Abstract: A torso equipment support system, for use with a seat bucket of an aviation or ground vehicle, providing upper torso and worn equipment support to an occupant. The system includes a base, a flexible column, a support beam, and a shoulder harness assembly. The shoulder harness assembly is coupled to the support beam and configured for releasable attachment with shoulder belts worn by the occupant. The shoulder harness assembly includes a yoke and a set of restraint shoulder straps. The yoke is slideably coupled to the support beam at a first vertically oriented portion and has a second portion that is split into two horizontally projecting members for extension over the shoulders of the occupant. The set of restraint shoulder straps project inwardly for extension over the shoulders of the occupant from at least one retractor, and extend to the horizontally projecting members.

Abstract: A ceramic shell is disclosed. The ceramic shell can be used, for example, in an armor device or system. The ceramic shell includes two or more of an upper portion, a curved portion, and a seat portion. At least one of the upper portion, the curved portion, and the seat portion includes at least one of a first side portion and a second side portion. The at least of one the first side portion and the second side portion extends forward and includes at least one curved surface. The at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion is monolithically connected to at least one of the upper portion, the curved portion, and the seat portion.

Abstract: A ceramic shell is disclosed. The ceramic shell can be used, for example, in an armor device or system. The ceramic shell includes two or more of an upper portion, a curved portion, and a seat portion. At least one of the upper portion, the curved portion, and the seat portion includes at least one of a first side portion and a second side portion. The at least of one the first side portion and the second side portion extends forward and includes at least one curved surface. The at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion is monolithically connected to at least one of the upper portion, the curved portion, and the seat portion.

Abstract: A gas-powered landing velocity attenuator for reducing the final descent velocity (and consequent ground impact load) of a parachutist or parachuted cargo. Immediately prior to impact, the gas source powers a device for drawing the load (either a parachutist or cargo) closer to the canopy of the paracute. In a first preferred embodiment, the load and the canopy are brought closer together by a single action piston and cable assembly powered by the gas source. A second embodiment uses an inflator assembly connected to an air bag or a braided tube to decrease the distance between the load and the parachute canopy.

Abstract: A seat restraint system whose torso belt includes an inflatable structure that inflates upon impact to protect the occupants of a vehicle such as an automobile. The inflatable structure is linked to a gas generator and crash sensor. When an impact above a predetermined level of severity is detected, the gas generator is ignited, inflating the inflatable structure which contracts in length as it inflates. In a preferred embodiment, the inflatable structure is a braided tube. As the braided tube inflates, the diameter of the tube increases significantly and its length decreases significantly, due to the orientation of the fibers comprising the braided tube. The contraction in length pretensions the seat belt system by pulling any slack out of the seat belt systems. In a frontal impact, the inflated structure restricts the forward motion of an occupant and distributes crash loads over a larger occupant surface area to reduce both primary and secondary injuries.

Abstract: An inflatable system which uses a fast-burning propellant material distributed within the inflatable component of the system to generate the gas inflating the system. The invention preferably includes a distributed fast-burning igniter material, which may be enhanced with additional gas-generating materials to increase the quantities of gas generated, an optional layer, coating, or sheath of supplemental gas-generating material, an environmentally-sealed sheath to protect the enclosed materials from contamination and to improve the burn rates and efficiencies of the propellant and ignition materials, and an electronic squib used to actuate the igniter material upon a signal from the electronic sensor.

Abstract: An air bag system for protecting an occupant in a motor vehicle against injuries resulting from a crash. The system is distinguished by an air bag with releasable partitioning, preferably breakaway stitching, that provides a variable-size inflatable volume and by a means to control the level of inflation. These features allow the present invention to provide optimum protection regardless of whether the occupant is restrained by a seat belt and regardless of whether the crash speed at impact is moderate or severe. The air bag of the invention accommodates the occupant who is wearing a seat belt restraint by inflating to a relatively small inflated volume with a varying internal pressure depending on the crash speed. It accommodates the occupant who is not belted and is in a vehicle traveling 21 mph or faster at the moment of impact by inflating to a larger inflated volume. Thus, the invention provides protection that is appropriate to and optimal for specific crash conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to crewseats for aircraft such as helicopters, and to thigh support and lumbar support mechanisms for such crewseats. The thigh support mechanism is a tilt plate hingeably attached to a base plate, and a locking tang extending downward from the tilt plate to engage a lock lug attached to the base plate. The lumbar support mechanism is a flex plate between the seat back cushion and the rigid back of the crewseat. The degree of bow in the flex plate can be adjusted by moving an adjustment lever up or down, thus rotating a cam shaft, and a lift cam attached to the cam shaft. The lift cam increases or decreases the amount of bow in the flex plate, according to the position of the adjustment lever.

Abstract: The present invention is a biofidelic manikin neck comprising a butyl rubber beam inserted between an aluminum base and an aluminum top, with a stainless steel cable assembly in the middle of the beam connecting the top to the base. In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pivot joint is bolted to a lug in the neck top. The joint is attached to a head mounting plate to provide head nodding action. An outer cylinder, comprised of a thick sheet of butyl rubber attached vertically around the head mounting plate and the neck base, allows the head moment to respond to the angle between the head and the torso. A second preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a torsion release swivel joint instead of a pivot joint, and uses additional strips of butyl rubber to stiffen the neck response. A third preferred embodiment uses a rectangular inner beam, and a roughly oval-shaped outer support structure.

Abstract: The present invention is a biofidelic manikin neck comprising a butyl rubber beam inserted between an aluminum base and an aluminum top, with a stainless steel cable assembly in the middle of the beam connecting the top to the base. In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pivot joint is bolted to a lug in the neck top. The joint is attached to a head mounting plate to provide head nodding action. An outer cylinder, comprised of a thick sheet of butyl rubber attached vertically around the head mounting plate and the neck base, allows the head moment to respond to the angle between the head and the torso. A second preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a torsion release swivel joint instead of a pivot joint, and uses additional strips of butyl rubber to stiffen the neck response. A third preferred embodiment uses a rectangular inner beam, and a roughly oval-shaped outer support structure.

Abstract: There is provided a cylindrical link and armor for electrical, electronic, or fiber-optic cables, hoses, conduits and the like. The armor comprises links which can either rigidly or flexibly interlock and can support their own weight.