Patent ID: 6179380
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
In a vehicle designed to survive mines blasting beneath the vehicle, an impact absorbing assembly for protecting a human occupant of the vehicle, comprising:a seat having a lower seat member and an upper seat member;a mounting surface in the vehicle; means directly connected to the surface and the seat for absorbing impact energy resulting from mine blasts under the vehicle;a hinge on the lower seat member;a plate swingable on the hinge;means disposed between the seat and the surface for forcing the plate to swing outward from the seat in response to decrease in distance between the seat and the surface, the absorbing means permitting a controlled degree of relative, blast-induced motion of the seat and the surface toward one another;the plate having a first position where the plate forms an acute angle with the floor and a lower portion of the plate contacts the surface; andthe plate having a second position where the plate is swung outward relative to the seat.