The present invention includes a device for enabling a pilot to maintain a conscious state at a high G-force. The device comprises a platform and seat radially movable about an axis. The device also comprises a mechanism for moving the platform in order to optimize the position of the pilot with respect to the G-force so that the pilot is conscious.

A method for mitigating toe strike in a cockpit of an aircraft includes providing an airbag module attached to an instrument console located in the cockpit of the aircraft; releasing an airbag from the airbag module after an ejection sequence begins; using the airbag to protect a pilot's lower limbs from striking the instrument console as the pilot begins ejecting.

Presentation of an improved adjustable lumbar support mechanism with a remote control push-button and cable (10) for use in a seat backrest. The cable is routed to a hydraulic (or pneumatic) positioning cylinder (12) which has a locking capability and integral spring-load force to permanently preload a lumbar support panel (20) in a direction opposing the pressure from the seat occupant's back. A new principle of operation of the "manual" lumbar support is utilized, in which the force from a hum...

An inflatable vehicle safety system having a source of inflating gas and an inflatable bag in which a flat, woven hose connects the gas source to the inflatable bag using minimal connecting hardware.

One or more tubular inflatables are mounted in pockets spaced around a flight vest to assist and maintain upper body stiffness during ejection. The inflatables function to maintain the body stiff and prevent its moving from side to side during ejection. By proper positioning of the inflatables around the body, spinal compression may be prevented. In addition, connected to the flight vest is a collar-like inflatable that supports and protects the neck and head of the air crewmember from moving. T...

An aircraft crash sensor activates an aircrew safety device upon sensing an aircraft impact in any direction to minimize the aircrew flail envelope and reduce the possibility of injury caused by the crash. The crash sensor is useful in a plurality of different aircraft all having different characteristics and mounting orientations for the crash sensor. It includes accelerometers which sense accelerations along three orthogonal axes. The memory contains algorithms for each of a plurality of diffe...

An inflatable belt for use in a seat belt apparatus. The belt provides an increased inflation length without having to pass an inflatable bag through a belt guide. A seat belt apparatus may include the air belt which may include a webbing of which at least a part that comes into contact with an occupant is formed as a bag-like portion and the remaining part is formed as a single-band portion. The apparatus has a bag stored in the bag-like portion of the webbing in such a manner that the bag is f...

An energy absorbing device for an aircraft seat supporting structure providing an elongate one piece element pivotably connected to front and rear seat supporting legs and having a general crescent shape with two curved arm portions of opposite convexities separated by a space arranged in a central portion of the crescent shape.

An arm restraint system for an ejection seat of an aircraft. The arm restraint system includes a pair of shrouds that are attached to the seat and each contain an outer channel. Extending through each outer channel is a corresponding strap that is coupled to the cockpit and fastened to a ring on the belt of the pilot. When the seat is ejected, the straps are pulled and the shrouds are deployed onto the arms of the pilot. The shrouds extend to a position which captures the wrists of the pilot, th...

Presentation of an adjustable lumbar support mechanism for use in the airline aircraft seats. A new method of lumbar adjustment is introduced utilizing a push button (10) and control cable (12) to unlock the positioning rod (42). Rod holds any selected curvature of the lumbar support panel (46). The lumbar panel is formed and preloaded to a convex shape (50) and assumes the most forward adjustment position when control button is depressed and while pressure on the seat back is removed. The lumba...