lighting or a fill level indication system. Instructional video (https://www. com/watch?v=yObH6e8BVJ8, accessed: <NUM> Nov. <NUM>) indicates the presence of lighting (i.e. a cable with LEDs) on the contour of the jump surface and the presence of an external detachable tie located on the outer surface of the side of the rescue cushion, the tensioning of which is observed when the rescue cushion is deployed. It is not apparent from the materials how the said tie is connected to the lighting or the role of such connection. In addition, a link between the LEDs and the jump-ready indication of the cushion should be excluded, because the LEDs did not light up once during the entire instructional video, which included the unfolding of the cushion, the jump of the evacuated person, the regeneration of the cushion, and its folding.

Known rescue cushions do not have systems for detecting and signalling the readiness of the airbag to take the impact. At the moment, the rescue cushions available on the market are not equipped with a system that would identify and signal the fact of full inflation of the airbag after deployment of the pneumatic frame. The problem is particularly significant when the jumps are made by successive persons (multiple use of the rescue cushion during one rescue operation). It is essential that the evacuee and firefighters have knowledge of the readiness or lack of readiness of the airbag (rescue cushion) to take the impact when another jumping person is landing. The proposed solution is a system for detection of the airbag inflation and the signalling system integrated with it. The functionality and increased safety achieved by the invention are of great importance. It is important to note that under rescue conditions there are difficulties in communication between potential jumpers and rescuers. Use of the invention will enable intuitive, visual communication of the information for device readiness.

The purpose of the invention is to provide an airbag with a system for detecting and signalling the readiness of the airbag to take an impact. The subject of the invention is an airbag with a system for detection of the airbag readiness according to claim <NUM>.

The connector is attached to the bottom cover, to the side cover, or to a cushion baffle.

The connector is selected from the group consisting of a mechanical connector, a tension sensor, or a combination thereof.

Preferably, the connector is equipped with a filter selected from the group consisting of an analogue filter or a digital filter.

Preferably at least one tie element is attached to the inner side of the cushion cover by spanning it on the side wall vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.

Preferably, at least one tie element is fastened between the top and bottom cover of the cushion or is located in the centre of the circle inscribed in the shape of the top and bottom cover of the cushion.

Preferably, at least one tie element is attached diagonally leading from the edge joining the bottom cover with the side cover to the opposite edge between the top cover and the side cover. Preferably, the system according to the invention comprises one connector, and each of the at least one ties is provided with a guide fastener located in the corner of the cushion.

Preferably, each tie element is provided with a separate connector.

Preferably, the portable power source is a battery or an accumulator, said portable power source being housed in a pocket at the bottom of the cushion cover, or attached to the inside surface of the bottom cover of the cushion, or placed on the side surface of the cushion.

Preferably, the illumination is a spot light, at least one light strip or a combination thereof, said illumination being located either on the cover of the top cushion or on the side cover of the cushion at the contact point of the side cover and top cover of the cushion, or outside the cushion.

Another subject of the invention is an airbag with a system for detection of airbag readiness according to claim <NUM>.

The system is equipped with an electronic circuit for signal processing consisting of a microprocessor circuit or a microprocessor circuit and a filter.

Preferably, the component is a contact element, and the number of contact elements in the system according to the invention is at least equal to the number of side walls of the cushion, with at least one contact element each arranged in the centre of each side wall.

Preferably, the illumination is a spot light, at least one light strip or a combination thereof, said illumination being located either on the top cover of the cushion or on the side cover of the cushion at the contact point of the side cover and top cover of the cushion, or outside the cushion.

Another subject of the invention is an airbag comprising a system according to the invention, characterized in that on the top cover of the cushion there is at least one pictogram with the desired body position of a jumping person during a jump onto the cushion.

The operation of the system according to the invention is based on the following principle - an airbag (e.g. a rescue cushion) is equipped with a system according to the invention containing a component / components (i.e. tie components, alternatively a material with variable resistance or contact components placed on the cushion cover), mounted in appropriate places, e.g. between the top and bottom cover, between the corners of the airbag, etc. In the event of obtaining a certain tension / contact of the above-mentioned component, an electronic switch is mechanically activated to control lamps or signalling strips, the colour of which changes from the first colour to the second colour (e.g. from red to green), thus indicating that the airbag is ready to take the impact.

