US5769489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy absorbing support for vehicular passengers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1997-05-09
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Granted: 1998-06-23
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Expires: 2017-05-09
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for preventing or limiting spinal injuries to a passenger seated in a forward facing position in a moving vehicle during vehicular impact or sudden deceleration. The apparatus includes a vehicle-installed supporting seat for the passenger, the seat having a support portion behind the seated passenger which includes a resilient surface in contact with the supported passenger. The resilient portion is supported on an underlying stiff support shell. The support shell is rearwardly displaceable upon being subjected to impressed forces generated from the passenger pressing against the resilient surface of the support portion as a result of a rear end impact at the vehicle. A controllably deformable energy absorbing crush zone is disposed to the rear of the shell as to be compressed by rearward displacement of the shell, whereby the support portion acts to decelerate the supported spine of the passenger during a vehicle rear end impact, while the controlled deformation of the crush zone absorbs energy, to prevent or limit spinal injuries to the passenger.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald P. Dellanno
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:09
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/24; B60N2/42; B60N2/427; B60N2/42709; B60N2/4207; B60N2/4214; B60N2/4228; B60N2/80; B60N2/888
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
Apparatus for preventing or limiting spinal injuries to a passenger seated in a forward facing position in a moving vehicle during vehicular impact or sudden deceleration, said apparatus comprising: a vehicle-installed supporting seat for said passenger, said seat having a support portion behind the seated passenger which includes a resilient surface in contact with the supported passenger, said resilient portion being supported on an underlying stiff support shell; said support shell being rearwardly displaceable upon being subjected to impressed forces generated from the said passenger pressing against the resilient surface of the support portion as a result of a rear end impact at said vehicle; and a controllably deformable energy absorbing crush zone being disposed to the rear of said shell and compressed by said rearward displacement of the shell upon said impact or sudden declaration; whereby said support portion acts to decelerate the supported spine of the passenger during a vehicle rear end impact, while the controlled deformation of said crush zone absorbs energy, to prevent or limit spinal injuries to the passenger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
Apparatus for preventing or limiting spinal injuries to a passenger seated in a forward facing position in a moving vehicle during vehicular impact or sudden deceleration, said apparatus comprising: a vehicle-installed supporting seat for said passenger, said seat having a support portion behind the seated passenger which includes a resilient surface in contact with the supported passenger, said resilient portion being supported on an underlying stiff support shell; said support shell being rearwardly displaceable upon being subjected to impressed forces generated from the said passenger pressing against the resilient surface of the support portion as a result of a rear end impact at said vehicle; and a controllably deformable energy absorbing crush zone being disposed to the rear of said shell and compressed by said rearward displacement of the shell upon said impact or sudden declaration; whereby said support portion acts to decelerate the supported spine of the passenger during a vehicle rear end impact, while the controlled deformation of said crush zone absorbs energy, to prevent or limit spinal injuries to the passenger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said support portion is provided at least at a portion of said seat adapted to lie behind the thoracic spine of a seated passenger.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said support portion is provided at least at a portion of said seat adapted to lie behind the lumbar spine of a seated passenger.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said support portion is provided at least at a portion of said seat adapted to lie behind the cranium and cervical spine of a seated passenger.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 through 4, wherein said resilient surface is compressible and thus is adapted to conform to the shape of the spine of the seated passenger.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 through 4, wherein said resilient surface is compressible and thus is adapted to mold to the contacting body contour of the passenger upon the passenger being seated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 through 4, wherein the said crush zone comprises one or more air bladders, and valve means responsive to said impact to enable said one or more bladders to at least partially deflate upon vehicular impact.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 through 4, wherein said crush zone comprises an impact collapsible cellular structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 through 4, wherein said crush zone comprises an elastically deformable material which absorbs energy at a substantially more rapid rate than it releases said energy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 through 4, wherein said crush zone is sandwiched between said shell and a spaced fixed, rigid plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 through 4, wherein said crush zone is spaced from the rear of said shell and contacted and compressed by an intermediate plate which is linked for displacement with said shell.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus in accordance with any of claims 1 through 4, wherein rearward displacement of said shell is resisted by restraining means adapted to collapse at a preset strain.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-22 | 2001-12-22 | 2002-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-22 | 2005-12-22 | 2006-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-22 | 2009-12-22 | 2010-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |