Energy absorbing support for vehicular passengers

• US 5,769,489 A
• Filed: 05/09/1997
• Issued: 06/23/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ronald P. Dellanno
• Original Assignee: Ronald P. Dellanno
• Inventors: Dellanno, Ronald P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Allred, David E.
• Application Number:
  US08/854,119
• Time in Patent Office: 410 Days
• Field of Search: 297/216.12, 297/216.13, 297/216.14, 297/DIG. 3, 297/452.41, 297/452.55, 297/452.57, 297/452.65
• US Class Current: 297/216.14
• 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 2/888 with arrangements for protecting against abnormal g-forces, e.g. by displacement of the head-rest

Abstract

Apparatus for preventing or limiting spinal injuries to a passenger seated in a forward facing position in a moving vehicle during vehicular impact or sudden deceleration. The apparatus includes a vehicle-installed supporting seat for the passenger, the seat having a support portion behind the seated passenger which includes a resilient surface in contact with the supported passenger. The resilient portion is supported on an underlying stiff support shell. The support shell is rearwardly displaceable upon being subjected to impressed forces generated from the passenger pressing against the resilient surface of the support portion as a result of a rear end impact at the vehicle. A controllably deformable energy absorbing crush zone is disposed to the rear of the shell as to be compressed by rearward displacement of the shell, whereby the support portion acts to decelerate the supported spine of the passenger during a vehicle rear end impact, while the controlled deformation of the crush zone absorbs energy, to prevent or limit spinal injuries to the passenger.

Claims

1. Apparatus for preventing or limiting spinal injuries to a passenger seated in a forward facing position in a moving vehicle during vehicular impact or sudden deceleration, said apparatus comprising:

a vehicle-installed supporting seat for said passenger, said seat having a support portion behind the seated passenger which includes a resilient surface in contact with the supported passenger, said resilient portion being supported on an underlying stiff support shell;

said support shell being rearwardly displaceable upon being subjected to impressed forces generated from the said passenger pressing against the resilient surface of the support portion as a result of a rear end impact at said vehicle; and

a controllably deformable energy absorbing crush zone being disposed to the rear of said shell and compressed by said rearward displacement of the shell upon said impact or sudden declaration;

whereby said support portion acts to decelerate the supported spine of the passenger during a vehicle rear end impact, while the controlled deformation of said crush zone absorbs energy, to prevent or limit spinal injuries to the passenger.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said support portion is provided at least at a portion of said seat adapted to lie behind the thoracic spine of a seated passenger.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said support portion is provided at least at a portion of said seat adapted to lie behind the lumbar spine of a seated passenger.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said support portion is provided at least at a portion of said seat adapted to lie behind the cranium and cervical spine of a seated passenger.

5. Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 through 4, wherein said resilient surface is compressible and thus is adapted to conform to the shape of the spine of the seated passenger.

6. Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 through 4, wherein said resilient surface is compressible and thus is adapted to mold to the contacting body contour of the passenger upon the passenger being seated.

7. Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 through 4, wherein the said crush zone comprises one or more air bladders, and valve means responsive to said impact to enable said one or more bladders to at least partially deflate upon vehicular impact.

8. Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 through 4, wherein said crush zone comprises an impact collapsible cellular structure.

9. Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 through 4, wherein said crush zone comprises an elastically deformable material which absorbs energy at a substantially more rapid rate than it releases said energy.

10. Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 through 4, wherein said crush zone is sandwiched between said shell and a spaced fixed, rigid plate.

11. Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 through 4, wherein said crush zone is spaced from the rear of said shell and contacted and compressed by an intermediate plate which is linked for displacement with said shell.

12. Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 through 4, wherein rearward displacement of said shell is resisted by restraining means adapted to collapse at a preset strain.