Patent Description:
The system includes a vehicular seat assembly. The vehicular seat assembly includes a first seat support beam, a second seat support beam, a fold-out seat pan, a bar, a fabric seat back, and at least one detachable attachment means. The fold-out seat pan is configured to fold out to a seat pan deployed state. The fold-out seat pan is rotatably coupled to first seat support beam and the second seat support beam. The bar is positioned between the first seat support beam and the second seat support beam. The fabric seat back has a first end and a second end. The fabric seat back is secured at the first end to the bar. The fabric seat back extends from the first end toward the second end. The fabric seat back has an expandable seat back section. The expandable seat back section is secured at the second end to the fold-out seat pan. Each of the at least one detachable attachment means is secured at a first detachable attachment means end to the fold-out seat pan. Each of the at least one detachable attachment means is secured at a second detachable attachment means end to a portion of the fabric seat back located between the first end and the second detachable attachment means end. The expandable seat back section extends from the second end at least to the second releasable attachment means end. Each of the at least one detachable attachment means is configured to be in an attached state or a detached state. When all of the detachable attachment means are in the detached state an effective length of the fabric seat back extends to include the expandable seat back section.

Broadly, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a system including a seat assembly. In some embodiments, the seat assembly may include: a fabric seat back having an expandable seat back section; and at least one detachable attachment means configured to be in an attached state or a detached state, wherein when all of the at least one detachable attachment means are in the detached state, an effective length of the fabric seat back extends to include the expandable seat back section.

Some embodiments may include a fabric seat back having a two-state configuration that can be quickly and easily switched to an attached state (e.g., a no-pack state) and a detached state (e.g., a pack-equipped state), which may carry occupant loading during flight and crash situations. Some embodiments may improve occupant comfort and safety by allowing both an unequipped or a pack-equipped occupant to nest fully back into the fabric seat back for comfort and effective load transfer.

Referring now to <FIG>, an exemplary embodiment of a system <NUM> including a vehicle (e.g., aircraft (e.g., rotorcraft <NUM>), watercraft, automobile, train, etc.) including at least one seat assembly (e.g., a vehicular seat assembly (e.g., an aircraft seat assembly (e.g., a rotorcraft seat assembly <NUM>))) is depicted according to the inventive concepts. <FIG> show an occupant <NUM> seated without a pack (e.g., <NUM>, such as shown in <FIG>). As shown in <FIG>, one, some, or all of the at least one detachable attachment means (e.g., <NUM>, such as shown in <FIG>) may be in an attached state.

For example, each seat assembly may have at least one seat support beam <NUM> (e.g., two seat support beams <NUM> as shown), at least one fold-out seat pan <NUM>, a bar <NUM>, a fabric seat back <NUM>, an expandable seat back section <NUM>, at least one top attachment structure <NUM> (e.g., at least one top attachment bracket), at least one bottom attachment structure <NUM> (e.g., at least one bottom attachment pin), a harness <NUM>, at least one hinge <NUM>, at least one hinge bracket <NUM>, and/or at least one fabric seat side <NUM>, some or all of which may be coupled to another at any given time.

In some embodiments, the seat assembly (e.g., a vehicular seat assembly (e.g., an aircraft seat assembly (e.g., a rotorcraft seat assembly <NUM>))) may be installed within the vehicle (e.g., aircraft (e.g., rotorcraft <NUM>), watercraft, automobile, train, etc.), such as via the at least one top attachment structure <NUM> (e.g., the at least one top attachment bracket) and the at least one bottom attachment structure <NUM> (e.g., the at least one bottom attachment pin) being attached to interior attachment points of the vehicle.

Referring now to <FIG>, an exemplary embodiment of the system <NUM> of <FIG> is depicted according to the inventive concepts. <FIG> show an occupant <NUM> seated with a pack <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, all of the at least one detachable attachment means <NUM> may be in a detached state.

