US5927804A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle occupant protection apparatus
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1998-02-11
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Granted: 1999-07-27
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Expires: 2018-02-11
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus (10) comprises a vehicle seat (12) including a frame (20) and a headrest (14). A linkage (16) is connected between the frame (20) and the headrest (14) to move the headrest (14) relative to the frame (20) in a forward direction. The linkage (16) is actuatable under the influence of a rear-end vehicle crash force applied to the linkage (16) by an occupant of the seat (12). The apparatus (10) further comprises a motor (70) which is connected to the linkage (16) to actuate the linkage (16). The motor (70) is actuated in response to a frontal vehicle crash condition.
Inventors
- 👤 Jess A. Cuevas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:04
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/80; B60N2/888; B60N2/806; B60N2/838
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
Apparatus comprising: a vehicle seat including a frame and a headrest; a linkage connected between said frame and said headrest to move said headrest relative to said frame in a forward direction, said linkage being actuatable under the influence of a rear-end vehicle crash force applied to said linkage by an occupant of said seat; a motor connected to said linkage to actuate said linkage; and means for actuating said motor in response to a frontal vehicle crash condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus comprising: a vehicle seat including a frame and a headrest; a linkage connected between said frame and said headrest to move said headrest relative to said frame in a forward direction, said linkage being actuatable under the influence of a rear-end vehicle crash force applied to said linkage by an occupant of said seat; a motor connected to said linkage to actuate said linkage; and means for actuating said motor in response to a frontal vehicle crash condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said motor comprises a piston, a pyrotechnic source of energy for moving said piston, and an output member operatively connected between said piston and said linkage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said piston is part of a seat belt pretensioner which imparts tension to seat belt webbing in response to movement of said piston.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said pretensioner comprises a gear which rotates a seat belt retractor spool in response to movement of said piston, said output member being rotatable with said gear.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said linkage comprises a flexible coupling between said output member and a rotatable part of said linkage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said flexible coupling comprises a cable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said linkage comprises an upper bearing supporting said headrest for pivotal movement against the bias of a spring, a lower member supported for rotation under the influence of said motor, and a vertically extending actuator structure interconnecting said headrest and said lower member so as to pivot said headrest upon rotation of said lower member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said actuator structure is connected to said headrest so as to pivot said headrest under the influence of said rear-end vehicle crash force.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said actuator structure comprises a pair of vertically extending straps and an actuator panel suspended by and between said straps.
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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) | 2002-07-26 | 2003-01-25 | 2003-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-26 | 2007-01-25 | 2007-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-26 | 2011-01-25 | 2011-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |