Abstract: An energy absorption apparatus for protecting occupants of different body weights from the effects of excessive G-force by absorbing energy imparted on a vehicle during an explosion occurring below the vehicle. The apparatus has a first mounting member attached to the vehicle, a second mounting member attached to the occupant's seat, and an absorption mechanism attached between the first and second mounting members. The absorption mechanism utilizes an attenuation strip provided on one of the mounting members, and anvils provided on the other of the mounting members such that when the vehicle is subjected to excessive G-force, the attenuation strip is bent and pulled through the anvils thereby producing a frictional attenuation force which controls movement of the seat relative to the vehicle. An absorption adjustment mechanism is provided. Methods of protecting a vehicle occupant from the effects of excessive G-force are also provided.

Abstract: Energy absorption apparatus for protecting occupants from excessive G-force by absorbing energy during an explosion below the vehicle. A mitigating strip and an anvil are attached by first and second mounting members between the vehicle and the occupant's seat whereby an excessive G-force on the first mounting member bends the mitigating strip and pulls it over the anvil. A portion of gradually increasing resistance to bending is provided between one end of the strip and the portion of constant resistance to bending whereby the mitigating strip increasingly resists bending over the anvil as the portion of gradually increasing resistance is pulled over the anvil until the portion of constant resistance to bending reaches the anvil; the resistance to bending of the mitigating strip will then remain constant as it is pulled over the anvil.