Back to results
US 6,378,939 B1Granted
Variable energy attenuating apparatus
AssigneeEast/West Industries, Inc.
InventorsFrank Knoll, Joseph Gaito
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An energy attenuating apparatus for use with a seat includes an elongated attenuator having a resistance to bending which varies along its length. A bending mechanism defining a nonlinear path receives the attenuator. Translation of the bending mechanism relative to the attenuator in a lengthwise direction of the attenuator produces bending of the attenuator to absorb energy applied to the energy attenuating apparatus.
Claims39
An energy attenuating apparatus for use with a seat comprising:
- an elongated attenuator including a first region having a constant resistance to bending and second region having a resistance to bending which linearly increases along a length of the second region;
- and
- a bending mechanism defining a nonlinear path, the attenuator being engaged with the bending mechanism to traverse the nonlinear path such that the first region traverses said bending mechanism ahead of the second region and relative movement of the attenuator and the bending mechanism in a lengthwise direction of the attenuator produces bending of the attenuator.
A seat arrangement comprising:
- a seat back for supporting a back of a seat occupant;
- a seat bottom secured to the seat back for supporting the buttocks of the seat occupant;
- a guide for guiding the seat back along a path when said seat is subject to a force of predetermined magnitude;
- and
- an energy attenuating apparatus for attenuating energy as the seat back moves along the path and comprising an elongated attenuator immobilized with respect to one of the seat back and the guide, and a bending mechanism immobilized with respect to the other of the seat back and the guide and defining a nonlinear path, the attenuator being engaged with the bending mechanism such that relative movement of the attenuator and the bending mechanism in a lengthwise direction of the attenuator produces bending of the attenuator, the attenuator having a resistance to bending which increases along its length as a function of a transverse cross sectional area of the attenuator.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.