Abstract: An energy absorbing device for reducing acceleration transmitted to a seated occupant in a vehicle as a result of a high energy impact. The device comprises a first energy absorbing mechanism having a first dimension in the impact direction and capable of undergoing predetermined elastic deformation in that direction; and a second energy absorbing mechanism having a second dimension in the impact direction, which is smaller than the first dimension by a distance corresponding to that elastic deformation. The second mechanism is loaded with the impact force after the first mechanism has undergone elastic deformation; the second mechanism comprises a material capable of progressive deformation. The device may comprise a restriction mechanism connecting the two plates, adapted to restrict displacement of the first plate relative to the second plate in any direction different from the impact direction.

Abstract: A cross member assembly for adjusting a reclinable vehicle seat includes a joint. The joint permits the cross member assembly to deflect during a vehicle impact if the reclinable vehicle seat is occupied.

Abstract: There is provided an occupant protecting apparatus which reduces a load applied to an occupant caused by inflating an airbag in a seat portion. The occupant protecting apparatus is provided in a seat portion. The occupant protecting apparatus is constituted by an inflator serving as a gas generation source, and an airbag. In a state in which a gas is not supplied from the inflator, that is, in a state in which the airbag is extended to a rear side from a front side of the seat portion under a non-inflated state, a ratio between a distance from a center position of the inflator to a rear end of a support wall of a second bottom frame, and a distance from a distal end of the airbag to the rear end of the support wall of the second bottom frame is set to be equal to or less than 0.77.

Abstract: A vehicle seat apparatus includes a first link vertically movably supporting a seat to a seat rail of a floor side, a second link connecting a seat belt anchor to the seat side for restraining an occupant into the seat and a third link provided between the first link and the second link for connecting the first link and the second link, the third link being engagable with a lock member which is fixedly connected to the seat side. The third link is normally disengaged from the lock member to allow the seat to move in a vertical direction and is engaged with the lock member in an emergency upon receipt of an active force through the seat belt anchor and the second link to control a vertical movement of the seat.

Abstract: An energy absorption device including an elastic core. The elastic core includes an elastic material, a covering enclosing the elastic core, and at least one flow device. Air contained in the elastic core may escape through the flow device into the space outside the covering when the elastic core is compressed. Additionally, air flows through the flow device into the space enclosed by the covering when the elastic core expands. The covering is constructed of a flexible, expansion-resistant material. The flow device is designed in the form of at least one connecting point between the covering elements of the covering such that air can escape from the elastic core or can flow into the elastic core through the connecting point.

Abstract: A side airbag seat reinforcement pocket is defined by at least one sheet of material having a peripheral edge and being divided into at least three major surface portions along first, second and third fold lines. The first major surface portion includes at least one first aperture adjacent a first edge and an edge to be sewn into a seat trim cover seam along a second edge opposite from the first edge. The second major surface portion has at least one second aperture formed adjacent peripheral edge. The third major surface portion has at least one third aperture formed adjacent the peripheral edge. The first, second and third apertures are located in coaxial alignment with respect to one another when the second and third major surface portions are folded to define an enclosed pocket in five directions with an opening in a sixth direction.

Abstract: A first exemplary seat with a side airbag disposed therein includes a front seat cover and a side seat cover. The seat covers are releasably attached together at a junction configured for the airbag to be deployed therethrough. The front seat cover is less stretchable than the side seat cover. A second exemplary seat with a side airbag disposed therein includes a front seat cover and a side seat cover. The seat covers are releasably attached together at a junction configured for the airbag to be deployed therethrough. The junction includes a first thread of the front seat cover, and a second thread of the second seat cover. The first thread is stronger than the second thread.

Abstract: The disclosed safety device for a motor vehicle seat may include a seat surface extending in a longitudinal direction of the seat, a securing element assigned to the seat surface; and an adjustment device operatively connected to the securing element for adjusting the securing element from a reclining position into a securing position in an event of a crash. The adjustment device is configured to reset the securing element from the securing position into the reclining position. The securing element is configured to act on the seat surface in the securing position such that the seat surface and the securing element counteract forward movement of a pelvic area of a person sitting on the seat surface in the longitudinal direction of the seat, without changing a spatial location of said seat surface.

