Abstract: An active system and a computer-implemented method for reducing vibrations of seats in a vehicle is described. The system and method adjust a damping and/or a stiffness of a vibration damper based on system input signals from the vehicle or seat system. The signals include one or more of a signal associated with a user weight, a signal associated with time-dependent movement of a vehicle frame, and a signal associated with time-dependent movement of a seat back or a seat pan. The damping or the stiffness are adjusted by a closed loop control.

Abstract: A rotorcraft seating assembly includes a seat base supporting a seat bucket, the seat base having left- and right-side panel portions. Each side panel portion has a linear bucket guide channel set into its inside face (including an upper portion for adjusting the seat bucket relative to the seat base for pilots of varying heights, and a lower portion for energy attenuation (EA) stroking in response to a crash event) and a bucket guide slot set into its outside face (including a linear upper portion corresponding to the range of adjustment of the seat bucket and a curved lower portion allowing the seat bucket to translate forward and away from the seat base during EA stroking). The curved outer bucket guide slot allows for the required EA stroking distance within a minimal vertical space between the seat bucket and the flight deck floor.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to earpiece devices that share information with other earpiece devices within range (e.g., GPS location and identity). For example multiple users can send signals to each individual earpiece when in range or to a mobile audio communications device via a wireless connection with each earpiece.

Abstract: A device includes a balloon inflation module having an involuted balloon housed within a lumen, an integrated reservoir in fluid communication with the involuted balloon where the balloon inflation module is configured to selectively displace a volume of fluid from the integrated reservoir into the involuted balloon and from the involuted balloon into the integrated reservoir. The device also includes a port configured to receive an accessory module. In one embodiment, the accessory module is a communication module having a logic circuit coupled to an ambient microphone configured to pick up ambient audio content, an ear canal microphone configured to pick up audio in the proximity of an ear canal, and an ear canal receiver configured to provide audio content in the proximity of the ear canal. In some embodiments, the integrated reservoir is formed within portions of a push button spring-loaded pump assembly. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A rotorcraft seating assembly includes a seat base supporting a seat bucket, the seat base having left- and right-side panel portions. Each side panel portion has a linear bucket guide channel set into its inside face (including an upper portion for adjusting the seat bucket relative to the seat base for pilots of varying heights, and a lower portion for energy attenuation (EA) stroking in response to a crash event) and a bucket guide slot set into its outside face (including a linear upper portion corresponding to the range of adjustment of the seat bucket and a curved lower portion allowing the seat bucket to translate forward and away from the seat base during EA stroking). The curved outer bucket guide slot allows for the required EA stroking distance within a minimal vertical space between the seat bucket and the flight deck floor.

Abstract: An active system and a computer-implemented method for reducing vibrations of seats in a vehicle is described. The system and method adjust a damping and/or a stiffness of a vibration damper based on system input signals from the vehicle or seat system. The signals include one or more of a signal associated with a user weight, a signal associated with time-dependent movement of a vehicle frame, and a signal associated with time-dependent movement of a seat back or a seat pan. The damping or the stiffness are adjusted by a closed loop control.

Abstract: The present invention is focused on an in vitro method for the diagnosis or prognosis of neurodegenerative disorders. The method comprises measuring the level of expression or the concentration level of at least a lipoprotein receptor-related protein fragment (LRP fragment) or at least a lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP).

Abstract: A device includes a balloon inflation module having an involuted balloon housed within a lumen, an integrated reservoir in fluid communication with the involuted balloon where the balloon inflation module is configured to selectively displace a volume of fluid from the integrated reservoir into the involuted balloon and from the involuted balloon into the integrated reservoir. The device also includes a port configured to receive an accessory module. In one embodiment, the accessory module is a communication module having a logic circuit coupled to an ambient microphone configured to pick up ambient audio content, an ear canal microphone configured to pick up audio in the proximity of an ear canal, and an ear canal receiver configured to provide audio content in the proximity of the ear canal. In some embodiments, the integrated reservoir is formed within portions of a push button spring-loaded pump assembly. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A device includes a balloon inflation module having an involuted balloon housed within a lumen, an integrated reservoir in fluid communication with the involuted balloon where the balloon inflation module is configured to selectively displace a volume of fluid from the integrated reservoir into the involuted balloon and from the involuted balloon into the integrated reservoir. The device also includes a port configured to receive an accessory module. In one embodiment, the accessory module is a communication module having a logic circuit coupled to an ambient microphone configured to pick up ambient audio content, an ear canal microphone configured to pick up audio in the proximity of an ear canal, and an ear canal receiver configured to provide audio content in the proximity of the ear canal. In some embodiments, the integrated reservoir is formed within portions of a push button spring-loaded pump assembly. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The dynamic retention system may include at least one plunger assembly including a plunger base coupled to a base assembly of an aircraft seat and a spring-loaded plunger coupled to a seat frame. The spring-loaded plunger may be configured to contact the plunger base. The dynamic retention system may include at least one hook receptacle coupled to the base assembly, and at least one structural hook coupled to the seat frame. The at least one hook receptacle may be configured to receive the at least one structural hook responsive to the spring-loaded plunger contacting the plunger base. The seat frame may be coupled to the base assembly via an actuation assembly. The aircraft seat may be actuatable between a first position and at least a second position.