In some embodiments, the second seat support beam <NUM> may be parallel to the first seat support beam. For example, the the first seat support beam <NUM> may be a first vertical seat support beam, and the second seat support beam <NUM> may be a second vertical seat support beam. In some embodiments, each of the first and second seat support beam <NUM> may be telescoping beams.

The fold-out seat pan <NUM> may be configured to fold out to a seat pan deployed state (as shown). The fold-out seat pan may be rotatably coupled to first seat support beam <NUM> and the second seat support beam <NUM> via the hinges <NUM> and corresponding hinge brackets <NUM> such that the fold-out seat can move from the deployed state to a folded up stowed state (not shown). In some embodiments, the fold-out seat pan <NUM> may be composed at least of nylon (e.g., military grade nylon).

The bar <NUM> may be positioned between the first seat support beam <NUM> and the second seat support beam <NUM>. In some embodiments, the bar <NUM> may be a horizontal bar. In some embodiments, the bar <NUM> may be coupled to the first seat support beam <NUM> and to the second seat support beam <NUM>.

The fabric seat back <NUM> may have a first end and a second end, the fabric seat back <NUM> secured (e.g., wrapped around and sewn, or attached via rings) at the first end to the bar <NUM>. The fabric seat back <NUM> may extend from the first end toward the second end. The fabric seat back <NUM> may have an expandable seat back section <NUM>. The expandable seat back section may be secured at the second end to the fold-out seat pan <NUM>. In some embodiments, the fabric seat back <NUM> may be composed at least of nylon (e.g., military grade nylon).

Each of the at least one detachable attachment means <NUM> may be secured at a first detachable attachment means end <NUM> to the fold-out seat pan <NUM>. Each of the at least one detachable attachment means <NUM> secured at a second detachable attachment means end to a portion of the fabric seat back <NUM> located between the first end and the second detachable attachment means end.

The expandable seat back section <NUM> may extend from the second end at least to the second detachable attachment means end (e.g., of the strap 126C, as shown in <FIG>). In some embodiments, the expandable seat back section <NUM> may have a length of five to ten inches. In some embodiments, the expandable seat back section <NUM> may extend from the second end past the second detachable attachment means end (e.g., of the strap 126C, as shown in <FIG>).

Each of the at least one detachable attachment means <NUM> may be configured to be in an attached state or a detached state. When all of the detachable attachment means <NUM> are in the detached state, an effective length (e.g., a usable length (e.g., by the occupant <NUM>) of the fabric seat back <NUM>) of the fabric seat back <NUM> may extend to include the expandable seat back section <NUM>. For example, an occupant <NUM> wearing a pack <NUM> may sit in the seat assembly such that the pack <NUM> may be positioned against the fabric seat back <NUM> while the fold-out seat pan <NUM> and the fabric seat back <NUM> support (e.g., fully, safely, and/or comfortably support) the occupant <NUM> wearing the pack <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, an exemplary embodiment of the system <NUM> of <FIG> is depicted according to the inventive concepts. As shown in <FIG>, all of the at least one detachable attachment means <NUM> may be in an attached state.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the fabric seat back <NUM> may include one or more harness apertures <NUM> configured to accommodate the harness <NUM> passing through the fabric seat back <NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the seat assembly may include angled support rods <NUM>. Each of the angled support rods <NUM> may be coupled to the first seat support beam <NUM> and the second seat support beam <NUM>. The angled support rods <NUM> may act as truss supports between the first seat support beam <NUM> and the second seat support beam <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, an exemplary embodiment of the system <NUM> of <FIG> is depicted according to the inventive concepts. <FIG> show a pack <NUM> positioned against the fabric seat back <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, all of the at least one detachable attachment means <NUM> may be in a detached state.

