U.S. patent application number 10/906482 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-24 for articulated spacecraft seat and stretcher.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Boeing Company. Invention is credited to Victor J. Barackman, Xavier D. Simon.
Application Number | 20060186717 10/906482 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36911919 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060186717 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barackman; Victor J. ; et
al. |
August 24, 2006 |
ARTICULATED SPACECRAFT SEAT AND STRETCHER
Abstract
A seat assembly (10) that is fully adjustable between a maximum
seat configuration a minimum seat configuration and a stretcher
configuration. The seat assembly (10) has a frame (11) that
supports multiple panel elements (12) that are slidably adjustable
with respect to each adjoining panel in order to adjust the size
and position of various elements of the seat. The seat has an upper
back panel (14) and a lower back panel (16) slidably engaged to
each other to define the seat back, a rear seat panel (20) and a
front seat panel (22) slidably engaged with each other to define a
seat bottom and a lower leg panel (26) and a footrest (24) that are
slidably engaged with each other. The seat bottom (20), the lower
leg panel (26) and the footrest (24) are hinged to fully extend the
seat into a stretcher configuration.
Inventors: |
Barackman; Victor J.; (Chula
Vista, CA) ; Simon; Xavier D.; (Huntington Beach,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OSTRAGER CHONG FLAHERTY & BROITMAN PC
250 PARK AVENUE, SUITE 825
NEW YORK
NY
10177
US
|
Assignee: |
The Boeing Company
Chicago
IL
|
Family ID: |
36911919 |
Appl. No.: |
10/906482 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/284.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/16 20130101; A47C
7/14 20130101; A47C 7/425 20130101; A47C 7/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/284.1 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/46 20060101
A47C007/46 |
Goverment Interests
GOVERNMENT CONTRACT
[0001] The invention described herein was made in the performance
of work under NASA Contract No. NAS8-01099 and is subject to the
provisions of Section 305 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act
of 1958 (72 Stat.435:42 U.S.C.2457.)
Claims
1. A vehicle seat having at least a minimum and at most a maximum
size configuration comprising: a frame assembly a lower back panel
in fixed attachment to the frame assembly; an upper back panel in
slidable engagement to the lower back panel and frame assembly and
having a locking mechanism with respect to the lower back panel; a
rear bottom seat panel in a fixed and hinged attachment to the
frame assembly; a front bottom seat panel in slidable engagement to
the rear seat panel and frame assembly and having a locking
mechanism with respect to the rear bottom seat panel; a lower leg
panel in hinged attachment to the front bottom seat panel; a
footrest having an upper portion in slidable engagement to the
lower leg panel and having a locking mechanism with respect to the
lower leg panel, the footrest having a lower portion in hinged
attachment to the upper portion of the footrest; and wherein the
upper back panel can be slid between a maximum size configuration
and minimum size configuration with respect to the lower back panel
and locked in a fixed position thereto anywhere in between and
including the maximum and minimum size configurations, the front
seat panel being slidable between a maximum size configuration and
a minimum size configuration with respect to the rear seat panel
and locked in a fixed position thereto anywhere in between and
including the maximum and minimum size configurations, and the
upper portion of the footrest being slidable between a maximum size
configuration and minimum size configuration with respect to the
lower leg panel and locked in a fixed position thereto anywhere in
between and including the maximum and minimum size
configurations.
2. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame
assembly further comprises at least two members positioned opposite
each other and enclosing each of the back panels and each of the
seat bottom panels therebetween.
3. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 2 further comprising: first
and second armrests in adjustable engagement with a respective
member of the frame assembly, the adjustability of each armrest
being in a vertical position with respect to the respective frame
member.
4. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first and
second armrests can be folded up in alignment with the respective
frame member.
5. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 4 wherein the first and
second armrests are removable from the respective frame member.
6. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a
folded configuration comprising: the lower portion of the footrest
folded onto the upper portion of the footrest; the upper portion of
the footrest in the minimum size configuration with respect to the
lower leg panel; the front bottom seat panel in the minimum size
configuration with respect to the rear bottom seat panel; the lower
leg panel folded onto the rear bottom seat panel; the upper seat
back panel in the minimum size configuration with respect to the
lower seat back panel; and the rear bottom seat panel folded up
against the upper and lower seat back panels.
