U.S. patent application number 11/605876 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-29 for aircraft seat cover assembly.
Invention is credited to Trevor Edwards.
Application Number | 20080122274 11/605876 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39462913 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080122274 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Edwards; Trevor |
May 29, 2008 |
Aircraft seat cover assembly
Abstract
An aircraft seat cover assembly includes a seat portion and a
back portion. The seat portion includes a cover. Under that portion
of the cover which is under the back of the pilot's legs and the
pilot's buttocks are layers of deformable foam. Under that portion
of the cover which is behind the pilot's back is a positionable
inflatable air bladder.
Inventors: |
Edwards; Trevor; (Wichita
Falls, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STRASBURGER & PRICE, LLP
901 MAIN STREET, SUITE 4400
DALLAS
TX
75202
US
|
Family ID: |
39462913 |
Appl. No.: |
11/605876 |
Filed: |
November 28, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/228.12 ;
297/219.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/4415 20130101;
B64D 11/0689 20130101; B60N 2/914 20180201; B60N 2/60 20130101;
A47C 31/11 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/228.12 ;
297/219.1 |
International
Class: |
A47C 31/11 20060101
A47C031/11 |
Claims
1. An aircraft seat cover assembly for use with an aircraft seat
having a tubular frame over which is fitted open weave fabric, said
aircraft seat cover assembly comprising: a seat portion constructed
and arranged to be strapped to the bottom portion of the aircraft
seat; said seat portion including a first foam layer placed over a
second foam layer and a third partial foam layer; and a back
portion constructed and arranged to fit over the back portion of
the aircraft seat, said back portion including a movable inflatable
bladder for changing the contour of the back portion of the
aircraft seat.
2. A seat cover assembly for reducing the fatigue of a pilot
associated with long term use of an aircraft seat made from an open
weave fabric stretched over a frame made of tubular members, said
seat cover comprising: a first cover portion constructed and
arranged for inclusion in the space between the back of the pilots
legs and the buttocks of the pilot and the open weave fabric; a
layer of formable foam placed on the underside of said cover and on
top of the open weave fabric; a layer of formable foam positioned
over the tubular member of the aircraft seat supporting the back of
the pilot's legs; a second cover portion constructed and arranged
for inclusion in the space between the pilot's back and the open
weave fabric; and an inflatable bladder positioned within said
second cover portion to adjust the fit of said second portion
against the back of the pilot.
3. The seat cover as defined in claim 2 wherein: said first cover
portion and said second cover portion are formed from a burn
certified fabric.
4. The seat cover as defined in claim 2 wherein: said inflatable
bladder is positionable within said second cover portion.
5. The seat cover as defined in claim 2 wherein said first cover
portion and said second cover portion are attached to the aircraft
seat using adjustable length straps sets.
6. The seat cover as defined in claim 2 wherein said formable foam
is caused to adjust to the shape of the pilot's body by the
application of the pilot's body heat and the pilot's body
weight.
7. A method for increasing the comfort and reducing the fatigue of
a pilot induced by a standard aircraft cool seat formed of steel
tubes covered by an open weave fabric said method comprising the
steps of: covering the seat portion of the cool seat with a cover
including foam layers of varying softness to be positioned under
the back of the upper portion of the pilot's legs and the pilot's
buttocks; covering the steel tube which is beneath the back of the
pilot's legs with a piece of formable foam which elevates the
pilot's knees; and covering the back portion of the cool seat with
a cover including a positionable inflatable bladder to be
positioned between the lower portion of the pilot's back and the
back of the cool seat.
Description
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
FIELD
[0001] The invention described in this patent application was not
the subject of federally sponsored research or development.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention pertains to an accessory for an
aircraft; more particularly, the present invention pertains to a
seat cover assembly for providing enhanced seating comfort and
safety for the pilot of an aircraft.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Small private aircraft and restricted category aircraft,
typically single seat aircraft such as agricultural aircraft built
for spraying, are characterized by their light weight and low cost.
