Patent attributes
A belt apparatus is configured to support the trousers worn by a person and to include a number of airbags that are deployable in a falling event to protect the person from bone breakages. The belt apparatus includes a flexible belt element and a fastener that appear and function in much the same way as an ordinary apparel trouser belt, i.e., fitting through belt loops in trousers and being fastenable to itself to support the pair of trousers at the waist of the person. Despite the ordinary appearance of the belt apparatus, it includes airbags internal thereto whose expansion is controlled by a control apparatus. Responsive to a falling event in a particular direction with respect to the person, the control apparatus triggers the rapid expansion of an airbag that is situated on the belt element in the particular direction with respect to the person and takes other actions.