US 7,681,953 B2 · Adjustable articulating crew seat

Abstract

A vehicle occupant restraint system includes a seat base pivotally connected to a seat mounting point and seat back pivotally connecting to the seat base. The seat base pivot reside proximal to a forward edge of the seat base and the seat back pivot resides proximal to a rearward edge of the seat base. Each pivot includes a toothed rack, and an engaging member for locking the pivot. The teeth define a radius about the pivots. The engaging members are attached to the seat base and are actuated by levers attached to the seat base. A harness is attached to the seat to prevent injury of an occupant in the event of a unanticipated maneuver, crash, rough terrain, or turbulence. The restraint system comprises a robust mechanism to withstand crash loads and offer sufficient adjustment between sitting and standing positions to accommodate an occupant's duties.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An adjustable vehicle occupant restraint system for use within a vehicle comprising:

a seat mounting point;
a seat base pivotally mounted to the seat mounting point by a seat base pivot proximal to a forward edge of the seat base;
a seat back pivotally mounted to the seat base proximal to a rearward edge of the seat base;
a seat base locking mechanism comprising a seat base toothed member to pivotally lock the seat base in one of at least two seat base positions with respect to the seat mounting point;
and
a seat back locking mechanism to pivotally lock the seat back in one of at least two seat back positions with respect to the seat base;
a seat base engaging member configured to engage the toothed member to lock the position of the seat base with respect to the seat mounting point;
wherein in a first position the seat base is not substantially inclined relative to the seat mounting point and in a second position the seat base is inclined rearwardly relative to the seat mounting point, whereby the seat base and seat back are adapted to support a sitting occupant in the first position and a standing occupant in the second position, and wherein the seat back and seat base can be positioned independently of one another.

5 more elements

An adjustable vehicle occupant restraint system comprising:

a seat mounting point;
a seat base pivotally mounted to the seat mounting point by a seat base pivot proximal to a forward edge of the seat base;
a seat back pivotally mounted to the seat base proximal to a rearward edge of the seat base at a seat back pivot;
a seat base locking mechanism comprising a seat base toothed member to pivotally lock the seat base in one of at least two seat base positions with respect to the seat mounting point;
and
a seat back locking mechanism comprising a seat back toothed member having angularly spaced apart second teeth at a second radius to pivotally lock the seat back in one of at least two seat back positions with respect to the seat base;
a seat base engaging member configured to engage the seat base toothed member to lock the position of the seat base with respect to the seat mount;
a seat back engaging member configured to engage at least one of the second teeth to lock the position of the seat back with respect to the seat base;
the seat back engaging member is movable between a second engaged position and a second disengaged position wherein in the second engaged position, the seat back engaging member engages the second teeth to lock the seat back with respect to the seat base and in the second disengaged position, the seat back engaging member disengages from the second teeth to unlock the seat back with respect to the seat base;
and
the seat back engaging member being biased to a locked position;
a seat back lever pivoting about a seat back lever pivot point;
the seat back lever including a second slot, the second slot having a third slot end at a fifth and greater radius from the seat back lever pivot point and a fourth slot end at a sixth and lesser radius from the seat back lever pivot point;
the cooperation of the seat back engaging member with the second slot translates a rotation of the seat back lever into a translation of the seat back engaging member to engage and disengage the seat back engaging member from the second teeth.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Adjustable articulating crew seat

Life of this patent

Adjustable articulating crew seat

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16