Abstract: A vehicle safety seat system for protecting an occupant of the vehicle safety seat from injury. The safety seat system includes a ramped metal seat bottom having a ramp angle that prevents sub-marining of an occupant during a frontal impact. A first foam layer is disposed immediately over the ramped metal seat bottom and supported by the ramped metal seat bottom. The first foam layer has a rate sensitive compression characteristic. A second foam layer is disposed over the first foam layer. The second foam layer imparts comfort to the occupant during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle safety seat system includes a contoured vehicle seat bottom and a foam layer disposed over the supporting vehicle seat bottom and supported by the supporting vehicle seat bottom. The foam layer has a rate sensitive compression characteristic. The rate sensitive compression characteristic is a compressive response to a slow application and a rigid response to a rapid application of force. To adapt an existing seat bucket to the desired configuration, a rigid foam layer may be molded within the supporting vehicle seat bottom. This rigid foam layer is contoured and disposed at an angle with respect to the horizontal. Seat belts having a pretensioner device are also provided. The pretensioner device is controlled according to both a frontal crash sensor and a vehicle-off ground control system to couple occupant to the seat bottom prior to a wheels first landing.