Chairs and seats – Crash seat
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-30
2001-06-19
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3624)
Chairs and seats
Crash seat
C296S068100, C297S216140
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247752
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle seat upon the occurrence of a vehicle crash.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A seat in a vehicle includes a seat back and a seat bottom. When the vehicle experiences a crash, crash forces tend to move an occupant of the seat relative to the seat. For example, the vehicle may experience a crash in which an impact is directed against the rear end of the vehicle. Crash forces then act against the vehicle in a forward direction. Such crash forces may cause the occupant to move relative to the seat in a rearward direction, and thereby to move forcefully against the seat back.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a principal feature of the present invention, an apparatus includes means for sensing and responding to crash-indicating vehicle acceleration by providing an electrical actuation signal. The apparatus further includes a blocking device. The blocking device is responsive to the electrical actuation signal to block at least a portion of a vehicle seat frame from moving under the influence of vehicle crash forces upon the occurrence of the crash-indicating acceleration.
The sensing and responding means is operative so as not to provide the electrical actuation signal if the crash-indicating acceleration is below or within a specified range of intermediate levels. Each intermediate level of crash-indicating acceleration indicates a crash having a corresponding intermediate level of severity. However, the sensing and responding means is operative to provide the electrical actuation signal if the crash-indicating acceleration has a relatively high level above the specified range of intermediate levels.
In accordance with another principal feature of the present invention, an apparatus includes an inertia weight which is movable toward an actuating position under the influence of crash-indicating vehicle acceleration. The inertia weight is movable only partially to the actuating position under the influence of crash-indicating acceleration below or within the specified range of intermediate levels. The inertia weight is further movable fully to the actuating position under the influence of a high level of crash-indicating acceleration above the specified range of intermediate levels.
A blocking device is responsive to movement of the inertia weight fully to the actuating position so as to block at a least a portion of a vehicle seat frame from moving under the influence of vehicle crash forces upon the occurrence of the high level of crash-indicating acceleration. The blocking device comprises a locking member and a charge of pyrotechnic material which, when ignited, develops a thrust which propels the locking member to a position in which the blocking device can block the portion of the seat frame from moving under the influence of the vehicle crash forces.
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Cuomo Peter M.
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
Vu Stephen
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