Patent ID: 8146992

Claim:
An operator support assembly comprising: a first member; a second member supported for rotation relative to the first member, the second member defining a center opening; a seat bottom suspended below the second member; a support coupling the seat bottom to the second member, wherein the support includes a first support member coupled to the seat bottom at a first coupling and including a first shock absorbing device, a second support member coupled to the seat bottom at a second coupling and including a second shock absorbing device, and a third support member coupled to the seat bottom at a third coupling and including a third shock absorbing device; a quick release mechanism operably coupled to the first coupling and the second coupling, wherein activation of the quick release mechanism causes the first coupling to disconnect the first support member from the seat bottom and causes the second coupling to disconnect the second support member from the seat bottom, wherein the seat bottom pivots downwardly about the third coupling; an occupant restraint including a first strap, a second strap, and a coupler selectively connecting the first strap and the second strap, wherein the coupler releases the first strap from the second strap upon activation of the quick release mechanism; a footrest supported below the seat bottom; and a backrest supported above the seat bottom, the seat bottom pivotable relative to the backrest; wherein the seat bottom includes a ballistic resistant layer.