Ejection seat pan lifter

• US 10,131,439 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2017
• Issued: 11/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AMI Industries, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: AMI Industries, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Mastrolia, Bradley, Hampton, John, Tulloch, James, Ochs, Jeremy
• Primary Examiner(s): Allred, David E
• Application Number:
  US15/680,483
• Publication Number:
  US 20170369178A1
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 29725613, 29728411, 297313, 297328, 297337
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 25/10 Ejector seats

Abstract

An aircraft is provided and includes a fixed frame including a ledge and a seat pan on which seating elements for seating an aircraft crewperson are disposable. The seat pan includes a hinge about which the seat pan is pivotable relative to the fixed frame and a flange disposable on the ledge to establish a first pivot position for the seat pan relative to the fixed frame and a seat pan lifter coupled to the fixed frame and selectively interposable between the flange and the ledge to establish a second pivot position for the seat pan relative to the fixed frame.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting a height of a seat pan of an aircraft, the seat pan having a flange that engages with a fixed-height ledge extending forward from a fixed frame, the method comprising:

stowing a seat pan lifter securely in the aircraft in a non-use position such that the seat pan assumes a first height associated with a first aircraft crewperson being seated on the seat pan; and

selectively interposing the seat pan lifter between the flange of the seat pan and the fixed-height ledge such that the seat pan assumes a second height associated with a second aircraft crewperson being seated on the seat pan, interposing including placing the seat pan lifter on top of the fixed-height ledge and securing the seat pan lifter on top of the ledge with securing members,

wherein the seat pan pivots about a hinge connected at a front edge of the seat pan as it is moved from the first height to the second height.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the stowing comprises connecting the seat pan lifter to a fixed frame of the aircraft.