The detection system may take one of the following variations. The first variant assumes the use of a tie attached unilaterally to the airbag cover, where the other end of the said tie is attached to the connector. This mechanism is characterised in that the tie is tightened when the cushion is deployed.

The tie may be attached in one of the following arrangements:.

The tie on one side is fixed permanently to the cover (or e.g. to the cushion frame in the case of cushions with a frame). On the other side, fixed by a switch mechanism or a tie tensioning sensor.

In particular, the mechanical switch may be a two-position mono-stable electrical switch with a lever or an eye. The tension sensor may be based on a strain gauge or piezoelectric actuator. As an alternative to using the tie as a system for detection of correct cushion deployment, it is envisaged to use a variable resistance coating material for detecting correct cushion inflation. The material can form a uniform whole with the cushion cover, as well as be an independent part sewn or glued to the cushion cover. The deformation of the cushion cover causes a change in the material resistance. This information is then processed by the cushion's correct deployment system, which controls the readiness signalling system.

In order to prevent false signals during shape change and vibration of the cover (or tie), the invention is provided with a filter. In the simplest version, the filter may consist of an RC circuit (resistor, capacitor) and in a more complex version it may be a digital filter implemented on a microcontroller chip.

The airbag readiness detection system is powered by a portable power source located in a pocket at the bottom of the airbag cover.

Systems based on direct or mechanical tension detection (tie, cover material) may be replaced by contact systems. For example, it is possible to equip the rescue cushion cover with elements whose contact appears only when the airbag of the rescue cushion is fully deployed. The rest of the solution remains unchanged.

The system for detection and signalling of readiness of an airbag (e.g. a rescue cushion) may consist of four or more light indicators arranged at the corners and / or at several points at the edges of the polygon of the top cover of the cushion, e.g. of the rescue cushion. In particular, it is envisaged to use spot, two-colour light indicators of green and red light.

The light indicators may also be in the form of a light belt (strip) located along the edge of the top cover. The light strip can be continuous or intermittent. In the solution it is possible to use both types of light indicators together.

Signalling that the airbag is ready to absorb an impact is controlled by a system that detects correct deployment and inflation of the airbag.

The invention provides the following advantages:.

The subject of the invention is depicted in the embodiment shown in the drawing wherein <FIG> is a schematic drawing of variants of the cushion cover inside which a system according to the invention is mounted; <FIG> shows a rescue cushion equipped with the subject airbag system for detection and signalling of readiness to receive an impact in a partially inflated condition, wherein the system is in a variant with one component which is a tie element; <FIG> shows a rescue cushion according to the invention equipped with the subject system for detection and signalling of readiness to receive impact by the airbag when fully inflated and fully ready to receive an impact in the variant with one component, namely the tie; <FIG> shows a diagram of a lighting management system according to the invention, wherein (A) is a variant of the system with one connector and (B) is a variant with four connectors; <FIG> shows a rescue cushion provided with the subject system for detection and signalling of readiness to receive an impact by the airbag in a variant with four ties connected to one connector; <FIG> shows a rescue cushion provided with the subject system for detection and signalling of readiness to receive an impact by the airbag in a variant with four ties, each connected to a separate connector; <FIG> shows a rescue cushion provided with the system according to the invention in a variant provided with contact elements; <FIG> shows a jump cushion provided with the system according to the invention in a variant provided with a material of variable resistance.

In this non-limiting example, the cushion <NUM> according to the invention is a rescue cushion, which consists of a pneumatic frame <NUM> to which the covers are attached. In this example, the cushion <NUM> is a rescue cushion in the form of a pneumatic cushion stretched over the frame <NUM>. On the other hand, the system according to the invention is also suitable for installation in cushions without a frame. Moreover, in addition to the rescue cushions, the system according to the invention may also be used in other types of airbags, such as those used in aircraft emergency landing systems or crash mitigation barriers.

In this example, the rescue cushion has four side covers 3a, a top cover 3b and a bottom cover 3c, while the rescue cushion may have a cover 3d that constitutes a partition dividing the volume of the rescue cushion into two chambers (such a variant is shown in <FIG>).

