Pyrotechnic fastener seat arrangement for unbelted occupant protection
First Claim
1. A seat assembly for a vehicle comprising:
- a seat pan;
a seat track;
a bracket attached to said track;
a swing linkage;
a fastener attaching said swing linkage to said bracket;
a slot formed in said bracket adjacent said fastener; and
an explodable fastener having a pyrotechnic charge, said explodable fastener being attached to said swing linkage.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A seat assembly including a seat pan that drops vertically in the event of a frontal impact event to help safeguard against the head of an unbelted seat occupant striking the headliner, windshield or other components of the vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat pan attached to a seat track. The seat track further includes an attachment bracket. A swing linkage movably connects the seat pan with the seat track by a movable fastener. A slot is formed in the bracket through which at least a part of the movable fastener passes. A pyrotechnic fastener also attaches the swing linkage to the bracket. In a frontal impact event, the pyrotechnic fastener is caused to explode thus separating the pyrotechnic fastener into two parts and allowing the swing linkage and its attached seat pan to drop vertically relative to the seat track and lowering the unbelted occupant.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A seat assembly for a vehicle comprising:
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a seat pan; a seat track; a bracket attached to said track; a swing linkage; a fastener attaching said swing linkage to said bracket; a slot formed in said bracket adjacent said fastener; and an explodable fastener having a pyrotechnic charge, said explodable fastener being attached to said swing linkage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A seat assembly for a vehicle comprising:
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a seat pan; a seat track; a swing linkage; a fastener attaching said swing linkage to said track; a slot formed in said frame adjacent said fastener; and an explodable fastener attached to said swing linkage; and
a remote initiator attached to said explodable fastener. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A seat assembly for a vehicle comprising:
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a seat pan; a seat track, said track having a long axis; a bracket attached to said track; a swing linkage; a fastener attaching said swing linkage to said bracket; a slot formed in said bracket adjacent said fastener, said slot being substantially perpendicular to said long axis of said track; and an explodable fastener attached to said swing linage, said explodable fastener including a bolt, said bolt having a pyrotechnic charge. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification