Abstract: A vehicle safety seat system includes a seat, and a frame and support surface that are movable with respect to each other between rest and attenuated positions, wherein the frame and support surface are respectively a first and second distance apart. A biasing mechanism biases the frame and support surface to the rest position between blast and slam down phases. A damper coupled between the frame and support surface has blast and rebound recovery resistance settings. The blast resistance setting is set to a predetermined value based on a weight of a seat occupant. The damper, during the blast phase, resists motion between the frame and support surface toward the attenuated position based upon the blast resistance setting, and after the blast phase and prior to the slam down phase, resists motion between the frame and support surface toward the rest position based upon the rebound recovery resistance setting.

Abstract: A vehicle safety seat system includes a seat, and a frame and support surface that are movable with respect to each other between rest and attenuated positions, wherein the frame and support surface are respectively a first and second distance apart. A biasing mechanism biases the frame and support surface to the rest position between blast and slam down phases. A damper coupled between the frame and support surface has blast and rebound recovery resistance settings. The blast resistance setting is set to a predetermined value based on a weight of a seat occupant. The damper, during the blast phase, resists motion between the frame and support surface toward the attenuated position based upon the blast resistance setting, and after the blast phase and prior to the slam down phase, resists motion between the frame and support surface toward the rest position based upon the rebound recovery resistance setting.

Abstract: A vehicle safety seat system includes a seat, and a frame and support surface that are movable with respect to each other between rest and attenuated positions, wherein the frame and support surface are respectively a first and second distance apart. A biasing mechanism biases the frame and support surface to the rest position between blast and slam down phases. A damper coupled between the frame and support surface has blast and rebound recovery resistance settings. The blast resistance setting is set to a predetermined value based on a weight of a seat occupant. The damper, during the blast phase, resists motion between the frame and support surface toward the attenuated position based upon the blast resistance setting, and after the blast phase and prior to the slam down phase, resists motion between the frame and support surface toward the rest position based upon the rebound recovery resistance setting.

Abstract: A vehicle safety seat system includes a seat, and a frame and support surface that are movable with respect to each other between rest and attenuated positions, wherein the frame and support surface are respectively a first and second distance apart. A biasing mechanism biases the frame and support surface to the rest position between blast and slam down phases. A damper coupled between the frame and support surface has blast and rebound recovery resistance settings. The blast resistance setting is set to a predetermined value based on a weight of a seat occupant. The damper, during the blast phase, resists motion between the frame and support surface toward the attenuated position based upon the blast resistance setting, and after the blast phase and prior to the slam down phase, resists motion between the frame and support surface toward the rest position based upon the rebound recovery resistance setting.

Abstract: A vehicle safety seat system includes a seat, and a frame and support surface that are movable with respect to each other between rest and attenuated positions, wherein the frame and support surface are respectively a first and second distance apart. A biasing mechanism biases the frame and support surface to the rest position between blast and slam down phases. A damper coupled between the frame and support surface has blast and rebound recovery resistance settings. The blast resistance setting is set to a predetermined value based on a weight of a seat occupant. The damper, during the blast phase, resists motion between the frame and support surface toward the attenuated position based upon the blast resistance setting, and after the blast phase and prior to the slam down phase, resists motion between the frame and support surface toward the rest position based upon the rebound recovery resistance setting.

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.

Abstract: A three-dimensional grid is created by a series of panels arranged in a s-circle about a seated subject. The panels are configured or otherwise arranged to allow the seated subject full range of reach in all directions. The subject may be seated or standing and is placed a distance from the panels. The panels include a plurality of rods which slideably project through the panels in the direction of the seated subject. To determine reach, the subject reaches toward the rods and pushes them with either hand as far away from him/her as possible. Measurements may then be taken from the end of each rod that has been moved. Similarly situated panels, including visual indicia, may be used to evaluate field of view.

Abstract: An actuation system for a two-section encapsulating life raft system is pided which includes a manually releasable spring-biased linkage assembly that normally serves to link a cable from the pressurized source for the encapsulating raft section and a cable for automatically actuating both the main raft section and the encapsulating section. Furthermore, by a simple manual operation, the linkage assembly undergoes rapid disassembly, and the cable for the pressurized source is disconnected from the actuating cable. A spring in the spring-biased assembly is compressed to store energy during connection of the assembly to the pressurized source cable, and the spring is retained in a compressed state as long as the linkage function is maintained. A manually removable retention pin is provided that normally retains the spring in the compressed state to retain the linkage function.