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in this example the rescue cushion is equipped with the readiness detection and signalling system according to the invention, which consists of one component <NUM> in the form of a tie element 5a fastened inside the cushion <NUM>, where said tie element 5a is permanently fixed on one side to the edge of the top cover 3b of the cover of cushion <NUM> , and on the other hand, said tie 5a is fixed indirectly via the connector <NUM> to the bottom cover 3c of the cushion <NUM>.

In this example, the tie element 5a is a nylon cord, while other materials, e.g. a braided steel cord, may also be used to form the tie element 5a. In turn, the connector <NUM> is attached to the bottom cover 3c of the cushion <NUM>. On the other hand, the connector <NUM> may also be attached to other covers of the cushion <NUM>, such as to the side cover 3a or to the baffle 3d (if the baffle is present in the cushion).

In this example, the connector <NUM> is a mechanical, monostable, two-position lever switch with NC (normally closed) contacts. As shown in <FIG>, the mechanical connector has two pairs of contacts, i.e. a normally closed pair and a normally open pair. The normally closed pairs are connected to each other in series. Loosening of the tie component 5a results in a break in the illumination circuit <NUM> for the green light source. The normally open contacts are connected in parallel. Closing of any of the contacts closes the lighting supply circuit <NUM> for the green light.

In this example, the mechanical connector <NUM> is equipped with a filter <NUM> which prevents flickering of the lighting <NUM> during dynamic movements of the cushion resulting in a temporary tensioning of the tie components 5a. In this example, filter <NUM> is an RC low pass circuit which allows the lower frequencies to pass and filters out the higher ones. An example of the location of filter <NUM> is shown in <FIG>.

Furthermore, the connector <NUM> is connected to a portable power source <NUM> which, in this non-limiting example, is a battery (e.g. a Lithium Polymer Li-Po battery) housed in a pocket at the bottom of the cushion cover <NUM>. On the other hand, the power source <NUM> can also be attached e.g. to the inside surface of the bottom cover 3c of the cushion <NUM> or it can be placed on the side surface 3a of the cushion <NUM>.

As discussed above, the system according to the invention is further provided with a variable-colour illumination <NUM> which is mounted on the top cover 3b of the cushion <NUM>. On the other hand, the lighting <NUM> can also be located at the contact point of the side cover 3a and the top cover 3b of the cushion <NUM>. In addition, the lighting <NUM> can also be located outside the cushion <NUM> and be present, similarly to road signs, in the form of a standing signalling device wired or wirelessly connected to the system according to the invention built into the cushion <NUM>.

Whereby, in this example, the lighting <NUM> is a two-colour (red-green) lighting, where the first colour (i.e. the red colour) corresponds to the state of lack of readiness of the cushion <NUM> (as indicated in <FIG> in dark grey), while the second colour (i.e. green) signals the readiness of the cushion <NUM> (as indicated in <FIG> with light grey). When the cushion <NUM> (i.e. the rescue cushion) is loaded due to the landing of a person or during their dismounting from the rescue cushion, the tension of the element 5a is low or absent and the lack of readiness of the airbag is indicated by the first colour (e.g. red). Once the cushion <NUM> has acquired a predetermined shape (i.e. when properly inflated), the colour of the lights automatically changes to a second colour (e.g. green), indicating that the cushion <NUM> is ready to receive an impact. A diagram of the lighting management <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. In this example, the lighting <NUM> is a combination of a spotlight 9a in the form of lamps arranged at the four corners of the cushion <NUM> with an LED light strip 9b extending between said lamps.

Whereby, in this non-limiting example, there is a pictogram on the top cover 3b of the cushion <NUM> with the appropriate (correct / desired) body position when jumping onto the cushion <NUM>.

Rescue cushion as in embodiment <NUM>, except that the cushion <NUM> does not have a frame, and the tie element 5a is attached at one end to the centre of the top cover 3b of the cushion <NUM> and at the other end to the connector <NUM>, which in this embodiment is a mechanical connector with normally open contacts and the portable power source is a Li-Po battery.

Whereby, in this non-limiting embodiment, the top cover 3b of the cushion <NUM> has a series of three pictograms representing a pictorial jumping instruction with a model body position at different stages of the jump during the jump onto the cushion <NUM>.

