Patent Publication Number: US-2023158926-A1

Title: Occupant positioner

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to occupant supports, and particularly to occupant supports for vehicles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to occupant supports including an occupant positioner configured to change a position of the occupant. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to the present disclosure, an occupant support includes a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat back is coupled to the seat bottom and arranged to extend upwardly away from the seat bottom. The seat back includes a headrest located in spaced apart relation above the seat bottom and a backrest located between the headrest and the seat bottom. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the occupant support further includes a reactive-occupant positioner coupled to the seat back to move therewith and is configured to arrange an occupant on the occupant support in response to an impact event so that the occupant moves from (i) a pre-event arrangement in which a torso of the occupant is arranged a first distance from a frame of the seat back so that comfort is maximized prior to application of an impact force to the occupant support, (ii) to an event arrangement in which the torso of the occupant is arranged a second distance from the frame that is less than the first distance so that a head of the occupant moves toward and engages the headrest to minimize whiplash of the occupant during the impact event, and (iii) to a post-event arrangement in which the torso of the occupant is arranged a third distance from the frame that is greater than the second distance after the impact event is complete without repair of the reactive-occupant positioner. 
     In illustrative embodiments, in response to the impact event, the reactive-occupant positioner changes from a pre-event configuration in which the reactive-occupant positioner causes the occupant to be in the pre-event arrangement, to an event configuration in which the reactive-occupant positioner causes the occupant to be in the event arrangement. 
     In illustrative embodiments, the reactive-occupant positioner includes a rear platform coupled to the seat back in a fixed position relative to the seat back and a front platform movable relative to the rear platform. 
     In illustrative embodiments, in the pre-event configuration, the reactive-occupant positioner has a first thickness defined between the front platform and the rear platform, in the event configuration, the reactive-occupant positioner has a second thickness defined between the front platform and the rear platform that is less than the first thickness, and, in the post-event configuration, the reactive-occupant positioner has a third thickness defined between the front platform and the rear platform that is greater than the second thickness. 
     Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG.  1 A  is a sectional view taken along line 1A-1A of  FIG.  6    showing the occupant support including a seat back and a reactive-occupant positioner coupled to the seat back, and suggesting the reactive-occupant support is configured to arrange an occupant of the occupant support in the pre-event arrangement in which a torso of the occupant is arranged a first distance from a frame of the seat back so that comfort is maximized prior to application of an impact force (phantom arrow) to the occupant support; 
         FIG.  1 B  is a view similar to  FIG.  1 A  showing the reactive-occupant support configured to arrange an occupant of the occupant support in the event arrangement in which the torso of the occupant is arranged a second distance from the frame that is less than the first distance so that a head of the occupant engages the headrest to minimize whiplash of the occupant during the impact event; 
         FIG.  2 A  is a side view of the reactive-occupant positioner of  FIG.  1 A  in the pre-event configuration and showing that the reactive-occupant includes a front platform, a rear platform, a first arm linkage, a second arm linkage, and a bias unit, and suggesting that, in the pre-event configuration, the reactive-occupant positioner has a thickness defined between the front platform and the rear platform; 
         FIG.  2 B  is a view similar to  FIG.  2 A  showing the reactive-occupant positioner moving between the pre-event configuration and the event configuration to cause the reactive-occupant positioner to have a thickness that is less than the thickness shown in  FIG.  2 A ; 
         FIG.  2 C  is a view similar to  FIG.  2 B  showing the reactive-occupant positioner in the event configuration in which the reactive-occupant positioner has a thickness that is less than the thicknesses shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B ; 
         FIG.  3    is a exploded perspective assembly view of the occupant support of  FIG.  1 A  showing that the occupant support includes, from left to right, a backrest cushion, the reactive-occupant positioner, and the frame of the seat back and suggesting that the reactive-occupant positioner is retained in a space formed between the backrest cushion and the frame; 
         FIG.  4    is a side view of the occupant support of  FIG.  1 A  showing the seat back with a portion removed to show the frame of seat back and the reactive-occupant positioner in the pre-event configuration; 
         FIG.  5    is an enlarged portion of  FIG.  4    showing the rear platform of the reactive-occupant positioner coupled to the frame and the reactive-occupant positioner in the pre-event configuration; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the occupant support of  FIG.  1 A  showing the seat back including the backrest having the backrest cushion, the headrest, and the reactive-occupant positioner in the pre-event configuration; 
         FIG.  7 A  is a diagrammatic view of the occupant support of  FIG.  1 A  showing an occupant positioned in the occupant support and suggesting that the seat back cushion along with the reactive-occupant positioner arranges the occupant in the pre-event arrangement in which the torso of the occupant is arranged a first distance from the frame of the seat back so that comfort is maximized prior to application of an impact force to the occupant support; 
         FIG.  7 B  is a view similar to  FIG.  7 A  showing the occupant positioned in the occupant support after an impact event and suggesting that the seat back cushion along with the reactive-occupant positioner arranges the occupant in the event arrangement in which the torso of the occupant is arranged a second distance from the frame that is less than the first distance so that a head of the occupant engages the headrest to minimize whiplash of the occupant during the impact event; 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of the reactive-occupant positioner of  FIG.  1 A  showing the reactive-occupant positioner in the pre-event configuration; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of the reactive-occupant positioner of  FIG.  8    showing the reactive-occupant positioner in an unfolded configuration in which the attachment points of locking mechanisms of the front platform are disconnected; 
