초록 ▼

Apparatus for preventing or limiting spinal injuries to a passenger seated in a forward facing position in a moving vehicle during vehicular impact or sudden deceleration. The apparatus includes a vehicle-installed supporting seat for the passenger, the seat having a support portion behind the seate

Apparatus for preventing or limiting spinal injuries to a passenger seated in a forward facing position in a moving vehicle during vehicular impact or sudden deceleration. The apparatus includes a vehicle-installed supporting seat for the passenger, the seat having a support portion behind the seated passenger which includes a resilient surface in contact with the supported passenger. The resilient portion is supported on an underlying stiff support shell. The support shell is rearwardly displaceable upon being subjected to impressed forces generated from the passenger pressing against the resilient surface of the support portion as a result of a rear end impact at the vehicle. A controllably deformable energy absorbing crush zone is disposed to the rear of the shell as to be compressed by rearward displacement of the shell, whereby the support portion acts to decelerate the supported spine of the passenger during a vehicle rear end impact, while the controlled deformation of the crush zone absorbs energy, to prevent or limit spinal injuries to the passenger.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for preventing or limiting spinal injuries to a passenger seated in a forward facing position in a moving vehicle during vehicular impact or sudden deceleration, said apparatus comprising:a vehicle-installed supporting seat for said passenger, said seat having a

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for preventing or limiting spinal injuries to a passenger seated in a forward facing position in a moving vehicle during vehicular impact or sudden deceleration, said apparatus comprising:a vehicle-installed supporting seat for said passenger, said seat having a support portion behind the seated passenger which includes a resilient surface in contact with the supported passenger, said resilient portion being supported on an underlying stiff support shell;said support shell being rearwardly displaceable upon being subjected to impressed forces generated from the said passenger pressing against the resilient surface of the support portion as a result of a rear end impact at said vehicle; anda controllably deformable energy absorbing crush zone being disposed to the rear of said shell and compressed by said rearward displacement of the shell upon said impact or sudden declaration; whereby said support portion acts to decelerate the supported spine of the passenger during a vehicle rear end impact, while the controlled deformation of said crush zone absorbs energy, to prevent or limit spinal injuries to the passenger.