SEAT FOR ABSORBING A FORCE

• US 20130229038A1
• Filed: 11/10/2011
• Published: 09/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vital Seating & Systems Limited
• Original Assignee: Vital Seating & Systems Limited
• Inventors: Marshall, Neal
• Granted Patent: US 9,266,450 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/216.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/24 for particular purposes or particular vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4207 characterised by the direction of the g-forces
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4221 due to impact coming from the front
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4228 due to impact coming from the rear
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4242 vertical
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/427 Seats or parts thereof displaced during a crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42709 involving residual deformation or fracture of the structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/646 shape of the cushion
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/686 Panel like structures
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/06 Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats crew seat constructions for emergency purposes B64D25/04
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0619 with energy absorbing means specially adapted for mitigating impact loads for passenger seats, e.g. at a crash
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 25/04 Seat modifications

Abstract

A seat (2) for absorbing a force, which seat (2) comprises a seat pan (4) having a folded portion (6), the folded portion (6) being such that it unfolds consequent upon receiving the force and thereby absorbs at least a part of the force. The force may be a blast from a mine, or the force of an aeroplane or helicopter striking the ground.

Claims

1. A seat for absorbing a force, which seat comprises a seat pan having a folded portion, the folded portion being such that it unfolds consequent upon receiving the force and thereby absorbs at least a part of the force.

4. A seat according to claim 1 in which the folded portion extends all around the seat pan.

5. A seat according to claim 1 in which the folded portion included fold retainer means which helps to retain the folded portion in shape until the seat receives the force.

6. A seat according to claim 5 in which the fold retainer means comprises at least one rivet.

7. A seat according to claim 1 in which the seat pan comprises side walls and a base, and in which the folded portion is positioned in the side walls.

8. A seat according to claim 7 in which the side walls slope outwardly from the base.

9. A seat according to claim 1 in which the seat pan is made of sheet material.

10. A seat according to claim 9 in which the sheet material is sheet metal.

11. A seat according to claim 1 in which the seat pan is attached to a seat frame.

12. A seat according to claim 11 in which the seat frame is a box frame.

13. A seat according to claim 1 in which the seat comprises a seat portion which is sat upon, and in which the seat portion which is sat upon comprises a first recessed area for receiving a person'"'"'s buttocks, and a pair of second recessed areas for receiving part of the person'"'"'s legs underneath their thighs.

14. A seat according to claim 13 in which the first recessed area comprises two recessed portions, one for each buttock.

15. A seat according to claim 13 in which the seat portion is a hard seat portion made of a hard material.

16. A seat according to claim 13 in which the seat portion is a soft seat portion made of one or more foam materials.

17. A seat according to claim 1 and including a backrest portion.

18. A seat according to claim 1 in which the seat is a backless seat.

19. A vehicle when provided with a seat according claim 1.

2. A seat according to claim 2 in which the folded portion is configured to unfold in a downward direction.

3. A seat according to claim 2 in which the folded portion extends back on itself twice.