         FIG.  10    is a side diagrammatic view of the reactive-occupant positioner of  FIGS.  8  and  9    showing the reactive-occupant positioner changing from a fully unfolded configuration, to a transition configuration, and to an assembled configuration; 
         FIG.  11 A  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a reactive-occupant positioner in accordance with the present disclosure showing that the bias unit includes a first collapsible hinge and a second collapsible hinge, the first and second collapsible hinges are configured to collapse inwardly when the reactive-occupant positioner moves from the pre-event configuration to the event configuration; 
         FIG.  11 B  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a reactive-occupant positioner in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  11 C  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a reactive-occupant positioner in accordance with the present disclosure showing that the bias unit includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth collapsible hinges, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth collapsible hinges are configured to collapse inwardly when the reactive-occupant positioner moves from the pre-event configuration to the event configuration; 
         FIG.  11 D  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a reactive-occupant positioner in accordance with the present disclosure showing that the bias unit includes first, second, third, and fourth rectangular flat springs arranged between the front platform and the rear platform, the first, second, third, and fourth flat springs are configured to compress inwardly to allow the front platform to move toward the rear platform when the reactive-occupant positioner moves from the pre-event configuration to the event configuration; and 
         FIG.  11 E  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a reactive-occupant positioner in accordance with the present disclosure showing that the bias unit includes first and second curved flat springs arranged between the front platform and the rear platform, each of the first and second flat springs are configured to compress inwardly to allow the front platform to move toward the rear platform when the reactive-occupant positioner moves from the pre-event configuration to the event configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A first embodiment of a reactive-occupant positioner  40  of an occupant support  10  is shown in  FIG.  1 A- 10   . In one example, the reactive-occupant positioner  40  of the occupant support  10  is coupled to a seat back  24  of the occupant support  10  and is configured to arrange an occupant  100  of the occupant support  10  in at least three arrangements in response to an impact event to maximize comfort and safety of an occupant during the impact event. A second embodiment of a reactive-occupant positioner  140  is shown in  FIG.  11 A . Another embodiment of a reactive-occupant positioner  240  is shown in  FIG.  11 B . Yet another embodiment of a reactive-occupant positioner  340  is shown in  FIG.  11 C . A further embodiment of a reactive-occupant positioner  440  is shown in  FIG.  11 D . An additional embodiment of a reactive-occupant positioner  540  is shown in  FIG.  11 E . 
     An occupant support  10  for a vehicle in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in  FIGS.  1 A,  1 B, and  3   -7B. The occupant support  10  includes a vehicle seat  20  having a seat bottom  22  and a seat back  24  arranged to extend upwardly away from the seat bottom  22 . The seat back  24  includes a headrest  26  and backrest  28  located between the headrest  26  and the seat bottom  22 . The reactive-occupant positioner  40  is coupled to the seat back  24  and is configured to arrange the occupant  100  in various positions (arrangements) on the occupant support  10  before, during, and after an impact event of the vehicle. In particular, the reactive-occupant positioner  40  is configured to collapse during an impact event such that the occupant’s head  104  contacts relatively quickly the headrest  26 , thus minimizing potential effects of whiplash during the impact event. Additionally, the reactive-occupant positioner  40  is configured to self-reset and return to the initial position within the seat back  24  after the impact event, thus minimizing the need for the occupant support  10  to be repaired after the impact event. 
     The reactive-occupant positioner  40  includes a rear platform  42  and a front platform  44  as shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 10   . The rear platform is coupled to a frame  30  of the seat back  24  in a fixed position relative to the frame  30 . The front platform  44  is located forward of the rear platform  42  and is configured to move relative to the rear platform  42  as shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 10   . The reactive-occupant positioner  40  further includes a first arm linkage  48  and a second arm linkage  50  that extend between the rear platform  42  and the front platform  44 . The reactive-occupant positioner  40  further includes a bias unit  46  disposed between the rear platform  42  and the front platform  44   that biases the reactive-occupant positioner  40  towards a pre-impact event position in which the reactive-occupant positioner  40  is fully expanded as shown in  FIGS.  1 A and  2 A . 
     During an impact event of the vehicle, the occupant  100  of the occupant support  10  may experience a whiplash effect if the headrest  26  is not positioned at a predetermined distance away from the occupant’s head  104 . In one example, some regulations require that the headrest  26  be positioned very close to the occupant’s head  104  in order to minimize the possibility of whiplash. The headrest  26  being very close to the occupant’s head  104  may be uncomfortable to the occupant  100 , for example, for occupants  100  with larger heads or large hairstyles. This may increase the pain point for the occupant  100 . The reactive-occupant positioner  40  allows for the headrest  26  to be placed further back on the seat back  24  and thus further away from the occupant’s head  104  by collapsing rapidly during an impact event of the vehicle and allowing the occupant’s head  104  to quickly contact the headrest  26 . As a result, potential whiplash effects to the occupant  100  are minimized. 
