Articulated spacecraft seat and stretcher

Abstract

A seat assembly (10) that is fully adjustable between a maximum seat configuration a minimum seat configuration and a stretcher configuration. The seat assembly (10) has a frame (11) that supports multiple panel elements (12) that are slidably adjustable with respect to each adjoining panel in order to adjust the size and position of various elements of the seat. The seat has an upper back panel (14) and a lower back panel (16) slidably engaged to each other to define the seat back, a rear seat panel (20) and a front seat panel (22) slidably engaged with each other to define a seat bottom and a lower leg panel (26) and a footrest (24) that are slidably engaged with each other. The seat bottom (20), the lower leg panel (26) and the footrest (24) are hinged to fully extend the seat into a stretcher configuration.

Description

GOVERNMENT CONTRACT [0001] The invention described herein was made in the performance of work under NASA Contract No. NAS8-01099 and is subject to the provisions of Section 305 of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (72 Stat.435:42 U.S.C.2457.)TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates generally to seating for the crew of an aircraft or spacecraft and more particularly to an articulated seat having multiple configurations including a stretcher. BACKGROUND ART [0003] Advancements in space travel have made manned space flights more realistic for a larger variety of people. In the past, space missions had crewmember sizes that were much more generic. It is no longer true that all of the crewmembers are relatively the same size and weight. In space travel today and as it is expected to change in the future, crewmembers are becoming more varied and people of many shapes and sizes need to be accommodated. Crew seats need to conform to crew sizes ranging from the small...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The seat has multiple sliding panels that are connected in a movable fashion, such as by a basic tongue-in-groove configuration. The shoulder height, thigh length, calf length and armrest height of the seat are all adjustable by sliding the panels in relation to each other. The seat is capable of being articulated in any configuration from folded for stowing to fully extended for use as a stretcher. The seat is easily removable from the frame and / or the vehicle. The seat can be removed in its folded configuration or in any of its size configurations. Furthermore, the seat can be easily removed with a crewmember in the seat, should the need ever arise for a rescue crew to rapidly remove the crewmember without disturbing the body position of the injured crewmember.

Problems solved by technology

Also, there has been a lack of any consideration for a crewmember that may be injured during the space flight mission.

Fixed seating configurations may prevent the possibility of storing excess cargo.

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