A surgical wound retractor (12) is adapted to dilate a wound (10) stretchable to a desired diameter, the retractor includes a first ring (14) having a diameter greater than that desired for the wound and being adapted for disposition interiorly of the wound. A second ring (16) has a diameter greater than that desired for the wound and is adapted for disposition exteriorly of the wound. A plurality of retraction elements (36) are disposed in a generally cylindrical relationship to each other, between the first ring (14) and the second ring (16). These elements extend through the wound to exert a radial retraction force on the wound which is dependent on the distance separating the first ring and the second ring. Retraction elements, both distensible and non-distensible are contemplated with appropriate attachment means at the rings to provide for variations in the retraction force. Rings can also be made inflatable or self-expanding to vary the retraction force. An associated method includes the step of rolling the second ring circumferentially of the third ring (83) to form the circumferential retainer.

Wound retraction apparatus and method

The invention relates to a seatback frame for a vehicle seat, comprising a lower structure provided with two side uprights, and an upper structure provided with a horizontal torsion bar surmounted by an arch. The first end of the torsion bar is prevented from rotating relative to one of the two uprights of the lower structure and is secured to one end of the arch. The second end of the torsion bar is mounted to pivot freely relative to the other side upright of the lower structure, while being secured to the other end of the arch. A seat belt is mechanically connected to the arch of the upper structure, with said upper structure being dimensioned so as to deform plastically when the seat belt is subjected to a traction force.

Vehicle seatback frame, and a seat including such a frame

A seat assembly for over-the-highway trucks and tractors including a seat (10) having a frame (16), a cushion (17) and a back (25). The assembly includes a three-point seat belt structure including a retractor (52), a shoulder anchor (58) on a support (67), a lock (56) and an anchor (54). Vehicle cab and frame structure connected tethers (30, 31, 71) limit seat and seat belt movement in the event of an accident.

Three-point seat belt

A boat seat is pivotably hingedly attached along a line parallel to its front edge to a supporting member spaced below the boat seat with shock-absorbing resilient padding located in the spacing between the underside of the boat seat and the supporting member. Preferably the padding is slidably adjustable and also can be removed and replaced with padding of different durometers as necessary for differing conditions.

Boat seat shock absorber

An energy absorbing beam construction for use in vehicle seat belt restraining systems includes an energy absorbing beam which is mounted or fastened to a vehicle frame or vehicle seat frame. The seat belt retracting mechanism or belt buckle end of the seat belt restraining system can then be mounted to the energy absorbing beam. In use, when the vehicle is subjected to a head-on collision, the energy absorbing beam deforms elastically at collision speeds less than a target speed and deforms plastically at speeds greater than this to minimize injury to a vehicle occupant that may occur as a result of seat belt restraint.

Herbert C Rice

Papers

Passenger restraining system

Safety seat belt anchorage

Inertia-offset vehicle ride damper