Airbag lung

Abstract

A method of inflating an airbag includes expanding a collapsed or folded frame that supports and expands the airbag. The expansion of the airbag creates a lower pressure in the interior of the airbag as compared to the exterior, which allows air to be drawn into the airbag due to the lower pressure to fill the airbag. The frame can be made from inflatable ribs, or the frame can be made from interconnecting rigid members. The inflatable ribs can be inflated using a compressed gas canister, while the frame made from rigid members can be expanded using a spring. Filling a frame made from inflatable ribs, as opposed to the airbag itself allows for a smaller compressed gas canister.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A method of inflating an airbag, comprising: inflating a collapsed inflatable frame that supports and expands walls of an airbag and creating a lower pressure in the interior of the airbag as compared to the exterior during expansion of the inflatable frame, while allowing gas to be drawn into the airbag due to the lower pressure to fill the airbag. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the airbag is fluidly connected to a forced air device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises inflatable ribs placed along the airbag walls. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises inflatable ribs that are formed by welding an outer membrane with an inner membrane. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises an enclosed pocket surrounding a majority of the air bag wall surface. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising inflating the inflatable frame to a pressure to make the frame rigid. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the frame receives gas from a gas storage device, and the airbag receives gas from the atmosphere. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gas storage device further includes a Venturi valve. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable frame has a capacity that is less than a capacity of the airbag. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable frame receives gas from a source that is a different source than the gas used to inflate the airbag. 
     
     
         11 . A method of inflating an airbag, comprising: with a device, expanding a collapsed or folded frame that supports and expands airbag walls, creating a lower pressure in the interior of the airbag as compared to the exterior, and allowing gas to be drawn into the airbag due to the lower pressure to fill the airbag, wherein the frame comprises rigid interconnecting members. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the device is a torsion spring. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the frame comprises a plurality of arc-shaped members, wherein each member comprises two sides, and the members are connected to each other about a pivoting point on the same corresponding side. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the airbag comprises a first and second rigid plate on opposing sides, and a flexible membrane connects the first plate to the second plate to form the airbag. 
     
     
         15 . An airbag, comprising: a thin membrane formed into a collapsed deflated bag with an inlet in communication to the atmosphere, a collapsed frame that is attached to walls of the bag, and a device connected to the frame, wherein the device is configured to expand the frame. 
     
     
         16 . The airbag of  claim 15 , wherein the device includes a torsion spring connected to the frame. 
     
     
         17 . The airbag of  claim 15 , wherein the collapsed frame comprises a plurality of arc-shaped members, wherein each member comprises two sides, and the members are connected to each other about a pivoting point on the same corresponding side. 
     
     
         18 . The airbag of  claim 15 , wherein the airbag comprises a first and second rigid plate on opposing sides, and a flexible membrane connects the first plate to the second plate to form the airbag. 
     
     
         19 . An airbag, comprising: a first thin interior membrane formed into a collapsed deflated bag with an inlet that allows air to enter from the atmosphere, a second thin exterior membrane juxtaposed on and surrounding the first thin membrane, wherein a first inflatable volume is created between the first and second membranes, and a second inflatable volume is create in the interior of the first membrane, wherein the capacity of the first inflatable volume is less than the second inflatable volume. 
     
     
         20 . The airbag of  claim 19 , wherein the first inflatable volume is connected to a compressed gas cylinder, and the second inflatable volume is connected to the ambient atmosphere. 
     
     
         21 . The airbag of  claim 19 , wherein the first inflatable volume is connected to a forced air device. 
     
     
         22 . The airbag of  claim 19 , wherein the first inflatable volume is connected to the second inflatable volume via a one-way valve.