Load-limiting seat
US5730492A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 9, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 24, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64D25/04
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A leg assembly for mounting passenger seats in transport vehicles especially configured to absorb energy, in the event of a survivable crash or other sudden deceleration. The seat legs deform in a controlled manner to prevent loads at its floor attachment points from exceeding the magnitude of allowable floor strength. The leg assembly includes a base member whose forward and rear ends attach to the floor, and a V-leg whose lower vertex pivots about an axis passing through the front of the base member in the event of a forward crash. The V-leg has a vertical member and a diagonal member. A load-limiting strut connects the rear end of the base member to an intermediate area on the diagonal member of the V-leg. A tension link connects the intermediate area of the V-leg and to the upper end of the vertical member of the V-leg. Elongation of the load-limiting strut allows the seat and legs to pitch forward at a predetermined inertial loading which, if exceeded substantially, would rip the seat loose from the floor. The tension link elongates at a predetermined load to distribute the loads within the seat.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.