Two point lap belt

Abstract

The present invention discloses embodiments of an apparatus, systems and related methods for occupant protection in an aircraft during an abrupt stop - such as in a forward-facing crash event. Embodiments of the present invention disclose a two point lap belt that provide superior passenger comfort and retractability, due to inventive construction, by providing enhanced flexibility of the two point lap belt, and more specifically, the extensible (non-static) portion. The present invention first includes a new airbag material which contributes to the enhanced flexibility, namely, a polyester textile structure treated with a phosphate-phosphonate compound. In further embodiments the material is the coated in a polyurethane mixture. The present invention also includes a new method of compacting the airbag such that it may be disposed in a lap belt while remaining substantially unobtrusive and comfortable to a passenger. The invention also includes a new containment material, namely a tubular webbing, to further enhance the flexibility of the shoulder harness over the prior art which generally comprises leather or leather-approximations. The result of the invention also provides enhanced retractability over the prior art, such that the two point lap belt may be more easily stowed relative to the prior art.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.