Abstract: A vehicle seat arrangement having a motor vehicle seat, in which arrangement it is possible to control the kinematics of the motor vehicle seat and/or of a vehicle occupant situated thereon, in such a way that, in the event of a crash, there is as small a relative movement as possible between the vehicle occupant and the motor vehicle seat along the direction of the crash forces.

Abstract: An occupant restraint device for a vehicle, including a side cheek protruding from a backrest of a vehicle seat. A supporting structure of the vehicle has an outer side facing an exterior space of the vehicle and an inner side facing away from the exterior space of the vehicle and facing the outer side of the side cheek. An airbag arranged in the vehicle seat is supported on the inner side of the supporting structure and exerts an opposing force on the outer side of the side cheek when the airbag is inflated, the force being directed onto the outer side of the side cheek. A pre-crash detection device for identifying an imminent application of force on the outer side of the supporting structure from the exterior space, the pre-crash detection device activating an expansion of the side cheek in an expansion direction along the supporting structure.

Abstract: An occupant restraint device for a motor vehicle includes a supporting structure of the motor vehicle. The supporting structure includes an outer side facing an exterior of the vehicle and an inner side facing an interior of the vehicle. A vehicle seat includes an outer side facing the inner side of the supporting structure. A receptacle for an airbag is arranged on the outer side of the motor vehicle seat. An openable region is included on the receptacle such that the airbag can be deployed into the interior of the vehicle. A pre-crash detection device identifies an imminent application of force on the outer side of the supporting structure. The pre-crash detection device triggers a shifting of the receptacle from an inoperative position into an operative position along a direction of movement between the outer side of the vehicle seat and the inner side of the supporting structure.

Abstract: A seat assembly for supporting an occupant in a passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat back for supporting the back of the occupant. The seat back includes an airbag module, a frame, a trim cover and a plurality of straps connecting the trim cover to the frame. The airbag module has an inflatable airbag. The trim cover covers The airbag module, foam pad and frame. The trim cover has a first seam through which the airbag can deploy during operation of the airbag module. The trim cover has a second seam spaced apart from the first seam. The plurality of straps prevent stretching of the trim cover during deployment of the airbag and direct the energy associated with the deployment of the airbag toward the first seam. First and second straps of the plurality of straps each have a first end fixedly secured to the trim cover along the first seam and a second end fixedly secured to the frame. The airbag module is disposed the first and second straps.

Abstract: A connector assembly for use with a side airbag having a tearable seam in a vehicle seat is disclosed. The connector assembly includes a clip member having a slot near one end thereof and an inner chute connected to the clip member via the slot. The connector assembly also includes a rod releaseably secured to the clip member. An outer chute is connected to the rod and the seam on the opposite end thereof. The chute will allow for proper guidance of the airbag during deployment from the seat in a crash situation.

Abstract: A reinforcing structure for a three-point type seat belt can be installed to a double seat in such a manner that a seat belt fixing bracket attached to the double seat is also united with a seat frame of a single seat disposed near the double seat, thereby securing a sufficient strength for the three-point type seat belt without the requirement of another reinforcing structure. In the reinforcing structure, the first second extension brackets are affixed to single and double seats respectively, while the first extension bracket is united with the second extension bracket.

Abstract: A rear end collision shock absorbing unit wherein there are provided one-side member rotating in synchronization with either one side of the seat back side and the seat cushion side between members that turn mutually to enable tilting, and the other-side member rotating in synchronization with the other side, and a convex part is provided on the one-side member, a concave part or a through hole in which the convex part fits is provided in the other-side member, and when a rear end collision shock is applied, the convex part and the concave part or through hole are turned relatively and deformed in a fitted state, whereby rear end collision shock energy is absorbed.