And, since the anticipated duration of most flights by such small
private aircraft and restricted category aircraft, including
agricultural aircraft, may not be for an extended period of time,
manufacturers of small private aircraft and restricted category
aircraft, including agricultural aircraft, have not endeavored to
develop a seating system for pilots that provides long-term
comfort. For example, some small private aircraft and restricted
category aircraft, including agricultural aircraft, include
low-cost simple "cool" seats. Cool seats are basically a piece of
open-weave fabric stretched over a frame made from rigid metal
tubes. Such cool seats are light weight and have been approved by
the FAA. Accordingly, manufacturers of small private aircraft and
restricted category aircraft use FAA approved cool seats. In
addition, such cool seats are often found on military
helicopters.
[0004] While low-cost, simple seating systems, such as cool seats,
are adequate for many aircraft applications where the operators of
the aircraft spend only an hour or two at the controls, there are
some pilots who make such one or two hour flights repeatedly over
long periods of time, to include both day and night. Such pilots
may be those who fly small private aircraft or restricted category
aircraft, including agricultural aircraft, to spray crops, or those
pilots who are flight instructors who often teach multiple student
pilots in one day. Still other pilots who often sit on cool seats
are those who drop fire retardant chemicals.
[0005] For those pilots who spend extended times in a small private
aircraft or a restricted category aircraft, including agricultural
and firefighting aircraft, there is a need to provide a seating
system which is more comfortable than the cool seat offered by most
manufacturers of small private aircraft or restricted category
aircraft, including agricultural aircraft. This need is
demonstrated by the large number of professional pilots who carry
some type of seat cushion along with the gear carried into an
aircraft. It is also not unusual to find pilots who fold up a
flight jacket and use their folded flight jacket as a cushion on a
cool seat.
[0006] From a safety viewpoint, it is well known that pilot
discomfort leads to both an accelerated state of pilot fatigue and
distraction of the pilot's attention away from the many activities
associated with flying the aircraft. When flying an aircraft, pilot
fatigue and attention distraction become significant safety issues.
Specifically, a fatigued or distracted pilot is not able to devote
the needed attention to the physical activity of flying the
aircraft and maintaining proper communication with ground
control--particularly in IFR conditions. If weather conditions
deteriorate to IFR or hazardous flying conditions occur, fatigue or
distraction can actually lead to unanticipated dangerous
situations.
[0007] Yet another problem is that some pilots who fly for extended
periods of time have reported experiencing a loss of feeling in
their lower legs when using a cool seat. Since much of flying is
responding to control feedback, loss of feeling directly impacts
the ability of a pilot to control the aircraft. Other pilots have
reported experiencing either leg pain or leg cramps even when
outside of the aircraft from long exposure to cool seats.
[0008] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a seating system
usable in small private aircraft that increases the comfort level
of the seat for the pilot, particularly the cool seat, installed by
the aircraft manufacturer.
SUMMARY
[0009] The disclosed aircraft seat cover assembly is usable in
small private aircraft and restricted category aircraft, including
agricultural and firefighting aircraft, to increase the comfort
level of the seat for the pilot, particularly the cool seat
installed by aircraft manufacturers.
[0010] The aircraft seat cover assembly of the present invention is
formed in two parts--a first part to cover the seat portion of a
cool seat of the type typically found in small private aircraft,
restricted category aircraft and military helicopters, and a second
part to cover the back portion of the cool seat.
[0011] The first part of the aircraft seat cover assembly which
covers the seat portion includes a pocket portion formed from a
burn certified material acceptable for use in aircraft. Under the
outer layer of fabric forming the pocket portion is a first cushion
layer to fit under the back of the upper portion of the pilot's
legs and under the pilot's buttocks. Under the first cushion layer
is a second cushion layer which is firmer than the first cushion
layer. Then, under the second cushion layer is a shortened foam
piece to go over the front tubular piece in a cool seat. This
shortened foam piece is firmer than the second cushion layer. All
of the three cushion layers are made from a foam which conforms to
the shape of the back of the upper portion of the pilot's legs and
the pilot's buttocks by exposure to the pilot's body heat and
weight. The shortened foam piece also provides the additional
function of lifting the pilot's knees to a position where the
pilot's feet are in a more comfortable position when placed on the
trim pedals.