     The reactive-occupant positioner  40  is arranged in the backrest  28  of the seat back  24 , replacing a volume of foam cushion used in this area of the backrest  28  as shown in  FIGS.  1 A,  1 B, and  3 - 7 B . During an impact event, the reactive-occupant positioner  40  is configured to collapse due to loading by the occupant  100  due to the impact event. This allows for the occupant  100  to sink into the backrest  28  faster, allowing the occupant’s head  104  to contact the headrest  26  sooner, reducing force on the occupant’s neck. The bias unit  46  of the reactive-occupant positioner  40  then biases the reactive-occupant positioner  40  back to the starting position. 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the reactive-occupant positioner  40  is configured to arrange the occupant  100  in response to the impact event so that the occupant  100  moves from a pre-event arrangement, in which the reactive-occupant positioner  40  is in a pre-event configuration ( FIGS.  1 A,  2 A, and  3 - 7 A ), to an event arrangement, in which the reactive-occupant positioner  40  is in an event configuration ( FIGS.  1 B,  2 C, and  7 B ), and to a post-event arrangement (which may be the pre-event arrangement) in which the reactive-occupant positioner  40  is in a post-event configuration (which may be the pre-event configuration). 
     The occupant support  10  includes the vehicle seat  20  as shown in  FIGS.  1 A,  1 B, and  3 - 7 B . The vehicle seat  20  is arranged in the vehicle as any one of the vehicle seats in a vehicle. For example, the vehicle seat  20  may be the passenger side front seat, the driver side front seat, the passenger side rear seat, or the driver side rear seat. The vehicle seat  20  includes the seat bottom  22  and the seat back  24  and is configured to support the occupant  100  of the vehicle seat  20 , as shown in  FIG.  4   . The seat bottom  22  is arranged to overlie a floor of the vehicle and is arranged substantially parallel with the floor. The seat bottom  22  may be configured to raise and lower, as well as pivot, relative to the floor of the vehicle. 
     The seat back  24  extends substantially vertically away from the seat bottom  22  and supports the back of the occupant  100  of the vehicle seat  20  as shown in  FIGS.  1 A,  1 B,  4 , and  6 - 7 B . The seat back  24  includes a backrest cushion  32  formed on a front surface of the backrest  28  of the seat back  24  and configured to engage and support the occupant’s torso  102 . The seat back  24  further includes left and right bolsters  25  arranged outwardly of the backrest cushion  32  on the sides of the seat back  24  (a portion of the bolster  25  is removed for clarity in  FIGS.  1 B and  7 B ). A headrest  26  extends upwardly out of a top surface of the seat back  24  via headrest supports  27  and is positioned to support the occupant’s head  104 . 
     The interior of the seat back  24  includes the frame  30  of the seat back  24 , the headrest supports  27 , and the reactive-occupant positioner  40 , as shown in exploded view of  FIG.  3   . The frame  30  is formed from a rigid material and maintains the general shape of the seat back  24  when assembled. The headrest supports  27  extend through a top portion of the frame  30  and position the headrest  26  above the frame  30 , and thus above the seat back  24 . 
     The seat back  24  is formed to include a positioner-receiving space  34  as shown in  FIG.  3   . The positioner-receiving space  34  is an open space formed to contain the reactive-occupant positioner  40 . In the illustrative embodiment, the reactive-occupant positioner  40  is coupled to the top portion of the frame  30  of the vehicle seat  20  via the rear platform  42  being fastened to the top portion of the frame  30  as shown in  FIG.  3   . The top portion of the frame  30  may be trapezoid-shaped so as to match the general trapezoidal shape of the reactive-occupant positioner  40  in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the reactive-occupant positioner  40  may not be coupled fixedly to the frame  30 , but instead may rest within the positioner-receiving space  34 , held in place by the top portion of the frame  30 . 
     The reactive-occupant positioner  40  is shown in detail in  FIGS.  2 A,  2 B,  5 , and  8 - 10   . As discussed above, during an impact event of the vehicle, in particular a rear impact of the vehicle, the occupant’s torso  102  will be forced backwards into the backrest cushion  32  (see “impact force” in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B ). When the occupant’s torso  102  loads the backrest cushion  32  rearward, the backrest cushion  32  loads the front platform  44  of the reactive-occupant positioner  40  and pushes the front platform  44  rearwards toward the rear platform  42  (see  FIGS.  2 B and  2 C ). The rapid collapse of the reactive-occupant positioner  40  during the impact event of the vehicle allows the occupant’s head  104  to quickly contact the headrest  26 . As a result, potential whiplash effects to the occupant  100  are reduced. 
     The reactive-occupant positioner  40  includes the rear platform  42  coupled to a frame  30  of the seat back  24  and the front platform  44  arranged forward of the rear platform  42  and configured to move relative thereto as shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 10   . The reactive-occupant positioner  40  further includes the first and second arm linkages  48 ,  50  that extend between the rear platform  42  and the front platform  44 . The first arm linkage  48  is pivotably coupled to a first top edge of the front platform  44  and a second top edge of the rear platform  42 . The second arm linkage  50  is coupled pivotably to a first bottom edge of the front platform  44  and a second bottom edge of the rear platform  42 . The reactive-occupant positioner  40  further includes the bias unit  46  disposed between the rear platform  42  and the front platform  44  that biases the reactive-occupant positioner  40  towards the pre-event configuration and the post-event configuration. 
