Abstract: A lock for locking an object in a vehicle in place comprises a base comprising a side surface and a front surface. The side surface has at least one opening, and the front surface has a ballast retainer and a hub mounting portion. A hub is rotatably coupled to the hub mounting portion. A ballast, which is operatively coupled to the hub, is housed within the ballast retainer. At least one locking member is also operatively coupled to the hub. The ballast is configured to automatically reposition itself within the ballast retainer from an initial unlocked position to a final locked position in response to a change in velocity of the vehicle. This repositioning of the ballast actuates the hub, and causes the at least one locking member to extend past the at least one opening.

Abstract: A cushioning element, such as for a vehicle occupant protection device, comprises a cover, a filling material and at least one textile sheet. The textile sheet is foam-encapsulated in addition to the cover. Opening of the cover takes place reliably and reproducibly when an inflatable occupant protection device is activated. The textile sheet influences the opening of the cover when the inflatable device is activated.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly may include an air bag module having an inflatable air bag and a housing that receives the air bag. The housing has a main body that substantially encloses the air bag prior to inflation of the air bag, and an extension formed integrally with the main body. The extension is substantially enclosed by the main body prior to inflation of the air bag, and the extension has an end. Upon inflation of the air bag, the end of the extension is configured to extend outside the main body such that the end extends between the air bag and a component of the seat assembly.

Abstract: A seat back frame and associated vehicle seat are provided for effectively reducing an input load applied onto a reclining mechanism at the time of rear surface collision, the frame and seat having an energy absorbing member fixed to a coupling portion of a lower frame for coupling left and right side frames on the lower side. Since the energy absorbing member is plastically deformable by pressing from the backrest front surface side, the energy absorbing member absorbs shock energy at the time of the rear surface collision to reduce an input load imposed onto a reclining mechanism.

Abstract: A cushion for a school bus seat can include a single piece of skinned foam including foam and a skin integrally bonded to the foam. The single piece of skinned form can include a cavity. The single piece of skinned foam can be configured to receive at least one of a substantially upright back portion of a school bus seat frame and a substantially horizontal seat portion of the school bus seat frame. The single piece of skinned foam can be configured to be disposed over and to cover at least one of the substantially upright back portion and the substantially horizontal seat portion.

Abstract: A vehicle seat recliner that includes a load bearing cam and an anti-chucking cam that act upon a plurality of latches to lock the recliner in a selected position. The load bearing cam is connected to the anti-chucking cam with a lost motion connection.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle seat including: a seatback including a seatback frame skeleton member covered by a seatback pad cushion member on at least a front side of the seatback frame; a headrest including a headrest frame skeleton member disposed above the seatback; and a shock absorbing member disposed further to the front side than the headrest frame and being at a top portion of the seatback, attached to the seatback frame and absorbing impact energy by plastic deformation when an impact is imparted to the top portion of the seatback from the front side.

Abstract: A seat back frame includes: a base frame; a movable frame supported for movement in a frontward-rearward direction with respect to the base frame; and a biasing member biasing the movable frame frontwardly and permitting a rearward movement of the movable frame in response to a load having a given value or more. The base frame has an upper frame section supporting a headrest, and two side frame sections extending in an upward-downward direction on laterally opposite sides of the upper frame section. The movable frame has a back-receiving section located between the side frame sections, and two side support sections on laterally opposite sides of the back-receiving section to project forward from the side frame sections. Front ends of the side support sections are disposed to stop a rear surface of the pad that receives a rearward load from a back of an occupant.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided that includes a seat back frame, a headrest, a pressure receiving member that moves independently from the headrest, and pivoting members that are disposed in at least one of both side portions of the seat back frame, are linked to the pressure receiving member, and move independently from the headrest under a predetermined impact load. The pivoting members are linked via coupling members to a biasing element that biases the pressure receiving member toward the front of the seat back frame. The force that restores the pivoting members into an initial state is greatest during normal seating, and covers a range in which the force decreases when the pivoting members move due to a rear-end collision.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat capable of efficiently absorbing impact energy generated upon a rear end collision in a manner such that the vehicle seat is stably deformed at a specific position with respect to a complex input load generated upon a rear end collision. A vehicle seat includes: frame side portions that are located at the right and left sides of a seat back frame and extend in the up to down direction; and frame extension portions that extend from the frame side portions toward the inside in the right and left direction. A connection portion that connects the frame side portions to the frame extension portions is provided with a deformation portion that is deformed when an impact load is applied thereto. The deformation portion is formed adjacent to other deformation portions having deformation characteristics different from that of the deformation portion.

