Pedestrian air bag device

Abstract

A pedestrian air bag device includes a housing for at least one air bag; an attachment connected to the housing for attachment to a pedestrian; the air bag(s) contained with a compressed gas chamber for release of compressed gas into and deployment of the air bag(s); and sensor(s) and release mechanism connected to the compressed gas chamber for opening it in response to the sensor(s) sensing a predetermined change in a physical characteristic, such as a predetermined change that is selected from the group consisting of an angle change of a predetermined angle, an altitude change of a predetermined altitude characteristic, or a combination thereof For example, it may be a predetermined change in an angle of at least 45 degrees. Alternatively, it could be a predetermined altitude characteristic change could be a decrease in gravitational pull or a negative difference in actual altitude measurements.

1 . A pedestrian air bag device, which comprises: 
 (a) a containment and deployment housing for at least one air bag;    (b) attachment means connected to said housing for attachment to a pedestrian;    (c) said at least one air bag contained within said housing and having at least one compressed gas chamber for release of compressed gas into and deployment of said at least one air bag; and    (d) at least one sensor and release mechanism connected to said compressed gas chamber for opening said at least one compressed gas chamber in response to said at least one sensor sensing a predetermined change in a physical characteristic.    
   
   
       2 . The pedestrian air bag device of  claim 1  wherein said predetermined change is selected from the group consisting of an angle change of a predetermined angle, an altitude change of a predetermined altitude characteristic, or a combination thereof  
   
   
       3 . The pedestrian air bag device of  claim 2  wherein said predetermined change is an angle change of at least 45 degrees.  
   
   
       4 . The pedestrian air bag device of  claim 2  wherein said predetermined change is an altitude characteristic change selected from the group consisting of decrease in gravitational pull and negative difference in actual altitude measurements.  
   
   
       5 . The pedestrian air bag device of  claim 1  wherein said attachment means is selected from the group consisting of apparel and strapping.  
   
   
       6 . The pedestrian air bag device of  claim 5  wherein said apparel is selected from the group consisting of a jacket, a vest, top outerwear, pants and jumpsuit.  
   
   
       7 . The pedestrian air bag device of  claim 1  wherein said at least one air bag is adapted and positioned to be deployed in an area of a pedestrian selected from the group consisting of chest, neck, head, back and side.  
   
   
       8 . The pedestrian air bag device of  claim 7  wherein there is at least a second air bag that is adapted and positioned to be deployed in an area of a pedestrian selected from the group consisting of buttock, arms, knees, ankles and thighs.  
   
   
       9 . The pedestrian air bag device of  claim 1  wherein there is an on/off mechanism to deactivate all sensors of said at least one sensor so that a pedestrian may wear said device when not in harms way and when intentionally effecting an otherwise sensed physical characteristic.  
   
   
       10 . The pedestrian air bag device of  claim 1  wherein said at least one air bag, said at least one sensor and said at least one compressed gas chamber are modular and removeable from said housing and are replaceable.  
   
   
       11 . A pedestrian air bag device, which comprises: 
 (a) a containment and deployment housing for at least one air bag;    (b) attachment means connected to said housing for attachment to a pedestrian;    (c) said at least one air bag contained within said housing and having at least one compressed gas chamber for release of compressed gas into and deployment of said at least one air bag;    (d) at least one sensor and release mechanism connected to said compressed gas chamber for opening said at least one compressed gas chamber in response to said at least one sensor sensing a predetermined change in a physical characteristic; and    (e) an alarm mechanism attached to said at least one sensor and release mechanism, said alarm mechanism adapted activate when said compressed gas is released and said at least one air bag is deployed, and to send a wireless signal to a receiver for response.    
   
   
       12 . The pedestrian air bag device of  claim 11  wherein said predetermined change is selected from the group consisting of an angle change of a predetermined angle, an altitude change of a predetermined altitude characteristic, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       13 . The pedestrian air bag device of  claim 12  wherein said predetermined change is an angle change of at least 45 degrees.  
   
   
       14 . The pedestrian air bag device of  claim 12  wherein said predetermined change is an altitude characteristic change selected from the group consisting of decrease in gravitational pull and negative difference in actual altitude measurements.  
   
   
       15 . The pedestrian air bag device of  claim 11  wherein said attachment means is selected from the group consisting of apparel and strapping.  
   
   
       16 . The pedestrian air bag device of  claim 15  wherein said apparel is selected from the group consisting of a jacket, a vest, top outerwear, pants and jumpsuit.  
   
   
       17 . The pedestrian air bag device of  claim 11  wherein said at least one air bag is adapted and positioned to be deployed in an area of a pedestrian selected from the group consisting of chest, neck, head, back and side.  
   
   
       18 . The pedestrian air bag device of  claim 17  wherein there is at least a second air bag that is adapted and positioned to be deployed in an area of a pedestrian selected from the group consisting of buttock, arms, knees, ankles and thighs.  
   
   
       19 . The pedestrian air bag device of  claim 11  wherein there is an on/off mechanism to deactivate all sensors of said at least one sensor so that a pedestrian may wear said device when not in harms way and when intentionally effecting an otherwise sensed physical characteristic.  
   
   
       20 . The pedestrian air bag device of  claim 11  wherein said at least one air bag, said at least one sensor and said at least one compressed gas chamber are modular and removeable from said housing and are replaceable.