Rear Impact Occupant Protection Apparatus and Method

Abstract

Vehicle including a system for preventing injury to an occupant's head and neck during a rear impact includes a support structure for supporting the occupant including an upper body support portion for supporting the occupant's head and neck, the support structure having a plurality of different positions selectable by the occupant, and a positioning system for adjusting the position of the support structure prior to the rear impact such that the upper body support portion is closer to and preferably in contact with the occupant's head and neck during the rear impact. As a result, motion of the occupant's head and neck relative to the occupant's back is thereby reduced and preferably eliminated during the rear impact. Whiplash injuries are therefore reduced if not eliminated using the invention.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.