Abstract: An air bag deployment system for use in a vehicle is disclosed have a frame, an air bag, a first deployment chute portion, and a second deployment chute portion. The frame is securable within the vehicle for use therein defining a support structure and a channel therethrough. The air bag is disposed within the support structure of the frame. The air bag deployment mechanism is operatively connected to the air bag. The first deployment chute portion is provided at least partially disposed in and securable adjacent the channel by at least one retainer. The second deployment chute portion at least partially disposed in and securable adjacent the channel by at least one retainer. The first and second deployment chute portions partially support the air bag and assist the air bag to move from a stored position to at least one deployed position when activated by the deployment mechanism.

Abstract: A technology is provided effective for preventing moisture absorption of an airbag housed in a motor vehicle seat with an airbag module having a construction in which the airbag is developed and expanded from a down side to an upside of a seat cushion against movement of a motor vehicle occupant toward a front side of a motor vehicle, which is in a condition seated in the motor vehicle seat when in occurrence of an accident. In one form, the motor vehicle seat according to the present invention is constructed to house an airbag module in a housing portion provided in a seat pan, and to be provided with an airbag cover that intercepts a housing opening of the housing portion and that covers a housing opening side of the airbag.

Abstract: An energy attenuating apparatus for use with a seat includes an elongated attenuator having a resistance to bending which varies along its length. A bending mechanism defining a nonlinear path receives the attenuator. Translation of the bending mechanism relative to the attenuator in a lengthwise direction of the attenuator produces bending of the attenuator to absorb energy applied to the energy attenuating apparatus.

Abstract: An inflatable airbag system for a vehicle seat assembly of a vehicle. The inflatable airbag system includes a cover member adapted for mounting to the vehicle seat assembly. The inflatable airbag system also includes an inflatable airbag adapted to inflate outward from the cover member and outward from the vehicle seat assembly to thereby act as a protective barrier between an occupant of the vehicle seat assembly and an interior surface of the vehicle.

Abstract: My invention is a new forward or moveable seat and a new aft or fixed seat designed to absorb FAA required horizontal and vertical crash loads without depending on the fuselage crumpling to absorb the energy.

Abstract: A vehicle seat has seating components, such as a seat piece (20), a backrest (22) and a leg-rest (24), which are adjustable as to their positions, particularly in their relative inclination, by at least one operating device (26, 44). A monitoring device monitors all the boundary geometries (50, 52) of the moving seat components which may cause collisions and which have given spatial constraints (54). The monitoring device controls the operating devices (26, 44) at all points to guarantee a collision-free movement of all seat components within the spatial constraints. The vehicle seat considered as a total system can undergo adjustment processes without a damaging collision occurring.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a seat body; a plurality of seat supports which extend along a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, are disposed with interval along a width direction of the vehicle, and support the seat body; and a load absorption member which connects the adjacent seat supports each other, wherein the load absorption member having: a plurality of beams which extend between the adjacent seat supports along the width direction of the vehicle; and a plate-shaped portion on which the beams are provided along the width direction of the vehicle and which has a plurality of areas which are partitioned with the beams so as to be arranged along the longitudinal direction of vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fitting (8) for a vehicle seat, especially for an automotive seat. The fitting comprises two individual fittings (10, 50) that are arranged axially juxtaposed and in parallel in relation to the flow of force, and that each have two fitting parts (11, 12, 51, 52) that can be rotated in relation to each other and that are mechanically interlinked by way of an eccentric epicyclic gear. The present invention is characterized in that the first individual fitting (10) has an eccentric with backlash and the second individual fitting (50) has an eccentric with zero backlash.

Abstract: An arrangement for automatically supporting a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat when lateral dynamic forces are acting includes a restraint system for securing an upper body of the vehicle occupant in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle as a function of the lateral dynamics.

Abstract: In order to improve seating comfort and vibration absorbency, a structure including a first torsion bar unit 70 disposed in the rear of a seat cushion, and a second torsion bar unit 80 disposed in the front of the seat cushion, and a base net 60 stretched between a rear supporting frame 74 of the first torsion bar unit 70 and a front supporting frame 84 of the second torsion bar unit 80, is provided. Owing to the elastic force of a front torsion bar 81 of the second torsion bar unit 80 positioned in the front of the seat, a sense of stroke at the time of seating is enhanced. Owing to the elastic force of a rear torsion bar 71 of the first torsion bar unit 70 positioned in the rear of the seat, similarly to the conventional structure, a load of a seated person can be sufficiently received and a stable seating comfort can be obtained.

