# US 2018/0022243 A1 · Seat assembly with energy absorber > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0022243 A1 - Document ID: US20180022243A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/218,454 - Filed: 2016-07-25 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-25 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Anand V. Iyer; Shrikant A. Gholap - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180022243A1 ## CPC - B60N 2/42709: {involving residual deformation or fracture of the structure} - B60N 2/06: slidable (B60N2/12 {, B60N2/2209} take precedence) - B60N 2/0732: {Attachment of seat frame to the slide, e.g. eyelets} - B60N 2/4214: {longitudinal} - B60R 22/26: secured to the seat - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A seat assembly includes a lower rail track configured for attachment to a floor of the vehicle. An upper rail track is coupled to the lower rail track. A seat riser is attached to the upper rail track. A seat cushion and a seat back are each coupled to and supported by the seat riser. A seatbelt is attached to the seat riser. The seatbelt is operable to transfer a tensile force to the seat riser. An energy absorber interconnects the upper rail track and seat riser. The energy absorber is operable to reduce energy transfer between the seat riser and the upper rail track in response to the seatbelt applying the tensile force to the seat riser. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A seat assembly, the seat assembly comprising: a first structural member; a second structural member attached to the first structural member; and an energy absorber interconnecting the first structural member and the second structural member, and operable to reduce energy transfer between the first structural member and the second structural member in response to a force applied to the second structural member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The seat assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the energy absorber includes a shaft extending between the first structural member and the second structural member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The seat assembly set forth in claim 2, wherein the energy absorber includes a sleeve disposed between and attached to the first structural member and the second structural member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The seat assembly set forth in claim 3, wherein the sleeve includes at least one convolute extending annularly around a perimeter of the sleeve. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The seat assembly set forth in claim 4, wherein the shaft includes a lower stop disposed adjacent a lower surface of the first structural member, and an upper stop disposed adjacent an upper surface of the second structural member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The seat assembly set forth in claim 5, wherein the lower stop is not fixedly attached to the first structural member, and the upper stop is not fixedly attached to the second structural member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The seat assembly set forth in claim 5, wherein the sleeve includes an upper end disposed adjacent to a lower surface of the second structural member, and a lower end disposed adjacent to an upper surface of the first structural member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The seat assembly set forth in claim 7, wherein the upper end of the sleeve is fixedly attached to the second structural member, and the lower end of the sleeve is fixedly attached to the first structural member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The seat assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the energy absorber includes a spring disposed between and interconnecting the first structural member and the second structural member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The seat assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein the first structural member and the second structural member are directly connected to each other in a first joint region. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The seat assembly set forth in claim 10, wherein the first structural member and the second structural member are interconnected by the energy absorber in a second joint region. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The seat assembly set forth in claim 11, wherein the second joint region is disposed adjacent a rearward end of the seat assembly along a longitudinal axis. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The seat assembly set forth in claim 11, further comprising a restraint attached to the second structural member at a restraint, wherein the restraint connection is disposed within the second joint region. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The seat assembly set forth in claim 11, wherein the second structural member includes a thinned section disposed generally between the first joint region and the second joint region and operable to yield in response to the restraint applying the tensile force to allow the second joint region of the second structural member to move relative to the first structural member, so that the energy absorber may elongate or contract to absorb energy. ### Claim 15 A seat assembly for a vehicle, the seat assembly comprising: a lower rail track configured for attachment to a floor of the vehicle; an upper rail track coupled to the lower rail track and moveable relative to the lower rail track in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis; a seat riser attached to the upper rail track by an energy absorber, wherein the energy absorber is operable to reduce energy transfer between the seat riser and the upper rail track in response to a force applied to the seat riser; a seat cushion coupled to and supported by the seat riser; and a seatback coupled to and supported by the seat riser. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The seat assembly set forth in claim 15, wherein the energy absorber includes: a shaft extending through a respective aperture in each of the first structural member and the second structural member; a lower stop disposed adjacent a lower surface of the first structural member; and an upper stop disposed adjacent an upper surface of the second structural member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The seat assembly set forth in claim 16, wherein the energy absorber includes a sleeve disposed between the first structural member and the second structural member, and having an upper end attached to the first structural member, and a lower end attached to the second structural member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The seat assembly set forth in claim 17, wherein the sleeve includes at least one convolute extending annularly around a perimeter of the sleeve. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The seat assembly set forth in claim 15, wherein the upper rail track and the seat riser are directly connected to each other in a first joint region. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The seat assembly set forth in claim 15, wherein the upper rail track and the seat riser are interconnected by the energy absorber in a second joint region.