Structure mounted airbag assemblies and associated systems and methods

An airbag system for a seat in an aircraft, the airbag system comprising:

• an airbag assembly having an airbag and a mounting structure, wherein the mounting structure is configured to attach to a non-movable portion of the aircraft spaced forward of and laterally offset from the seat, and wherein the airbag is configured to deploy at an angle relative to the seat to protect an occupant seated in the seat;
• an inflator in fluid communication with the airbag;
• and
• an electronics module assembly having a crash sensor operably coupled to the inflator to initiate airbag deployment.

An airbag assembly for use with a seat mounted to a floor of an aircraft, the airbag assembly comprising:

• an airbag;
• a cover over the airbag, wherein the cover is configured to release the airbag upon airbag inflation;
• an inflator operably coupled to the airbag via a gas delivery hose;
• a housing mounted to the floor of the aircraft forward of and laterally offset from the seat, wherein the airbag is configured to project toward the seat at an angle relative to the seat to protect an occupant seated in the seat;
• and
• means for mounting the airbag in the cover to the housing.

A method of deploying an airbag toward a seat in an aircraft, the method comprising:

• detecting a crash event of the aircraft;
• inflating the airbag in response to the detected crash event, the airbag being stored within a portion of a housing and generally aligned with an opening in the housing, wherein the portion of the housing in which the airbag is stored is forward of and laterally offset from the aircraft seat, and wherein, upon inflation, the airbag projects toward the seat at an angle relative to the aircraft seat;
• and
• releasing the airbag from the housing via the opening.