VARIABLE ENERGY ATTENUATING APPARATUS

摘要

An energy attenuating apparatus (170) for use with a seat (100) includes an elongated attenuator (171) having a resistance to bending which varies along its length. A bending mechanism (180) defining a nonlinear path receives the attenuator. Translation of the bending mechanism (180) relative to the attenuator (171) produces bending of the attenuator (171) to absorb energy applied to the energy attenuating apparatus (170).