Inflatable, lateral head restraint
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorGerald F. Herndon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lateral head restraint system providing support to a pilot's head during ejection or high-acceleration flight maneuvers. The lateral head restraint system includes inflating bladders positioned on opposite sides of a pilot's head. The bladders inflate from a compressed wedge position, sweeping through an arc on each side of the headrest structure. Inflation of the bladders centers the pilot's head into the correct control position and restricts lateral movement. When fully inflated, the bladders permit the pilot to lean forward or turn his head to either side. Further, an unobstructed field of vision is provided. The lateral head restraint system is incorporated into the ejection seat and remains fully operational during the ejection procedure to protect the pilot's head from injury.
Claims16
A lateral head restraint comprising:
- a seat having a headrest portion, said headrest portion having a right side and a left side corresponding to a right side and a left side of a user's head;
- two inflatable bladders, each having a rear face attached to said headrest portion and a movable front face, one of said bladders being attached on each of said sides of said headrest portion, said bladders having threads therein causing said bladders to assume a predetermined shape when fully inflated;
- means for simultaneously and rapidly inflating said bladders, causing said front faces to be positioned adjacent respective opposite sides of said user's head;
- and
- a pivot means for reach of said respective bladders for permitting said bladder to pivot as it is inflated, said pivot means being coupled to said headrest portion and positioned aft of a user's eyes, said front face of said bladder being positioned aft of said pivot means and adjacent said rear face when said bladders are not inflated, said front face pivoting about said pivot means during inflation, said front face being spaced from said rear face and being positioned forward of said pivot and adjacent the side of said user's head when said bladder is inflated.
The method of restraining a user's head, comprising:
- providing a seat including a headrest portion;
- providing two air-inflatable bladders, each having a rear face securely attached to said headrest portion and a front face movable with respect to said headrest portion;
- and
- inflating said bladders simultaneously thereby, causing said front face of said bladders to move from a position adjacent said headrest portion to a position adjacent a temple region of said user's head to provide restraining support to said user's head.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.