     The bias unit  46  is coupled to an upper portion of the front platform  44  and to a lower portion of the rear platform  42  as shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 C and  8 - 10   . The bias unit  46  is configured to bias the front platform  44  away from the rear platform  42  toward the pre-event configuration of the reactive-occupant positioner  40  prior to application of the impact force to the occupant support  10  and toward the post-impact configuration of the reactive-occupant positioner  40  after application of the impact force to the occupant support  10 . 
     When the reactive-occupant positioner  40  moves from the pre-event configuration to the event configuration, the first arm linkage  48  and the second arm linkage  50  pivot upwardly and toward the rear platform such that a biasing force of the bias unit  46  increases as shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 C . When the reactive-occupant positioner  40  moves from the event configuration to the post-event configuration, the first arm linkage  48  and the second arm linkage  50  pivot downwardly and away from the rear platform  42  such that a biasing force of the bias unit  46  decreases as shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 C . When the reactive-occupant positioner  40  is in the event configuration, the front platform  44  is moved as far as possible toward the rear platform  42  until the front platform  44  hits a stopper  47  arranged on the rear platform  42 . 
     The reactive-occupant positioner  40  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS.  8  and  9   . In the illustrative embodiment, the front platform  44  and the rear platform  42  are formed to have the same shape, in particular, a trapezoidal shape. The rear platform  42  includes a rear main portion  68  that is generally rectangular shaped, and a first wing  86  and a second wing  88  that extend longitudinally outwardly away from the rear main portion  68 . The first and second wings  86 ,  88  are formed to be the same height as the rear main portion  68  so as to create the trapezoidal shape. Likewise, the front platform  44  includes a front main portion  66  that is generally rectangular shaped, and a first wing  82  and a second wing  84  that extend longitudinally outwardly away from the front main portion  66 . The first and second wings  82 ,  84  are formed to be the same height as the front main portion  66  so as to create the trapezoidal shape. 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the front platform  44 , the rear platform  42 , the first arm linkage  48 , and the second arm linkage  50  are formed of the same material. The material may be metal or steel such that the reactive-occupant positioner  40  is capable of withstanding substantial impact forces imparted by the occupant  100  of the occupant support  10 . Other rigid materials such as heavy duty plastics may be used as well, so long as the reactive-occupant positioner  40  is capable of withstanding typical impact forces during vehicle impact events. 
     The first arm linkage  48  and the second arm linkage  50  are formed as similarly shaped rectangular pieces, as shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9   . In the illustrative embodiment, the width of the first and second arm linkages  48 ,  50  is approximately half the height of the front and rear platforms  44 ,  42 . The second arm linkage  50  is longer than the first arm linkage  48  in order to accommodate for the bottom portion of each wing  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88  of the front platform  44  and the rear platform  42 . Specifically, the second arm linkage  50  includes a first extension  92  and a second extension  94  that each extend outwardly away from a main portion  90  of the second arm linkage  50 . 
     The first arm linkage  48  is coupled pivotably to the first top edge of the front platform  44  via a first hinge  58  and to the second top edge of the rear platform  42   via a second hinge  60 . The second arm linkage  50  is coupled pivotably to the first bottom edge of the front platform  44  via a third hinge  62  and to the second bottom edge of the rear platform  42  via a fourth hinge  64 . The hinges  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  may be formed of a resilient material capable of securely holding the structure of the reactive-occupant positioner together while also permitting bending of the hinges  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 . In some embodiments, the first and second hinges  58 ,  60  are living hinges. 
     The bias unit  46  includes a first coupling member  51 , a second coupling member  52 , and a first biasing member  53  as shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 C . The first coupling member  51  is arranged on a first end of the first biasing member  53  and is coupled to a top portion of the front platform  44 . The second coupling member  52  is arranged on a second end of the first biasing member  53  and is coupled to a bottom portion of the rear platform  42 . In the illustrative embodiment, the bias unit  46  further includes a third coupling member  54 , a fourth coupling member  55 , and a second biasing member  56 . The third coupling member  54  is arranged on a first end of the second biasing member  56  and is coupled to the top portion of the front platform  44 , and the fourth coupling member  55  is arranged on a second end of the second biasing member  56  and is coupled to the bottom portion of the rear platform  42 . 
     In some embodiments, the first and second biasing members  53 ,  56  are springs, in particular, tension springs as shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 C . In other embodiments, the biasing members  53 ,  56  may include other types of biasing means, such as using resilient materials such as rubber. The bias unit  46  of the reactive-occupant positioner  40  includes more than two biasing members, such as three or four biasing members. It can be further envisioned that the bias unit  46  of the reactive-occupant positioner  40  only includes a single biasing member, so long as the biasing force of the single biasing member is capable of moving the reactive-occupant positioner  40  to the post-event configuration. 
     The front main portion  66  and the rear main portion  68  each have a first opening  70  configured to accommodate the first biasing member  53  when the reactive-occupant positioner  40  is moved to the event configuration and is in the event configuration, as shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9   . The front main portion  66  and the rear main portion  68  each further include a second opening  72  configured to accommodate the second biasing member  56  when the reactive-occupant positioner  40  is moved to the event configuration and is in the event configuration, as also shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9   . 