Abstract: A vehicle seat which comprises a back frame (10) provided inside a seat back (3) to support a headrest (4). The back frame (10) includes right and left side frames (12, 12), and a plurality of support spring members (20B, 20C) having opposite right and left ends (20b, 20c) locked between the right and left side frames (12, 12) and extending in a right-left direction to support a lumber region of an occupant. Each of the support spring members (20B, 20C) is shaped such that a central region thereof protrudes frontwardly relative to the right and left ends thereof in an approximately flat state. Thus, the central region of the support spring unit is largely bent (depressed) rearwardly when a rearward load is applied thereto during a rear impact event.

Abstract: A seat back frame includes an upper frame member that forms an upper side, a reinforcing member that is provided parallel to and below the upper frame member, and a headrest mounting member, that overlaps with both the upper frame member and the reinforcing member. The headrest mounting member is arranged such that, in one location, from among a location where the headrest mounting member overlaps with the upper frame member and a location where the headrest mounting member overlaps with the reinforcing member, the headrest mounting member is fixed to one of the upper frame member and the reinforcing member, and in the other location, the headrest mounting member abuts against the other of the upper frame member and the reinforcing member when the headrest tilts rearward about the one location, such that the tilting of the headrest is inhibited.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle seat that includes a seat back frame having a pair of side frames disposed in a spaced manner in the right and left direction, a plate-like support body disposed between the pair of side frames to receive a load placed by the rearward movement of a passenger, a transmission section connecting the plate-like support body to a headrest via a link mechanism, and a holding member disposed in the link mechanism. The holding member is disposed at a position separating from a rotating shaft of a lower link by a predetermined distance to connect the lower link to the side frame, and keeps the distance between the lower link and the side frame at a predetermined value.

Abstract: A seat reclining apparatus includes a base plate, a ratchet plate, a lock member guided by a guide groove of the base plate between engaged and disengaged positions, a first cam between the base plate and the ratchet plate, and a second cam which moves toward and presses the lock member to an engaged position by the first cam when the first cam rotates from the unlocked to locked positions. The second cam includes a surface contact portion which comes in surface contact with a guide surface in the guide groove, an engaging portion which is pressed by the first cam, and a pressing portion which presses a pressed portion of the lock member. One and the other of the pressing portion and the pressed portion respectively includes a flat surface and a curved surface that is convex toward the flat surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seat energy absorption device, in particular an aircraft seat energy absorption device, which is intended, to at least partly absorb at least a primary acceleration movement of at least one backrest unit, at least in a crash situation. The seat energy absorption device has at least one seat energy absorption unit, which is intended to be moved in a crash situation in at least one direction deviating from the primary acceleration movement of the backrest unit.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a seat back frame that is provided with a pair of side frame portions that are located on both left and right sides in the seat transverse direction; an outer-side load transmitting block that is located further to an outer side in the transverse direction of the seat back frame than the side frame portion of the seat back frame, and that transmits an impact load that is input from a side of the vehicle body to the seat back frame; a protruding portion that protrudes from a side surface of the side frame portion on the outer side in the transverse direction of the seat back frame towards the outer side in the transverse direction of the seat back frame; a side airbag apparatus that is located on a front surface of the protruding portion; and an engaging portion that is formed in the outer-side load transmitting block, and that receives the protruding portion.

