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Path: utzoo!watmath!watdcsu!haapanen
From: haapanen@watdcsu.UUCP (Tom Haapanen [DCS])
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: U.S. auto head restraint designs
Message-ID: <538@watdcsu.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 23-Oct-84 12:25:09 EDT
Article-I.D.: watdcsu.538
Posted: Tue Oct 23 12:25:09 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 24-Oct-84 03:36:25 EDT
Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 57

I am curious about the U.S. auto manufacturer's designs for the head
restraints, which were made compulsory in 1968.  In general, a U.S.
head restraint looks like this:

          -----------
         |___________|       <- restraint
    -------------------- 
   |                      
   |       seat           

Where the restraint is attached to the seat by a single, flat metal
post, about 5cm (2" for you Imperialists) wide.  The restraint has
usually two positions, down, and up.

Most European and japanese cars have a restraint shaped like this:

           ----------    
           |        |    
           |        |        <- restraint
           ----------    
            ||    ||     
        ----------------
       |                |
       |    seat        |

The restraint is attached by two circular posts, each maybe 1cm
(7/16") thick.  The heasrest is adjustable, usually to 6-10 different
heights.

Now, for optimum whiplash protection, the top of the headrest should
be at eye level, or slightly higher.  When the U.S. style headrest is
at the lower position, unless you are a pygmy, it will give you zero
protection.  If you glance inside the average American car, you will
see that the headrest is in the down position (many people think it
looks silly in the up position).  Therefore, they are getting no
protection from the head restraint.  This will not normally happen in
a European-designed car (note: covers Rabbits/Golfs too, so no flames
for this!), as even at the lowest position there is considerable
protection from whiplash.

My question is: Why did GM/Ford/Chrysler/AMC design their headrests
this way?  Did they save costs?  Did they want to preserve the
aesthetic lines (!) of the bench seat?  Were they in a rush and didn't
want to worry oo much about it?  Gives you something to think about,
doesn't it (especially about the domestic automakers' concern for
safety...)?


Tom Haapanen		University of Waterloo		(519) 744-2468

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