Fluid-actuated support for vehicular seats

• US 6,820,930 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2003
• Issued: 11/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald P. Dellanno
• Original Assignee: Ronald P. Dellanno
• Inventors: Dellanno, Ronald P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr., Milton
• Application Number:
  US10/422,643
• Publication Number:
  US 20040070239A1
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 297/216.12, 297/216.1, 297/391, 297/216.13, 297/216.14
• US Class Current: 297/216.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4279 electric or electronic triggering
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/888 with arrangements for protecting against abnormal g-forces, e.g. by displacement of the head-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/891 with the head-rest being comma-shaped in side view
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/914 Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0407 using gas or liquid as energy absorbing means

Abstract

An apparatus for preventing whiplash related injuries to a passenger in a vehicle. The apparatus includes a frame supported on a seat of the vehicle, and a head and neck restraint secured to the frame and located behind the cranium and cervical spine of a seated passenger. The restraint comprises one or more fluid pressurized bladders, the walls of which are a tough flexible skin. The walls define a supporting device that interfits with the posterior contour of the passenger'"'"'s cranium and cervical spine. This substantially simultaneously decelerates the cranium and cervical spine during a vehicle collision to prevent whiplash-related injuries to the passenger.

Claims

1. An apparatus for preventing whiplash related injuries to a passenger in a vehicle, comprising:

a frame supported on a seat of the vehicle;

a head and neck restraint secured to said frame and adapted for being located behind the cranium and cervical spine of a passenger on the seat;

said restraint comprising one or more fluid pressurized bladders, the walls of which comprise a tough flexible skin, the wall defining a supporting means adapted for being located behind the cranium and cervical spine of the passenger and defining at least on contour that interfits with the posterior contour of the passenger'"'"'s cranium and cervical spine, and including a first surface adapted for being located behind a said passenger'"'"'s cranium and projecting upwardly above the approximate center of mass of the said passenger'"'"'s cranium and including a substantially flat portion including a cranium contact zone adapted for contacting and supporting the approximate central posterior area of the said passenger'"'"'s cranium, and a second surface located below the first surface and defining in vertical cross-section a substantially convex smooth curve, the maximum horizontal protrusion point of which projects anteriorly relative to the flat portion of said first surface a distance of 1 to 6 inches, the said maximum protrusion point being about 3 to 9 inches below said cranium contact zone, said second surface thereby being adapted for contacting and supporting the posterior portion of the said passenger'"'"'s cervical spine substantially simultaneously with the said contact of the said passenger'"'"'s cranium with said first surface, thereby substantially simultaneously decelerating the cranium and cervical spine during a vehicle collision to prevent whiplash-related injuries to the passenger.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said restraint comprises a single said bladder.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, including a foam layer overlying the said bladder in the zones of contact with the said passenger.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second surface is smoothly joined to said first surface by a transition surface extending anteriorly at an obtuse angle from said first surface and being located and adapted to support the passenger'"'"'s posterior area approximately where the cranium meets the cervical spine.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further including a thoracic and lumbar spine support portion which are defined by downward extension of said bladder;

whereby the thoracic and lumbar spine portion of the said passenger are decelerated with the cranium and cervical spine during a rear end impact.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bladder is pressurized by air.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6, further including means for adjusting the air pressure in said bladder.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bladder is pressurized by a liquid.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first and second surfaces are defined at mutually spaced first and second support bodies, each of which comprises said bladder.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9, further including means for vertically and horizontally displacing said first and second support bodies to adjust the position of said first and second surfaces to accurately interfit with the posterior contour of different passengers.