Patent Description:
Seating for helicopters and/or rotorcraft (e.g., for pilots, operators, and/or passengers) require a stroking distance (which must be along a straight axis) for substantially vertical (e.g., Z-axis, parallel to the operator's spine) energy absorption and deceleration in response to a dynamic event. In a first aspect, seating must be able to accommodate a broad range of pilot heights. For example, the seat can be adjusted to accommodate very tall pilots, but at the expense of vertical stroking distance between the seat bucket and the cockpit floor. This problem may be addressed by a sub-floor, or an indentation or depression set into the cockpit floor into which the seat bucket may stroke below floor level. However, size, weight and power considerations (SWaP-c) may not always provide space for a sub-floor, leaving a limited amount of vertical space between the seat bucket and the floor in which to achieve the required stroking distance. <CIT> discloses a crashworthy seat for a vehicle comprising a stand, a pan and an energy absorber device. <CIT> discloses a the sitting unit consisting of a seat body and a backrest which is held movable in vertical direction and is coupled with an end area of a longitudinally variable damping device, whose other end is connected to the roof of a vehicle.

A compact rotorcraft seating assembly with non-linear bucket guide channels according to claim <NUM> is disclosed. The seating assembly includes a seat bucket and a seat base mountable to a cockpit or flight deck floor of a helicopter or other like rotorcraft. The seat base includes a base portion mountable to the floor and spaced-apart left and right side panel portions rising above the base portion at an obtuse angle (e.g., past vertical). Each of the left and right side panel portions includes a linear bucket guide channel set into the inside face and a bucket guide slot set into the outside face, the bucket guide slot having a straight linear upper portion transitioning into a curved lower portion. The seat base supports the seat bucket, and the seat bucket in turn supports a pilot or operator of the rotorcraft. The seat bucket is slidably connected to the inner bucket guide channels and outer bucket guide slots of each side panel portion, such that the seat bucket can be raised or lowered relative to the seat base (e.g., to accommodate shorter or taller pilots) by translating through the respective upper portions of the bucket guide channel and bucket guide slot. In the event of a crash or other like dynamic event, the crash energy (e.g., downward force) of the seat bucket is attenuated by translating through the lower portion of the straight inner bucket guide channel. At the same time, the seat bucket is pivoted forward and away from the seat base and flight deck floor (e.g., to avoid impact with the seat base or the flight deck floor) by transitioning through the curved lower portion of the bucket guide slot.

In some embodiments, the inner bucket guide channels and the outer bucket guide slots extend between the same top height and bottom height (e.g., corresponding to the endpoints of the channel or slot) relative to the seat base and cabin floor.

In some embodiments, an upper bracket assembly fixed to the seat bucket translates through the inner bucket guide channels, and a lower bracket assembly fixed to the seat bucket translates through the outer bucket guide slots.

In some embodiments, the upper bracket assembly includes an upper bracket support pivotably connected to the bracket assembly, the upper bracket support capable of attenuating the crash energy by stroking downward through the lower portion of the bucket guide channel opposite the curved portion of the bucket guide slot.

In some embodiments, the lower bracket assembly includes a lower support bracket that translates through the outer bucket guide slot via an inside bearing sharing a common axle with an outside bearing. In some embodiments, the lower bracket assembly also includes a stabilizer bracket fixed to the upper bracket assembly and including a slot through which the outside bearing translates.

In some embodiments, the seat base mounts to the cabin or cockpit floor via tracks fixed to the floor, the tracks extending in parallel (e.g., left-side and right-side) and the seat base capable of translating along the tracks.

In some embodiments, both the left-side and right-side tracks extend beneath the seat bucket.

In some embodiments, either of the left-side or the right-side tracks (but not both) extends beneath the seat bucket.

In some embodiments, the seat bucket reclines relative to the seat base.

The appearances of the phrase "in some embodiments" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, and embodiments may include one or more of the features expressly described or inherently present herein, or any combination or sub-combination of two or more such features.

