Test fixture with tunable stroke and resistance to vehicle seat movement during testing

A test fixture for a testing a vehicle seat mounting, the test fixture comprising:

• a first portion;
• a second portion separate from the first portion, the second portion including:
• a base;
• a first ear extending from the base;
• a second ear extending from the base opposite the first ear, the base, first ear, and second ear combining to define a cavity therebetween;
• a fulcrum positioned in the cavity and extending between the first ear and the second ear;
• and
• an energy absorbing member having a first tapered portion, a second tapered portion, and a necked portion positioned between the first and second tapered portions, the energy absorbing member including a formed section attached to the test fixture first portion and shaped so as to extend along the test fixture first portion, into the cavity, and along at least a portion of the fulcrum, the formed section having a first length when the first portion and second portion are spaced apart less than a predetermined distance,
• wherein movement of the first portion in a direction away from the second portion causes the fulcrum to slide along the energy absorbing member, and wherein sliding of the fulcrum along the energy absorbing member plastically deforms the energy absorbing member so that the formed section has a second length greater than the first length.