Seatback load plate

A seatback structure for a vehicle, the seatback structure comprising:

• a first layer configured to receive a back of a passenger;
• a load plate comprising a rigid material of thickness less than one millimeter (mm) that extends a first dimension across a width of the seatback structure and a second dimension across a height of the seatback structure, the load plate having a first surface adjacent the first layer and a second surface opposite the first surface;
• and
• an energy absorbing material that plastically deforms under a compressive force imparted by the passenger, the energy absorbing material being of thickness less than one hundred millimeters (mm) and disposed on the second surface of the load plate, wherein the load plate is configured to increase a ramp rate of energy absorbed by the energy absorbing material under the compressive force imparted by the passenger.

A seat comprising:

• a seatback having a first side to receive a passenger and a second side opposite the first side, the seatback comprising:
• a seatback surface on the first side;
• a load plate comprising a rigid material of thickness less than one millimeter (mm) that extends across a portion of the seatback, the load plate having a first surface disposed adjacent the seatback surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;
• and
• an energy absorbing material that plastically deforms under a compressive force imparted by the passenger, the energy absorbing material being of thickness less than one hundred millimeters (mm) and disposed on the second surface of the load plate, wherein the load plate is configured to increase a ramp rate of energy absorbed by the energy absorbing material under the compressive force imparted by the passenger.