Broadly speaking, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a helicopter seating assembly capable of providing full energy attenuation (EA) stroking during a crash or other like dynamic event within a minimal vertical space between the bottom of the seat bucket and the flight deck floor. In addition to the linear guide channel for EA stroking, a curved outer guide channel supports and guides the lower portion of the seat bucket forward and away from the base seat structure while stroking downward, preventing lateral sway of the seat bucket. Further, the use of a curved outer channel allows for a shorter base seat structure allows the seat bucket to recline further relative to the base seat structure, even when mounted directly ahead of a bulkhead wall.

Referring to <FIG>, a seating assembly <NUM> for a helicopter or rotorcraft is shown. The seating assembly <NUM> includes a seat bucket <NUM> and a base seat structure <NUM>.

The seat bucket <NUM> is configured to accommodate an operator of the rotorcraft. For example, the seat bucket <NUM> may be adjustable relative to the base seat structure <NUM>, e.g., in order to accommodate pilots or other occupants of a wide range of height and build in a position where the pilot's eye level and/or positioning relative to rotorcraft controls may be optimal.

In embodiments, the base seat structure <NUM> may be mounted to a cockpit or cabin floor <NUM> of the rotorcraft. For example, the base seat structure <NUM> may be mounted to tracks <NUM> set into the flight deck floor <NUM>, as described in greater detail below. The base seat structure <NUM> includes a base portion 104a and side panel portions 104b. For example, the base portion 104a may extend substantially horizontally along the flight deck floor <NUM> (and, e.g., may be directly mounted to the tracks <NUM>), while left-side and right-side side panel portions 104b extend above the base portion at obtuse angles. In some embodiments, the left-side and right-side panel portions 104b extend above the base portion at an angle not more than <NUM> degrees from the flight deck floor <NUM> (e.g., no more than <NUM> degrees from vertical); in other embodiments, this angle may vary according to the precise configuration of the cockpit or cabin.

The seat bucket <NUM> is mounted to the side panel portions 104b and is adjusted relative to the base seat structure <NUM>. For example, the seat bucket <NUM> may be adjusted through a range <NUM> of incremental lockout adjustment positions relative to the base seat structure <NUM>, e.g., adjusted upward to accommodate shorter pilots and adjusted downward to accommodate taller pilots. In some embodiments, the seat bucket <NUM> will accommodate any pilot between the <NUM>th percentile (e.g., height/weight) for female operators and the <NUM>th percentile for male operators.

In some embodiments, the tracks <NUM> extend along the flight deck floor <NUM> in parallel (108a) underneath the seat bucket <NUM>. Accordingly, the base portion 104a of the base seat structure <NUM> may similarly comprise left-side and right-side portions extending forward from the left and right side panel portions 104b respectively, the left-side and right-side portions of the base portion each mounted to a corresponding track and likewise extending beneath the seat bucket <NUM>. In some embodiments, the tracks <NUM> and the seat bucket <NUM> may be offset such that either of the left-side or right-side tracks extends fully beneath the seat bucket (but not both).

In some embodiments, the left-side and right-side portions of the base portion 104a may include a locking mechanism (not shown) via which the base seat structure <NUM> may be locked in one of several incremental positions relative to the tracks <NUM>, e.g., via a pin-and-slot system or any other appropriate means of securing the base seat structure into a position relative to the tracks and to the flight deck floor <NUM>.

The left and right side panel portions 104b of the base seat structure <NUM> are configured to allow the seat bucket <NUM> to stroke downward in response to a crash event but also to pivot forward, allowing the seat bucket to attenuate downward force through a limited vertical space without impacting or damaging either the base portion 104a of the base seat structure, the tracks <NUM>, or the flight deck floor <NUM>. Similarly, in embodiments the height of the base seat structure <NUM> (e.g., terminating in crossmember 104c connecting the left and right side panel portions 104b) may be sufficiently low as to allow the seat bucket <NUM> to pivot forward without interference. For example, as the seat bucket <NUM> pivots forward, a seatback portion 102a thereof may tilt rearward toward the left and right side panel portions 104b. Further, in embodiments the height of the base seat structure <NUM> may allow the seat bucket <NUM> to recline relative to the base seat structure.

Referring now to <FIG>, the seating assembly <NUM> is shown.

