| CPC B64D 11/0619 (2014.12) [B64D 11/062 (2014.12)] | 13 Claims |
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1. An arrest mechanism for a passenger seat back, comprising:
an energy absorbing element connected to a first structural element of a passenger seat back;
an interference element connected to a second structural element of the passenger seat back; wherein the energy absorbing element and the interference element are operably connected with each other such that:
in a first configuration corresponding to an upright passenger seat back, the energy absorbing element resists movement of the interference element, and a combination of the energy absorbing element and the interference element resists relative movement of the second structural element of the passenger seat back with respect to the first structural element of the passenger seat back; and
during transition from the first configuration to a second configuration corresponding to a forward-folded passenger seat back, the interference element deforms the energy absorbing element to slow relative movement of the second structural element of the passenger seat back with respect to the first structural element of the passenger seat back, wherein the energy absorbing element comprises a deformable coil, the interference element positioned to cause the deformable coil to unwind in response to transitioning from the first configuration to the second configuration, the deformable coil comprising a constant force spring that is configured to exert a consistent counterforce in response to the deformable coil being unwound.
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