In some embodiments, such as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, each of the at least one detachable attachment means <NUM> may comprise a first detachable attachment means portion 126A and a second detachable attachment means portion 126B. For example, each detachable attachment means <NUM> (e.g., three detachable means <NUM>, as shown) may comprise a buckle having a female buckle portion (e.g., 126A) and a male buckle portion (e.g., 126B). In some embodiments, each of the detachable attachment means <NUM> may comprise any suitable detachable attachment means, such as a clip and ring, hook and ring, button, a snap, or the like. In some embodiments, each of the at least one detachable attachment means <NUM> may be composed at least of a metal material (e.g., aluminum, steel, or the like). In some embodiments, each of the at least one detachable attachment means <NUM> may be configured to support a tensile force of at least <NUM>,<NUM> Newtons (e.g., such as <NUM>,<NUM> Newtons or more).

Referring now to <FIG>, an exemplary embodiment of the system <NUM> of <FIG> is depicted according to the inventive concepts. <FIG> show a portion of a seat assembly. As shown in <FIG>, all of the at least one detachable attachment means <NUM> may be in a detached state.

In some embodiments, such as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, each of the at least one detachable attachment means <NUM> may comprise a first detachable attachment means portion 126A, a second detachable attachment means portion 126B, a first strap 126C, and a second strap 126D. For example, each detachable attachment means <NUM> may comprise a buckle having a female buckle portion (e.g., 126A), a male buckle portion (e.g., 126B), a first strap 126C coupled to the fabric seat back <NUM> and the first buckle portion (e.g., 126A), and a second strap 126D coupled to the fold-out seat pan <NUM> and/or the fabric seat back <NUM> and to the male buckle portion (e.g., 126B). In some embodiments, each of the detachable attachment means <NUM> may comprise any suitable detachable attachment means, such as a clip and ring, hook and ring, button, a snap, or the like.

Referring now to <FIG>, an exemplary embodiment of the system <NUM> of <FIG> is depicted according to the inventive concepts. <FIG> show a portion of the seat assembly. <FIG> shows a transition from all of the at least one detachable attachment means <NUM> being in an attached state to being in a detached state.

As shown in <FIG>, when all of the detachable attachment means <NUM> are in the detached state, the fabric seat back <NUM> may be configured to move toward a position denoted by positions 112A (e.g., indicative of a position of the fabric seat back <NUM>) and 114A (e.g., indicative of a position of the expandable seat back section <NUM> of the fabric seat back <NUM>). For example, the fabric seat back <NUM> may move at least in part toward the first seat support beam <NUM> and toward the second seat support beam <NUM> when all of the detachable attachment means <NUM> are in the detached state. For example, when all of the detachable attachment means <NUM> are released, an occupant <NUM> and their pack <NUM> may push back against the fabric seat back <NUM> to allow the expandable seat back section <NUM> to fully extend along the occupant <NUM> and the pack <NUM> interface to fully support and carry loading.

As will be appreciated from the above, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be directed to a system including a seat assembly.

Claim 1:
A system, comprising:
a vehicular seat assembly, comprising:
a first seat support beam (<NUM>);
a second seat support beam (<NUM>);
a fold-out seat pan (<NUM>) configured to fold out to a seat pan deployed state, the fold-out seat pan (<NUM>) rotatably coupled to first seat support beam and the second seat support beam;
a bar (<NUM>) positioned between the first seat support beam and the second seat support beam;
a fabric seat back (<NUM>) having a first end and a second end, the fabric seat back secured at the first end to the bar (<NUM>), the fabric seat back extending from the first end toward the second end, the fabric seat back having an expandable seat back section (<NUM>), the expandable seat back section secured at the second end to the fold-out seat pan; and
at least one detachable attachment means (<NUM>), each of the at least one detachable attachment means secured at a first detachable attachment means end to the fold-out seat pan (<NUM>), each of the at least one detachable attachment means secured at a second detachable attachment means end to a portion of the fabric seat back (<NUM>) located between the first end and the second detachable attachment means end;
wherein the expandable seat back section (<NUM>) extends from the second end at least to the second releasable attachment means end;
wherein each of the at least one detachable attachment means (<NUM>) is configured to be in an attached state or a detached state, wherein when all of the detachable attachment means are in the detached state an effective length of the fabric seat back extends to include the expandable seat back section (<NUM>).