Abstract: In the rollover protection system, the rollover body comprises two limbs which, with in each case one end, are pivotable in bearings arranged spaced apart transversely with respect to the vehicle, and which, by means of the other ends thereof which can be pivoted out, can be locked together in the protection position. To increase the support height and support breadth of a system of said type, it is proposed that one of the limbs is designed such that it can be telescopically lengthened. Said limb comprises the telescopic parts which, in the extended state, are locked, so as to be prevented from being retracted again, by means of a spring-loaded bolt in conjunction with a deployable locking element in the pushed-out position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat including at least two components connected, directly or indirectly, by an adjustment mechanism. A locking means is provided, arranged to lock the two components relative to each other when predetermined conditions are experienced, to restrict relative movement of the two components. The locking means may be arranged to engage when a vehicle in which the seat is mounted is involved in an impact. The locking means reduces the amount of relative movement of seat components owing to compliance in seat adjustment mechanism in the event of a vehicle impact.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided that includes a seat back frame, a headrest, a pressure receiving member that supports the body of the occupant and moves independently from the headrest, and pivoting members that are disposed in at least one of side portions of the seat back frame, are linked to the pressure receiving member, and can move independently from the headrest under a predetermined impact load. The entirety of the pressure receiving member moves toward the rear of the vehicle under a predetermined impact load that is greater than a normal seating load.

Abstract: The seat according to the invention makes it possible to absorb, in the event of a frontal impact of an airplane, the rocking to which a passenger in a seat located behind the seat according to the invention is subjected. The backrest (2) of the seat according to the invention is provided with a reinforcing strip (4) placed behind the backrest (2). The seat portion (3) can also be provided with a second reinforcing strip placed under the seat portion (3). Said reinforcing strip (4) consists of knitted or woven textile. In the case of knitting, the yarn used has a high tenacity, and the knitting stitch can advantageously be the Jersey stitch. In the case of weaving, the weft and warp threads must have approximately the same tenacity. Application in cushioning passengers in airplanes, in the event of frontal impact, or downward impact.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a motor vehicle traveling on a roadway. The method includes, but is not limited to determining data of the roadway in the area, which includes determining a number n of lanes. If it is determined that n?2, it is determined whether a lane in which the vehicle is located with data of an optical camera of the motor vehicle. In addition, it is determined whether a second motor vehicle is traveling in the lane, in which the motor vehicle is located, in a direction of travel opposite a first direction of travel with a determination apparatus of the motor vehicle. If a second motor vehicle is determined, a warning message and/or automatic actuation is generated from an apparatus of the motor vehicle (e.g, a braking apparatus, a drive apparatus, or a steering apparatus).

Abstract: A side airbag capable of fully absorbing impact directed to a chest region while keeping an arm from being pressed against the chest region due to inflation is provided. A side airbag 30, an arm facing section 38 which faces an arm H2 of the occupant H in an inflated state has a dented shape and serves to push up the arm H2 to a position where the arm H2 does not overlap a chest H3 region of the occupant.

Abstract: An airbag arrangement for protecting at least one seat occupant in an aircraft of the type having a tandem seat arrangement with a rear seat for a seat occupant and a front seat in front of the rear seat. The front seat has an airbag subassembly mounted in the seat back. The airbag subassembly has an airbag inflating between the seat back and the rear seat and uses a gas generator connected to the airbag and configured to inflate the airbag. The airbag is secured to the seat back under a cover with a tear seam and has a compacted state in which the airbag is rolled up or folded about a horizontal axis inside the seat back.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided with: paddles configuring frames of a side support of a seat back; a side support adjusting mechanism including a paddle drive mechanism receiving adjustment force and displacing the paddles in a seat width direction; a side airbag provided in a folded state at a seat width direction edge portion inside the seat back, receiving a gas supply and deploying forwards in the seat front-rear direction while inflating; and a frame moving structure for displacing the paddle inward in the seat width direction by deployment pressure of the side airbag. In the frame moving structure, the paddle drive mechanism, for driving the paddle inward in the seat width direction, allows relative displacement of the paddle in the seat width direction.

Abstract: A seat for a passenger comprises reinforcing structure bodies reinforcing seatbacks, connection support portions connecting the reinforcing structure bodies to a vehicle-body wall portion so as to support the reinforcing structure bodies at the vehicle-body wall portion, pressure-receiving portions provided in the seatbacks and supported so as to move rearwardly by being pressed by passengers in a vehicle rear collision, the pressure-receiving portions being arranged at a specified height position which is a distance upwardly away from lower end portions of the seatbacks, and headrest moving-mechanism portions moving headrests forwardly or upwardly in accordance with a rearward move of the pressure-receiving portions. Accordingly, a passenger's head portion can be protected effectively with a simple structure.

