Adaptive belt for impact

A passenger seat for an aircraft comprising:

• an adaptive belt attached to a frame of the passenger seat, the adaptive belt comprising:
• at least a first section, a second section, and a third section, wherein:
• the first section, the second section, and the third section form a continuous belt;
• and
• the adaptive belt comprises a retracted configuration and a fully extended configuration;
• wherein, in the retracted configuration:
• the adaptive belt is folded between the first section and the second section such that a first attachment attaches the first section to a first portion of the second section;
• the adaptive belt is folded between the second section and the third section such that a second attachment attaches a second portion of the second section to a first portion of the third section;
• the first attachment is distinct from the second attachment;
• and
• the adaptive belt has a retracted length;
• wherein, in the fully extended configuration, the first attachment and the second attachment fail, thereby increasing a length of the adaptive belt to a fully extended length;
• and
• wherein, in response to a threshold loading condition, the adaptive belt changes from the retracted configuration to the fully extended configuration.

An adaptive belt attached to a vehicle seat, the adaptive belt comprising:

• a first section, a second section, and a third section, wherein:
• the first section, the second section, and the third section form a continuous belt;
• and
• the adaptive belt comprises a retracted configuration, a fully extended configuration, and an intermediate configuration;
• wherein, in the retracted configuration:
• the adaptive belt is folded between the first section and the second section such that a first plurality of stitches attaches the first section to a first portion of the second section;
• the adaptive belt is folded between the second section and the third section such that a second plurality of stitches attaches a second portion of the second section to a first portion of the third section;
• the first plurality of stitches are distinct from the second plurality of stitches;
• the adaptive belt has a retracted length;
• wherein, in the fully extended configuration, the first plurality of stitches and the second plurality of stitches fail, thereby causing the adaptive belt to change length to a fully extended length;
• wherein, in the intermediate configuration, one, but not both, of the first plurality of stitches and the second plurality of stitches fail such that the adaptive belt comprises an intermediate length that is greater than the retracted length but less than the fully extended length;
• wherein, in response to a first loading condition, the adaptive belt changes from the retracted configuration to the intermediate configuration;
• and
• wherein, in response to a second loading condition, the adaptive belt changes from the intermediate configuration to the fully extended configuration.