Abstract: An ejection seat is disclosed comprising a seat back; a headrest assembly mounted to or forming part of the seat back; a pair of head support beams stowable in the headrest assembly, configured to be deployed such that they project forwardly from the headrest assembly, for capturing a seat occupant's head therebetween, and a pair of arm retention curtains, wherein at least part of each arm retention curtain is stowed in a rolled condition, configured such that deploying the head support beams and/or drawing the tethers forward from the seat back unfurls the arm retention curtains.

Abstract: A buckle assembly includes at least one socket to receive and retain at least one lug therein, and an emergency release arrangement. The emergency release arrangement is operable to release the at least one lug from the socket in response to a predetermined trigger signal. The assembly also includes a manually operable resetting arrangement that is operable to retain the lug(s) re-inserted into the socket(s), following the triggering of the emergency release arrangement.

Abstract: A rocket motor assembly (3) for use with an aircraft ejection seat comprises a rocket motor (4) having a rocket motor housing (5) and an exhaust outlet (6-9) to permit exhaust gas to be output from the rocket motor (4) along a thrust vector. The rocket motor assembly (3) comprises a first rotational coupling (12) which is configured to rotationally couple a first part (13) of the rocket motor housing (5) to a support structure (10) and a releasable coupling (14) which is configured to releasably couple a second part (15) of the rocket motor housing (5) to the support structure (10). The releasable coupling (14) is configured to release the second part (15) of the rocket motor housing (5) to permit the rocket motor housing (5) to rotate about the rotational coupling (12) to change the angle of the thrust vector of exhaust gas output from the exhaust outlet (6-9).

Abstract: A buckle assembly comprising: a socket arrangement for releasably retaining a lug; and an operating handle rotatably mounted with respect to the socket arrangement and configured such that, upon rotation, the lug is released from the socket arrangement, the operating handle comprising first and second buttons diametrically opposed from one another, configured such that rotation of the operating handle with respect to the socket arrangement is prevented unless both the first and second buttons are simultaneously depressed.

Abstract: A headrest assembly (1) for an ejection seat, comprising: a support mounting (2); and a pair of inflatable side beams (3), each attached at one end to the support mounting and spaced apart from one another, the side beams (3) being configured to be inflated from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration in which the side beams extend from the support panel, the side beams (3) configured to deploy through: a capturing phase, during which the side beams are partially inflated from the stowed configuration such that they extend outwardly and upwardly from the support mounting and away from one another to surround the head of an occupant of the ejection seat toward a central location with respect to the support mounting.

Abstract: A headrest assembly (1) for an ejection seat, comprising: a support mounting (2); and a pair of inflatable side beams (3), each attached at one end to the support mounting and spaced apart from one another, the side beams (3) being configured to be inflated from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration in which the side beams extend from the support panel, the side beams (3) configured to deploy through: a capturing phase, during which the side beams are partially inflated from the stowed configuration such that they extend outwardly and upwardly from the support mounting and away from one another to surround the head of an occupant of the ejection seat toward a central location with respect to the support mounting.

Abstract: A pawl assembly comprising a pawl held in a floating engagement with a support structure and being operable to engage a ratchet, the support structure having an abutment portion, wherein in a first phase, on initial contact with the ratchet, the pawl remains in the floating engagement and is operable to move into a second phase, in which the pawl is operable to contact the abutment portion, to rotate the pawl towards full engagement with the ratchet.

Abstract: A pawl assembly comprising a pawl held in a floating engagement with a support structure and being operable to engage a ratchet, the support structure having an abutment portion, wherein in a first phase, on initial contact with the ratchet, the pawl remains in the floating engagement and is operable to move into a second phase, in which the pawl is operable to contact the abutment portion, to rotate the pawl towards full engagement with the ratchet.

Abstract: A holding mechanism for a vehicular acceleration sensor, comprising: a pair of lever arms operable to move independently of one another; and an inertia weight held between the lever arms, wherein movement of the inertia weight, in use, when under acceleration, causes at least a part of at least one lever arm or both arms to move in a generally linear direction.

Abstract: A holding mechanism for a vehicular acceleration sensor, comprising: a pair of lever arms operable to move independently of one another; and an inertia weight held between the lever arms, wherein movement of the inertia weight, in use, when under acceleration, causes at least a part of at least one lever arm or both arms to move in a generally linear direction.