Referring in particular to <FIG>, each of the left-side and right-side side panel portions 104b includes a linear upper bucket guide channel <NUM> machined or otherwise set into its interior face (e.g., set into the right side of the left-side side panel portion and into the left side of the right-side side panel portion) and a curved lower bucket guide slot <NUM> set into its exterior face (e.g., directly opposite each respective upper bucket guide channel).

In embodiments, the seat bucket <NUM> may be connected to the base seat structure <NUM> by an upper bracket assembly and a lower bracket assembly allowing adjustment of the seat bucket relative to the base seat structure (e.g., as indicated above, to accommodate pilots of varied heights) as well as energy attenuation (EA) stroking in response to a crash event. For example, the upper bracket assembly may include an upper bucket support bracket <NUM> fixed to the rear of the seat bucket <NUM>, and an upper bucket support bracket receiver <NUM> fixed to the upper bucket support bracket and connecting the upper bucket support bracket to the lower bracket assembly. Similarly, in embodiments the lower bracket assembly may include a lower bucket support bracket <NUM> fixed to the seat bucket <NUM>.

In embodiments, the upper and lower bracket assemblies, each fixed to the seat bucket <NUM>, may be further connected to each other by a lower bucket support having an inner stabilizer bracket <NUM> and an outer stabilizer bracket <NUM>. For example, each inner stabilizer bracket <NUM> may be fixed to (e.g., to either side of) the upper bucket support bracket receiver <NUM> and to the outer stabilizer bracket <NUM>. In embodiments, referring in particular to <FIG> and <FIG>, the upper bracket assembly may translate along the linear upper bucket guide channel <NUM> via an upper bucket support <NUM> configured to pivot within the inner stabilizer bracket <NUM> and translate within the linear upper bucket guide channel (e.g., via bearing, sliding, or rolling members). For example, the translation of the upper bucket support <NUM> within the linear upper bucket guide channel <NUM> may allow adjustment of the seat bucket <NUM> relative to the base seat structure <NUM> and may also provide EA stroking in response to a crash event, as discussed in greater detail below. In some embodiments, the linear upper bucket guide channel <NUM> may further include a vertical lockout adjustment device <NUM> (e.g., dampener) allowing the seat bucket <NUM> to be locked relative to the base seat structure at a particular incremental position.

In embodiments, referring in particular to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the outer stabilizer bracket <NUM> may be pivotably attached to the lower bucket support bracket <NUM>, which in turn may translate along the curved lower bucket guide slot <NUM> via axle 208a and inner bearing 208b. The lower bucket support bracket <NUM> may further include an outer bearing 208c. For example, the outer bearing 208c may slidably translate within a roller slot 212a set into the outer stabilizer bracket <NUM> as the lower bucket support bracket <NUM> translates through the lower curved portion of the curved lower bucket guide slot <NUM> (as shown in greater detail below), allowing the seat bucket <NUM> to pivot forward and away from the base seat structure <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the seating assembly <NUM> is shown. For each left-side profile view shown by <FIG>, <FIG> provide a respective counterpart rear isometric view.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the seating assembly <NUM> is shown in a fully-up and fully-aft configuration. For example, the base seat structure <NUM>, configured for translation along the tracks <NUM>, may be set in a rearmost position relative to the tracks. In embodiments, the tracks <NUM> may be set into the flight deck floor <NUM> such that the tracks terminate substantially adjacent to a rear bulkhead wall <NUM>. For example, when in the fully-aft position shown by <FIG> and <FIG>, the rear faces <NUM> of the left-side and right-side side panel portions 104b may be substantially flush with the rear bulkhead wall <NUM>. For example, the base seat structure <NUM> may be locked in one of several incremental positions relative to the tracks <NUM> and relative to the rear bulkhead wall <NUM> (e.g., via a pin-and-slot system or any other appropriate means of securing the base seat structure into a position relative to the tracks.