Abstract: A vehicle side airbag apparatus includes a resin seat frame that includes a recess that is elongated in a vehicle top-bottom direction, and that opens to a vehicle front side; a module casing that is disposed inside the recess and includes an outer side wall and an inner side wall that are arranged in parallel with each other, and extend in the vehicle front-rear direction, the outer side wall being disposed outside the inner side wall in a vehicle width direction, in a horizontal sectional view; and a side airbag stored in a folded manner within the module casing. In at least one of the outer side wall and the inner side wall, a low rigidity portion is provided in an area including an entirety of, or a portion of a region that overlaps with an iliac crest of a seated occupant in a side view.

Abstract: A dual chamber side air bag apparatus may include an inflator mounted to a side of a seat back frame in an outdoor direction, an air bag cushion fluid-connected to the inflator and including a first chamber and a second chamber mounted at a side of the seat back frame in the outdoor direction and fluid-connected to the inflator and the first chamber to protrude and develop toward a front of the seat back frame when the inflator may be activated, for protecting side surface of the upper body of the passenger, and a tether having one end thereof fixed to the scat back frame, a raid portion thereof wrapping the first chamber, and the other end thereof sewing-coupled to the air bag cushion in a boundary of the first and second chambers to provide a directivity so that the first chamber develops toward the upper body of the passengers.

Abstract: A seatback device configured to elastically support a planar elastic body between left and right side frames. The seatback device includes left and right first springs and left and right second springs. The left and right first springs have axes respectively, extending in the width direction of the vehicle. The upper parts of the left and right sides of the planar elastic body body are connected to the left and right side frames through the left and right first springs. The left and right second springs have axes, respectively, extending in the front-and-rear direction of the vehicle body. The lower parts on the left and right sides of the planar elastic body are connected to the left and right side frames through the left and right second springs.

Abstract: A vibration damper for a vehicle seat back is disclosed. The vibration damper includes an enclosure provided inside the upper end of a vehicle seat back. The enclosure includes a plurality of projections, preferably in the form of spaced apart, vertically extending pins, extending from one or more interior walls of the enclosure. A non-newtonian stress thickening fluid is provided within the enclosure. When the seat back is at rest the stress thickening fluid is free flowing within the enclosure. When the seat back is moved the stress thickening fluid is acted upon by the walls of the enclosure, the internally mounted pins, or both. As the walls and pins push on the fluid it comes under shear stress which causes the fluid to harden. As the pins pass through the hardened fluid they absorb energy and dampen the motion.

Abstract: In a vehicle seat (10), a deformable portion (32) extends continuously from an edge portion of a placement hole (28) towards an outside of the placement hole (28). When the deformable portion (32) is plastically deformed by a fastening bolt (40), the deformable portion (32) does not readily deform so as to be pushed outwards, but deforms so as to be squashed. When a low press-contact force acts on a side face (32D), the deformable portion (32) does not readily perform plastic deformation, and an impact load imparted to a seatback frame (44) can be stably absorbed by the deformable portion (32). Impact load imparted to the seatback frame (44) can be continuously absorbed by the deformable portion (32) since the deformable portion (32) deforms continuously. Accordingly, impact load imparted to the seatback frame (44) can be efficiently absorbed by the deformable portion (32).

Abstract: A vehicle seat including a side airbag system, in which an airbag body accommodated inside a seatback of the vehicle seat is configured to deploy when the vehicle is collided from a side thereof and a deployment groove which is configured to improve the deployment of the airbag body is formed to a cushion pad of the seatback, wherein a guide portion which is configured to guide the deployment of the airbag body towards a desired height is formed to the deployment groove.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a back panel module configured to conceal an air bag module disposed in a seat back. A back panel module may have a back panel and a side panel. The back panel and the side panel may extend along the lateral side of the seat back and form an exterior surface of the back panel module.

Abstract: A seating system for use with a vehicle includes a first seat component having a skin having a thermal bond to an in-situ foam core. The first seat component maximum displacement is less than 160 mm when tested according to a test method in ECE R17 regulation for luggage retention with a 20 times the force of gravity crash pulse. A method of manufacture the seat back system is also recited.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided in which a shock reducing member provides an optimum state both under a usual (normal) seating load and in a rear-end collision load, the sinking (moving) amount of the passenger's body to the vehicle rear at the time of rear-end collision can be increased, and a shock applied to a passenger at the time of rear-end collision can be reduced effectively, independently from a headrest. A vehicle seat includes a seat back frame, a headrest, a pressure receiving member connected to the seat back frame via wires, and a rotating member disposed at least on one side of side parts on both sides of the seat back frame. The rotating member is rotated by a predetermined impact load applied to the pressure receiving member, and comes into contact with the seat back frame, whereby the rotating is inhibited.

