Open-cell airbag landing device having a closed-cell foundation

Abstract

An airbag landing device for absorbing an impact of a falling object is disclosed. The airbag landing device includes an inflatable base structure with at least one inflatable closed-cell chamber configured to hold a first fill volume of gas and an inflatable top structure disposed vertically on top of the inflatable base structure. The inflatable top structure includes a central, external chamber, and at least one inflatable open-cell chamber that is configured to sustain a second fill volume of gas. The airbag landing device includes a top cover over the inflatable top structure. The top cover overlays the central chamber to form an air pocket therebetween. At impact, the inflatable top structure exhausts a volume of gas from the air pocket and from the open-cell chamber of the inflatable top structure while the first fill volume of the at least one inflatable closed-cell chamber is maintained.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An airbag landing device for absorbing an impact of a falling object, comprising:
 an inflatable base structure providing a base of the airbag landing device, the inflatable base structure including at least one inflatable closed-cell chamber configured to hold a first fill volume of gas to sustain the first fill volume of gas during use of the airbag landing device;   an inflatable top structure disposed vertically on top of the inflatable base structure to provide a landing surface for the falling object at impact, the inflatable top structure including at least one inflatable open-cell chamber that is fluidly isolated from the at least one inflatable closed-cell chamber of the inflatable base structure and being configured to sustain a second fill volume of gas, the inflatable top structure including an air inlet configured to receive airflow into the at least one inflatable open-cell chamber and at least one vent port configured to exhaust air out from the at least one inflatable open-cell chamber; and   a blower in fluid communication with the air inlet of the inflatable top structure and being configured to inflate the at least one inflatable open-cell chamber and to maintain the second fill volume of gas during use of the airbag landing device;   wherein upon impact by the falling object, the inflatable top structure exhausts a volume of gas from the at least one inflatable open-cell chamber through the at least one vent port to vary the second fill volume of the at least one inflatable open-cell chamber while the first fill volume of the at least one inflatable closed-cell chamber is sustained.   
     
     
         2 . The airbag landing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a top cover disposed over the inflatable top structure, the top cover providing the landing surface for the falling object at impact. 
     
     
         3 . The airbag landing device of  claim 2 , wherein the inflatable top structure further comprises:
 an inflatable upstanding wall portion that extends about a periphery of the inflatable top structure to define a central chamber, the upstanding wall portion including at least one air passageway in fluid communication with the central chamber;   wherein the top cover is configured to cover the central chamber to form an air pocket therebetween; and   wherein upon impact by the falling object, the inflatable top structure exhausts a volume of gas from the air pocket through the at least one air passageway.   
     
     
         4 . The airbag landing device of  claim 3 , wherein the inflatable top structure further comprises a plurality of inflatable columns, wherein a cavity of each of the plurality of inflatable columns forms part of the open-cell chamber of the inflatable top structure. 
     
     
         5 . The airbag landing device of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of inflatable columns are positioned within the central chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The airbag landing device of  claim 3 , wherein the top cover includes at least one breather vent. 
     
     
         7 . The airbag landing device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one inflatable closed-cell chamber of the inflatable base structure is configured to sustain a first air pressure and the at least one inflatable open-cell chamber of the inflatable top structure is configured to sustain a second air pressure that is lower than the first air pressure. 
     
     
         8 . The airbag landing device of  claim 1 , wherein the second fill volume of the at least one inflatable open-cell chamber is greater than the first fill volume of the at least one inflatable closed-cell chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The airbag landing device of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable base structure extends a distance beyond a periphery of the inflatable top structure to expose a section of the inflatable base structure. 
     
     
         10 . The airbag landing device of  claim 1 , wherein the blower is configured to reinflate the open-cell chamber to the second fill volume after the airbag landing device absorbs the impact of the falling object. 
     
     
         11 . The airbag landing device of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable base structure includes an air inlet including an inlet valve for sealing closed the at least one inflatable closed-cell chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The airbag landing device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one vent port of the inflatable top structure is disposed in an exterior sidewall of the inflatable top structure. 
     
     
         13 . The airbag landing device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one vent port includes a valve flap for adjusting airflow through the least one vent port. 
     
     
         14 . A recreational sports area comprising the airbag landing device of  claim 1  for absorbing the impact of a falling object landing in the recreational sports landing area. 
     
     
         15 . An airbag landing device for absorbing an impact of a falling object, comprising:
 an inflatable base structure providing a base of the airbag landing device, the inflatable base structure including at least one inflatable closed-cell chamber configured to sustain a first fill volume of gas during use of the airbag landing device;   an inflatable top structure disposed vertically on top of the inflatable base structure, the inflatable top structure including an inflatable upstanding wall portion that extends about a periphery of the inflatable top structure to define a central chamber, the upstanding wall portion including at least one air passageway in fluid communication with the central chamber, and at least one inflatable open-cell chamber that is fluidly isolated from the at least one inflatable closed-cell chamber of the inflatable base structure and being configured to sustain a second fill volume of gas, the inflatable top structure including an air inlet configured to receive airflow into the at least one inflatable open-cell chamber and at least one vent port configured to exhaust air out from the at least one inflatable open-cell chamber;   a top cover disposed over the inflatable top structure to provide a landing surface for the falling object at impact, the top cover being configured to cover the central chamber to form an air pocket therebetween; and   a blower in fluid communication with the air inlet of the inflatable top structure and being configured to inflate the at least one inflatable open-cell chamber and to maintain the second fill volume of gas during use of the airbag landing device;   wherein upon impact by the falling object, the inflatable top structure exhausts a volume of gas from the air pocket through the at least one air passageway and from the at least one inflatable open-cell chamber through the at least one vent port to vary the second fill volume of the at least one inflatable open-cell chamber while the first fill volume of the at least one inflatable closed-cell chamber is sustained.   
     
     
         16 . The airbag landing device of  claim 15 , wherein the inflatable top structure further comprises a plurality of inflatable columns, wherein a cavity of each of the plurality of inflatable columns forms part of the open-cell chamber of the inflatable top structure. 
     
     
         17 . The airbag landing device of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of inflatable columns are positioned within the central chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The airbag landing device of  claim 15 , wherein the top cover includes at least one breather vent. 
     
     
         19 . The airbag landing device of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one vent port of the inflatable top structure is disposed in an exterior sidewall of the inflatable top structure and includes a valve flap for adjusting airflow through the least one vent port. 
     
     
         20 . A recreational sports area comprising the airbag landing device of  claim 15  for absorbing an impact of a falling object landing in the recreational sports landing area.