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University Report

Test Report
NewSit – A Newly Modified Airline Passenger Seat

Conducted by:

Abstract
At the request of the inventors, a newly modified (patent pending) airline
passenger seat, called “NewSit”, was tested at the facilities of the California
State University at Fullerton and compared with conventional airline seats,
which are in regular usage at most commercial airlines. The tests compared
various aspects of comfort and health over short and extended periods of
time. The conclusion was drawn that NewSit represents a significant
improvement over the conventional ones as it enables its occupants to sit
more comfortably as well as to engage in exercises, which stimulate various
groups of muscles, and promotes blood circulation thus alleviating the
discomfort encountered in ordinary seats.

Background
Anybody who has experienced prolonged sitting during long flights, long
tourist-buss riding or even, long hours in the office, is familiar with the
sensation of stiffness, muscle cramps, nervousness and general discomfort,
sometimes generally referred to as “Economy Class Syndrome”. Moreover,
as long flights and long bus tours becoming more prevalent, involving
millions of people, the awareness to increased risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis
(DVT), due to forced long-hours of seating, within limited space and lack of
leg room is rising as well. This situation appears to lead to more frequent
cases of lawsuits filed against airlines.

The purpose of the examination
The task presented to the author of this report was to test and evaluate this
new concept of a modified chair and seating arrangements in it, with respect
to its utility to alleviate the symptoms associated with the conventionally
designed and built airline chair.

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The Examination Method
Two joined aircraft seats, with one seat being the conventional one, while
the other was a NewSit prototype model, were provided by the inventors
and were utilized in the testing process.
The significant features of “NewSit” are as follows:
The modified seat, while in normal position, is identical to the conventional
seat utilized by most airlines. The seat consists of two parts as is shown in
the photos in Appendix B:
- The fixed part, which occupies about 75% of the seating area.
- The movable part, which occupies the remaining 25% of the seating
area, is about 4 inches wide. This movable part glides on slides,
with the entire mechanical embodiment, which is concealed under
the seat.

The characteristics of the movable part are as follows:
- It may be moved forward according to the needs of the user, up to
a distance of 4 inches
- It has a vertical movement capability and can be adjusted upward
to any height, up to 4 inches.
- Once it is stopped at a certain height, as the user pleases, it may
slide freely forward and backward by way of gentle movements of
the user legs. The passenger is now capable of moving the legs
without any resistance whatsoever thus, enhancing the comfort of
the journey. Special circumstances now exist even for tall
passengers, as they actually have more legroom and can feel more
at ease, contrary to conventional seats.
A thorough search of existing literature was conducted, particularly with
respect to the risk of DVT –Deep Vein Thrombosis. (See Appendix A)
Subsequently, sitting-tests were conducted on ten subjects of both genders
ranging in age from 18 to 44 with various body configurations, over
extended periods of time. They were required to sit equivalent amount of
times in each of the seats prior to responding to the questions. Also, a
number of bypassers who were intrigued by the chair, sat in it and
commented on their feelings while occupying it. The tests were conducted
under the guidance of the author of this report with Mr. Mutasem Shannag,
a candidate for a MSME degree in the Department of Mechanical Engineering
of the University, administering the testing sequences.

The testing regime
The modified and the conventional seats were tested on the ten volunteers
who sat in these seats for periods ranging between 6 to 8 hours. Each of the
volunteers was placed first in the ordinary seat for a certain period of time
and subsequently, on a different occasion, requested to sit for equivalent
time, in NewSit - the modified airline seat, equipped with the exercise
device. During each sitting period and following it, the volunteers reported
their feelings and general assessment of comfort ability. In order to simulate
flight conditions, the volunteers were encouraged to read while occupying
both seats or were enabled to watch TV, eat snacks etc. Soft drinks and
water were provided to prevent dehydration during the testing periods and
to make the participants more comfortable.
Results
The subjects responded to questions, regarding the following issues:
a. General sense of comfort
b. Presence or absence of muscle cramps and/or spasms
c. Numbness of the organs and feelings of stiffness
d. Fatigue
e. Sense of time passing
f. Ability to change body posture
g. Knee stress
h. Ease of operation
i. Ability to sleep

Most tested subjects expressed negative comments and a sense of general
discomfort regarding the conventional airline seat, complaining of frequent
muscle cramps and incidents of leg spasms, numbness and tension, among
other things, while they were highly complimentary regarding their degree of
comfort and satisfaction in the “NewSit”.
The participants brought up no complaints of any kind regarding NewSit.
Numerous people, walking by, who were intrigued by the original design and
appearance of the modified seat expressed desire to try it out and also, had
commented most favorably on the unique features and degree of comfort
when allowed to sit in it.

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