Abstract: A passenger seat protection system for a seated passenger of a vehicle includes a seat back supporting a pressurizable vessel storing a quantity of pressurized gas within a compartment, the compartment defined by one or more walls that collapse responsive to a force applied to the seat back by the seated passenger in a rear impact of the vehicle; a headrest including a bladder responsive to a gas pressure from the quantity of pressurized gas to transition an expansion of the headrest from a first expansion mode to a second expansion mode; and a gas channel communicating the quantity of pressurized gas to the bladder after a collapsing of the one or more walls.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a backrest and a seat part, at least one of which has a structural element forming a cavity. A filling is disposed in the cavity and configured to influence the stability and/or the deformation behavior of the backrest and/or the seat part. The filling comprises a foam support and a foam material that at least partially surrounds the foam support.

Abstract: A seat frame includes a projecting portion formed on a surface of a recliner to face a reinforcement plate, the projecting portion having a cross sectional shape with a recessed portion and a protruded portion in a rotational direction of the recliner, the reinforcement plate including a first through-hole for fitting the projecting portion, the upward-downward direction frame including a second through-hole larger than the first through-hole which extends within the second through-hole when the upward-downward direction frame and the reinforcement plate are overlaid, and a three-member welding portion formed by a periphery of the projecting portion, a periphery of the first through-hole, and a periphery of the second through-hole wherein the recliner, the reinforcement plate, and the upward-downward direction frame are welded with the projecting portion of the recliner fitting to the first through-hole of the reinforcement plate while the reinforcement plate and the upward-downward direction frame are overla

Abstract: A molded plastic seat back assembly for a vehicle including at least two polymeric vertical support members including a top portion, a center portion, and a lower portion, wherein at least a portion of the polymeric vertical support members have a alternating wall section portion including a front wall section, a connective middle wall section and a back wall section; at least one cross-seat member connectively disposed between the polymeric vertical support members; at least one recliner bracket connectively disposed to the lower portion of the polymeric vertical support members for anchoring the molded plastic seat back assembly to a seat back recliner assembly; and at least one strap reinforcement member.

Abstract: A vehicle seat including: a side cover; a front cover; a side airbag module; and a webbing including a looped portion that is formed by a length direction middle portion of the webbing being folded into a loop and that sandwiches the sewn portion from both sides in the seat width direction, loop end portions at the both sides of the looped portion being sewn to the sewn portion, a weak portion being formed in the looped portion, one end side of the webbing being disposed at the seat width direction outer side relative to the side airbag when the side airbag is deployed, the other end side of the webbing being disposed at the seat width direction inner side relative to the deployed side airbag, and the webbing transferring deployment pressure received from the side airbag to the sewn portion and the weak portion as tension force.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat structure that is lighter than a steel vehicle seat structure while providing the same function thereof. For this, the vehicle seat structure includes a seat cushion frame and a seat back frame connected to the seat cushion frame. At least one of components constituting the seat back frame and the seat cushion frame is formed of a magnesium plate produced through a rolling process and that has a texture.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a backrest frame and a seat frame connected to each other to form a seat structure. The seat includes a seat base adapted to be rigidly connected to the frame structure of a vehicle, and which is connected to the seat frame via a seat suspension. The seat further includes a tether which at one of its ends is attached to the seat back at a first, upper attachment point and at its other end attached at a second, lower attachment point in order to improve the strength of the seat in case of an accident. The seat is provided with at least one lever arm on the back side of the seat which shall be used as an attachment point for the tether or as a guide or support for the tether located in between the upper attachment point and the lower attachment point.

Abstract: A covering assembly for a seat, including a cover adapted to cover a support frame of the seat and an inflatable member adapted to assume a resting deflated condition and an active inflated condition is described. The inflatable member is located on a side of the cover intended to be faced towards the support frame. The cover is adapted to contain the inflatable member both in the deflated condition and in the inflated condition.

