Extricable seat assembly

A multi-layered extricable seat assembly attachable to a cockpit of a vehicle and custom fit for a driver of the vehicle, the seat assembly comprising:

• a bottom portion, a back portion, a left portion, and a right portion wherein the portions have
• a common outer layer having a first surface and a second surface attachable to the cockpit of the vehicle, the common outer layer formed to be received in the cockpit;
• a custom-formed integral inner layer formed to complement the shape of the body of the driver, the inner layer being press-fit attached only at its periphery to the first surface of the outer layer, defining a void between the inner and outer layers;
• and
• an impact energy material disposed in the void between the inner and outer layers, the impact energy material adhering to the inner and outer layers to support the driver when in the seat assembly.

A multi-layered extricable seat assembly attachable to a cockpit of a racing vehicle for a driver of the vehicle, the seat assembly comprising:

• a bottom portion to support the lower torso and legs of the driver, the bottom portion having a hingedly connectable upper edge;
• a back portion to support the spinal column of the driver, the back portion having a lower edge hingedly and detachably connected to the upper edge of the bottom portion, the back portion having hingedly connectable left and right edges;
• a left portion to support the left paraspinal area of the driver, the left portion having a lower edge hingedly and detachably connected to the upper edge of the bottom portion and a right edge hingedly and detachably connected to the left edge of the back portion;
• and
• a right portion to support the right paraspinal area of the driver, the right portion having a lower edge hingedly and detachably connected to the upper edge of the bottom portion and a left edge hingedly and detachably connected to the right edge of the back portion;
• wherein each portion includes:
• a common outer layer attachable to the cockpit of the racing vehicle, the common outer layer formed to be received in the cockpit of the racing vehicle;
• a custom-formed integral inner layer formed to complement the shape of the body of the driver, the inner layer being press-fit attached only at its periphery to the outer layer defining a void between the inner and outer layers;
• and
• a liner disposed in the void between the inner and outer layers to support the driver in the seat assembly.

A method of extricating a driver on an extricable seat assembly of a cockpit of a vehicle after an impact event, the method comprising:

• providing the seat assembly on which the driver is seated, the seat assembly including a bottom portion with a connectable upper edge, a back portion connected to the upper edge of the bottom portion and having connectable left and right edges, a left portion connected to the upper edge of the bottom portion and connected to the left edge of the back portion, and a right portion connected to the upper edge of the bottom portion and connected to the right edge of the back portion;
• lifting the driver and the seat assembly after the impact event;
• placing the driver and the seat assembly on a support;
• detaching the bottom portion from the back portion, left portion, and right portion to lower the legs of the driver in an outstretched position;
• and
• detaching the left and right portions from the back portion to outstretch the upper torso of the driver, thereby supporting the driver with the back portion.

A multi-layered extricable seat assembly attachable to a cockpit of a vehicle and custom fit for a driver of the vehicle, the seat assembly comprising:

• a common outer layer having a first surface and a second surface attachable to the cockpit of the vehicle, the common outer layer formed to be received in the cockpit;
• a custom-formed integral inner layer formed to complement the shape of the body of the driver, the inner layer being press-fit attached only at its periphery to the first surface of the outer layer, defining a void between the inner and outer layers;
• and
• an impact energy material disposed in the void between the inner and outer layers, the impact energy material adhering to the inner and outer layers to support the driver when in the seat assembly
• wherein the outer layer includes a carbon fiber sheet.