7. The vehicle seat as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a
stretcher configuration comprising: the lower portion of the
footrest hinged perpendicular to the upper portion of the footrest;
the upper portion of the footrest in a predetermined size
configuration with respect to the lower leg panel; the front bottom
seat panel in a predetermined size configuration with respect to
the rear bottom seat panel; the lower leg panel hinged in alignment
with the rear bottom seat panel; the upper seat back panel in a
predetermined size configuration with respect to the lower seat
back panel; and the rear bottom seat panel hinged in alignment with
the upper and lower seat back panels.
8. A spacecraft seat comprising: a frame; a plurality of
interdisposed panels in slidable relation to each other that define
a seat back, a seat bottom, and a leg rest; and a lockable hinge
disposed between the leg rest and the seat bottom; and a lockable
hinge disposed between the seat bottom and the frame.
9. The seat as claimed in claim 8 wherein the plurality of
interdisposed and slidable panels further comprises: a lower back
panel fixed to the frame and having a fixed height dimension; an
upper back panel slidably engaged to the lower back panel and to
the frame; a rear seat panel having a fixed length dimension; a
front seat panel slidably engaged to the rear seat panel and to the
frame; a lower leg panel hinged to the front seat panel and having
a fixed length dimension; a foot rest having upper and lower
portions, the upper portion of the footrest being slidably engaged
to the lower leg panel and the lower portion of the footrest hinged
to the upper portion of the footrest; and means for locking the
slidably engaged panels relative to the panels having fixed
dimensions.
10. The seat as claimed in claim 9 wherein the frame further
comprises: a first L-shaped frame member; a second L-shaped frame
member; and the first and second L-shaped frame members being
disposed on either side of the plurality of slidably engaged
panels.
11. The seat as claimed in claim 10 further comprising: first and
second removable armrests attached to the first and second L-shaped
frame members respectively.
12. The seat as claimed in claim 11 further comprising a headrest
attached to the upper back panel.
13. The seat as claimed in claim 12 wherein the seat is adjustable
anywhere in between a maximum size configuration and a minimum size
configuration by locking the slidably engaged panels in a desired
position.
14. The seat as claimed in claim 13 wherein the maximum size
configuration further comprises: the upper back panel fully
extended along its slidable engagement to the lower back panel and
locked in place; the front seat panel fully extended along its
slidable engagement to the rear seat panel and locked in place; the
upper portion of the footrest fully extended along its slidable
engagement to the lower leg panel and locked in place.
15. The seat as claimed in claim 13 wherein the seat assembly
further comprises a stretcher configuration.
16. The seat as claimed in claim 15 wherein the stretcher
configuration further comprises: the rear seat panel hinged in
alignment with the upper and lower back panels and locked in place;
the lower leg panel hinged in alignment with the upper and lower
back panels and the rear seat panel and locked in place.
17. The seat as claimed in claim 13 wherein the minimum size
configuration further comprises: the upper back panel fully
retracted and engaged along its slidable engagement to the lower
back panel and locked in place; the front seat panel fully
retracted and engaged along its slidable engagement to the rear
seat panel and locked in place; the upper portion of the footrest
fully retracted and engaged along its slidable engagement to the
lower leg panel and locked in place.
18. The seat as claimed in claim 17 wherein the minimum size
configuration further comprises a folded configuration.
19. The seat as claimed in claim 18 wherein the folded
configuration further comprises: the lower portion of the footrest
being folded upon the upper portion of the footrest; the lower leg
panel being folded upon the rear seat panel; the rear seat panel
being folded upon the upper and lower back panels; and the first
and second armrests removed from the first and second frame
members.