The incorporation of the curved lower bucket guide slot <NUM> may enable the side panel portions 104b, and therefore the base seat structure <NUM> as a whole, to have an optimally minimal height relative to the flight deck floor <NUM>. Accordingly, even when mounted substantially flush to a rear bulkhead wall <NUM> (as shown by <FIG>), the seating assembly <NUM> may still provide for reclining of the seat bucket <NUM> relative to the base seat structure <NUM> (e.g., by tracking the seating assembly forward relative to the tracks <NUM>, and/or via pivoting of the outer stabilizer bracket <NUM> relative to the base seat structure and lower bucket support bracket <NUM>) if the rear bulkhead wall <NUM> (or the position of the base seat structure relative to the rear bulkhead wall) and the height of the seat bucket relative to the base seat structure provides sufficient space.

In embodiments, the linear upper bucket guide channel (<NUM>, <FIG>/<FIG>) and the curved lower bucket guide slot <NUM> may extend (e.g., on either side of each side panel portion 104b) between the same maximum height <NUM> and minimum height <NUM> relative to the base portion 104a and to the flight deck floor <NUM>. The curved lower bucket guide slot <NUM> may include a substantially linear upper portion 202a through which the lower bucket support bracket <NUM> may translate (referring also to <FIG> and <FIG>), e.g., for adjustment of the seat bucket <NUM> relative to the base seat structure <NUM> to accommodate taller or shorter pilots (e.g., through the range <NUM>, <FIG>).

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the seating assembly <NUM> is shown at the lower end of the normal range of travel of the seat bucket <NUM> relative to the base seat structure <NUM>, e.g., the point <NUM> corresponding to the lower end of the substantially linear upper portion 202a of the curved lower bucket guide slot (<NUM>, <FIG>/<FIG>). For example, when in the position shown by <FIG> and <FIG>, the seating assembly <NUM> may be configured for accommodating the tallest percentiles of pilots or operators.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the seating assembly <NUM> is shown in a crash event.

In embodiments, at the point <NUM> the curved lower bucket guide slot <NUM> may transition from the substantially linear upper portion 202a to a curved lower portion 202b. For example, as the lower bucket support bracket <NUM> begins to translate downward through the curved lower portion 202b, the upper bucket support (<NUM>, <FIG>/<FIG>) may begin stroking through the upper bucket guide channel (<NUM>, <FIG>/<FIG>), e.g., to attenuate downward force associated with the crash event. In embodiments, as the lower bucket support bracket <NUM> (e.g., the inner bearing (208b, <FIG>/<FIG>) thereof) continues through the curved lower portion 202b of the curved lower bucket guide slot <NUM>, the outer bearing 208c may shift forward relative to the roller slot 212a set into the outer stabilizer bracket <NUM>, allowing the lower bucket support bracket (e.g., and the seat bucket <NUM> fixed thereto) forward and away from the base portion 104a of the base seat structure <NUM>. In embodiments, the precise dimensions of the curved lower portions 202b (e.g., degree of curvature, length of curvature) may vary according to cockpit/cabin configuration and dimensions.

Claim 1:
A rotorcraft seating assembly (<NUM>), comprising:
a seat bucket (<NUM>) and a base seat structure (<NUM>), the base seat structure (<NUM>) configured to support the seat bucket (<NUM>) in a seating position, the base seat structure (<NUM>) comprising:
a base portion (104a) mountable to a flight deck floor of a rotorcraft; and
left and right side panel portions rising from the base portion (104a) at an obtuse angle in a spaced apart relationship, each side panel portion comprising:
a bucket guide channel (<NUM>) set into an inside face of the side panel portion;
and
a bucket guide slot (<NUM>) set into an outside face of the side panel portion opposite the bucket guide channel, the bucket guide slot comprising <NUM>) a linear upper portion (202a) and <NUM>) an arcuate lower portion (202b);
the seat bucket (<NUM>) slidably coupled to each of the left and right side panel portions by the bucket guide channel and the bucket guide slot, the seat bucket (<NUM>) configured to:
support an operator of the rotorcraft;
and
in response to a dynamic event:
attenuate a crash energy of the seat bucket (<NUM>) by slidably translating along the bucket guide channel;
and
stroke the seat bucket (<NUM>) in a downward and a forward direction by slidably translating along the arcuate lower portion of the bucket guide slot.