Abstract: A safety device for a motor vehicle seat comprising a seat surface which extends along a longitudinal direction of the seat, a securing element assigned to the seat surface and a drive device which is operatively connected to the securing element and is activated in a crash situation, in order to move the securing element out of a starting position, without changing the spatial position thereof, so that the seat surface and the securing element oppose the forward displacement of the pelvis of a person sitting on the seat surface in the longitudinal direction of the seat.

Abstract: A vehicle seat apparatus including a cushion body provided on a frame member, a seat cushion, a gear member, a driving mechanism, an arm, and a link mechanism having a first bracket rotatably supported at the gear member, a second bracket rotatably supported at the first bracket, and a link bracket, a first end of which is rotatably supported at the second bracket, and a second end of which is connected to the arm. The arm is connected to the gear member through the link mechanism, and with an up-and-down operation of a front-end portion of the cushion body relative to the frame member by means of a swing of the arm, a length of the seating surface is variable in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A child seat anchor assembly includes a fixed portion, wherein the fixed portion is secured to a motor vehicle structural member or a child seat structural member; a latchable portion for releasable engagement with a child seat or a motor vehicle; an energy absorbing mechanism disposed between and in operative communication with the fixed portion and the latchable portion, wherein the energy absorbing mechanism comprises an active material; and a controller in operative communication with the active material, wherein the controller is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a change in an attribute of the active material, wherein the change in the attribute results in force and acceleration adjusting energy absorption.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat back including an actuatable back panel. The back panel of the seat back may be moved between a normal, or flush position, and an actuated, or spaced position, relative to the seat back assembly. The back panel is provided with clips that may be used to connect the back panel to the vehicle seat assembly or suspension. The back panel is actuated in the event of a rear end collision to provide added clearance for operation of an active head restraint system. Seat accessories, such as an adjustable lumbar system or heating/cooling system may be secured to the back panel as a sub-assembly to facilitate manufacture.

Abstract: A structural member for a removable vehicle seat provides integrated attachment features for a flex-mat, risers, and restraint system.

Abstract: A seat for a motor vehicle includes a seat and a backrest, the seat including inner and outer lateral supporting legs, the legs being placed on either side of the seat and being designed to be joined to the motor vehicle. The seat also has a beam for joining the seat to the inner and outer supporting legs. The beam extends laterally between the supporting legs and is joined to the seat and legs. The joining beam is arranged so as to transmit the energy of a side crash from the outer lateral supporting leg to the inner lateral supporting leg. The inner supporting leg has a structure arranged so as to deform and absorb at least a part of the energy from the side crash.

Abstract: An adaptive energy absorption system for a vehicle seat is disclosed, utilizing an adaptive energy absorber or variable profile energy absorber (VPEA) for mitigating occupant injury due to extreme vehicle movement (e.g., during a vehicle shock event), and/or for mitigating vibration experienced by an occupant of the vehicle seat during normal vehicle operating conditions. Various configurations of dual-goal energy absorption apparatuses using both VPEA and fixed load energy absorbers (FLEAs) that enable both shock mitigation and vibration isolation are disclosed. A semi-active control absorption system, comprising a VPEA and FPEA configured to work in series, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device for reducing acceleration transmitted to a seated occupant in a vehicle as a result of a high energy impact. The device comprises a first energy absorbing mechanism having a first dimension in the impact direction and capable of undergoing predetermined elastic deformation in that direction; and a second energy absorbing mechanism having a second dimension in the impact direction, which is smaller than the first dimension by a distance corresponding to that elastic deformation. The second mechanism is loaded with the impact force after the first mechanism has undergone elastic deformation; the second mechanism comprises a material capable of progressive deformation. The device may comprise a restriction mechanism connecting the two plates, adapted to restrict displacement of the first plate relative to the second plate in any direction different from the impact direction.