[0012] The second part of the aircraft seat cover assembly is
formed to have a pocket portion which covers the back portion of
the cool seat and is formed from a burn certified material. Within
that portion of the back portion of the disclosed aircraft seat
cover assembly which is in contact with the lower portion of the
pilot's back is a positionable air bladder. The positionable air
bladder may be adjusted to a desired level of hardness or softness
according to the preference of the pilot by the use of a squeezable
ball and air release valve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0013] A still better understanding of the aircraft seating system
of the present invention may be had by reference to the drawing
figures as follows:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of the present
invention mounted to a cool seat;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the bottom of the
present invention mounted to a cool seat;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an elevational view showing the back of the
present invention mounted to a cool seat.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the mounting of the air
bladder;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the air bladder removed from the
seating system; and
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the disclosed seating
system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The FAA approved cool seat found in many wing and rotary
wing aircraft, includes a simple frame constructed of rigid tubular
members. An open weave fabric is stretched tightly over the cool
seat frame. Cushioning for the pilot, if any, is offered by the
limited stretching of the open weave fabric under the weight of the
pilot. Adjustability of the cool seat is typically limited to
simple movement of the entire cool seat along the vertical axis of
the aircraft (up and down only). The rudder pedals are adjusted
fore and aft to accommodate the legs of pilots, from short to tall,
the orientation of the seat portion of the cool seat is generally
parallel to the long axis of the aircraft. As previously indicated,
prolonged use of a cool seat increases fatigue and frequently leads
to leg discomfort both inside and outside the aircraft.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aircraft cool seat 100
with the aircraft seat cover assembly 10 of the present invention
installed thereon. The disclosed aircraft seat cover assembly 10
includes two portions, a seat portion 30 and a back portion 50. The
seat portion 30 is constructed and arranged to fit over the lower
seat portion of the aircraft cool seat 100 installed by the
manufacturer of the aircraft.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the seat portion 30 of the disclosed
aircraft seta cover assembly 10 includes an outer cover 32 is
attached by a plurality of adjustable strap sets 34 which pass
under the aircraft seat 100 and snug the seat portion 30 of the
aircraft seat cover assembly 10 against the aircraft seat. Affixed
to the outer cover 32 of the seat portion of the present invention
and positioned on the top of the lower seat portion is a cushioned
portion which provides more padding than that offered by the cool
seat 100 installed by the aircraft manufacturer.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 6, there are three foam layers attached to
the outer cover 32. The first or top layer 36 is the softest layer.
The foam used to form the top layer 36 conforms to the shape of the
back of the pilot's legs and the pilot's buttocks over time. Such
foams that change shape under body heat and pressure are well known
to those of ordinary skill in the art. The second or middle layer
of foam 38 is more firm than the top layer 36 but has the same
properties of changing shape under body heat and pressure. The
third or bottom layer 40 of foam is more firm than the middle
layer. While the top and middle layer cover the entire seat
surface, the bottom layer of foam 40 is shortened and fits over the
front tubular member of the cool seat 100. It is the front tubular
member of the cool seat 100 which presses against the back of the
upper portion of the pilot's legs and causes the greatest
discomfort for the pilot.
[0024] The upper or back portion 50 of the seating system 10 of the
present invention is constructed similarly to the lower seat
portion. The upper or back portion 50 of the seating system 10 has
an outer cover 52 formed as a large pocket which slips over the
back of the aircraft cool seat. Also included are adjustable strap
sets 54 to snug the upper or back portion 50 of the seating system
of the present invention against the back of the aircraft cool
seat. Much like the lower seat portion 30 described above, the back
portion 50 of the present invention provides more padding than that
offered by the cool seat installed by the aircraft
manufacturer.
