US4664341A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Head restraint system
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
•
Filing: 1984-09-04
•
Granted: 1987-05-12
•
Expires: 2004-09-04
Abstract
Abstract A head restraint system is disclosed that is designed to protect the pilot's head against severe lateral forces. A circular track surrounds and is affixed to the pilot's helmet. The track is attached by two cables to a seat back. During normal flight conditions, the cables provide a small but constant tension to the helmet, and allow the pilot's head free movement in all directions. A spring loaded inertia reel will lock the cables in place when the lateral forces exceed a predetermined level. The system will also provide afterward head support during the pilot's emergency ejection from the aircraft, and the cables are automatically severed when the pilot is separated from the seat.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Cummings
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:06
CPC Classifications
A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/04; A42B3/0406; A42B3/0473; B; B64; B64D; B64D25/00; B64D25/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A head restraint system that protects the head of a crewmember from lateral inertia forces, while said crewmember is in a seat within an aircraft, which comprises: a helmet worn on said head of said crewmember; a track attached to said helmet, said track surrounding said helmet; a seat back located behind said crewmember; and attaching means for attaching said seat back to said track, said means allowing free movement of said helmet relative to said seat back whenever said lateral inertia forces are below a predetermined level, and said means restraining lateral movement whenever said lateral inertia forces exceed said predetermined level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A head restraint system that protects the head of a crewmember from lateral inertia forces, while said crewmember is in a seat within an aircraft, which comprises: a helmet worn on said head of said crewmember; a track attached to said helmet, said track surrounding said helmet; a seat back located behind said crewmember; and attaching means for attaching said seat back to said track, said means allowing free movement of said helmet relative to said seat back whenever said lateral inertia forces are below a predetermined level, and said means restraining lateral movement whenever said lateral inertia forces exceed said predetermined level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said attaching means comprises two cables, wherein additional cable length between said track and said seat back is provided on demand during periods when said lateral inertia forces are below said predetermined level, and said cables lock in place during periods when said lateral inertia forces exceed said predetermined level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said two cables provide balanced tension whenever said cables lock in place.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 3, wherein said balanced tension is provided on opposite sides of said track.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said attaching means remains in substantial alignment with the mass center of said helmet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 2, further comprising two lateral posts mounted to said seat back, one post for each cable, each post having one slot therein for mounting each of said cables.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising means attached to said track that allows relative movement of said track to said helmet when said helmet faces upward.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 7, wherein said lateral posts are released from said seat as said crewmember is ejected from said aircraft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said attaching means disconnect as said crewmember is separated from said seat after emergency ejection of said crewmember from said aircraft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 6, wherein said two cables provide balanced tension whenever said cables lock in place.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 10, further comprising means attached to said track that allows relative movement of said track to said helmet when said helmet faces upward.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 11, wherein said lateral posts are released from said seat as said crewmember is ejected from said aircraft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 12, wherein said attaching means disconnect as said crewmember is separated from said seat after emergency ejection of said crewmember from said aircraft.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus that provides lateral head support to the head of a crewmember while in an aircraft from lateral inertia forces, which comprises: a helmet worn on said head; attaching means to laterally attach said helmet at attachment points thereon to said aircraft at locations in said aircraft behind the crewmember, said locations and said attachment points being in substantial alignment with the mass center of said head; and movement means that allow free movement of said head whenever said forces do not exceed a predetermined level, but which constrains said head by applying balanced lateral tension whenever said forces exceed said predetermined level.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus that provides lateral head support to the head of a crewmember while in an aircraft from lateral inertia forces, which comprises: a helmet worn on said head; attaching means to laterally attach said helmet at attachment points thereon to said aircraft at locations in said aircraft behind the crewmember, said locations and said attachment points being in substantial alignment with the mass center of said head; and movement means that allow free movement of said head whenever said forces do not exceed a predetermined level, but which constrains said head by applying balanced lateral tension whenever said forces exceed said predetermined level.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said attaching means includes two cables, one cable being on each side of said helmet.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said movement means includes two spring loaded inertia reels, one reel connected to each cable, each of said reels being able to pay-out and take-up cable whenever said forces do not exceed said predetermined level.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein both of said inertia reels lock against cable pay-out whenever said lateral inertia forces exceed said predetermined level.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said movement means also includes a track, connected to and surrounding said helmet, said cables being attached to said track in a substantially frictionless manner to insure free head movement.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said locations are on a seatback positioned behind the crewmember.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus that provides lateral support from lateral inertia forces to the head of a crewmember while in an aircraft, comprising: a helmet worn on the head; means for laterally attaching said helmet to the aircraft, said attaching means including two cables, one cable being on each side of said helmet, each of said cables being in substantial alignment with the mass center of the head; a track, said track connected to the surrounding said helmet, said cables being attached to said track in a substantially frictionless manner to ensure free head movement; and at least two spring loaded inertia reels, one reel connected to one of said cables, each of said reels being able to pay-out and take-up cable whenever the forces do not exceed a predetermined level but which lock against cable pay out whenever the lateral inertial forces exceed the predetermined level, said interial reels applying balanced lateral tension to said helmet when the forces exceed the predetermined level.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
162 words
An apparatus that provides lateral support from lateral inertia forces to the head of a crewmember while in an aircraft, comprising: a helmet worn on the head; means for laterally attaching said helmet to the aircraft, said attaching means including two cables, one cable being on each side of said helmet, each of said cables being in substantial alignment with the mass center of the head; a track, said track connected to the surrounding said helmet, said cables being attached to said track in a substantially frictionless manner to ensure free head movement; and at least two spring loaded inertia reels, one reel connected to one of said cables, each of said reels being able to pay-out and take-up cable whenever the forces do not exceed a predetermined level but which lock against cable pay out whenever the lateral inertial forces exceed the predetermined level, said interial reels applying balanced lateral tension to said helmet when the forces exceed the predetermined level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-05-11 | 1990-11-10 | 1991-05-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-11 | 1994-11-10 | 1995-05-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-11 | 1998-11-10 | 1999-05-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |