Abstract:
A leg restraint is provided for side-seated vehicle occupants, such as aircraft passengers, and includes a leg-restraining member mounted in proximity to a side-facing vehicle seat and is selectively moveable between a deployed, laterally-extending leg-protecting position and a retracted, non-leg interfering position.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a leg restraint device for side-seated vehicle occupants. In particular, the invention relates to a leg restraint device for side-seated occupant of, for example, business aircraft of the type offering side-facing seats for passengers. The disclosed invention has application in any form of vehicle transportation where passenger or occupant seats may be mounted in a side-facing orientation in relation to the direction of forward travel of the vehicle, such as an aircraft. It is anticipated that a restraint device will be required to be used on FAA Part 25 side-facing seat installations where an arm rest is located just forward of the occupants. 
     Violent or abrupt deceleration can cause high g-force lateral loading on a side-facing passenger, causing lateral leg movement and leg rotation about the knee and femur. This can cause dislocations, muscle and tendon injuries and fractures due to the restraint exerted on the passenger&#39;s torso by seat belts and/or arm rests while the legs are unrestrained. However, belts or similar restraints on the legs are not advisable due to the additional time needed to remove the restraints, as well as the possibility that injuries to the passenger may make it difficult for either the passenger or emergency personnel to remove such restraints. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a type of leg restraint that provides protection to the legs of side-facing seat occupants in the event of a crash or other rapid deceleration, while not inhibiting rapid egress from the seat after the event. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a leg restraint that provides protection to the legs of side-facing seat occupants in the event of a crash or other rapid deceleration. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a leg restraint device that provides protection to the legs of side-facing seat occupants in the event of a crash or other rapid deceleration, while not inhibiting rapid egress from the seat after the event. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a leg restraint device that provides protection to the legs of side-facing seat occupants in the event of a crash or other rapid deceleration, but that need not be deployed except during taxi, take-off and landing (“TTOL”). 
     These and other objects and advantages of the invention are achieved by providing a leg restraint device attached to a side-facing seat that prevents leg rotation about the knee and femur by restraining the lower leg and foot of a side-facing occupant. The device is attached to the seat structure and contains a moveable panel positioned under the seat bottom that can be deployed and locked such that the primary forward impact of the occupant&#39;s foot is against a rigid restraining panel. The panel prevents the foot and lower leg from moving forward during an aircraft forward crash. After the event the panel retracts under the seat and provides free space in the aisle for occupant egress. 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, a leg restraint is provided for side-seated vehicle occupants, and comprises a leg-restraining member mounted in proximity to a side-facing vehicle seat and is selectively moveable between a deployed, laterally-extending leg-protecting position and a retracted, non-leg interfering position. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, an impact-activated biasing member cooperates with the leg-restraining member to move the leg-restraining member into the retracted position following the impact of an occupant&#39;s leg against the leg-restraining member. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, a locking member cooperates with the leg-restraining member to retain the leg restraining member in its deployed position. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the vehicle comprises an aircraft and the vehicle seat comprises an aircraft occupant seat. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, a leg restraint for side-seated aircraft occupants is provided, and includes a leg-restraining member mounted in proximity to a side-facing aircraft seat and selectively moveable between a deployed, laterally-extending leg-protecting position during TTOL and a retracted, non-leg interfering position, and an impact-activated biasing member that cooperates with the leg-restraining member to move the leg-restraining member into the retracted position upon impact of an occupant&#39;s leg against the leg-restraining member. A locking member cooperates with the leg-restraining member to retain the leg restraining member in its deployed position against a biasing force towards the retracted position until an impact of an occupant&#39;s leg against the leg-restraining member. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the leg-restraining member includes a panel mounted beneath a seat bottom of the aircraft seat, the impact-activated biasing member includes a spring cooperating with the panel, and the locking member includes a locking pin carried by the panel and mounted for movement in a guide slot formed in a cap mounted on the panel, the guide slot including a notch offset to one side of the guide slot and positioned to capture the locking pin upon deployment of the panel to retain the panel in its deployed position against a biasing force applied to the panel towards the retracted position. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the panel is mounted in an elongate panel housing positioned beneath the seat bottom of the vehicle on a side of the seat most proximate to a direction of forward travel of the aircraft, and is moveable between a deployed, laterally-extending leg-protecting position during TTOL and a retracted, non-leg interfering position. The spring includes a coil spring mounted in a spring housing mounted on the panel housing such that as the panel is deployed, the coil spring is uncoiled and when the panel is retracted, the coil spring coils. A top locking pin is carried by a top side of the panel and mounted for movement in a guide slot formed in a top cap mounted on the top side of the panel. The top guide slot includes a notch positioned to capture the top locking pin upon deployment of the panel to retain the panel in its deployed position against a biasing force applied to the panel towards the retracted position. A bottom locking pin is carried by a bottom side of the panel and is mounted for movement in a guide slot formed in a bottom cap mounted on the bottom side of the panel. The bottom guide slot includes a notch positioned to capture the bottom locking pin upon deployment of the panel to retain the panel in its deployed position against a biasing force applied to the panel towards the retracted position. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one laterally-positioned biasing member is carried by the panel housing and imposes a lateral bias against the panel in a direction to maintain the locking pin in the notch in an offset position to one side of the guide slot when the panel is in the deployed position. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the laterally-positioned biasing member includes a spring-loaded pin adapted to be positioned in an extended position against the panel when the panel is in the deployed position, and to be moved into a retracted position against the panel by the action of the panel upon lateral deflection of the panel incident to impact by a leg of the seat occupant. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, an aircraft passenger seat adapted for being positioned in a side-facing configuration in an aircraft cabin is provided, and includes a seat bottom and seat back configured to be oriented in the aircraft perpendicular to the direction of forward travel of the aircraft. A leg restraint for restraining leg movement in the direction of forward travel of the aircraft incident to an abrupt deceleration of the aircraft is provided and includes a leg-restraining member that is mounted in proximity to the aircraft seat and is selectively moveable between a deployed, laterally-extending leg-protecting position during TTOL and a retracted, non-leg interfering position. An impact-activated biasing member cooperates with the leg-restraining member to move the leg-restraining member into the retracted position upon impact of an occupant&#39;s leg against the leg-restraining member. A locking member cooperates with the leg-restraining member to retain the leg restraining member in its deployed position against a biasing force towards the retracted position until an impact of an occupant&#39;s leg against the leg-restraining member. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the leg-restraining member includes a panel mounted beneath the seat bottom of the aircraft seat, the impact-activated biasing member includes a spring cooperating with the panel, and the locking member includes a locking pin carried by the panel and mounted for movement in a guide slot formed in a cap mounted on the panel. The guide slot includes a notch offset to one side of the guide slot positioned to capture the locking pin upon deployment of the panel to retain the panel in its deployed position against a biasing force applied to the panel towards the retracted position. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the panel is mounted in an elongate panel housing positioned beneath the seat bottom on a side of the seat most proximate to a direction of forward travel of the aircraft, and moveable between a deployed, laterally-extending leg-protecting position during TTOL and a retracted, non-leg interfering position. The spring is a coil spring mounted in a spring housing mounted on the panel housing such that as the panel is deployed, the coil spring is uncoiled and when the panel is retracted, the coil spring coils. A top locking pin is carried by a top side of the panel and is mounted for movement in a guide slot formed in a top cap mounted on the top side of the panel. The top guide slot includes a notch positioned to capture the top locking pin upon deployment of the panel to retain the panel in its deployed position against a biasing force applied to the panel towards the retracted position. A bottom locking pin is carried by a bottom side of the panel and mounted for movement in a guide slot formed in a bottom cap mounted on the bottom side of the panel. The bottom guide slot includes a notch positioned to capture the bottom locking pin upon deployment of the panel to retain the panel in its deployed position against a biasing force applied to the panel towards the retracted position. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one laterally-positioned biasing member is carried by the panel housing and imposes a lateral bias against the panel in a direction to maintain the locking pin in the notch in an offset position to one side of the guide slot when the panel is in the deployed position. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the laterally-positioned biasing member includes a spring-loaded pin adapted to be positioned in an extended position against the panel when the panel is in the deployed position, and to be moved into a retracted position against the panel by the action of the panel upon lateral deflection of the panel incident to impact by a leg of the seat occupant. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, the notches in the top and bottom guide slots include an offset segment at one end for capturing the locking pin. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, an arm rest and end bay are positioned on a side of the seat most proximate to a direction of forward travel of the aircraft. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       The present invention is best understood when the following detailed description of the invention is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a side-seated aircraft seat, showing a leg restraint device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in its retracted position; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation of a side-seated aircraft seat, showing a leg restraint device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in its retracted position; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a side-seated aircraft seat, showing a leg restraint device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in its deployed position; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation of a side-seated seat, showing a leg restraint device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in its deployed position; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view from below, showing the leg restraint device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in its deployed position; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view from below, showing the leg restraint device of  FIG. 5  in its retracted position; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view from above of the leg restraint device in its deployed position; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view from above, showing the leg restraint device of  FIG. 7  in its retracted position; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view from below, showing the leg restraint device in its deployed position, with the bottom cap removed to show the lock pin and spring-loaded pin, and their cooperation with the bottom guide slot; and 
         FIG. 10  is a partial vertical cross-sectional perspective view from below, showing the leg restraint device in its deployed position and the position of the upper and lower locking pins in the respective upper and lower guide slots. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now specifically to the drawings, the environment of the disclosure is an aircraft of the type having side-facing seats, such as seat  10 , having a seat bottom  12 , seat back  14  and an armrest/end bay  16 . Accordingly, a seat occupant sits with his or her back to the aircraft fuselage “A”, facing outward in a generally perpendicular direction in relation to the longitudinal dimension of the aircraft and its direction of forward travel. For this reason, the occupant is subject to substantial lateral g-force loading in the event of an abrupt deceleration such as might result during hard braking or a forward-directed crash event. While the upper torso and the thigh area of the legs are restrained to some extent by the armrest  16  and the seat belt  18 , the lower legs are free to be projected laterally forward, rotating violently around an axis defined by the knees, causing potential serious injury to both the knees and lower legs unless they are restrained in some manner. Injury to the legs is a particularly serious concern since such injuries could prevent the passenger from being able to egress unaided from the aircraft in the event of an accident. 
