Reduced head pad seat
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorThomas E. Wittmann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A seat assembly for commercial aircraft or other vehicles has features that reduce head excursion in high impact events such as crashes or collisions. These include the use of low-elongation seatbelt material and high seatbelt anchor location. Another feature which reduces head excursion is an articulating seatpan. The bottom seat cushion is guided by rollers in tracks to follow a prescribed motion under forward inertial load. As the inertial load is applied, the seatpan travels forward and tilts upward. This reduces forward pelvic rotation which, in turn, reduces head excursion. Other features which limit pelvic rotation are the use of dynamically stiff foam for the seat cushion, and a relatively steep initial cushion angle/cushion contour.
Claims10
A seat assembly for limiting forward excursion of the head of a forward-facing occupant in said seat assembly when said seat assembly is subjected to an inertial load of a predetermined magnitude comprising:
- a frame;
- a seat back mounted to said frame;
- a seatpan;
- means for mounting said seatpan to said frame for pivotal motion with respect to said seat back when said seat assembly is subjected to said inertial load;
- and
- means for mounting a seat belt to said seat assembly at a point above the horizontal plane through the point where the seatpan and seat back meet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.