Integrated energy attentuating vehicle passenger seat
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A lightweight energy attenuating seat for a vehicle comprising:
- means for seating;
integral impact energy dissipation and stroke guide means including;
at least one track means;
means for supporting said means for seating and comprising at least one elongate, plastically deformable, support member having a first cross-sectional configuration and being aligned parallel to said at least one track means and fixed thereto; and
means mounted in fixed association with the vehicle and mounted in association with each of said at least one track means for permitting a stroke of said at least one plastically deformable support member in a predetermined direction defined by said at least one track means, as said at least one plastically deformable support member experiences a force having a component in a direction parallel to said predetermined direction and having at least a predetermined rate of acceleration, said means for permitting including at least one assembly for plastically deforming one of said at least one plastically deformable, elongate support member as said stroke occurs, each of said at least one assembly for plastically deforming comprising a die defining an aperture of a second cross-sectional configuration different from said first cross-sectional configuration and through which one of said at least one plastically deformable, elongate support member extends, movement of said one support member through said aperture and in said predetermined direction being operative to cause plastic deformation of said one support member so as to impart said second cross-sectional configuration to at least a portion of the length of said one support member andmeans for preventing rebound of said at least one support member through said means for permitting and comprising means arranged in touching contact with said one support member and associated with said die so as to permit movement therepast of said one support member in said predetermined direction and to substantially prevent movement therepast of said one support member in an opposing direction.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lightweight energy attenuating seat for a vehicle comprising apparatus for seating and integral impact energy dissipation and stroke guide apparatus including support apparatus for the apparatus for seating for absorbing impact energy that would otherwise be transferred thereto by permitting a regulated stroke thereof in a direction determined by the dissipation and stroke guide apparatus substantially parallel to a component of a force experienced by the integral apparatus.
30 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A lightweight energy attenuating seat for a vehicle comprising:
-
means for seating; integral impact energy dissipation and stroke guide means including; at least one track means; means for supporting said means for seating and comprising at least one elongate, plastically deformable, support member having a first cross-sectional configuration and being aligned parallel to said at least one track means and fixed thereto; and means mounted in fixed association with the vehicle and mounted in association with each of said at least one track means for permitting a stroke of said at least one plastically deformable support member in a predetermined direction defined by said at least one track means, as said at least one plastically deformable support member experiences a force having a component in a direction parallel to said predetermined direction and having at least a predetermined rate of acceleration, said means for permitting including at least one assembly for plastically deforming one of said at least one plastically deformable, elongate support member as said stroke occurs, each of said at least one assembly for plastically deforming comprising a die defining an aperture of a second cross-sectional configuration different from said first cross-sectional configuration and through which one of said at least one plastically deformable, elongate support member extends, movement of said one support member through said aperture and in said predetermined direction being operative to cause plastic deformation of said one support member so as to impart said second cross-sectional configuration to at least a portion of the length of said one support member and means for preventing rebound of said at least one support member through said means for permitting and comprising means arranged in touching contact with said one support member and associated with said die so as to permit movement therepast of said one support member in said predetermined direction and to substantially prevent movement therepast of said one support member in an opposing direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A lightweight energy attenuating seat for a vehicle comprising:
-
means for seating; an integrated assembly for mounting said means for seating onto the vehicle and including energy dissipation and stroke guide means including; at least one track means mounted onto the vehicle; at least one elongate, plastically deformable member for at least partially supporting said means for seating and arranged along and attached to said at least one track means, said at least one elongate, plastically deformable member having a first cross-sectional configuration; means associated with said at least one track means for mounting said at least one plastically deformable member and for permitting a stroke thereof and, consequently, of said means for seating, along said at least one track means, and being operative to plastically deform said at least one plastically deformable member so as to dissipate impact energy that would otherwise be transferred to said means for seating;
said means for permitting comprising at least one assembly, associated with each of said at least one track means, for plastically deforming each of said at least one elongate, plastically deformable member, each said at least one assembly for plastically deforming comprising;
a die defining an aperture of a second cross-sectional configuration different to said first cross-sectional configuration and through which an associated one of said at least one elongate, plastically deformable, member extends, movement of said one elongate, plastically deformable member through said aperture and in said predetermined direction being operative to cause plastic deformation of said elongate, plastically deformable member by said die, so as to impart said second cross-sectional configuration to at least a portion of the length of said elongate, plastically deformable member; andmeans for preventing rebound of said at least one elongate, plastically deformable member relative to said die and comprising means arranged in touching contact with said associated one of said at least one elongate, plastically deformable member and associated with said die so as to permit movement therepast of said associated one of said at least one support member in said predetermined direction and to oppose movement thereof in an opposing direction. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17)
-
- 13. A lightweight seat according to claim 31, wherein said means for seating comprises a foldable seat element arranged, in an extended position, transversely to said means for mounting.
Specification