Vehicle seat backs

• US 5,669,661 A
• Filed: 12/18/1995
• Issued: 09/23/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bertrand Faure Equipements SA
• Original Assignee: Bertrand Faure Equipements SA
• Inventors: Pajon, Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Peter R.
• Application Number:
  US08/573,894
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 297/216.1, 297/216.13, 297/216.14, 296/68.1, 280/749, 280/751
• US Class Current: 297/216.13
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4221 due to impact coming from the front
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4228 due to impact coming from the rear
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42709 involving residual deformation or fracture of the structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42745 of the back-rest B60N2/433 takes precedence; higher part of the back-rest moving together with the headrest B60N2/888
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/686 Panel like structures
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/026 Rigid partitions inside vehicles, e.g. between passengers and load compartments B60R21/12 takes precedence

Abstract

The vehicle seat back includes two deformable elements both extending across the back (2) between two lateral uprights (3) defining the sides of the back, the elements comprising a first element (7) suitable for dissipating energy by deforming plastically in progressive manner, and a second element (8) suitable for stopping deformation of the first, the second element being disposed in such a manner that when a strong longitudinal thrust is applied to its middle portion, it begins by lengthening while offering practically no resistance until it reaches a given length, after which it becomes inextensible.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat back comprising two deformable elements both extending across the back between two lateral uprights defining the sides of the back, said elements comprising a first element suitable for dissipating energy by deforming plastically in progressive manner, and a second element suitable for stopping deformation of the first element, said second element being disposed in such a manner that when large longitudinal thrust is applied to its middle portion, practically no resistance until said second element begins by lengthening while offering said second element reaches a given length, and thereafter becomes inextensible.

2. A seat back according to claim 1, wherein the first element comprises a plate.

3. A seat back according to claim 2, wherein said plate comprises a sheet metal plate.

4. A seat back according to claim 1, wherein the second element comprises an inextensible strap normally including at least one portion that is folded over in a flat z-shape and stitched together.

5. A seat back according to claim 1, wherein the second element comprises a harness comprising a plurality of lengths of strap forming at least one stellated mesh.

6. A seat back according to claim 1, wherein the second element comprises a net having multiple meshes.

7. A seat back according to claim 1, for fitting to the front seat of a vehicle, wherein the first and second elements are juxtaposed horizontally one against the other, the first element being disposed nearer the front of the seat.

8. A seat back according to claim 1, for fitting to a vehicle back seat, wherein the first and second elements are horizontally juxtaposed one against the other, the first element being disposed towards the back of the vehicle.

9. A seat back according to claim 1, comprising two second elements, the first element being disposed horizontally, sandwiched between the two second elements.