     Thus, in accordance with the invention, a leg restraint device  20  is provided. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the leg restraint device  20  is mounted under the seat forward of the occupant in relation to the aircraft&#39;s direction of forward travel. The leg restraint device  20  includes two principal elements, a housing  22  mounted under the seat, and a deployable restraint panel  24 . 
     During boarding, deplaning and normal flight, the leg restraint device remains in a retracted condition, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . During TTOL, or in the event of an emergency that may result in an abrupt deceleration, the restraint panel  24  is manually deployed by pulling on, for example, a strap  26  positioned on the front end of the restraint panel  24 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the restraint panel  24 , when deployed, projects forwardly of the seat  10  into a position where the legs of the seat occupant are positioned behind the restraint panel  24  in relation to the aircraft&#39;s direction of forward travel. In the event of an actual abrupt deceleration of the aircraft, the occupant&#39;s legs are prevented from continued unrestrained forward motion by the restraint panel  24 . In a manner described below, the restraint panel  24  is caused to retract back into the housing by the action of the lower legs and feet impacting the restraint panel  24  from the side. This retraction occurs very rapidly and thus clears the area around the seat  10  for rapid, unrestricted egress by both the seat occupant and other aircraft occupants who may have to move past the seat  10  in order to egress from the aircraft. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the leg restraint device  20  includes a seat mounting plate  28  for mounting the device  20  to the seat  10  in a position below the seat bottom  12 . A retractor spring housing  30  extends rearward from the housing  22 . A top cap  34  and a bottom cap  36  enclose the top and bottom of the housing  22 . A coil retractor spring  38 , see  FIG. 9 , is positioned in the retractor spring housing  30  and attached to the restraint panel  24 . The spring  38  and an attached cord  39  return the panel to its retracted position by the action of the lower legs and feet impacting the restraint panel  24  from the side. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the means by which the panel  24  is guided between its deployed and retracted states is explained. The bottom cap  36  and the top cap  34  function in the same manner. The bottom  36  is provided with a guide slot  40  in its underside. The guide slot  40  includes in its forward terminus an offset notch  42 . A locking pin  44  is positioned on the bottom of the restraint panel  24  and rides in the guide slot  40 . When the restraint panel  24  is pulled forward to its deployed position as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  7 ,  9 , and  10  the locking pin  44  is pulled along the guide slot  40  until the locking pin  44  reaches the offset notch  42 . The offset of the notch  42  is such that a spring-loaded biasing pin  46  pressing against the side of the panel  24  causes the locking pin  44  to move sideways into the notch  42 . 
     In the same manner, the top cap  34  is provided with a guide slot  50  in its underside. The guide slot  50  includes in its forward terminus an offset notch  52 . A locking pin  54  is positioned on the top of the restraint panel  24  and rides in the guide slot  50 . When the restraint panel  24  is pulled forward to its deployed position as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  7 ,  9  and  10  the locking pin  54  is pulled along the guide slot  50  until the locking pin  54  reaches the offset notch  52 . The offset of the notch  52  is such that a spring-loaded biasing pin  56  pressing against the side of the panel  24  causes the locking pin  54  to move sideways into the notch  52 . 
     The deployment of the restraint panel  24  as described above is against the resistance of the retractor spring  38 , which maintains its resistance, applying a rearward force against the panel  24 , which is prevented from retracting by the locking pins  44  and  54  in the offset notches  42 ,  52 . The biasing force of the biasing pins  46 ,  56  is sufficient to maintain the panel  24  in a position where the locking pins  44 ,  54  remain in the offset notches  42 ,  52 , so long as there is no lateral force applied to the panel. In the event of an abrupt deceleration sufficient to cause a leg of the seat occupant to apply a sideways impact to the deployed panel  24 , the force applied by the biasing pins,  46 ,  56  is overcome. The panel  24  is bumped sideways in the direction that laterally moves Locking Pins  44 ,  54  out of the offset notches  42 ,  52  in the bottom and top caps  36  and  34 . The release of the locking pins  44 ,  54  permits the retractor spring  38  to instantly retract the panel  24  to which the locking pins  44 ,  54  are mounted back into the housing  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6  and  8 . 
     The leg restraint device  10  is therefore manually operated and requires no power source other than the mechanical retractor spring  38 . It is easy to install and requires only a simple in board pull on the strap  26  to deploy. It is completely removed from egress paths when retracted. 
     A leg restraint device for side-seated vehicle occupants according to the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and examples. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, the invention being defined by the claims.