US 11,865,957 B1
Inter-connected tethers at rear of seatback foam for occupant thoracic protection
Ashish Nayak, Bhopal (IN); Chin-hsu Lin, Troy, MI (US); and Prashant Kohakade, Maharashtra (IN)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Jul. 22, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/814,305.
Int. Cl. B60N 2/70 (2006.01); B60N 2/809 (2018.01); B60N 2/64 (2006.01); B60N 2/72 (2006.01); B60R 22/34 (2006.01)
CPC B60N 2/7011 (2013.01) [B60N 2/64 (2013.01); B60N 2/72 (2013.01); B60N 2/809 (2018.02); B60R 22/34 (2013.01)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method to provide thoracic region support for an occupant of a vehicle seat, comprising:
creating a tether assembly having a first tether oriented substantially parallel to a second tether, and a third tether vertically positioned between the first tether and the second tether fixedly coupling the first tether to the second tether;
fixedly coupling a first tether first connector and a second tether first connector to a first one of a vehicle seat back opposed seat frame members, and a first tether second connector and a second tether second connector to a second one of the vehicle seat back opposed seat frame members;
positioning a seat back foam member together with the tether assembly between a thoracic region of an occupant of the vehicle seat and individual ones of a seatbelt retractor and a tether retractor;
connecting a headrest to the seat back having a first headrest post and a second headrest post allowing upward and downward motion of the headrest;
positioning the headrest, the first headrest post and the second headrest post rearward of the tether assembly;
fixing the first tether to the third tether using a first connecting end of the third tether, and
coupling the second tether to the third tether using a second connecting end of the third tether.