Control system for aircraft seat belt arrangement

• US 20030160497A1
• Filed: 11/22/2002
• Published: 08/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joshua Scott Darr
• Original Assignee: Joshua Scott Darr
• Inventors: Darr, Joshua Scott
• Granted Patent: US 6,888,475 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/468
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0093 Aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4816 for sensing locking of buckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4866 Displaying or indicating arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/321 using electric means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0036 by disabling or restraining attackers
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0044 by restraining within seats

Abstract

Provided is a method and control system for a plurality of passenger seat belt mechanisms for appropriately securing and protecting passengers. The control system enables the flight crew to monitor and remotely control the locking and unlocking of passenger seat restraint mechanisms, thereby controlling the number of passengers, at any given time, having access to the aircraft cabin during flight. This control system is provided with a mechanism for collectively and selectively locking and unlocking the seat restraint mechanisms. The control system is capable of detecting and signaling the current state of a seat restraint mechanism.

Claims

1. A control system for a plurality of passenger seat belt mechanisms comprising:

a control console;

detection means for signaling the current state of each seat belt mechanism, said detection means including an electrically activated lock in said seat belt mechanism and means for sending a signal to the control console indicative of the current state of said seat belt mechanism;

means at said console for indicating the current state of said seat belt mechanism;

switching means at said console for selectively locking and unlocking said lock; and

,

said current state of said seat belt mechanism being one of a first latched and locked state, a second latched and unlocked state, and a third unlatched and unlocked state.

2. A control system according to claim 1, wherein said console includes means for selectively identifying any one of said plurality of seat belt mechanisms.

3. A control system according to claim 1, wherein said switching means includes means for simultaneously selectively locking and unlocking all of said plurality of seat belt mechanisms.

4. A control system according to claim 1, wherein said seat belt mechanism includes a male and a female restraint portion, said male and female seat restraint portions of the associated seat belt mechanism being keyed to only latch with each other.

5. A control system for a plurality of passenger seat belt mechanisms comprising:

a control console;

means at said console for indicating the current state of said seat belt mechanism;

switching means at said console for selectively locking and unlocking an electrically activated lock in said seat belt mechanism; and

,

said current state of said seat belt mechanism being one of a first latched and locked state, a second latched and unlocked state, and a third unlatched and unlocked state.

6. A control system according to claim 5, wherein said console includes means for selectively identifying any one of said plurality of seat belt mechanisms.

7. A control system according to claim 5, wherein said switching means includes means for simultaneously selectively locking and unlocking all of said plurality of seat belt mechanisms.

8. A control system according to claim 5, wherein said seat belt mechanism includes a male and a female restraint portion, said male and female seat restraint portions of an associated seat belt mechanism being keyed to only latch with each other.

11. A control system according to claim 8, wherein said console includes means for selectively identifying any one of said plurality of seat belt mechanisms.

12. A control system according to claim 8, wherein said switching means includes means for simultaneously selectively locking and unlocking all of said plurality of seat belt mechanisms.

13. A control system according to claim 8, wherein said seat belt mechanism includes a male and a female restraint portion, said male and female seat restraint portions of the associated seat belt mechanism being keyed to only latch with each other.

9. A control system for a plurality of passenger seat belt mechanisms comprising:

a control console;

detection means for signaling the current state of each seat belt mechanism, said detection means including an electrically activated lock in said seat belt mechanism and means for sending a signal to the control console indicative of the current state of said seat belt mechanism;

means at said console for indicating the current state of said seat belt mechanism; and

,

said current state of said seat belt mechanism being one of a first latched and locked state, a second latched and unlocked state, and a third unlatched and unlocked state.

10. A control system for a plurality of passenger seat belt mechanisms comprising:

a control console;

detection means for signaling the current state of each seat belt mechanism, said detection means including an electronically activated lock in said seat belt mechanism and means for sending a signal to the control console indicative of the current state of said seat belt mechanism;

means at said console for indicating the current state of said seat belt mechanism; and

,

switching means at said console for selectively locking and unlocking said lock.

14. A method of restraining a passenger by use of a seat restraint mechanism comprising the steps of:

providing a seat belt having one of a first latched and locked state, a second latched and unlocked state, and a third unlatched and unlocked state, an electrically operated lock and an electrically actuated switch to lock and unlock the seat belt components;

requesting latching of the male and female seat restraint components of a seat by an occupant of the seat;

remotely detecting the status of the seat belt components; and

,

remotely actuating the lock of latched seat belt components.

15. A method as defined in claim 14, further comprising the step of remotely exhibiting the detected status of the seat belt components.

16. A method as defined in claim 15, further comprising the step of remotely viewing the detected status of the seat belt components.

17. A method as defined in claim 14, further comprising the step of visually confirming the latched and locked state of the seat belt components of all occupied seats.

18. A method as defined in claim 14, further comprising the step of remotely detecting the passenger'"'"'s request to unlock the seat belt components.

19. A method as defined in claim 18, further comprising the step of remotely displaying the passenger'"'"'s request.

20. A method as defined in claim 19, further comprising the step of remotely and selectively unlocking the lock of the latched seat belt components.

21. A method as defined in claim 20, further comprising providing a plurality of seat belts and selectively controlling the locking and unlocking thereof.

22. A method as defined in claim 21, further comprising the step of selectively exempting the locking of a given one of the seat belts.

23. A method as defined in claim 21, further comprising the step of detecting changes in the status of seat belts and updating control console.

24. A method as defined in claim 23, further comprising the step of unlocking all seat restraints.