A jump cushion comprising the system according to the invention as in embodiment <NUM>, except that the tie element 5a is attached to the outer side of the cushion <NUM> (e.g. in fabric ducts guided on the outer side of the cushion <NUM> cover). In this embodiment, the tie element 5a is fastened on one side between the edge of the top cover 3b and side cover 3a and the connector <NUM> located outside the inner part of the cushion in this case (e.g. on the outer surface of the side cover 3a).

A rescue cushion comprising the system according to the invention as in embodiment <NUM>, except that the tie element 5a is fastened on one side between the upper part of the side cover 3b and the connector <NUM> located outside the inner part of the cushion in this case.

Rescue cushion as in embodiment <NUM>, but the system according to the invention is equipped with four tie elements 5a connected to one connector <NUM>. An exemplary topology of such a system is shown in <FIG>, wherein the first tie 5a fastened to the connector <NUM> is routed diagonally from the edge joining the bottom cover 3c with the side cover 3a to the opposite edge of the top cover 3b with the side cover 3a. Further tie elements 5a span diagonally across the side covers 3a.

Whereby the topology of the arrangement of the tie elements 5a may be different, and the variant illustrated in <FIG> is only an example of an embodiment and cannot limit the protection of the present invention.

Other example combinations of fastenings of the tie elements 5a include, e.g., spreading the tie element 5a on the side cover 3a vertically or horizontally, and spreading the tie element 5a between the top cover 3b and the bottom cover 3c of the cushion <NUM>, in particular placing it in the centre of a circle inscribed in the shape of the top cover 3b and bottom cover 3c.

However, in the case of using a solution with a single connector <NUM> (as in the present embodiment), it must be ensured that there is as little friction as possible on the guide fasteners <NUM>. The role of the guide fasteners <NUM> is to change the direction of tension of the tie element 5a at the transition from one wall of the cushion <NUM> to the other and to reduce the friction in the respective node. In this non-limiting embodiment, the guide fasteners <NUM> are teflon blocks. Whereas, the guide fastener <NUM> can be made of both a low-friction (e.g. teflon) and a rolling (e.g. stainless steel or aluminium alloy) sliding element. As shown in <FIG> guide fasteners <NUM> are arranged at the corners of the rescue cushion.

Rescue cushion as in embodiment <NUM>, but the system according to the invention is equipped with four tie elements 5a, each of which is equipped with a separate connector <NUM>. An exemplary topology of such a system is shown in <FIG>.

In this embodiment, the connector <NUM> is a mechanical, monostable, two-position lever switch with NC (normally closed) contacts. As shown in <FIG>, each mechanical connector has two pairs of contacts, i.e. a normally closed pair and a normally open pair. The normally closed pairs are connected to each other in series. Loosening of any tie component 5a results in a break in the circuit for the green light source. The normally open contacts are connected in parallel. Closing of any of the contacts closes the supply circuit <NUM> for the green light.

Rescue cushion as in embodiment <NUM>, except that the tie element 5a is replaced by contact elements 5b. An example of a topology of contact elements 5b is shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the example of topology assumes placing contact elements 5b on the centres of the side covers 3a - one contact element 5b in the centre of each side wall 3a.

Whereas, in this embodiment, the system according to the invention does not have a connector <NUM>. Connector <NUM> is redundant, because its role is played by contact elements (they correspond to switch <NUM>, but without a lever), and simply the tensioning of the cover causes the electric circuit to be closed or interrupted. In this non-limiting embodiment, the contact elements are made of aluminium with a conductive anti-corrosion coating. However, aluminium may be replaced by another material (e.g. copper).

The contact elements 5b are fixed in such a way that, when the covers of the cushion <NUM> are not tensioned, their mutual contact will not take place, and when the covers of the cushion <NUM> are tensioned, mutual contact occurs, as a result of which the power supply circuit of the lighting signalling system <NUM> is closed or interrupted.

However, the above topology of the arrangement of contact elements is only an example of an embodiment and cannot limit the protection of the present invention. For example, in the case where the cushion <NUM> is a cylinder (cylindrical cushion), several contact elements 5b would have to be mounted on the side wall. As an alternative, the contact elements 5b may also be attached differently, e.g. in such a way that, when the covers are not tensioned, their mutual contact is ensured, and with the tension of the covers the contact elements 5b become disconnected.

