The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 22, 2014
Filed:
Jun. 27, 2012
Raymond E. Kalisz, Livonia, MI (US);
Johnathan A. Line, Northville, MI (US);
Michael J. Whitens, Novi, MI (US);
Dana M. Niemiec, Livonia, MI (US);
Raymond E. Kalisz, Livonia, MI (US);
Johnathan A. Line, Northville, MI (US);
Michael J. Whitens, Novi, MI (US);
Dana M. Niemiec, Livonia, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
An active bolster is integrated within a seat for a transportation vehicle by covering an inner inflatable bladder with an outer cushion layer to provide a seating support surface. Seating loads are borne on the support surface from the weight of an occupant by elastic deformation of the bladder. When a vehicle crash event is detected, at least a portion of the bladder is inflated to extend a seat surface to protect the occupant. Size and weight of the seat are reduced as a result of the bladder contributing significantly to the normal cushioning of the seat in everyday usage.