US Patent 9132753 Energy attenuating seat and seat extension

Methods and apparatus are provided for an energy attenuating vehicle seat and seat extension. In one embodiment the seat and seat extension includes a substantially vertically oriented support column, at least one end of which is rigidly fixed to the vehicle structure. Upper and lower spaced apart seat mount bushings are attached to the seat and slidably mounted to the support column. An energy attenuating linkage connects the seat to the vehicle structure proximate an upper end of the support column. The seat may further include a seat extension platform pivotally connected at one end to the front of the seat, and the other end to an independent energy attenuating mount.