Abstract: A multi-stage seatback extension system is disclosed. In embodiments, the multi-stage seatback extension system includes a backrest base assembly, an extendable backrest assembly, and an extendable headrest assembly. The extendable backrest assembly is moveably coupled to the backrest base assembly such that it can be pulled away from the backrest base assembly or pushed toward the backrest base assembly. The extendable headrest assembly is coupled to the extendable backrest assembly so that the headrest assembly can also be extended (or retracted). In this regard, the extendable backrest assembly and the headrest assembly implement a multi-stage (e.g., two stage or more) seatback extension system.

Abstract: The dynamic retention system may include at least one plunger assembly including a plunger base coupled to a base assembly of an aircraft seat and a spring-loaded plunger coupled to a seat frame. The spring-loaded plunger may be configured to contact the plunger base. The dynamic retention system may include at least one hook receptacle coupled to the base assembly, and at least one structural hook coupled to the seat frame. The at least one hook receptacle may be configured to receive the at least one structural hook responsive to the spring-loaded plunger contacting the plunger base. The seat frame may be coupled to the base assembly via an actuation assembly. The aircraft seat may be actuatable between a first position and at least a second position.

Abstract: A multi-stage seatback extension system is disclosed. In embodiments, the multi-stage seatback extension system includes a backrest base assembly, an extendable backrest assembly, and an extendable headrest assembly. The extendable backrest assembly is moveably coupled to the backrest base assembly such that it can be pulled away from the backrest base assembly or pushed toward the backrest base assembly. The extendable headrest assembly is coupled to the extendable backrest assembly so that the headrest assembly can also be extended (or retracted). In this regard, the extendable backrest assembly and the headrest assembly implement a multi-stage (e.g., two stage or more) seatback extension system.

Abstract: A device includes a balloon inflation module having an involuted balloon housed within a lumen, an integrated reservoir in fluid communication with the involuted balloon where the balloon inflation module is configured to selectively displace a volume of fluid from the integrated reservoir into the involuted balloon and from the involuted balloon into the integrated reservoir. The device also includes a port configured to receive an accessory module. In one embodiment, the accessory module is a communication module having a logic circuit coupled to an ambient microphone configured to pick up ambient audio content, an ear canal microphone configured to pick up audio in the proximity of an ear canal, and an ear canal receiver configured to provide audio content in the proximity of the ear canal. In some embodiments, the integrated reservoir is formed within portions of a push button spring-loaded pump assembly. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A device includes a balloon inflation module having an involuted balloon housed within a lumen, an integrated reservoir in fluid communication with the involuted balloon where the balloon inflation module is configured to selectively displace a volume of fluid from the integrated reservoir into the involuted balloon and from the involuted balloon into the integrated reservoir. The device also includes a port configured to receive an accessory module. In one embodiment, the accessory module is a communication module having a logic circuit coupled to an ambient microphone configured to pick up ambient audio content, an ear canal microphone configured to pick up audio in the proximity of an ear canal, and an ear canal receiver configured to provide audio content in the proximity of the ear canal. In some embodiments, the integrated reservoir is formed within portions of a push button spring-loaded pump assembly. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A device includes a balloon inflation module having an involuted balloon housed within a lumen, an integrated reservoir in fluid communication with the involuted balloon where the balloon inflation module is configured to selectively displace a volume of fluid from the integrated reservoir into the involuted balloon and from the involuted balloon into the integrated reservoir. The device also includes a port configured to receive an accessory module. In one embodiment, the accessory module is a communication module having a logic circuit coupled to an ambient microphone configured to pick up ambient audio content, an ear canal microphone configured to pick up audio in the proximity of an ear canal, and an ear canal receiver configured to provide audio content in the proximity of the ear canal. In some embodiments, the integrated reservoir is formed within portions of a push button spring-loaded pump assembly. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A device includes a balloon inflation module having an involuted balloon housed within a lumen, an integrated reservoir in fluid communication with the involuted balloon where the balloon inflation module is configured to selectively displace a volume of fluid from the integrated reservoir into the involuted balloon and from the involuted balloon into the integrated reservoir. The device also includes a port configured to receive an accessory module. In one embodiment, the accessory module is a communication module having a logic circuit coupled to an ambient microphone configured to pick up ambient audio content, an ear canal microphone configured to pick up audio in the proximity of an ear canal, and an ear canal receiver configured to provide audio content in the proximity of the ear canal. In some embodiments, the integrated reservoir is formed within portions of a push button spring-loaded pump assembly. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A forward translating headrest equipped with a ring brake assembly configured to lock a position of a headrest plate relative to a headrest base. A ring brake is disposed between spaced first and second magnets such that first and second reset plates push the ring brake in a direction of one of the first and second magnets to reset the ring brake assembly at both ends of the stroke to the free the shaft.

Abstract: A forward translating headrest equipped with a ring brake assembly configured to lock a position of a headrest plate relative to a headrest base. A ring brake is disposed between spaced first and second magnets such that first and second reset plates push the ring brake in a direction of one of the first and second magnets to reset the ring brake assembly at both ends of the stroke to the free the shaft.

Abstract: A device includes a balloon inflation module having an involuted balloon housed within a lumen, an integrated reservoir in fluid communication with the involuted balloon where the balloon inflation module is configured to selectively displace a volume of fluid from the integrated reservoir into the involuted balloon and from the involuted balloon into the integrated reservoir. The device also includes a port configured to receive an accessory module. In one embodiment, the accessory module is a communication module having a logic circuit coupled to an ambient microphone configured to pick up ambient audio content, an ear canal microphone configured to pick up audio in the proximity of an ear canal, and an ear canal receiver configured to provide audio content in the proximity of the ear canal. In some embodiments, the integrated reservoir is formed within portions of a push button spring-loaded pump assembly. Other embodiments are disclosed.