An aircraft seat backrest with a lifesaving function, including a backrest body and a back plate assembly, wherein a containing cavity is arranged in a front face of the backrest body, the back plate assembly includes a back plate covering the containing cavity and a lifesaving parachute pack that is arranged on a back face of the back plate and contained in the containing cavity, the back plate is fixedly connected with the backrest body through a quick release mechanism in a quickly separable manner, lifesaving straps of the lifesaving parachute pack pass through strap through holes in the back plate, and an occupant leans against the back plate and is connected with the back plate and the lifesaving parachute pack through the lifesaving straps when riding.

A bulkhead-mounted aircraft seat assembly configured for independent vertical and horizontal adjustment includes an aircraft seat (seatback and seat frame/cushion) for supporting a pilot, passenger, or other occupant. Parallel rails attach to the bulkhead and extend along the bulkhead (vertically or near vertically) with opposing slots set into each rail. A sled translates along the rails via paired sliding members set into the slots, each pair of sliding members connected to an axle extending through the sled. A four-bar linkage attached to the sled and to the aircraft seat; the four-bar linkage extends from a default position to allow the aircraft seat to translate along a horizontal linear rail under the seat while maintaining a stable vertical reference point above the cabin floor. The seat is independently configured for substantially vertical adjustment via a metering plate attached to the bulkhead.

A bulkhead-mounted aircraft seat assembly configured for independent vertical and horizontal adjustment includes an aircraft seat (seatback and seat frame/cushion) for supporting a pilot, passenger, or other occupant. Parallel rails attach to the bulkhead and extend along the bulkhead (vertically or near vertically) with opposing slots set into each rail. A sled translates along the rails via paired sliding members set into the slots, each pair of sliding members connected to an axle extending through the sled. A four-bar linkage attached to the sled and to the aircraft seat; the four-bar linkage extends from a default position to allow the aircraft seat to translate along a horizontal linear rail under the seat while maintaining a stable vertical reference point above the cabin floor. The seat is independently configured for substantially vertical adjustment via a metering plate attached to the bulkhead.

A device for controlling the breakover rate of a seatback in response to a dynamic event (regulating the breakover velocity so as to achieve optimal velocity differential to the impact velocity of a passenger's head impacting with the seatback) is attachable to the seatback and to the seat frame; when a breakover event is triggered, the passage of a head injury criterion (HIC) pin through a controlled traveling slot is impeded by energy absorbing materials selected, e.g. for material composition and structure, to restrict the breakover velocity of the seatback to optimize velocity differential between the breakover velocity and the impact velocity by engaging the HIC pin and deforming at a predetermined deformation rate.

A device for controlling the breakover rate of a seatback in response to a dynamic event (regulating the breakover velocity so as to achieve optimal velocity differential to the impact velocity of a passenger's head impacting with the seatback) is attachable to the seatback and to the seat frame; when a breakover event is triggered, the passage of a head injury criterion (HIC) pin through a controlled traveling slot is impeded by energy absorbing materials selected, e.g. for material composition and structure, to restrict the breakover velocity of the seatback to optimize velocity differential between the breakover velocity and the impact velocity by engaging the HIC pin and deforming at a predetermined deformation rate.

A seat attached to a vehicle structure by at least four attachment points includes, on at least one of the attachments an extendable connecting element (40) which transmits load between the main structure (11) of the seat and the structure of the vehicle, the extendable connecting element (40) including: a first position in which a structure pin (62), which attaches the extendable connecting element (40) to the structure of the vehicle, is in a position close to a seat pin (64) that attaches the extendable connecting element (40) to the main structure (11) of the seat; a second position in which the structure pin (62) is in a position away from the seat pin (64) and in which the extendable connecting element (40) is able to transmit load between the structure pin (62) and the seat pin (64).

A seat attached to a vehicle structure by at least four attachment points includes, on at least one of the attachments an extendable connecting element (40) which transmits load between the main structure (11) of the seat and the structure of the vehicle, the extendable connecting element (40) including: a first position in which a structure pin (62), which attaches the extendable connecting element (40) to the structure of the vehicle, is in a position close to a seat pin (64) that attaches the extendable connecting element (40) to the main structure (11) of the seat; a second position in which the structure pin (62) is in a position away from the seat pin (64) and in which the extendable connecting element (40) is able to transmit load between the structure pin (62) and the seat pin (64).

Methods and apparatus are provided for a shock absorbing vehicle seating system. In one embodiment the seating system includes a seat moveably attached to a vehicle by a seat guide apparatus configured to constrain seat movement to a stroking direction. The system further includes a spring damper with opposed first and second ends, configured to compress along a longitudinal axis extending through the ends in response to an external compressive load, and an energy attenuating component with a deformable portion disposed between a first end and a second end thereof. The spring damper and energy attenuating component are arranged serially with respect to one another, and together form a seat supporting assembly disposed between the seat and the vehicle. The energy attenuating component is configured to deform in a predictable manner in response to a shock load that reaches a predefined threshold value, allowing the seat to stroke in the stroking direction as the energy attenuating component absorbs energy.

An energy absorbing device includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is for connection to the base of a seat back of an aircraft seat and the second connector is for connection to the frame of an aircraft seat. The first connector is moveable relative to the second connector. The energy absorbing device further includes one or more resiliently deformable members which are compressed when the first connector is moved away from the second connector. Also described is a seat comprising the energy absorbing device and a row of said seats.

A life preserver head restraint may be configured to inflate in response to deployment of a parachute assembly. The life preserver head restraint may comprise an inflatable volume and a charge tank fluidly coupled to the inflatable volume. In an inflated state, the life preserver head restraint may restrict head movement during line stretch of the parachute assembly.