Seat for absorbing a force

• US 9,266,450 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2011
• Issued: 02/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vital Seating & Systems Limited
• Original Assignee: Vital Seating & Systems Limited
• Inventors: Marshall, Neal
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chi Q
• Application Number:
  US13/261,658
• Publication Number:
  US 20130229038A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,566 Days
• Field of Search: 297/216.1, 297/216.16, 297/216.17, 297/216.18, 297/216.19
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 which is constructed to absorb a force of a magnitude that would kill or injure an occupant of said seat, said seat comprises a seat pan having a folded portion and being a part of the seat which is sat on;

the folded portion unfolds and permanently deforms consequent upon receiving the force and thereby absorbs at least a part of the force;

the seat pan is made of sheet material and the folded portion is formed solely by folding of the sheet material; and

the folded portion is unable to return to a non-deformed state after having been permanently deformed.

2. A seat according to claim 1 wherein the folded portion is configured to unfold in a downward direction.

3. A seat according to claim 2 wherein the folded portion is S-shaped in cross section.

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

5. A seat according to claim 1 wherein the folded portion includes 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 wherein the fold retainer means comprises at least one rivet.

7. A seat according to claim 1 wherein 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 wherein the side walls slope outwardly from the base.

9. A seat according to claim 1 wherein the sheet material is sheet metal.

10. A seat according to claim 1 wherein the seat pan is attached to a seat frame.

11. A seat according to claim 10 wherein the seat frame is a box frame.

12. A seat according to claim 1 wherein 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 buttocks of a person, and a pair of second recessed areas for receiving part of legs of the person underneath thighs of the person.

13. A seat according to claim 12 wherein the first recessed area comprises two recessed portions, one for each buttock.

14. A seat according to claim 12 wherein the seat portion is a hard seat portion made of a hard material.

15. A seat according to claim 12 wherein the seat portion is a soft seat portion made of one or more foam materials.

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

17. A seat according to claim 1 wherein the seat is a backless seat.

18. A vehicle when provided with a seat according to claim 1.