Abstract: Seating apparatus (40) for use on a vehicle having a flat carrying area (42), which seating apparatus (40) comprises a frame, at least two seats (46, 48) mounted on the frame, and securing means (44) for releasably securing the seating apparatus (40) on the flat carrying area (42) of the vehicle whereby the seating apparatus (40) is ale to be secured on the flat carrying area (42) and removed from the flat carrying area (42) as desired, and the seating apparatus (40) being such that the frame is able to be dismantled when not in use and/or at least one of the seats (46) is a rear facing seat and at least one of the seats (48) is a side facing seat.

Abstract: A system for managing an occupant in an occupant compartment of an automotive vehicle, a structure for use in an automobile, and methods of use thereof are provided for protecting an occupant during a near side impact collision.

Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a seat back frame having a pair of side frames, a seat spring mounted between the side frames, a single plate-shaped flexible cushion plate mounted to the seat spring, a seat back cushion provided in front of the cushion plate, a single plate-shaped flexible auxiliary plate mounted on the cushion plate. The auxiliary plate is located between the cushion plate and the seat back cushion. The auxiliary plate pushes the seat back cushion to the front by being forwardly bent in response to an operation member. A collision detector is located on the rear side of the cushion plate having a predetermined distance therebetween.

Abstract: This invention is a vehicle safety system which provides lateral passenger restraint for certain accident events. The invention consists of lateral occupant restraints which are deployed in response to an indication that an appropriate event has occurred, or are deployed during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a frame for mounting the seat to a vehicle. The seat assembly also includes a seat pad molded from a polymeric material and located proximate the frame. A trim cover is disposed over the seat pad, and includes a seam adjacent a side of the seat pad. An airbag assembly, which includes an airbag and an inflator configured to supply gas to the airbag, is also part of the seat assembly. A force concentrator covers at least a portion of the seat pad for protecting it during deployment of the airbag. The force concentrator includes inner and outer panels which form a deployment channel for the airbag, and thereby inhibit contact of the airbag with the seat pad as the airbag deploys.

Abstract: A seat back support mechanism supports the back of a seat in a motor vehicle. One component of the mechanism (15) is effectively connected to the seat of the motor vehicle and another component (32) is connected to the back (44) of the motor vehicle optionally by means of a recliner mechanism. The support mechanism comprises a connection between the components. The connection comprises two pivot links One pivot link (33) is of arcuate form with a central “V” notch so that when the back of the seat is subjected to a predetermined force, the back of the seat is permitted about a pivot axis (30) whilst the arcuate pivot link (33) is deformed, thus absorbing energy.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat has a seat height adjustment device for adjusting a first part of the motor vehicle seat in relation to a second part. At least one crash element is arranged between the first part and the second part, which in the event of a collision, prevents or at least hinders movement of the first part relative to the second part. According to the invention, the crash element comprises a piston-cylinder unit, with the piston being connected to the first part of the motor vehicle seat, and the cylinder connected to the second part. An opening is provided in a cylinder wall of the piston-cylinder unit through which a toothed blocking element can be engaged in a blocking manner with a toothing formed on the piston, at least in the event of a collision.

Abstract: Impact absorption structure is provided in side frame element of seat cushion frame, wherein the side frame element is basically of a closed cross-section portion therein, including forward and backward support points therein. In the structure, an opened cross-section area is defined in the closed cross-section by forming a cut-away portion in a lower part of a forward local region of such closed cross-section portion between the forward and backward support points, so that the opened cross-section area is deformable at said cut-away portion by a great load transmitted from a seat back frame thereto, thereby absorbing a corresponding impact.

Abstract: The invention provides a seat for a bus that has a movable front frame or seat back that a seat occupant rests his or her back against normally. The front frame is the mounting point for the upper portion of a three-point seat belt. The seat frame contains a rear passenger support wall or rear frame to protect a passenger of rearward seat from moving out his safety zone in a forward direction in the event of a rapid deceleration. The rear frame is part of the seat frame and only moves upon initial contact by a rearward-unbelted passenger impact. A rotation guide slot defines the amount of rear frame movement. The front frame is limited in the amount of its forward pivoting movement by a tether, spring or fluid dampener that is engaged to an immovable portion of the frame and thereby limits forward travel of the front frame.

