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US4488691A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Torso restraint system

Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
•
Filing: 1982-12-27
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Granted: 1984-12-18
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Expires: 2002-12-27
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Abstract

Abstract A harness system is disclosed for releasably restraining the torso of a cman in a seat aboard an aircraft. The harness system includes an upper torso restraint adapted to engage the seat at points on either side thereof and wherein a pair of chest straps connected to either side of a backpad are slidingly routed through respective roller fittings in a criss-cross fashion across the crewman to permit upper torso rotation. A separate lower torso restraint is coupled to the upper torso restraint and adapted to engage the seat at the same points of engagement as the upper torso restraint. A single-action release mechanism, actuated manually or automatically by water immersion, disengages both the upper and lower restraints from the seat thereby divesting the crewman of the harness system.

Inventors

  • 👤 Daniel L. Lorch

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 22:39
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D25/00; B64D25/02

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 151 words
A harness system for restraining a crewman on a seat in an aircraft, comprising: first restraint means adapted to engage the seat at points on either side thereof for restraining the upper torso of the crewman, said first restraint means including a pair of front straps slidingly routed in a criss-cross pattern across the chest of the crewman to permit upper torso rotation and a pair of rollers each reevingly connected to respective ones of said front straps on either side of the crewman to permit said front straps to slide therethrough; second restraint means coupled to said first restraint means and adapted to engage the seat at the same points of engagement as said first restraint means for restraining the lower torso of the crewman; and release means adapted to be coupled to the seat for disengaging both first and second restraint means from the seat in a single action.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 151 words
A harness system for restraining a crewman on a seat in an aircraft, comprising: first restraint means adapted to engage the seat at points on either side thereof for restraining the upper torso of the crewman, said first restraint means including a pair of front straps slidingly routed in a criss-cross pattern across the chest of the crewman to permit upper torso rotation and a pair of rollers each reevingly connected to respective ones of said front straps on either side of the crewman to permit said front straps to slide therethrough; second restraint means coupled to said first restraint means and adapted to engage the seat at the same points of engagement as said first restraint means for restraining the lower torso of the crewman; and release means adapted to be coupled to the seat for disengaging both first and second restraint means from the seat in a single action.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 78 words
A harness system according to claim 1, wherein said first restraint means further comprises: a pair of back straps routed in a criss-cross pattern across the back and around the shoulders of the crewman, each of said back straps being adapted at one end thereof to engage the seat and connected at the opposite ends thereof to said rollers; and a back pad coupled to said back straps to drape substantially the back and shoulders of the crewman.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 117 words
A harness system according to claim 1, wherein said second restraint means comprises: a saddle strap adapted to rest upon the seat and be routed beneath the buttocks of the crewman; a pair of crotch straps each attached at one end thereof to said saddle strap and adapted to engage the seat at the opposite end for routing between the legs and over the thighs of the crewman; and a pair of anchor straps each attached at one end thereof to the middle of respective ones of said crotch straps and adapted to engage the bottom of the seat, said anchor straps being routed forwardly around and under the seat for -G z restraint of the crewman.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 97 words
A harness system according to claim 1, wherein said release means comprises: a curved link adapted to be pivotally connected to the seat on either side thereof for engaging at a common point said first and second restraint means; a pin member adapted to slide through said link to retain said link in a locked position; piston means connected to said pin member for removing said pin member from said link; a controlled supply of high-pressure gas to drive said piston means; and switch means for releasing said controlled supply of high-pressure gas to said piston means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 15 words
A harness system according to claim 4 wherein said switch means comprises a manual switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 119 words
A harness system for restraining a crewman on a seat in an aircraft, comprising: a pair of back straps, each formed to releasably engage the seat at a point on either side thereof and routed up the back and other either shoulder of the crewman; a pair of rollers, each connected to respective ones of said back straps adjacent to the chest of the crewman; a pair of front straps, the opposite ends of each formed to releasably engage the seat at the points, and reeved through respective ones of said rollers; and release means coupled to both pairs of said front and back straps for disengaging said straps from the seat at said points in a single action.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 119 words
A harness system for restraining a crewman on a seat in an aircraft, comprising: a pair of back straps, each formed to releasably engage the seat at a point on either side thereof and routed up the back and other either shoulder of the crewman; a pair of rollers, each connected to respective ones of said back straps adjacent to the chest of the crewman; a pair of front straps, the opposite ends of each formed to releasably engage the seat at the points, and reeved through respective ones of said rollers; and release means coupled to both pairs of said front and back straps for disengaging said straps from the seat at said points in a single action.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 105 words
A harness system according to claim 6, further comprising: a saddle strap adapted to rest upon the seat and to be routed beneath the buttocks of the crewman; a pair of crotch straps, each attached at one end to said saddle strap and formed for routing between the legs and over the thighs of the crewman; and a pair of anchor straps, each attached at one end to the middle of respective ones of said crotch straps and formed to releasably engage the bottom of the seat, said anchor straps being routed forwardly around and under the seat for -G z restraint of the crewman.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2655329A Cited
US2664610A Cited
US2868581A Cited
US3785597A Cited
DE2406736A1 Cited
US4028948A Cited
US4253628A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1987-12-18 1988-06-18 1988-12-18 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1991-12-18 1992-06-18 1992-12-18 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1995-12-18 1996-06-18 1996-12-18 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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