Forward posture support seat system

Abstract

A seat system for a crewmember of an aircraft is disclosed which provides support and restraint to the crewmember while in a crouched as well as an erect position. The crewmember is secured by means of a strap harness to an insert which is positioned behind and in contact with the crewmember's back. The insert is rotatably connected to the seat providing multi-axis rotation to the insert relative to the seat. The insert's multi-axis rotation allows the crewmember to turn in the seat while secured to the insert. The insert also has a limited degree of translational movement toward as well as away from its connection to the seat; this allows the crewmember to lean forward, backward and laterally in the seat while still secured to the insert. A mechanism locks the insert into a desired forwardly inclined position. Instead of an insert, however, the crewmember's upper torso may be directly connected, at the crewmember's back, to the seat by means of a strap system or a rigid extendable support member. The crewmember is securely retained in the crouched position on ejection for enhanced protection from the forces of ejection from the aircraft (and optionally during certain high acceleration aircraft maneuvers).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.