US5259574A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety device for helicopters and similar equipment with rotors
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-05-17
•
Granted: 1993-11-09
•
Expires: 2011-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A device for protecting a helicopter and its occupants from damage during a crash or difficult landing. The device includes an inflatable bag attached to the bottom fuselage which covers a totality of the surface of the helicopter's bottom fuselage. The bag is inflatable into a trapezoidal shape having a very large volume, exceeding the helicopter's internal volume, for substantially cushioning the helicopter upon impact with the ground during a crash. The bag is equipped with distortion-control reinforcements for preventing toppling of the helicopter after a landing and bag air-pressure controlling and limiting devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis Carrot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:19
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C27/00; B64C27/006; B64C25/00; B64C25/32; B64C25/54; B64C25/56; B64D; B64D2201/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
Safety device for helicopters and equipment with rotors, comprising: a principal inflatable bag having top and bottom zones, the bag being attached under a bottom fuselage of a helicopter such that the top zone of the inflatable bag covers a whole surface of the bottom fuselage, the bag when inflated defining a trapezoidal shape of very large volume exceeding very greatly an internal volume of the helicopter, said bag being equipped on its sides with distortion-control reinforcement means, and means for limiting and controlling an interior pressure in the bag.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
Safety device for helicopters and equipment with rotors, comprising: a principal inflatable bag having top and bottom zones, the bag being attached under a bottom fuselage of a helicopter such that the top zone of the inflatable bag covers a whole surface of the bottom fuselage, the bag when inflated defining a trapezoidal shape of very large volume exceeding very greatly an internal volume of the helicopter, said bag being equipped on its sides with distortion-control reinforcement means, and means for limiting and controlling an interior pressure in the bag.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bag comprises cloth constituted of aramid fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bag is equipped with pressure-limiting means comprising located in the top and bottom zones of the bag, said vents being arranged to regulate the interior pressure while preserving a minimum amount of residual interior pressure sufficient to allow flotation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
Device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising additional bags deployed on lateral sides of the helicopter, said bags being connected to the principal bag for simultaneous inflation with the principal bag, the principal bag and the additional bags providing downward and lateral cushioning in the case of the helicopter crashing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the distortion-control reinforcement means comprise strips positioned and attached inside the principal bag in alternating intertwined positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
Device in accordance with claim 5, wherein strips comprise aramid fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
Device in accordance with claim 5, wherein the strips are attached on opposite lateral sides of the bag.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
Device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the pressure-limiting means are positioned in a top part of the additional bags, and in the bottom zone of the principal bag.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
Device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the pressure-limiting means are positioned in a top part of the additional bags, and int he bottom zone of the principal bag, and wherein the distortion-control reinforcement means comprise strips positioned and attached inside the principal bag n alternating intertwined positions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-11-08 | 1997-05-10 | 1997-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-08 | 2001-05-10 | 2001-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-08 | 2005-05-10 | 2005-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |