Energy absorbing seat assembly

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A vehicle seat assembly includes a generally horizontal seat structure and an upstanding backrest structure pivotally mounted on the seat structure for tiltable movement forwardly over the latter. An energy absorbing device mounted on one of the structures is releasably coupled through a latch device rears to the other of the structures. The energy absorbing device is operative, when coupled through the latch device means to the other of the structures, to control forward tilting movement of the backrest structure in response to high external forces acting on the latter.