Blast protection

Abstract

Protection systems and methods for safeguarding a vehicle occupant from an explosion or other detonation event are provided. In the event of an IED detonation, components with energy absorbing features can protect the feet, femur, pelvis, spine, upper torso, head, and other occupant parts commonly injured in explosive attacks against vehicles. Energy absorbing components can include seats, cushions, tiles, seatbelts or harnesses, restraints, and other components. Some components can inflatable and/or deformable, and/or have dampening qualities, in order to minimize trauma to the occupant.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system that facilitates blast injury protection, comprising:
 a first vessel component positioned under an occupant's thighs upon a base of a seat; and   a second vessel component positioned beneath the occupant's torso.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein matter transfers from the second vessel to the first vessel upon detection of downward force of the occupant's torso. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the matter transfer inflates the first vessel to lift the occupant's thighs away from the base of the seat. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one vent as an interface between the first vessel and the second vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the vent does not permit matter to pass between the first vessel and the second vessel until a pressure is reached. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a gas source that inflates at least one of the first vessel and the second vessel. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising an initiator that actuates the gas source when a danger is detected. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the initiator can include at least one of an accelerometer, a pressure switch, a thermometer, an airflow meter, a level, a gyroscope, a deflection detector, a microphone, a camera, a multimeter, a radio receiver and a magnetic sensor. 
     
     
         9 . A system that facilitates blast injury protection, comprising:
 at least one layer of compressible objects within a cushion.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one layer of compressible objects includes at least a first layer and a second layer. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least a first subset of the compressible objects burst under a given force. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein at least a second subset of the compressible objects transition into the positions of the first subset of compressible objects after the first subset of compressible objects burst. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the compressible objects are spheres. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the compressible objects are flexible extruded sections. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the extruded sections are encased within an air bag. 
     
     
         16 . A system that facilitates blast injury protection, comprising:
 an outer frame that is fixed in relation to a vehicle;   an inner frame coupled to the outer frame, wherein the inner frame can move at least a distance in at least one direction with respect to the outer frame; and   a seat coupled to the inner frame.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a suspension system that limits at least one degree of freedom with respect to motion between the outer frame and inner frame. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a lower frame that bears at least an occupant's feet when the occupant is in the seat. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the seat is coupled to the inner frame with at least a hinge that facilitates stowing of the seat. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the outer frame is coupled with at least one dampener that dampens the outer frame with respect to the vehicle.