Seat with stowable securing system

Abstract

A seating system or seat includes a seatback and a head restraint operatively attached to the seatback. A housing area is disposed within either the head restraint or the seatback. A securing member is selectively movable between at least a first position and a second position. An end effector is operatively attached to the securing member. The end effector is substantially adjacent to the housing area in the first position, and is deployed away from the housing in the second position.

1 . A seating system, comprising:
 a seatback;   a head restraint operatively attached to the seatback;   a housing area disposed within one of the head restraint and the seatback;   a securing member selectively movable between a first position and a second position; and   an end effector attached to the securing member, wherein the end effector is substantially adjacent to the housing area in the first position, and the end effector is deployed away from the housing area in the second position.   
     
     
         2 . The seat system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a retractor operatively attached to the securing member and configured to bias the securing member toward the first position.   
     
     
         3 . The seat system of  claim 2 , wherein the retractor is configured to stop the securing member in an intermediate position between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         4 . The seat system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a locking mechanism operatively attached to the securing member, wherein the locking mechanism prevents movement of the securing member toward the second position if the securing member is subjected to acceleration greater than a threshold acceleration.   
     
     
         5 . The seat system of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a nesting pocket formed within one of the head restraint and the seatback, wherein the nesting pocket is configured to at least partially receive the end effector.   
     
     
         6 . The seat system of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 an interface point configured to mate with the end effector.   
     
     
         7 . The seat system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a seat base having a forward end and a rearward end,   wherein the rearward end of the seat base is operatively attached to a bottom end of the seatback and the head restraint is attached to a top end of the seatback, and   wherein the interface point is located at one of the bottom end of the seatback and the forward end of the seat base.   
     
     
         8 . The seat system of  claim 2 , wherein the housing area is within the head restraint. 
     
     
         9 . The seat system of  claim 2 , wherein the end effector includes an open hook. 
     
     
         10 . The seat system of  claim 2 , wherein the end effector includes a carabiner. 
     
     
         11 . The seat system of  claim 2 , wherein the securing member is a webbed belt. 
     
     
         12 . The seat system of  claim 2 , wherein the end effector is a loop closable with a fastener. 
     
     
         13 . A seating system, comprising:
 a seatback;   a head restraint operatively attached to the seatback;   a housing area disposed within the head restraint;   a securing member selectively movable between a first position and a second position; and   an end effector attached to the securing member, wherein the end effector is substantially adjacent to the housing area in the first position, and the end effector is deployed away from the housing area in the second position.   
     
     
         14 . The seat system of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a refractor operatively attached to the securing member and configured to bias the securing member toward the first position.   
     
     
         15 . The seat system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a locking mechanism operatively attached to the securing member, wherein the locking mechanism prevents movement of the securing member toward the second position if the securing member is subjected to acceleration greater than a threshold acceleration.   
     
     
         16 . The seat system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a nesting pocket formed within one of the head restraint and the seatback, wherein the nesting pocket is configured to at least partially receive the end effector.   
     
     
         17 . The seat system of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 an interface point configured to mate with the end effector;   a seat base having a forward end and a rearward end,   wherein the rearward end of the seat base is operatively attached to a bottom end of the seatback and the head restraint is attached to a top end of the seatback, and   wherein the interface point is located at one of the bottom end of the seatback and the forward end of the seat base.   
     
     
         18 . The seat system of  claim 17 , wherein the end effector includes a carabiner. 
     
     
         19 . A seating system, comprising:
 a seatback;   a head restraint operatively attached to the seatback;   a housing area disposed within the head restraint;   a securing member selectively movable between a first position and a second position;   a locking mechanism operatively attached to the securing member, wherein the locking mechanism prevents movement of the securing member toward the second position if the securing member is subjected to acceleration greater than a threshold acceleration;   a retractor operatively attached to the securing member and configured to bias the securing member toward the first position;   an end effector attached to the securing member, wherein the end effector is substantially adjacent to the housing area in the first position, is deployed away from the housing area in the second position, and includes an open hook; and   a nesting pocket formed within one of the head restraint and the seatback, wherein the nesting pocket is configured to at least partially receive the end effector.