Patent ID: 7162958

Claim:
An inflatable system comprising: a. an inflatable component; and b. means for inflating and sustaining inflation of the inflatable component, such means comprising: i. a non-inflatable housing distinct from but in fluid communication with the inflatable component, the housing comprising: A. a combustion chamber; B. a gas storage chamber in fluid communication with the combustion chamber; and C. a gas nozzle actuatable prior to inflation of the inflatable component; ii. an initiator disposed in the combustion chamber; iii. a gas propellant disposed in the combustion chamber; iv. a charge distributed within the inflatable component such that a substantial portion of the charge is disposed outside the housing, the charge generating inflating gas so as to provide initial inflation of the inflatable component; and v. a compressed gas, disposed in the gas storage chamber in fluid communication with the gas nozzle, for sustaining inflation of the inflatable component after its initial inflation.