     Likewise, the first arm linkage  48  and the second arm linkage  50  each have a third opening  74  configured to accommodate the first biasing member  53  when the reactive-occupant positioner  40  is moved to the event configuration and is in the event configuration, and a fourth opening  76  configured to accommodate the second biasing member  56  when the reactive-occupant positioner  40  is moved to the event configuration and is in the event configuration. 
     Each of the front platform  44 , the rear platform  42 , the first arm linkage  48 , and the second arm linkage  50  includes a first opening cover  78  and a second opening cover  80  that are arranged to cover a majority of each of the first, second, third, and fourth openings  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 , as shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9   . The covers  78 ,  80  prevent portions of the biasing member  53 ,  56  from contacting the inner surface of the backrest cushion  32  and the frame  30  when the reactive-occupant positioner  40  is moved to the event configuration and is in the event configuration. Each of the first and second opening covers  78 ,  80  of the front platform  44  is arranged to extend outwardly away from the rear platform  42 . Likewise, each of the first and second opening covers  78 ,  80  of the first arm linkage  48  is arranged to extend away from the second arm linkage  50 . Likewise, each of the first and second opening covers  78 ,  80  of the rear platform  42  is arranged to extend toward the frame  30  of the seat back  24  and away from the front platform  44 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment, the first coupling member  51  and the third coupling member  54  each include a hook member that extends through a respective portion of the third opening  74  and the fourth opening  76  of the first arm linkage  48  that is not covered by the first and second opening covers  78 ,  80  of the first arm linkage  48 . Likewise, the second coupling member  52  and the fourth coupling member  55  each include a hook member that extends through a respective portion of the first opening  70  and the second opening  72  of the rear surface of platform  42  that is not covered by the first and second opening covers  78 ,  80  of the rear surface of platform  42 . In other embodiments, the biasing members  53 ,  56  may be attached to the first top edge of the front platform  44  and to the second bottom edge of the rear platform  42  via other fastening means, so long as the biasing members  53 ,  56  are capable of expanding and contracting within the reactive-occupant positioner  40 . 
     In some embodiments, the front platform  44 , including the front main portion  66 , the first wing  82 , and the second wing  84 , includes a top portion and a bottom portion that are coupled together via a plurality of locking mechanisms  96 . The locking mechanism  96  are latches as shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9   . In other embodiments, the locking mechanisms  96  may be configured as clasps, clamps, catches, adhesives, combinations thereof, or any other suitable mechanisms that would securely hold the front platform  44  together. The separation of the front platform  44  into two portions allows for efficient assembly of the reactive-occupant positioner  40 . As can be seen in  FIGS.  9  and  10   , during assembly, the reactive-occupant positioner  40  may be folded upwardly (see  FIG.  10   ) such that the top portion of the front platform  44  moves toward the bottom portion of the front platform  44 . The top and bottom portions are then locked in place via the locking mechanisms  96 , and then the biasing members  53 ,  56  may be inserted and arranged in place within the reactive-occupant positioner  40 . 
     In some embodiments, the front and rear platforms  44 ,  42  may be configured as different shapes, with the front and rear platforms  44 ,  42  not being the same shape. Moreover, the front and rear platforms  44 ,  42  may be sized differently such that the first and second arm linkages  48 ,  50  are not half as wide as the platforms  42 ,  44  are high, as described above. 
     The various arrangements of the occupant  100  and the configurations of the reactive-occupant positioner  40  will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 10   . Before an impact event of the vehicle, the occupant  100  is arranged in the pre-event arrangement, as shown in  FIGS.  1 A,  2 A, and  4 - 7 A . In the pre-event arrangement, the occupant’s torso  102  is arranged at a first distance  31  from the frame  30  of the seat back  24  (see  FIG.  7 A ) so that comfort is maximized prior to the impact event. In order to keep the occupant  100  in the pre-event arrangement before the impact event, the reactive-occupant positioner  40  is in a pre-event configuration, as shown in  FIGS.  1 A,  2 A, and  4 - 7 A . In the pre-event configuration, the reactive-occupant positioner  40  has a first thickness  41  defined between the front platform  44  and the rear platform  42 , as shown in  FIG.  2 A . 
     Once the vehicle is involved in a collision, in particular a rear collision, an impact force (see  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B ) will be applied to the occupant support  10 . As the occupant  100  experiences the impact force, the occupant  100  will be forced rearwards into the backrest cushion  32 , which is subsequently forced rearwards into the front platform  44 . The backrest cushion  32  will compress as well during this movement. Once this happens, the front platform  44  of the reactive-occupant positioner  40  begins to move rearward, as shown in  FIG.  2 B . The reactive-occupant positioner  40  assumes a thickness 43 in a mid-impact position, as shown in  FIG.  2 B . As the front platform  44  begins to move rearward, the bias unit  46  begins to become tensioned. As can be seen in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 C , the spring of the bias unit  46  is expanded by the first arm linkage  48  moving upwardly and rearwardly and by the front platform  44  moving upwardly and rearwardly. 
