Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom, a seat back coupled to the seat bottom, and an immobilization system coupled to the seat bottom and the seat back to immobilize an occupant. The immobilization system includes at least one bottom strap kit operatively attached to the seat bottom and at least one back strap kit operatively attached to the seat back at predetermined locations with each of the at least one bottom strap kit and the at least one back strap kit including a strap having a stowed position hidden from view and a deployed position visible to secure an occupant in a seated position against the seat bottom and the seat back.

Abstract: A securing system for supporting an object within a vehicle and for translating forces occurring therebetween. The system includes a component adapted to support the object within the vehicle, a mount adapted for attachment to the vehicle for concurrent movement with the vehicle, and an interface member operatively attached to and spaced from the mount. A coupler is operatively attached to one of the component and the interface member, and a receiver is operatively attached to the other of the component and the interface member. The receiver is selectively movable between a first position where the receiver secures the coupler for concurrent movement therewith and a second position where the coupler can be removed from the receiver. A translation module is interposed in force-translating relationship between the mount and the interface member to support the component when the coupler is secured to the receiver in the first position.

Abstract: A seat for supporting an occupant of a vehicle and absorbing a force between the occupant and the vehicle created by relative movement between the occupant and the vehicle including a seat bottom and a seat back extending from the seat bottom. At least one of the seat bottom and the seat back includes a first energy absorbing device for absorbing at least a portion of the force when the force reaches a first magnitude. The one of the seat bottom and the seat back also includes a second energy absorbing device for absorbing at least a portion of the force when the force reaches a second magnitude greater than the first magnitude. The second energy absorbing device supports the first energy absorbing device so that the first energy absorbing device transmits a portion of the force to the second energy absorbing device when the force reaches the second magnitude.

Abstract: A securing system for supporting an object within a vehicle and for translating forces occurring therebetween. The system includes a component adapted to support the object within the vehicle, a mount adapted for attachment to the vehicle for concurrent movement with the vehicle, and an interface member operatively attached to and spaced from the mount. A coupler is operatively attached to one of the component and the interface member, and a receiver is operatively attached to the other of the component and the interface member. The receiver is selectively movable between a first position where the receiver secures the coupler for concurrent movement therewith and a second position where the coupler can be removed from the receiver. A translation module is interposed in force-translating relationship between the mount and the interface member to support the component when the coupler is secured to the receiver in the first position.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to passenger aircraft seats. Some examples provide systems for integrating a child seat into a certified aircraft seat. Some examples include a passenger seat backrest having an integrated child seat. An integrated child seat base may be moved between a stowed position and a deployed position. When in the stowed position, the integrated child seat base may fit within a recessed surface of the seat backrest and the seat may then accommodate an adult passenger. When in a deployed position, the integrated child seat may then accommodate a child passenger. The integrated seat may include a harness system that extends through the seat backrest and couples with an internal support structure of seat backrest. In some embodiments the mounting points of the harness system may be reinforced with stiff brackets attached to the internal support structure.

Abstract: A seat supports an occupant of a vehicle and absorbs a force between the occupant and the vehicle created by relative movement between the occupant and the vehicle. The seat includes a seat bottom frame and a seat back supported on the seat bottom frame. A support moveably supports the seat bottom frame. An energy absorbing device is coupled to the support and the seat bottom frame. The energy absorbing device is configured to absorb energy during relative movement of the seat bottom frame and the support. A pin extends from one of the seat bottom frame and the support and the other of the seat bottom frame and the support defines a slot slideably receiving the pin. The slot extends along an axis for limiting relative movement of the seat bottom frame and the support along the axis.

Abstract: A seat for supporting an occupant of a vehicle and absorbing a force between the occupant and the vehicle created by relative movement between the occupant and the vehicle including a seat bottom and a seat back extending from the seat bottom. At least one of the seat bottom and the seat back includes a first energy absorbing device for absorbing at least a portion of the force when the force reaches a first magnitude. The one of the seat bottom and the seat back also includes a second energy absorbing device for absorbing at least a portion of the force when the force reaches a second magnitude greater than the first magnitude. The second energy absorbing device supports the first energy absorbing device so that the first energy absorbing device transmits a portion of the force to the second energy absorbing device when the force reaches the second magnitude.

Abstract: A seat supports an occupant of a vehicle and absorbs a force between the occupant and the vehicle created by relative movement between the occupant and the vehicle. The seat includes a seat back and a seat bottom frame supporting the seat back and extending from the seat back along an axis. A seat pan is moveably coupled to the seat bottom frame and an energy absorbing device is coupled to the seat bottom frame and the seat pan. The energy absorbing device is configured to absorb at least a portion of the force between the occupant and the vehicle when the seat pan moves relative to the seat bottom frame. A link is pivotably coupled to the seat pan and to the seat bottom frame and guides movement of the seat pan relative to the seat bottom frame away from the seat back along the axis when the seat pan moves relative to the seat bottom frame.

