Patent ID: 7823925
Filing Date: 2010-11-02
Classification: A42B,B60R,B64D

Abstract:
1. A device for controlling the motion of a helmeted head and forces exerted upon the neck of an occupant in a seat of a vehicle fitted with a seat harness with first and second shoulder straps, the device comprising: a rigid body defining a first side, a second side, and a vertical section extending between the first and second sides, the entire rigid body situated above first and second shoulders and aft of the helmeted head of the occupant; a first strap contact surface formed at a bottom surface of the first side and configured to lie upon an upper surface of the first shoulder strap of the seat harness above the first shoulder of the occupant; a second strap contact surface formed at a bottom surface of the second side and configured to lie upon an upper surface of the second shoulder strap of the seat harness above the second shoulder of the occupant; a first slot formed in the first side of the rigid body, the first slot defining a third strap contact surface on a first upper surface of a belt interaction portion of the rigid body at the lower side of the first slot and configured to lie below a lower surface of the first shoulder strap aft of the first strap contact surface; a second slot formed in the second side of the rigid body, the second slot defining a fourth strap contact surface on a second upper surface of the belt interaction portion of the rigid body at the lower side of the second slot and configured to lie below a lower surface of the second shoulder strap aft of the second strap contact surface; and a tether attached between the helmet of the occupant and the vertical section of the rigid body, the tether providing restraint of the helmet relative to the rigid body; wherein during deceleration of the occupant, forward motion of the helmeted head of the occupant causes the tether to pull against the vertical section of the rigid body which causes the first and third strap contact surfaces to transfer a first portion of the forward head and neck force to the first shoulder strap and the second and fourth strap contact surfaces to transfer a second portion of the forward head and neck force to the second shoulder strap.