Abstract: A seat structure includes a frame having a plurality of parts having respective joining surfaces. Two respective joining surfaces, which belong to two respective different parts, are joined to one another by laser-welding. A method of forming a seat frame having a plurality of parts includes the steps of positioning the parts in a fixture, fixing the position of the parts relative to one another and laser-welding the parts to form the seat frame.

Abstract: An airbag arrangement in a vehicle seat, especially in a backrest, comprising an airbag module composed of an airbag housing, an airbag, and a charge for unfolding of the airbag, and a guide pocket attached to a covering of the vehicle seat in the region of an opening line of the covering. The guide pocket guides the airbag, as it unfolds, to the opening line, and wraps around the airbag module and a component secured to the vehicle seat. The two front ends of the guide pocket are attached in the region of the opening line of the covering. The airbag module is secured to the component, and the guide pocket is placed from above or from below about the component and the airbag module and extends about the airbag module in a loop-shaped manner.

Abstract: An arrangement for a vehicle seat includes an inner element (11c, 11d), an outer element (9, 16a), which has an opening (16b) having an edge (9c, 16c) and receives the inner element (11c, 11d), and a weld seam (20) which connects the outer element (9, 16a) to the inner element (11c, 11d). The edge (16c) of the opening of the outer element (9, 16a) is interspaced from the inner element (11c, 11d) over the largest part of its circumference and defines a radial gap (G) having a defined maximum width, the weld seam (20) being introduced into the gap (G).

Abstract: A bracket is used to couple together a seating frame member and a back frame member of a seat of a vehicle. The bracket comprises a periphery and a central longitudinal axis dividing the bracket into a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion of the bracket defines a yield segment for plastically deforming when a force above a predetermined value is applied to the back frame member. Plastically deforming the yield segment reduces an impact force transferred from the seat to an occupant. The periphery of the rear portion of the bracket includes a first contact surface and a second contact surface spaced from the first contact surface. The first contact surface moves into contact with the second contact surface as the yield segment plastically deforms thereby restricting the plastic deformation of the yield segment.

Abstract: A seat frame reinforcement structure has a reinforcing member that is provided between both side frames that constitute a framework of a seatback of a vehicle seat, is connected to the side frames, and extends in the width direction of the vehicle seat. The reinforcing member includes a rod that is larger in diameter than each of operation pins that pass through center portions of reclining mechanisms, bushings that are connected to respective end portions of the rod, and a guide member that is connected integrally to the side frame so as to surround the outer periphery of a portion of the operation pin, which is exposed due to a clearance formed between an end portion of one of the bushings and the side frame. Due to the provision of the guide member, the diameter of the reinforcing member is maintained large even in a region where there is the clearance.

Abstract: Vehicle seat devices are provided with: a backrest; side supports that are disposed on both sides of the backrest, and that have protruding sections that protrude further forward than the backrest; a mechanism for adjusting the degree of restraint that changes the width of the protruding sections; a frame disposed inside the side supports; and a movable member that is disposed on the frame, and that displaceably holds the ends of a side surface leather material of the side supports in relation to the frame.

Abstract: A seat supports an occupant of a vehicle. The seat comprises a seating frame member for providing a surface to support the occupant and a back frame member extending away from the seating frame member. The back frame member defines a U-shaped cavity. A boss is coupled to the back frame member within the U-shaped cavity. A fastening element extends through the boss and the back frame member. The fastening element deforms the boss and the back frame member when a force above a predetermined value is applied to the back frame member thereby causing the back frame member to rotate relative to the seating frame member. Allowing the back frame member to rotate relative to the seating frame member reduces an impact force transferred from the seat to the occupant caused by the force above the predetermined value.

Abstract: A seat supports an occupant of a vehicle. The seat comprises a seating frame member for providing a surface to support the occupant and a back frame member extending away from the seating frame member. The back frame member has a first side member and a second side member. A first cross member and a second cross member extend horizontally between the first and second side members. Each of the first and second cross members have a central region flanked on both sides by bent portions with the first and second cross members folded back upon themselves within the bent portions. The bent portions straighten out when a force above a predetermined value is applied to the first and second cross members. The central region plastically deforms once the bent portions straighten out for reducing an impact force transferred from the seat to the occupant.