Inflatable tubular cushions for crash protection of seated automobile occupants

A safety system comprising:

• (a) a first and a second inflatable braided tube, each tube having an upper end and a lower end;
• (b) a vehicle seat having a seat back and a seat pan, the upper end of the first inflatable braided tube being pivotally mounted to the seat back at a first position, the lower end of the first inflatable braided tube being pivotally mounted to the seat pan at a second position, the upper end of the second inflatable braided tube being pivotally mounted to the seat back at a third position, and the lower end of the second inflatable braided tube being pivotally mounted to the seat pan at a fourth position;
• (c) means for generating gas fluidly connected to the first and second inflatable braided tube;
• (d) crash sensor means connected to the means for generating gas, said crash sensor means being set to initiate generation of gas in the tube upon detecting an impact,
• wherein the first and second braided tubes in their uninflated state are substantially longer than the straight-line distance between the first and second positions, and the third and fourth positions, respectively, and
• wherein upon inflation, the inflatable braided tubes increase their diameter and decrease their length substantially such the first tube deploys under tension in a substantially straight line between the first and second positions, and the second tube deploys in a substantially straight line between the third and fourth positions, thus forming a pair of semi-rigid members stretched in a substantially straight line on either side of the seat.

A method for protecting the occupants of a vehicle comprising:

• (a) providing a safety system comprised of:
• (i) a first and a second inflatable braided tube, each tube having an upper end and a lower end;
• (ii) a vehicle seat having a seat back and a seat pan, the upper end of the first inflatable braided tube being pivotally mounted to the seat back at a first position, the lower end of the first inflatable braided tube being pivotally mounted to the seat pan at a second position, the upper end of the second inflatable braided tube being pivotally mounted to the seat back at a third position, and the lower end of the second inflatable braided tube being pivotally mounted to the seat pan at a fourth position;
• (iii) gas generating means fluidly connected to the first and second inflatable braided tubes;
• (iv) crash sensor means connected to the means for generating gas,
• wherein the first and second braided tubes in their uninflated state are substantially longer than the straight-line distance between the first and second positions, and the third and fourth positions, respectively,
• (b) detecting an impact;
• (c) initiating the gas generator means and generating a gas which inflates the first and second braided tubes, increasing the diameter of the first and second braided tubes and decreasing the length of the first and second inflatable braided tubes, such that the first inflated braided tube deploys as a semi-rigid member in a substantially straight line from the first position to the second position, and the second inflated braided tube deploys as a semi-rigid member in a substantially straight line from the third position to the fourth position.