A seat fixing device for fixing a vehicle seat, in particular an aircraft passenger seat, to at least one fixing rail that is attached to a vehicle structure, comprising a fixing means that is to be coupled to the at least one fixing rail, and comprising a force transmitting unit that is used in a normal olperating mode to provide a first force application path of a weight and acceleration force that is introduced into the vehicle structure via the vehicle seat. The force transmitting unit has a transmitting means that is used in an impact mode to at least initiate a generation of at least one second force application path of the weight and acceleration force that is introduced into the vehicle structure via the vehicle seat.

Described are devices and methods for arresting forward motion of a passenger seat back in a controlled manner using an energy absorbing element connected between structural elements of a pivotally-attached passenger seat back. The energy absorbing element includes an interference element and an energy absorbing element that are operably connected with each other so that, in an upright configuration, the combination of the energy absorbing element and the interference element resists movement of the passenger seat back with respect to the first structural element of the passenger seat back, and in transition to a folded-forward configuration, the interference element deforms the energy absorbing element to slow forward movement of the passenger seat back.

An inversion-formed double-walled tube includes an outer tube having an outer wall thickness, an inner tube disposed inside the outer tube and having an inner wall thickness, and a transition portion connecting the inner tube and the outer tube. In this arrangement, at least one of the inner and outer wall thicknesses varies along a length of the double-walled tube. The inversion-formed double-walled tube may be configured as an inversion tube type energy absorber and as an energy absorbing inversion tube assembly.

The vehicle seat back according to the invention includes a textile assembly (30) having at least one embrittled linear zone (32, 32A, 32B) able to tear during an impact of the head of a passenger located on the seat behind the seat back considered, so as to enable rocking of this passenger's head to be continued and, at the same time, to be slowed down. Application to aircraft seats.

Described is an extendable joint (10,100) for attaching a passenger seat to a cabin floor or support structure. The extendable joint (10,100) exhibits behavior of a rigid mounting during normal usage, such as when carrying or securing passengers or luggage. However, if a force threshold is exceeded, such as with an emergency situation, the extendable joint (10,100) may lengthen to absorb energy applied from the cabin floor through the passenger seat and vice versa. Additional force damping mechanisms may also be incorporated into the joint to further absorb, distribute, or reduce loadings that may otherwise separate the passenger seat from the floor or support structure.

An improved occupant restraint system is provided which includes a torso support unit that provides external support to an upper torso of an individual, who may be the occupant of a vehicle exposed to upward acceleration events. The torso support system provides support to the occupant's upper torso including rib cage, arm pit, upper arm and/or shoulder region. This support can be accomplished by one or more straps, one or more bars, one or more hooks or any other support device(s) that are connected to structure of the vehicle, such as a seat or standing platform, and in turn connected to the upper torso of the occupant to transfer upward vehicle forces to various parts of the upper torso independently of the forces transferred to the lower body such as the feet, legs and seat through other vehicle structure. With such a torso support system, when an upward acceleration event occurs, the compressive forces impinging on the occupant's spinal column are reduced wherein the likelihood of occupant paralysis or death due to spinal and other acceleration-induced injuries are significantly reduced.

A vehicle including a housing, and a vehicle seat disposed in the housing. The vehicle further includes at least one radial slit disc energy attenuation assembly having an upper end coupled to the vehicle seat and a lower end coupled the housing. The radial slit disc energy attenuation assembly includes a slit disc stack having a plurality of deflectable discs configured to deflect in response to realizing a force applied by the vehicle seat.

An aircraft seat comprises a sitting part, sides and a backrest, having structural components which undergo controlled deformation under the influence of an overload. The sitting part is provided with a backward inclined upper panel and a lower panel provided with at least one absorber forming the crumple zone. The upper panel is made of a framed rack permanently connected to the sides and to the backrest, while the sitting part, placed inside the rack above the absorber, is attached to the front and rear portions of the rack with a non-releasable connection of reduced tensile strength wherein the front raised part of the rack is provided with a transverse reinforcement forming the support of a thigh portion of legs, and each side is supported on two resilient rings in the shape of a split ring having a specified compressive strength, forming an additional crumple zone.

Described are energy absorbing assemblies for a passenger seat. The energy absorbing assemblies can include one or more auxetic energy absorbing elements (130), each element including a crushable matrix formed of cells having an auxetic cell geometry that are crushable in a direction of energy capture.

A seat leg assembly for a passenger seat includes a brace member to extend from a front end of a base frame of the passenger seat to a rear floor fitting; a front leg to extend from a front floor fitting to the brace member and connected to the brace member; a rear leg portion extending from a rear end of the base frame to the brace member; and a first joint structure connecting the rear leg portion to the brace member.