NTL Record

Title Determination of centers of gravity of children, sitting and standing.
Record ID 38921
Personal Name
Creator
Searingen, John J.; Young, Joseph W.
Corporate Creator Civil Aeromedical Research Institute
Publisher Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Publication Date 19650800
Language English
Abstract There have been numerous instances in which small children have been thrown out over the top of the seat belt in rough air and airline crashes, indicating that the present seat belt is not a satisfactory restraint device for children 2 to 10 years old. Data defining the location of the center of gravity of children of different ages in the sitting position have not been available and are urgently needed to serve as a basis for developing an improved restraint system for children. To supply these data for design requirements approximately 1,200 children (ages 5 to 18) were balanced on a specially designed center-of- gravity machine in sitting and standing positions. The center of gravity of small children in the standing position will be most useful in the design of flotation equipment. This study shows that the center of gravity for small children sitting in an airline seat is located roughly 5 in. above the seat belt and explains why children slip out over the seat belt during crash decelerations. Complete data of location of centers of gravity along with anthropometric data of the children studied are presented.
Rosap ID dot:20751
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/20751
TRT Terms Child restraint systems; Life preservers; Center of gravity; Children; Weight; Height; Anthropometry; Posture; Measurement; Statistics; Seats; Human subject testing
General Subjects Child restraint systems in aircraft; Life preservers; Airplanes--Seats; Center of mass; Children; Body weight; Stature; Anthropometry; Sitting position; Standing position
Classification NTL - AVIATION - AVIATION;
NTL - AVIATION - Aviation Safety/Airworthiness;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Aviation Safety/Airworthiness;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Vehicle Design
Geographical
Coverage
United States
Report Number AM 65-23; DOT/FAA/AM-65/23
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/38000/38900/38921/AM65-23.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository