Having that "headrest" (actually the top of the backrest) flat top clear is
essential for
getting into and out of the plane. You sit there first when you get in,
then slide down -
reversing the process when leaving. Thus, the headrests would have to be
moveable.
What about using the present mount point as the pivot of a rotatable
headrest, and
install some sort of second strut on the inside of the headrest which locks
into a fitting
on the inboard face of the backrest? The belts would pass through the
rotating
headrest and mount, perhaps with a cable extension, to the original mount
point.
It would be far easier to rotate a headrest into position by reaching back
with your
inboard hand than to twist around and jockey a loose headrest into place.
To be
used, it must be easy to operate a safety feature.
Shaun
----- Original Message -----
From: "J R (Bob) Gowing" <gowingjr@acr.net.au>
Subject: Re: Seat Belt Attachment Route/Spinal Compression
> Shaun, Bob and all
>
> Your replies prompted me to have a look at the drawing in the manual,
p37-2
> dated 17 January 1996. And there to my surprise the drawing shows that the
> shoulder straps on each set of seatbelts are placed to go directly over
the
> top of the headrests to a single bolt behind the headrest compartment!
>
> I thought that this solved the problem but after measuring myself and the
> seat back of the cockpit module (& allowing for some padding) I found that
> the belts will pass about 3 to 4 inches downward to the top of the
headrest
> after crossing my shoulders.
>
> Bob Berube's system should work OK but I don't like the idea of the cables
> taking up clear space. It seems to me that an addition to the top of the
> headrest might overcome the problem. How to do it?
>
> Some Europa pilots might comment on whether the additional few inches of
> height (in the form of a cap) should be fixed to the headrest-cum-storage
> compartment, or whether it should be attached to the seat belt straps so
as
> to sit as a cap over the present storage compartment and yet be easily
> lifted off with the straps when entering or leaving the cockpit.
>
> JR (Bob) Gowing No 327 in Oz
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Robert Berube" <bberube@tampabay.rr.com>
> Subject: RE: Seat Belt Attachment Route/Spinal Compression
>
>
> > Several builders here in Florida are installing hard points in various
> > locations aft in the fuselage. You are right in that the present
location
> > can and has caused spinal compressions. Hard points located against the
> > roll over structure or back by the baggage bay bulkhead are good
> locations.
> > Use a short length of 3/16s aircraft stainless cable with swaged
fittings
> > for the additional length required. If you know the exact length, you
can
> > order the cable with the fittings swaged or take them to a sailboat
> rigging
> > shop and they will gladly do it. The tool is very expensive $4000.00 to
> > swage the fork ends but they do look much better than clevis ends.
> > Bob Berube A166
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-europa@aztec.houxou.com
> > Subject: Seat Belt Attachment Route/Spinal Compression
> >
> >
> > I saw Bob Harrison's message on headrests but has there been any comment
> or
> > action on the important issue of lifting the direction of the straps
over
> > the shoulders to avoid compressing the spine in a crash please?
> >
> > JR (Bob) Gowing 327
> >
> >
> > Shaun Simpkins' A207original posting was:-
> > Subject: Seat belt mount points
> >
> >
> > The seat belts wrap over the seat back and attach near the spar. This
does
> > mount to the strongest point in the airframe, but isn't the best place
> > ergonomically, as it can cause spinal compression in a crash. It seems
to
> > me that running the straps over a guide bar mounted stoutly to the
> seatback
> > but at the right height to bring them straight back from the shoulders,
> > thence to the existing mount points, would improve things. Has anybody
> > tried this, or considered this important enough to address?
> >
> >
> >
>
>
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