Abstract: A device for a vehicle supports an occupant of the vehicle and absorbs a force between the occupant and the vehicle created by relative movement between the occupant and the vehicle. The device includes a pan for supporting the occupant. A first energy absorbing device is coupled to the pan and configured to absorb at least a portion of the force when a magnitude of the force reaches a first magnitude. A second energy absorbing device supports the first energy absorbing device and is configured to absorb at least a portion of the force when the magnitude of the force reaches a second magnitude greater than the first magnitude. A third energy absorbing device supports the second energy absorbing device and is configured to absorb at least a portion of the force when the force reaches a third magnitude greater than the second magnitude.

Abstract: A seat for supporting an occupant of a vehicle and absorbing a force between the occupant and the vehicle created by relative movement between the occupant and the vehicle including a seat bottom and a seat back extending from the seat bottom. At least one of the seat bottom and the seat back includes a first energy absorbing device for absorbing at least a portion of the force when the force reaches a first magnitude. The one of the seat bottom and the seat back also includes a second energy absorbing device for absorbing at least a portion of the force when the force reaches a second magnitude greater than the first magnitude. The second energy absorbing device supports the first energy absorbing device so that the first energy absorbing device transmits a portion of the force to the second energy absorbing device when the force reaches the second magnitude.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to passenger aircraft seats. Some examples provide systems for integrating a child seat into a certified aircraft seat. Some examples include a passenger seat backrest having an integrated child seat. An integrated child seat base may be moved between a stowed position and a deployed position. When in the stowed position, the integrated child seat base may fit within a recessed surface of the seat backrest and the seat may then accommodate an adult passenger. When in a deployed position, the integrated child seat may then accommodate a child passenger. The integrated seat may include a harness system that extends through the seat backrest and couples with an internal support structure of seat backrest. In some embodiments the mounting points of the harness system may be reinforced with stiff brackets attached to the internal support structure.

Abstract: A seat for supporting an occupant of a vehicle and absorbing a force between the occupant and the vehicle created by relative movement between the occupant and the vehicle including a seat bottom and a seat back extending from the seat bottom. At least one of the seat bottom and the seat back includes a first energy absorbing device for absorbing at least a portion of the force when the force reaches a first magnitude. The one of the seat bottom and the seat back also includes a second energy absorbing device for absorbing at least a portion of the force when the force reaches a second magnitude greater than the first magnitude. The second energy absorbing device supports the first energy absorbing device so that the first energy absorbing device transmits a portion of the force to the second energy absorbing device when the force reaches the second magnitude.

Abstract: A hinge is disclosed, which forms part of a vehicle seat which includes a seat cushion and a cushion plate attached thereto. The fixed part of a rotary recliner, having a handle extending therefrom, is mounted to the cushion plate. An idler plate is mounted to the movable part of the recliner, for rotation therewith. A sector plate, which carries a seat back, has a first position relative to the idler plate, and is lockable thereat by a latch, for rotation with the idler plate under control of the handle. This permits the seat back to be pivoted to a preferred seating position via the recliner when the latch is engaged. When the latch is disengaged, the sector plate is forwardly rotatable, relative to the idler plate, from the preferred position. A spring biases the latch to re-engage the sector plate upon rearward rotation thereof back to its first position.

Abstract: A hinge is disclosed, which forms part of a vehicle seat which includes a seat cushion and a cushion plate attached thereto. The fixed part of a rotary recliner, having a handle extending therefrom, is mounted to the cushion plate. An idler plate is mounted to the movable part of the recliner, for rotation therewith. A sector plate, which carries a seat back, has a first position relative to the idler plate, and is lockable thereat by a latch, for rotation with the idler plate under control of the handle. This permits the seat back to be pivoted to a preferred seating position via the recliner when the latch is engaged. When the latch is disengaged, the sector plate is forwardly rotatable, relative to the idler plate, from the preferred position. A spring biases the latch to re-engage the sector plate upon rearward rotation thereof back to its first position.

Abstract: A seat back for a motor vehicle having a tower extending upwardly from the seat back upper end along one lateral side of the seat back. The tower contains an inflatable air bag which is deployable to provide head side impact protection for a seat occupant. By mounting the air bag within a raised tower, the air bag is deployed from a higher location in the seat back to reduce the possibility of interference between the air bag and a shoulder belt. Furthermore, by not mounting the air bag to the seat back head restraint, it is possible to provide a fully adjustable head restraint attached to the seat back and extending upwardly from the seat back upper end. A removable side bolster is also provided which covers the air bag canisters mounted to the seat back frame. Following deployment of an air bag, the bolster and air bag canister are removed and replaced with new components. This enables the seat assembly to be repaired without replacement of the entire seat assembly or seat back.

Abstract: An energy absorbing child seat in which a back support panel of the child seat is attached to a supporting structure or frame through energy absorbing brackets which plastically deform during a vehicle collision allowing a seat occupant to travel forward relative to the supporting structure and thus reduce the relative velocity and deceleration between the occupant's head and shoulders to reduce neck loads and neck injuries.