20. A vehicle seat assembly that is configured in a plurality of
positions anywhere within the range of and including a maximum size
configuration, a minimum size configuration, a folded configuration
and a stretcher configuration, the seat assembly comprising: a
first L-shaped frame member; a second L-shaped frame member; a
lower back panel fixed to an upper portion of the first and second
L-shaped frame members, lower back panel having a fixed height
dimension and being fixed in place relative to the first and second
L-shaped frame members; an upper back panel slidably engaged to the
lower back panel and fixed in slidable engagement to the frame; a
rear seat panel in hinged connection to a bottom portion of the
first and second L-shaped frame members, the rear seat panel having
a fixed length dimension; a front seat panel slidably engaged to
the rear seat bottom panel and to the bottom portions of the first
and second L-shaped frame members; a lower leg panel hinged to the
front seat bottom panel and having a fixed length dimension; a foot
rest having upper and lower portions, the upper portion of the
footrest being slidably engaged to the lower leg panel and the
lower portion of the footrest hinged to the upper portion of the
footrest; means for locking the slidably engaged panels relative to
the panels having fixed dimensions to define a size configuration
for the seat assembly; wherein a maximum size configuration is
defined by the upper back panel fully extended along its slidable
engagement to the lower back panel and locked in place; the front
seat panel fully extended along its slidable engagement to the rear
seat panel and locked in place; the upper portion of the footrest
fully extended along its slidable engagement to the lower leg panel
and locked in place; wherein a minimum configuration is defined by
the upper back panel fully retracted and engaged along its slidable
engagement to the lower back panel and locked in place; the front
seat panel fully retracted and engaged along its slidable
engagement to the rear seat panel and locked in place; the upper
portion of the footrest fully retracted and engaged along its
slidable engagement to the lower leg panel and locked in place;
wherein the folded configuration is defined by the seat being in a
minimum size configuration and the lower portion of the footrest
being folded upon the upper portion of the footrest; the lower leg
panel being folded upon the rear seat panel; the rear seat panel
being folded upon the upper and lower back panels; and the first
and second armrests removed from the first and second frame
members; and wherein the fully extended stretcher configuration is
defined by the seat assembly being in its maximum size
configuration and the rear seat panel hinged in alignment with the
upper and lower back panels and locked in place; the lower leg
panel hinged in alignment with the upper and lower back panels and
the rear seat panel and locked in place.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to seating for the
crew of an aircraft or spacecraft and more particularly to an
articulated seat having multiple configurations including a
stretcher.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Advancements in space travel have made manned space flights
more realistic for a larger variety of people. In the past, space
missions had crewmember sizes that were much more generic. It is no
longer true that all of the crewmembers are relatively the same
size and weight. In space travel today and as it is expected to
change in the future, crewmembers are becoming more varied and
people of many shapes and sizes need to be accommodated. Crew seats
need to conform to crew sizes ranging from the smallest possible,
for example a 5.sup.th percentile Japanese female in shirt sleeves,
to the largest possible, such as a 95.sup.th percentile American
male in an inflated space suit.
[0004] Crewmember comfort is of course a concern. But other
practical considerations in seat design are also a concern.
Typically, spacecraft seats are one-size-fits-all without any
consideration for the size of the crewmember, the configuration of
the seat for take-off, in-flight, and landing situations. Also,
there has been a lack of any consideration for a crewmember that
may be injured during the space flight mission. So while the crew
has become more varied, the missions themselves are also more
flexible. There may be a need to change crewmembers during the
mission, as when dropping off and picking up crew from a remote
location, such as a space station. Furthermore, it may become
necessary during the mission to pick up and store additional cargo.
Fixed seating configurations may prevent the possibility of storing
excess cargo.
[0005] There is a need for a crew seat that has the capability of
adjusting to several configurations and body sizes for various
phases of the space flight and any potential changes during the
flight such as changes to the crew, any injuries that may occur to
a crewmember during the mission and the flexibility to easily
adjust, stow, or remove seats to accommodate extra cargo.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An adjustable seat will provide multiple seat configurations
for crewmembers of varying sizes and an articulated seat will
adjust for changes in cargo. The seat can be adjusted in size and
articulated in configuration such that it is positioned in any one
of several different configurations, including a stretcher
configuration. The seat allows for varying crew sizes, the size of
each of the crewmembers, as well as mission changes, such as cargo
transport or emergency return of an injured crewmember. A wide
variety of seat sizes and configurations can be accommodated on a
single spacecraft during a single flight mission.
[0007] The seat has multiple sliding panels that are connected in a
movable fashion, such as by a basic tongue-in-groove configuration.
The shoulder height, thigh length, calf length and armrest height
of the seat are all adjustable by sliding the panels in relation to
each other. The seat is capable of being articulated in any
configuration from folded for stowing to fully extended for use as
a stretcher. The seat is easily removable from the frame and/or the
vehicle. The seat can be removed in its folded configuration or in
any of its size configurations. Furthermore, the seat can be easily
removed with a crewmember in the seat, should the need ever arise
for a rescue crew to rapidly remove the crewmember without
disturbing the body position of the injured crewmember.