     After the impact force has been applied to the occupant support  10  and the occupant  100  of the occupant support  10  has sunken fully into the seat back  24  by pushing rearward on the backrest cushion  32 , the occupant  100  is in the event arrangement and the reactive-occupant positioner  40  is in the event configuration, as shown in  FIGS.  1 B,  2 C, and  7 B . In the event arrangement of the occupant  100 , the occupant’s torso  102  is arranged at a second distance 33 from the frame  30  of the seat back  24  (see  FIG.  7 B ) that is less than the first distance 31 so that the occupant’s head  104  engages the headrest  26  (see  FIG.  7 B ). In this arrangement, whiplash of the occupant  100  is minimized during the impact event due to the occupant  100  rapidly moving rearward and the occupant’s head  104  rapidly contacting the headrest  26 . 
     The occupant  100  being in the event arrangement is enabled by the reactive-occupant positioner  40  moving to and being in the event configuration, as shown in  FIGS.  1 B,  2 C, and  7 B . In the event configuration, the reactive-occupant positioner  40  has a second thickness  45  defined between the front platform  44  and the rear platform  42  that is less than the first thickness  41 . In the event configuration, the reactive-occupant positioner  40  is fully collapsed. Specifically, the front platform  44  is moved rearward as far as possible toward the rear platform  42  such that the inner surface of the front platform  44  contacts the stopper  47 . Furthermore, the biasing members  53 ,  56  are fully tensioned. 
     After the impact event is complete, the occupant  100  may move to a post-event arrangement and the reactive-occupant positioner  40  moves to a post-event configuration. In the post-event arrangement, the occupant’s torso  102  is arranged a third distance from the frame  30  that is greater than the second distance. Specifically, the reactive-occupant positioner  40  moving to the post-event configuration will move the backrest cushion  32  back towards its original position on the seat back  24 . In some embodiments, the third distance is about equal to the first distance, and in other embodiments, the third distance is equal to the first distance. In this case, the post-event configuration and the pre-event configuration of the reactive-occupant positioner  40 , and as such the post-event arrangement and the pre-event arrangement of the occupant  100 , are the same. The returning of the backrest cushion  32 , and as such the seat back  24 , to their original configurations after the impact event allow the occupant support  10  to continue to be used in the vehicle without repair of the seat back  24  or the reactive-occupant positioner  40 . 
     In a second embodiment, the occupant support  10  includes a reactive-occupant positioner  140  including a bias unit  146  having a first collapsible hinge  148  and a second collapsible hinge  150 , as shown in  FIG.  11 A . The first collapsible hinge  148  is arranged on a first side end of a front platform  144  and a corresponding first side end of a rear platform  142 . The second collapsible hinge  150  is arranged on a second side end of the front platform  144  and a corresponding second side end of the rear platform  142 . The first and second collapsible hinges  148 ,  150  are configured to collapse inwardly when the reactive-occupant positioner  140  moves from the pre-event configuration to the event configuration. In the illustrative embodiment, the reactive-occupant positioner  140  does not include the first and second arm linkages  48 ,  50  described above, and instead is open on the top and bottom of the reactive-occupant positioner  140 . 
     In a third embodiment, the occupant support  10  includes a reactive-occupant positioner  240  as shown in  FIG.  11 B . The reactive-occupant positioner  240  including a bias unit  246  arranged to extend between a front platform  244  and a rear platform  242  as shown in  FIG.  11 B . 
     In a fourth embodiment, the occupant support  10  includes a reactive-occupant positioner  340  including a bias unit  346  having a plurality of collapsible hinges  348 ,  350 , as shown in  FIG.  11 C . A first plurality of collapsible hinges  348  include first, second, and third collapsible hinges  348  arranged on a first top edge of a front platform  344  and a first top edge of a rear platform  342 . A second plurality of collapsible hinges  350  includes fourth, fifth, and sixth collapsible hinges  350  arranged on a first bottom edge of the front platform  344  and a second bottom edge of the rear platform  342 . The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth collapsible hinges  348 ,  350  are configured to collapse inwardly when the reactive-occupant positioner moves from the pre-event configuration to the event configuration. Similarly to second embodiment of the reactive-occupant positioner  140 , the reactive-occupant positioner  340  does not include the first and second arm linkages  48 ,  50  described above, and instead is open on the top and bottom of the reactive-occupant positioner  340 . 
     In a fifth embodiment, the occupant support  10  includes a reactive-occupant positioner  440  including a bias unit  446  having rectangular flat springs, as shown in  FIG.  11 D . Specifically, the bias unit  446  includes first and second rectangular flat springs  448  arranged between a front platform  444  and a rear platform  442 . Third and fourth rectangular flat springs  450  are arranged beneath the first and second rectangular platforms  448  between the front platform  444  and the rear platform  442 . The first, second, third, and fourth flat springs  448 ,  450  are configured to compress inwardly to allow the front platform  444  to move toward the rear platform  442  when the reactive-occupant positioner moves from the pre-event configuration to the event configuration. The front and rear platforms  444 ,  442  may include holes to accommodate for compression of the flat springs  448 ,  450 . 