[0025] To further enhance pilot comfort, particularly those pilots
prone to lower back soreness due to uncomfortable seats, the
present invention, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, also includes an
inflatable air bladder 56 to enable the back portion 50 of the
seating system 10 of the present invention to better conform to the
unique contour of the pilot's back and, thus, provide additional
skeletal support for the pilot. The inflatable air bladder 56 is
filled by using a flexible ball assembly 58 attached to a tube 60
that is, in turn, attached to the air bladder 56. Squeezing of the
flexible ball assembly 56 will fill the bladder with air to a size
and firmness level suitable for the back of an individual pilot.
Also contained near the flexible ball assembly 58 is a small air
release valve 62 which allows the air bladder 56 to be deflated as
desired to adjust the shape of the back portion 50 of the aircraft
seat cover assembly 10. To accommodate pilots of different sizes
the inflatable air bladder 56 is attached within the back portion
50 of the aircraft seat cover assembly 10 by the use of a hook and
loop fastening system 64 known by the trademark VELCRO.RTM. so that
it may be easily positioned.
[0026] Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the
air pressure in the air bladder 56 may be easily changed in flight
by squeezing the flexible ball 58 or opening the air release valve
62. By changing the amount of pressure in the air bladder 56, the
pilot is able to change the distribution of forces on the back
muscles further reducing fatigue.
[0027] The fabric from which the outer covers 32, 52 aircraft seat
cover assembly 10 of the present invention are made is burn
certified and cut for a contoured fit over a cool seat 100. The
adjustable strap sets 34, 54 are also made from a burn certified
material.
[0028] Installation of the aircraft seat cover assembly 10 is best
accomplished by removal of the cool seat 100 from the aircraft.
Typically, only four bolts are used to hold the cool seat 100 in
place in most aircraft. However, it is possible to install the seat
cover assembly 10 of the present invention while the cool seat 100
remains installed within the aircraft.
[0029] No special tools are required to install the disclosed
aircraft seat cover assembly 10. The bottom portion 30 and the back
portion 50 of the disclosed aircraft cover assembly 10 are formed
to be slid over the bottom and back of the cool seat 100. Once slid
over the bottom and back of the cool seat 100 the tightening straps
of the adjustable strap sets 34, 54 are pulled through the single
grip latches on the end of the opposite tightening strap. The
fabric has enough stretch to enable a tight wrinkle-free fit over
the cool seat 100.
[0030] Users first notice the softness of the foam layers 36, 38,
40 against the back of the upper portion of their legs and against
their buttocks. In addition, the pressure from the front support
tube 102 against the back of the lower portion of the upper portion
of the user's legs is gone. Further, the use of a shortened piece
of foam 40 elevates the pilot's knees to allow the pilot's feet to
be positioned more comfortably on the aircraft trim pedals.
[0031] Removal of the aircraft seat cover assembly 10 of the
present invention is best accomplished when the aircraft cool seat
100 is out of the aircraft; however, removal of the aircraft seat
cover assembly 10 may be removed with the cool seat 100 remaining
in the aircraft.
[0032] It is anticipated that some airplane manufacturers will
offer the seat cover assembly 10 of the present invention as an
option particularly when one pilot repeatedly is called upon to fly
one aircraft.
[0033] In other situations, professional pilots may carry their own
seat cover assembly 10 and have it installed by support personnel
before flying. In still other situations, those insuring aircraft
may require the use of the disclosed aircraft seat cover assembly
10 because of the positive impact on safety of flight.
[0034] By use of the present invention multiple muscle groups are
involved during flight simply by changing the geometry of disclosed
aircraft seat cover assembly. Simply by involving different muscle
groups by slight changes in seat geometry pilot comfort is
increased and pilot fatigue is reduced. This increase in format and
reduction in pilot fatigue allows the pilot to concentrate more on
flying the airplane than alleviating the discomfort induced by an
uncomfortable seat. Greater concentration by the pilot on flying an
aircraft increases safety thereby reducing the chance for aircraft
accidents.
[0035] While the disclosed invention has been disclosed according
to its preferred embodiment, those of ordinary skill in the art
will understand that other embodiments have been enabled. Such
other embodiments shall be included within the scope and measuring
of the appended claims.
* * * * *