Seat structure having an adjustable seat back and support shelf especially for accommodating parachute packs

Abstract

A seat structure includes a flexible canvas seat bottom portion (14) and a flexible canvas seat back portion (12). A horizontally disposed, transversely extending beam member (58) is rotatably disposed above the seat bottom portion (14) and is operatively connected to the lower end of the seat back portion (12). The beam member (58) is movable between two positions 90.degree. apart such that when the beam member (58) is disposed in its first position, the beam member (58) effectively defines a support shelf or platform projecting forwardly of the seat back portion (12) and is therefore capable of supporting parachute packs borne by parachuting personnel seated within the seat structure. The seat back portion (12) is also disposed in a slackened state at such time so as to accommodate the depth of the parachute packs. When the beam member (58) is moved to its second position, the seat back portion (12) attains a taut state so as to adequately support the upper back regions of the personnel devoid of their parachute packs, and the beam member (58) effectively disappears behind the seat back portion (12). Locking pins (68) engage apertures (66) defined within the beam brackets (60) for lockingly retaining the beam member (58) in either of its two positions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.