     In a sixth embodiment, the occupant support  10  includes a reactive-occupant positioner  540  including a bias unit  546  having semi-circular flat springs  548 ,  550 . Specifically, the bias unit  546  includes first and second semi-circular flat springs  548 ,  550  arranged between a front platform  544  and a rear platform  542 . A first and second end of each of the first and second flat springs  548 ,  550  are attached to the front platform  544  and a midpoint of each of the first and second flat springs  548 ,  550  is attached to the rear platform  542 . Each of the first and second flat springs  548 ,  550  is configured to compress inwardly to allow the front platform  544  to move toward the rear platform  542  when the reactive-occupant positioner moves from the pre-event configuration to the event configuration. The front and rear platforms  544 ,  542  may include holes to accommodate for compression of the semi-circular flat springs  548 ,  550 . 
     The following numbered clauses include embodiments that are contemplated and non-limiting: 
     Clause 1. An occupant support comprising a seat bottom and a seat back coupled to the seat bottom and arranged to extend upwardly away from the seat bottom, the seat back including a headrest located in spaced apart relation above the seat bottom and a backrest located between the headrest and the seat bottom. 
     Clause 2. The occupant support of clause 1, any other clause, or combination of clauses, further comprising a reactive-occupant positioner coupled to the seat back to move therewith and configured to arrange an occupant on the occupant support in response to an impact event so that the occupant moves from a pre-event arrangement, to an event arrangement, and to a post-event arrangement. 
     Clause 3. The occupant support of clause 2, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein, in the pre-event arrangement, a torso of the occupant is arranged a first distance from a frame of the seat back so that comfort is maximized prior to application of an impact force to the occupant support, in the event arrangement, the torso of the occupant is arranged a second distance from the frame that is less than the first distance so that a head of the occupant engages the headrest to minimize whiplash of the occupant during the impact event, and in the post-event arrangement, the torso of the occupant is arranged a third distance from the frame that is greater than the second distance after the impact event is complete without repair of the reactive-occupant positioner. 
     Clause 4. The occupant support of clause 3, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein, in response to the impact event, the reactive-occupant positioner changes from a pre-event configuration in which the reactive-occupant positioner causes the occupant to be in the pre-event arrangement, to an event configuration in which the reactive-occupant positioner causes the occupant to be in the event arrangement. 
     Clause 5. The occupant support of clause 4, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the reactive-occupant positioner includes a rear platform coupled to the seat back to move therewith and a front platform movable relative to the rear platform. 
     Clause 6. The occupant support of clause 5, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein, in the pre-event configuration, the reactive-occupant positioner has a first thickness defined between the front platform and the rear platform, in the event configuration, the reactive-occupant positioner has a second thickness defined between the front platform and the rear platform that is less than the first thickness, and, in the post-event configuration, the reactive-occupant positioner has a third thickness defined between the front platform and the rear platform that is greater than the second thickness. 
     Clause 7. The occupant support of clause 6, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the reactive-occupant positioner further includes a bias unit coupled to the front platform and to the rear platform and configured to bias the front platform away from the rear platform toward the pre-event configuration of the reactive-occupant positioner prior to application of the impact force and toward the post-impact configuration of the reactive-occupant positioner after application of the impact force to the occupant support. 
     Clause 8. The occupant support of clause 7, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the reactive-occupant positioner further includes a first arm linkage and a second arm linkage, the first arm linkage pivotably coupled to a first top edge of the front platform and a second top edge of the rear platform, and the second arm linkage pivotably coupled to a first bottom edge of the front platform and a second bottom edge of the rear platform. 
     Clause 9. The occupant support of clause 8, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein, when the reactive-occupant positioner moves from the pre-event configuration to the event configuration, the first arm linkage and the second arm linkage pivot upwardly and toward the rear platform such that a biasing force of the bias unit increases. 
     Clause 10. The occupant support of clause 9, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein, when the reactive-occupant position moves from the event configuration to the post-event configuration, the first arm linkage and the second arm linkage pivot downwardly and away from the rear platform such that a biasing force of the bias unit decreases. 
     Clause 11. The occupant support of clause 8, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the bias unit includes a first coupling member, a second coupling member, and a first biasing member, the first coupling member arranged on a first end of the first biasing member and coupled to a top portion of the front platform, and the second coupling member arranged on a second end of the first biasing member and coupled to a bottom portion of the rear platform. 
     Clause 12. The occupant support of clause 11, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the biasing member is a spring. 
     Clause 13. The occupant support of clause 5, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the backrest includes a backrest cushion configured to engage and support the torso of the occupant and located in spaced-apart relation to the frame, and the front platform is arranged adjacent to the backrest cushion between the rear platform. 
     Clause 14. The occupant support of clause 13, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein, in response to the impact event, the torso of the occupant pushes on the backrest cushion which in turn pushes on the front platform so as to move the front platform toward the rear platform such that the reactive-occupant positioner moves from the pre-event configuration to the post-event configuration. 
     Clause 15. The occupant support of clause 3, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the first distance is about equal to the third distance. 
     Clause 16. The occupant support of clause 11, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the bias unit further includes a third coupling member, a fourth coupling member, and a second biasing member, the third coupling member arranged on a first end of the second biasing member and coupled to the top portion of the front platform, and the fourth coupling member arranged on a second end of the second biasing member and coupled to the bottom portion of the rear platform. 