Abstract: A vehicle safety seat and related methodology featuring (a) an anti-spring-back seat platform having a generally upwardly facing support surface, (b) a triggerable acceleration structure disposed cooperatively relative to that support surface in a manner whereby the acceleration structure is operatively interposed that surface and any person occupying the seat, with this acceleration structure being triggerable to accelerate such a person generally upwardly away from the support surface, and (c) trigger structure responsive to the detection of a preselected downward deceleration of the seat platform to trigger the acceleration structure. A viscoelastic, acceleration-rate-sensitive cushioning structure is selectively interposed the acceleration structure and any seated occupant.

Abstract: A seat, an aircraft passenger seat in particular, has seat components such as a seat element, a backrest retained by a backrest structure, and control and functional elements. At least one main component of the backrest structure is in the form of a hollow section 33. The cavity of the hollow section provides a guide for delivery of energy to at least one functional or control element requiring supply of energy.

Abstract: An occupant classifying device for a vehicle seat includes an occupant classifying apparatus for classifying an occupant type on the basis of a seating load applied to the vehicle seat, a first load sensor provided at a rear portion of the vehicle seat in order to measure a rear load that is a part of the seating load, a second load sensor provided at a front portion of the vehicle seat in order to measure a front load that is a part of the seating load, a rear load ratio calculating apparatus for calculating a rear load ratio indicating a ratio of the rear load in the seating load on the basis of the measured rear and front loads and a securing determining apparatus determining whether or not a child restraint system is secured to the vehicle seat on the basis of the calculated rear load ratio.

Abstract: A seat having a collision stopper (51) activated in a short time period in collision. The seat is constituted of a supporting link (23), a stopper link (55), a recess/ridge surface (61), a stopper (65), and urging means (67). The supporting link (23) is installed at its upper portion to the floor side and at its lower portion to the seat cushion side, supporting a seat cushion, and adjusts the height of the seat cushion by inclination in the forward and backward directions in the vertical plane. The stopper link (55) is attached at its base end section to the floor side such that a rotation end section is rotatable in the forward and backward directions in a vertical plane. The stopper link (55) has, on its rotation end section side, a projection (57) projecting sideward. The recess/ridge surface (61) is provided on the supporting link (23) side, extending in the direction intersecting the movement path of the projection.

Abstract: An occupant protection system is provided in which gas from a gas generator flows through a duct and into an airbag smoothly even with a gas generator that emits a jet of gas in non-axial directions relative to the duct. The airbag disposed under a seat cushion and the gas generator are joined together with the duct. In one form, the duct is fitted on the nozzle of the gas generator, so that the inner circumferential surface of the duct faces gas ports around the side circumferential surface of the nozzle. When the gas generator emits a jet of gas, the gas from the gas generator issues from the gas ports radially relative to the nozzle, and then strikes against the inner circumferential surface of the duct to change in direction, thus flowing along the axis of the duct.

Abstract: A gas generator is arranged in a vacant space around the seat to achieve effective utilization of a space for the seat. An inflatable seat bag is arranged above a seat pan. A seat cushion is installed above the seat bag. A gas introduction port is provided at a longitudinal end (the side of a side frame) of the seat bag, and a gas supply duct from a manifold at a distal end of an inflator is connected to the gas introduction port. The gas supply duct is disposed along the lower side of an S-spring. The inflator is mounted to a spindle with a bracket. A distal end of a gas introduction duct is connected to an end portion of a lap bag on the side of an anchor. A proximal end of the duct is connected to another gas outlet of the manifold.

Abstract: A passenger seat for a multi-passenger motor vehicle having a body with a seat-mounting includes a seat frame mountable to the seat-mounting surface, and a rear seat frame engaged with the seat frame. A front frame is engaged to the seat frame and is located forward of the rear seat frame. The front frame is configured for translational movement with respect to the seat frame. A passenger restraint member is engaged to the front frame.

Abstract: A blocking mechanism or device (40) for preventing objects from sliding off from a cushion (24) of a seat when a vehicle experiences decelerations above a given level comprising: a blocking member (50, 60) configured to be movable from a storage position below a top surface (26) of the cushion to a blocking position above the top surface of the cushion to block any object on the cushion from moving therefrom.