[0008] Additional advantages and features of the present invention
will become apparent from the description that follows, and may be
realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations
particularly pointed out in the appended claims, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] In order that the invention may be well understood, there
will now be described some embodiments thereof, given by way of
example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the seat in a maximum size
configuration.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seat in a minimum size
configuration.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the seat in a folded, stowed
configuration.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the seat in a fully extended
configuration.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0014] FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively show the seat assembly 10 in a
maximum seat configuration and a minimum seat configuration. The
seat assembly 10 has a frame 11 that supports multiple
interconnected panel elements 12. The panel elements 12 are
slidably adjustable with respect to each adjoining panel and lock
in place in order to adjust and fix the size of various elements of
the seat. The seat has an upper back panel 14 and a lower back
panel 16 to define the seat back assembly. A headrest 18 is
attached to the upper back panel 14. The seat has a rear seat panel
20 and a front seat panel 22 to define a seat bottom assembly. The
seat back assembly and the seat bottom assembly are attached
between to two members of the frame 11.
[0015] The seat back assembly and seat bottom assembly each have
one panel that is fixed to the frame 11 in a predetermined area.
One panel of each assembly is slidably adjustable with respect to
the fixed panel. For example, the shoulder height of the seat back
assembly is adjustable by sliding an upper back panel 14 with
respect to a lower back panel 16. The lower back panel 16 remains
fixed in the frame 11. Making adjustments to the shoulder height
also adjusts the height of the headrest 18 with respect to seat
panels 20 and 22. Likewise, the seat can be adjusted for a variety
of thigh lengths by slidably adjusting a front seat panel 22 with
respect to a rear seat panel 20. The rear seat panel 20 remains
fixed relative to the frame 11 and remains fixed in its position to
the lower seat back panel 14.
[0016] In a similar manner, the seat has a lower leg panel 26 and a
footrest 24 that are slidably engaged with each other. These panels
24, 26 are not engaged to the frame 11. The lower leg panel 26 is
hinged to the front seat panel 22 of the seat bottom assembly. A
variety of calf lengths can be accommodated by adjusting the
footrest 24 with respect to the lower leg panel 26 and the hinged
lower leg panel can be adjusted to any angle between being
perpendicular to the front seat panel 22, and completely aligned
with the front seat panel 22 (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2).
[0017] The armrests 28 are attached to the frame members 11. The
armrests 28 are adjustable to different heights along the frame 11
as by slots 29 (see FIG. 2) and shown between FIGS. 1 and 2 in an
upper most and lower most configurations. It should be noted that
any variation or modification in between the two size configuration
extremes shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is understood to be easily
accommodated by adjusting the slidable panels and locking them in
place.
[0018] The panels are locked in place once they are positioned in
the desired configurations. There are several ways known to one of
ordinary skill in the art in which to slide the panels and hold the
slidable panels in the desired configuration and those methods are
not shown herein. For example, the panels may be slidable using a
tongue-in-groove configuration between two adjacent panels, and
then locked in place using a detent or a ball/pinion locking
mechanism. Another example may be retractable guides with locking
pins. It should be understood that the examples provided herein are
not intended to limit the adjustable/locking mechanism of the
present invention, but are merely provided as examples of types of
mechanisms that may be used to implement the adjustability of the
present invention and one skilled in the art could substitute any
one of several possibilities to accomplish this aspect of the
present invention.
[0019] The seat itself is fully articulated so that it can be
adjusted in a variety of configurations. The seat bottom assembly
is hinged 17 with respect to the frame 11 members. Likewise, the
lower leg panel 26 is hinged 15 with respect to the front seat
bottom panel 22 and the footrest 24 is hinged 19 as well.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows the seat 10 in a fully folded, and stowed
configuration. The hinges 15, 17, and 19, or articulating joints,
allow the panels to be folded upon each other to stow the seat, or
easily remove it from the attachment points. The footrest 24
collapses upon itself at its hinge 19. The footrest is slidably
adjusted to its smallest configuration relative to the lower leg
panel, not shown in FIG. 3, and the lower leg panel 26 and footrest
24 are folded at the hinge 15 of the lower leg panel 26. The entire
footrest 24 and lower leg panel 26 are folded onto the rear seat
bottom panel 20 which has the front seat bottom panel 22 in its
minimum configuration as well. The seat bottom panel 20 is then
folded up against the seat back panels, which are also in their
minimum configuration relative to each other. Only the upper seat
back panel 14 is shown in FIG. 3. For complete stowing the armrests
are removed. The armrest slot 29 is visible in FIG. 3. FIG. 3
additionally shows a means for supporting and locking the slidably
engaged panels for the front and rear seat panels 20 and 22. An
extendable rod mechanism 30 is shown that telescopes out to
extendably support and lock the panels in the maximum seat
configuration, and retracts in to support and lock the panels in a
seat configuration between the maximum and minimum configurations.