     Clause 17. The occupant support of clause 16, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the first arm linkage is pivotably coupled to the first top edge of the front platform via a first hinge and to the second top edge of the rear platform via a second hinge, and the second arm linkage is pivotably coupled to the first bottom edge of the front platform via a third hinge and to the second bottom edge of the rear platform via a fourth hinge. 
     Clause 18. The occupant support of clause 17, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the front platform includes a front main portion and the rear platform includes a rear main portion, and wherein the front main portion and the rear main portion each have a first opening configured to accommodate the first biasing member when the reactive-occupant positioner is moved to the event configuration and is in the event configuration, and a second opening configured to accommodate the second biasing member when the reactive-occupant positioner is moved to the event configuration and is in the event configuration. 
     Clause 19. The occupant support of clause 18, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the first arm linkage and the second arm linkage each have a third opening configured to accommodate the first biasing member when the reactive-occupant positioner is moved to the event configuration and is in the event configuration, and a fourth opening configured to accommodate the second biasing member when the reactive-occupant positioner is moved to the event configuration and is in the event configuration. 
     Clause 20. The occupant support of clause 19, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein each of the front platform, the rear platform, the first arm linkage, and the second arm linkage includes a first opening cover and a second opening cover that are arranged to cover a majority of each of the first, second, third, and fourth openings. 
     Clause 21. The occupant support of clause 20, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the first coupling member and the third coupling member each include a hook member that extends through a respective portion of the third opening and the fourth opening of the first arm linkage not covered by the first and second opening covers of the first arm linkage. 
     Clause 22. The occupant support of clause 21, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the second coupling member and the fourth coupling member each include a hook member that extends through a respective portion of the first opening and the second opening of the rear surface platform not covered by the first and second opening covers of the rear surface platform. 
     Clause 23. The occupant support of claim 22, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the front platform defines a first plane and further includes a first wing and a second wing that each extend outwardly away from the front main portion of the front platform in the first plane, and the rear platform defines a second plane and further includes a third wing and a fourth wing that each extend away from the rear main portion in the second plane. 
     Clause 24. The occupant support of claim 23, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein a transverse extent of the front platform is equal to a transverse extent of the rear platform, and wherein a transverse extent of the first arm linkage is equal to a transverse extent of the second arm linkage, and wherein the transverse extent of the front and rear platforms is greater than the transverse extent of the first and second arm linkages. 
     Clause 25. The occupant support of clause 24, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the second arm linkage defines a third plane and includes a first extension and a second extension that each extend outwardly away from a main portion of the second arm linkage in the third plane. 
     Clause 26. The occupant support of clause 25, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the second arm linkage is pivotably coupled to (i) the first bottom edge of the front platform and bottom edges of the first and second wings and (ii) the second bottom edge of the rear platform and bottom edges of the third and fourth wings via the third hinge and the fourth hinge. 
     Clause 27. The occupant support of clause 26, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the front platform, including the front main portion, the first wing, and the second wing, includes a top portion and a bottom portion that are coupled together via a plurality of locking mechanisms. 
     Clause 28. The occupant support of clause 20, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein each of the first and second opening covers of the front platform is arranged to extend outwardly away from the rear platform. 
     Clause 29. The occupant support of clause 20, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein each of the first and second opening covers of the first arm linkage is arranged to extend away from the second arm linkage. 
     Clause 30. The occupant support of clause 20, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein each of the first and second opening covers of the rear platform is arranged to extend toward the frame away from the front platform. 
     Clause 31. The occupant support of clause 17, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the first and second hinges are living hinges. 
     Clause 32. The occupant support of clause 7, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the bias unit includes a first collapsible hinge arranged on a first side end of the front platform and a corresponding first side end of the rear platform and a second collapsible hinge arranged on a second side end of the front platform and a corresponding second side end of the rear platform, the first and second collapsible hinges configured to collapse inwardly when the reactive-occupant positioner moves from the pre-event configuration to the event configuration. 
     Clause 33. The occupant support of clause 7, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the bias unit includes first, second, and third collapsible hinges arranged on a first top edge of the front platform and a first top edge of the rear platform and fourth, fifth, and sixth collapsible hinges arranged on a first bottom edge of the front platform and a second bottom edge of the rear platform, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth collapsible hinges configured to collapse inwardly when the reactive-occupant positioner moves from the pre-event configuration to the event configuration. 
     Clause 34. The occupant support of clause 7, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the bias unit includes first, second, third, and fourth rectangular flat springs arranged between the front platform and the rear platform, the first, second, third, and fourth flat springs configured to compress inwardly to allow the front platform to move toward the rear platform when the reactive-occupant positioner moves from the pre-event configuration to the event configuration. 
     Clause 35. The occupant support of clause 7, any other clause, or combination of clauses, wherein the bias unit includes first and second semi-circular flat springs arranged between the front platform and the rear platform, wherein a first and second end of each of the first and second flat springs attached to the front platform and a midpoint of each of the first and second flat springs attached to the rear platform, and each of the first and second flat springs is configured to compress inwardly to allow the front platform to move toward the rear platform when the reactive-occupant positioner moves from the pre-event configuration to the event configuration.