Rescue cushion as in embodiment <NUM>, except that the tie element 5a is replaced by a material of variable resistance 5c which replaces at least one side cover 3a. In this embodiment, the variable resistance material 5c replaces the two side covers 3a as shown in <FIG>. In this non-limiting embodiment, a fabric made of nylon and spandex covered with a conductive coating is used as the variable resistance material 5c. However, other known variable resistance materials can be used.

Whereas, the topology of variable resistance material 5c shown in <FIG> is only an example of an embodiment and cannot limit the protection of the present invention. The resistance material 5c may e.g. not replace the covers of the cushion <NUM> but form part of the cover(s) 3a or be placed on the cover(s) 3a in the form of a patch.

Regardless of the selected variant, in the case of using the resistance material 5c, the system according to the invention should additionally be equipped with an electronic system <NUM> allowing for the processing of the electric signal and lighting control <NUM>. In this embodiment, the said electronic circuit <NUM> consists of a microprocessor circuit. The microprocessor is used to analyse the analogue signal from the covers with variable resistance 5c and control the logic of the light signalling system. Alternatively, the electronic circuit <NUM> may also be equipped with an analogue signal filter <NUM> in the form of an RC circuit or digitally implemented on a microprocessor.

The method of filling the cushion and an example operation of the system for detecting and signalling the readiness of the cushion.

In this embodiment, the cushion <NUM> is a rescue cushion provided with a system according to the invention as in embodiment <NUM>, which obtains its rectangular shape when the pneumatic frame <NUM> is filled with gas, e.g. from a compressed air cylinder.

The appearance of the cushion <NUM> during the filling of the frame <NUM> with gas is shown in <FIG>. While the frame <NUM> is being filled, the lighting <NUM> lights up red (the first colour is shown in dark grey in <FIG>), indicates that cushion <NUM> is not ready to receive the impact. The deployment of the frame <NUM> and the stretching of the rescue cushion covers results in the tension of the tie element 5a. Together with the tensioning of the tie element 5a , the state of the switch <NUM> changes mechanically, which results in a change in its electrical state and the switching of the lighting colour <NUM> from the first colour (e.g. red) to the second colour (e.g. green), signalling that the cushion <NUM> is ready to receive impact.

The method is as in embodiment <NUM>, but the deployed cushion is provided with the system according to the invention, in which the elements <NUM> are contact elements 5b as in embodiment <NUM>.

The deployment of the frame <NUM> and the stretching of the rescue cushion covers results in contact of the contact elements 5b. If the contact elements 5b are used, they perform a function analogous to that of the connector <NUM> and cause a direct change in the electrical state which determines the colour of the lighting <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An airbag with a system for detection of the airbag readiness, wherein,
- the airbag (<NUM>) comprises a pneumatic frame (<NUM>) with an airbag cover, having side covers (3a), a top cover (3b) and a bottom cover (3c), preferably wherein the airbag (<NUM>) additionally comprises a baffle (3d) dividing the volume of the airbag into two chambers;
- the system comprises at least one constituent component (<NUM>), a power source (<NUM>), a connector (<NUM>), an electronic system with at least two -colour variable colour lighting (<NUM>) connected to
constituent component (<NUM>), wherein the electronic system is configured to determine the state of the lighting (<NUM>);
wherein at least one constituent component (<NUM>) is in the form of a tie element (5a), one end of which is attached in a fixed manner to the top (3b) or side (3a) cover of the air-bag (<NUM>) and the other end attached to the connector (<NUM>), and
wherein said tie element (5a) is fixed indirectly via the connector (<NUM>) to the airbag cover, preferably to the baffle (3d) of the airbag (<NUM>),
wherein the connector (<NUM>) is attached to the airbag cover which is the bottom cover (3c), the side cover (3a), preferably to baffle (3d),
wherein the connector (<NUM>) is a mechanical connector or a tension sensor or combination thereof,
wherein the power source (<NUM>) is portable
and at least two-colour variable colour lighting (<NUM>) are connected
to constituent component (<NUM>),
wherein connector (<NUM>) detects tension of tie element (5a) for signalling by lighting (<NUM>) the first colour of lighting (<NUM>) when the airbag is not ready to receive an impact, while the second colour signals when the airbag is ready to receive the impact.