Seat assembly with pneumatically adjustable contour and energy absorption

A vehicle seat assembly, comprising:

• a seat backframe having upper and lower ends;
• a damper mechanism secured to the upper end of said backframe;
• a head restraint member secured to said damper mechanism;
• at least one inflatable thoracic bladder positioned for adjusting said head restraint member with respect to said backframe;
• and
• wherein said damper mechanism is configured to dampen movement of said head restraint member in a high energy impact.

A vehicle seat assembly, comprising:

• a seat back having upper and lower ends;
• a flexible plate positioned adjacent the seat back, said plate having front and rear surfaces;
• a cushion positioned adjacent said front surface;
• at least one inflatable lumbar bladder positioned against the rear surface of the flexible plate adjacent said lower end;
• at least one inflatable thoracic adjustment bladder positioned against the rear surface of the flexible plate adjacent said upper end;
• whereby the contour of said seat assembly is adjustable by inflating and deflating said lumbar and thoracic bladders;
• and
• a guide member extending from the seat back for guiding sliding movement of the flexible plate as the bladders are inflated and deflated, wherein said guide member comprises a pair of guide tubes extending from the seat back for cooperation with a pair of tabs extending from the flexible plate.