The rod is shown fully retracted in FIG. 3 and fully extended in
FIG. 4. In the fully folded configuration shown in FIG. 3, the seat
is compact and provides increased room on the vehicle, such as may
be necessary for added cargo or to accommodate a need for
additional room in which to conduct experiments or the like.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows the seat 10 in a fully extended, stretcher
configuration. The hinges 15, 17, and 19 on the panels 12 of the
seat articulate at the seat bottom, the lower leg portion, and the
footrest for adjusting the angle of the seat back with the seat
bottom, and the seat bottom with the leg rest. The armrests, not
shown in FIG. 4, may be folded into an upright position for
stowing, or they can be altogether removed from the frame members
11. The upper back panel 14 is fully extended relative to the fixed
lower back panel 16. The seat bottom is hinged flat in alignment
with the seat back panels 14 and 16. The front seat panel 22 is
fully extended relative to the fixed rear seat panel 20. The rod
mechanism 30 is shown in its fully telescoped position. The lower
leg panel 26 is hinged into alignment with the seat bottom panels
20, 22 and the seat back panels 14, 16. The footrest 24 is fully
extended with respect to the lower leg panel 26.
[0022] The stretcher configuration shown in FIG. 4 allows a
crewmember to use the seat in a standing, or upright position.
Additionally, the seat may be removed from the mounting
attachments, and used as a stretcher for holding, or transporting
an injured crewmember. In the fully extended configuration, the
seat back is in alignment with the seat bottom, which is in
alignment with the leg rest. The stretcher configuration shown in
FIG. 4 can be adjusted depending on the size of the crewmember. The
crewmember being stabilized in the stretcher should have their head
on the headrest 18 and their feet on the footrest 24. Depending on
the crewmember size, predetermined settings will be determined for
setting the length of the footrest, seat bottom, and back panel.
Adjusting the size of the stretcher to match the size of the
crewmember will ensure the best stability for an injured
crewmember.
[0023] The seat should have a standard configuration for attaching
to the spacecraft. A series of attachment points such as with
quick-release pins, not shown, hold the seat in position on the
spacecraft and provide easy access to removing the seat when
necessary. The attachment points are preferably located on a
portion of the panel that does not move with respect to its
position within the vehicle. The frame member 11 and the lower seat
back panel 14 remain fixed relative to each other and the
spacecraft. Therefore, it is likely that the attachment system for
the seat should be accommodated in any, or all, of these fixed
panels. This is so that a seat in any size or folded configuration
can be attached to the spacecraft in a uniform manner. The ease of
the quick-release pins and their position allows the seat to be
removed even with a crewmember still seated. Therefore, in the
event of an emergency, the injured crewmember does not have to be
moved, or adjusted in order to remove the seat from the
vehicle.
[0024] Furthermore, the seat, when used in a vehicle, should have a
harness system for holding the crewmember in place during take-off,
flight, and landing. The harness system can also be used to
stabilize a crewmember in the seat's stretcher configuration. The
harness system is not shown herein as there are many different
systems and the ideal system may depend on the particular vehicle
arrangement, the seating arrangement within the vehicle, the type
of mission, or any combination thereof.
[0025] The flexibility of the seat configurations means that one
spacecraft can easily accommodate a crew having multiple variations
in body size and weight and a varying number of crewmembers for
each flight. The seats 10 can also be easily changed out to
reconfigure the spacecraft for a subsequent mission having a
completely different crew. A seat can easily be added or removed
before, after or even during a mission. This way there will be no
extra seats unnecessarily weighing down the vehicle should the
number of crewmembers vary from flight to flight for a particular
spacecraft.
[0026] From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been
brought to the art a new and improved seat for space travel. It is
to be understood that the preceding description of the preferred
embodiment is merely illustrative of some of the many specific
embodiments that represent applications of the principles of the
present invention. Clearly, numerous and other arrangements would
be evident to those skilled in the art without departing from the
scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *