Restraint rod for vehicle seat assembly

Abstract

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat pan operably connected to a seat back. The vehicle seating assembly further includes a restraint bar connected to the seat back and operable between a first position and a second position. The restraint bar is equipped with at least one deployable occupant restraint device and is generally U-shaped.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to restraint bars and, more particularly, to restraint bars for vehicle seat assemblies. Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicles are often equipped with various occupant restraints to protect occupants during a collision. Vehicle seat assemblies tend to offer limited freedom of movement relative to the vehicle seat assembly within the vehicle's cabin. Consequently, occupant restraints tend to be fixed and positioned at fixed locations within the vehicle. Due to the increased freedom of movement relative to the vehicle seat assembly within the vehicle's cabin, there is a need to provide occupant restraints for vehicle seat assembly occupants at various locations within the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seating assembly includes a seat pan operably connected to a seat back. The vehicle seating assembly further includes a restraint bar connected to the seat back and operable between a first position and a second position. The restraint bar is equipped with at least one deployable occupant restraint device and is generally U-shaped.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention may include any one or combination of the following features:

[0005] The restraint lever can be further operated to a third position;

[0006] ● deploying at least one deployable occupant restraint device when the restraint bar is in the third position;

[0007] ● at least one deployable occupant restraint device including a first occupant restraint device and a second occupant restraint device;

[0008] The first occupant restraint and the second occupant restraint deploy from the restraint bar such that a deployment path of the first occupant restraint is not parallel to a deployment path of the second occupant restraint;

[0009] ●The seat back is equipped with a third passenger restraint device;

[0010] • the vehicle seating assembly further comprising a seat base configured to rotate the vehicle seating assembly about a vertical axis; and

[0011] The vehicle seating assembly further includes a thigh support positioned beneath the seat pan, the thigh support operable between a retracted position and an extended position.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seat assembly includes a thigh support positioned below a seat pan. The thigh support is extendable from the seat pan. A seat back is extendable vertically relative to the seat pan, wherein the seat back is connected to a seat base. A restraint bar is connected to the seat back and is operable between a first position and a second position. The restraint bar is equipped with at least one deployable occupant restraint device.

[0013] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention may include any one or combination of the following features:

[0014] The restraint lever can be further operated to a third position;

[0015] • the second position displaces the restraining rod by an angle of at least about 10 degrees from the first position, and wherein the third position displaces the restraining rod by at least about 35 degrees from the first position;

[0016] ● deploying at least one deployable occupant restraint device when the restraint bar is in the third position;

[0017] at least one deployable occupant restraint device including a first occupant restraint device and a second occupant restraint device;

[0018] The first occupant restraint and the second occupant restraint deploy from the restraint bar such that a deployment path of the first occupant restraint is not parallel to a deployment path of the second occupant restraint;

[0019] The seatback is equipped with a third occupant restraint device; and

[0020] • The vehicle seating assembly further includes a seat base configured to rotate the vehicle seating assembly about a vertical axis.

[0021] According to a third aspect of the invention, a method of operating a vehicle seating assembly includes the steps of detecting an occupant in the vehicle seating assembly, actuating a restraint lever to a second position, detecting a crash event, actuating the restraint lever to a third position, and deploying at least one occupant restraint device.

[0022] Embodiments of the third aspect of the present invention may include any one or combination of the following features:

[0023] • the step of deploying at least one occupant restraint device further includes deploying a first occupant restraint device from the restraint bar generally downwardly toward a seat pan of the vehicle seating assembly when the restraint bar is in the third position;

[0024] • the step of deploying at least one occupant restraint device further comprises deploying a second occupant restraint device from the restraint bar generally rearwardly toward a seat back of the vehicle seating assembly when the restraint bar is in the third position; and

[0025] • The step of deploying at least one occupant restraint device further includes deploying a third occupant restraint device generally forwardly from a seat back of the vehicle seating assembly when the restraint lever is in the third position.

[0026] According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle seat assembly, comprising:

[0027] a thigh support positioned below the seat pan, wherein the thigh support is extendable from the seat pan;

[0028] a seat back vertically extendable relative to the seat pan, wherein the seat back is connected to the seat base; and

[0029] A restraint bar is connected to the seat back and is operable between a first position and a second position, wherein the restraint bar is equipped with at least one deployable occupant restraint device.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the restraint lever is further operable to a third position.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second position displaces the restraining rod by an angle of at least about 10 degrees from the first position, and the third position displaces the restraining rod by at least about 30 degrees from the first position.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one deployable occupant restraint device is deployed when the restraint bar is in the third position.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one deployable occupant restraint device includes a first occupant restraint device and a second occupant restraint device.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first occupant restraint device and the second occupant restraint device are deployed from the restraint rod such that a deployment path of the first occupant restraint device is not parallel to a deployment path of the second occupant restraint device.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the seat back is equipped with a third occupant restraint device.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the seat base is configured to rotate the vehicle seating assembly about a vertical axis.

[0037] According to the present invention, there is provided a method for operating a vehicle seat assembly, the method comprising the following steps:

[0038] Detecting occupants in vehicle seat assemblies;

[0039] actuating the restraining lever to a second position;

[0040] Detect collision events;

[0041] actuating the restraining lever to a third position; and

[0042] At least one occupant restraint device is deployed.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of deploying at least one occupant restraint device further comprises:

[0044] When the restraint bar is in the third position, a first occupant restraint device is deployed from the restraint bar generally downwardly toward a seat pan of the vehicle seating assembly.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of deploying at least one occupant restraint device further comprises:

[0046] When the restraint bar is in the third position, a second occupant restraint device is deployed from the restraint bar generally rearwardly toward a seat back of the vehicle seating assembly.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of deploying at least one occupant restraint device further comprises:

[0048] A third occupant restraint is deployed generally forwardly from a seat back of the vehicle seating assembly when the restraint lever is in the third position.

[0049] Those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate these and other aspects, objects and features of the present invention upon studying the following specification, claims and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] In the attached figure:

[0051] Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a vehicle seat assembly equipped with a restraint bar in a first position according to one embodiment;

[0052] Figure 2 is a side perspective view of the vehicle seat assembly with the restraint bar in a second position;

[0053] Figure 3 is a side perspective view of a vehicle seat assembly with the restraint bar in a third position;

[0054] Figure 4 is a side view of the vehicle seat assembly with the restraint bar in the third position and the occupant restraint device in the deployed position; and

[0055] Figure 5 is a flow chart describing a method of operating a vehicle seat assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] For the purpose of description herein, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and their derivatives will be used as such. Figure 1 The orientation shown in the accompanying drawings is associated with the present invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention can adopt a variety of alternative orientations unless expressly stated to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are merely simple exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Therefore, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics of the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting unless expressly stated otherwise in the claims.

[0057] The illustrated embodiments primarily reside in the combination of method steps and apparatus components associated with the restraining rod. Accordingly, where appropriate, apparatus components and method steps have been represented by conventional symbols in the drawings, and only those specific details relevant to an understanding of the embodiments of the present invention are shown to avoid obscuring the disclosure and details that would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Furthermore, like reference numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.

[0058] As used herein, the term "and / or" when used in conjunction with a list of two or more items means that any one of the listed items can be used alone, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be used. For example, if a combination is described as comprising components A, B, and / or C, the combination can comprise A alone, B alone, C alone, a combination of A and B, a combination of A and C, a combination of B and C, or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0059] In this document, relative terms (e.g., first and second, top and bottom, etc.) are used only to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action and do not necessarily require or imply any actual such relationship or order between these entities or actions. The terms "comprising (present tense)", "comprising (present continuous)" or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article, or apparatus that contains a list of elements includes not only those elements, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, articles, or apparatuses. An element proceeded by "comprising ..." does not, without more constraints, preclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that contains the element.

[0060] Reference Figure 1-4The vehicle seating assembly 20 includes a seat bottom 24, a seat pan 28, and a seat back 32. The seat bottom 28 is operatively connected to the seat back 32. The seat bottom 24 is operatively connected to the seat bottom 28 and / or the seat back 32. A restraint bar 36 is connected to the seat back 32. The restraint bar 36 can be connected to a front portion of the seat back 32 and extend around a substantial portion of the perimeter of the seat back 32. The restraint bar 36 can be movable in a first position ( Figure 1 ) and the second position ( Figure 2 ) between the operation. The restraint lever 36 can be further operated to the third position ( Figure 3 ). In one embodiment, the first position can be referred to as the stowed position of the restraint bar 36. In another embodiment, the second position can be referred to as the stowed position of the restraint bar 36. In alternative embodiments, the second position can be referred to as the in-use position of the restraint bar 36. In some embodiments, the third position can be referred to as the in-use position of the restraint bar 36. According to some alternative embodiments, the restraint bar 36 can be pivoted to a position that places the restraint bar 36 in a generally parallel relationship with the seat pan 28 when the restraint bar 36 is in the in-use position (e.g., rotated approximately 90 degrees from the stowed position to the in-use position). The restraint bar 36 is equipped with at least one deployable occupant restraint device 40. The restraint bar 36 generally conforms to the contour of the seat back 32 to present an integrated and aesthetically pleasing appearance to the occupant. In one embodiment, the restraint bar 36 can be generally U-shaped. The seat base 24 can be configured to allow the vehicle seat assembly 20 to rotate about a vertical axis to provide rotational motion to the vehicle seat assembly 20. Alternatively, the vehicle seating assembly 20 may be mounted to a support structure that allows rotation about a vertical axis to provide rotational movement to the vehicle seating assembly 20 .

[0061] Refer again Figure 1The seat bottom 24 includes one or more mounting holes 44 that can be used to mount the vehicle seating assembly 20 to a support structure, such as the floor of a vehicle. The seat bottom 24, seat pan 28, and seat back 32 can be formed as a unitary unit. Alternatively, the vehicle seating assembly 20 can be assembled as a modular unit, wherein the seat bottom 24, seat pan 28, and seat back 32 are assembled as separate components of the vehicle seating assembly 20. The seat bottom 24 includes a lower portion 48 and two side portions 52 extending upward from either side of the lower portion 48. The lower portion 48 and the side portions 52 of the seat bottom 24 are configured such that a cavity 56 exists between the lower portion 48 and the side portions 52. The cavity 56 of the seat bottom 24 can be used by an occupant of the vehicle seating assembly 20 to store personal items (e.g., a wallet, luggage, shopping bags, etc.). Additionally, the cavity 56 of the seat bottom 24 can provide space for various components of the vehicle seating assembly 20, such as a motor and other electronic equipment or wiring. Additionally, the cavity 56 of the seat base 24 provides space for a thigh support 60 beneath the seat pan 28 that is operable between a retracted position and an extended position. The thigh support 60 can be extended or retracted to accommodate the comfort preferences of occupants of various sizes.

[0062] Further references Figure 1The seat pan 28 includes a seat cushion 64 flanked on either side by side bolsters 68. The side bolsters 68 extend upward from the seat cushion 64 and may form an obtuse angle with the seat cushion 64 to increase the width of the seat pan 28 from a smaller width at the seat cushion 64 to a larger width at the top of the side bolsters 68. Alternatively, the side bolsters 68 may form an acute angle with the seat cushion 64 to increase the width of the seat pan 28 at the seat cushion 64 and decrease as the side bolsters 68 move through the vertical direction. In some embodiments, the side bolsters 68 may include curved portions 72 at their upper extremes, which are both aesthetically pleasing and can serve as armrests for occupants of the vehicle seating assembly 20. The seat back 32 includes a central portion 76 flanked on either side by side wings 80. The central portion 76 of the seat back 32 further includes a seat back cushion 84. The seat back 32 may include an upper region 88 equipped with a headrest 92. The sides of the upper region 88 of the seat back 32 may include viewing apertures, audio speakers, task lighting, ventilation, and / or additional cushioning for the occupant. The seat back 32 may be connected to the seat base 24 via a track system that allows the entire seat back 32 to be actuated through a vertical displacement of up to approximately 150 mm between a lowered position and a raised position, enabling occupants of various sizes to customize the vehicle seating assembly 20 according to their height and comfort preferences. The restraint bar 36 is connected to the front of the seat back 32 and extends vertically upward along a substantial portion of the side wings 80 of the seat back 32. It conforms to the front and top contours of the upper region 88 to extend around the perimeter of the seat back 32. Thus, the restraint bar 36 is positioned at the forward and uppermost end of the substantial portion of the seat back 32. Thus, the restraint bar 36 may be a generally U-shaped structure. The size and positioning of the side wings 80 provide lateral restraint and additional support to the occupant during vehicle maneuvers, as well as additional retention and / or protection in the event of a collision.

[0063] Now refer to Figure 2 , the restraint bar 36 is shown in a second position that is a forward pivot of the first position. When an occupant is detected in the vehicle seat assembly 20 (e.g., by a proximity sensor, a weight sensor, a seat belt sensor, etc.), the restraint bar 36 can be placed in the second position. The restraint bar 36 is moved from the first position ( Figure 1) to the second position can be achieved by an actuator 120 that pivots the restraint rod 36 about a pivot point on the opposite end of the restraint rod 36. The actuator 120 can be positioned within at least one of the side wings 80 of the seat back 32. The actuator 120 can act on a hinge that hingedly connects the restraint rod 36 to the seat back 32. The actuator 120 can be, but is not limited to, a motor, a solenoid, a cable pulley system, and the like, including combinations thereof. The actuator 120 can further include a pyrotechnic or small explosive for quickly deploying the restraint rod 36. The second position of the restraint rod 36 places the restraint rod 36 in a staged or ready state so that the restraint rod 36 can be quickly deployed to the third position, which will be discussed in detail below. The second position of the restraint rod 36 can place the restraint rod 36 at a first angle 124 relative to the seat back 32. In some embodiments, the first angle 124 of the restraint bar 36 relative to the seat back 32 can be at least about 10 degrees, at least about 15 degrees, at least about 20 degrees, at least about 25 degrees, at least about 30 degrees, less than about 35 degrees, less than about 40 degrees, less than about 45 degrees, less than about 50 degrees, less than about 55 degrees, less than about 60 degrees, and combinations and ranges thereof, including intermediate values. In some embodiments, the second position can be the use position. In alternative embodiments, the second position can be the stowed position. In other embodiments, the second position can be both the use position and the stowed position, such as in embodiments utilizing a fixed restraint bar 36.

[0064] Reference Figure 3 , the restraint lever 36 is shown in a third position, pivoted forward from the second position. Actuating the restraint lever 36 to the third position by the actuator 120 can occur, for example, when a collision event is detected or determined to be imminent (e.g., by sensors on the vehicle). Collision events include, but are not limited to, vehicle-to-vehicle collisions. According to one embodiment, the restraint lever 36 can be actuated from the second position to the third position. In some embodiments, the restraint lever 36 can be actuated from the first position to the third position. The third position of the restraint lever 36 can place the restraint lever 36 at a second angle 126 relative to the seat back 32. In some embodiments, the second angle 126 of the restraint lever 36 relative to the seat back 32 can be at least about 35 degrees, at least about 40 degrees, at least about 45 degrees, at least about 50 degrees, less than about 55 degrees, less than about 60 degrees, less than about 65 degrees, and combinations and ranges thereof, including intermediate values.

[0065] Now refer to Figure 4Occupant 128 is shown seated in vehicle seat assembly 20 with restraint rod 36 in the third position. Therefore, a crash event has been detected or determined to be imminent in this position. A crash event or anticipated crash event can be detected using vehicle crash sensors. As shown, first and second occupant restraints 132, 136 have been deployed from restraint rod 36. Additionally, third occupant restraint 140 has been deployed from seat back 32. First and second occupant restraints 132, 136 are deployed from restraint rod 36 such that the deployment path of first occupant restraint 132 is not parallel to the deployment path of second occupant restraint 136. The deployment path of third occupant restraint 140 can be generally parallel to and in the opposite direction to the deployment path of second occupant restraint 136. First occupant restraint 132 can deploy in a generally downward and / or arcuate direction toward seat pan 28. The deployment path of the second occupant restraint 136 may extend generally rearward and / or downward toward the seat back 32. The deployment path of the third occupant restraint 140 may extend generally forward and / or upward from the seat back 32. In some embodiments, the force applied by the first occupant restraint 132, the second occupant restraint 136, and / or the third occupant restraint 140 may be sufficient to actuate the restraint bar 36 from the stowed position to the deployed position.

[0066] Refer again Figure 4 While the vehicle seat assembly 20 is described as having first, second, and third occupant restraints 132, 136, 140, it is contemplated that the first, second, or third occupant restraints 132, 136, 140 may be used individually to the exclusion of the remaining restraints, or that only two of the occupant restraints 40 may be used without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. The occupant restraints 40 may be configured to deploy only when the restraint bar 36 is actuated to the third position. Regardless of the number of occupant restraints 40 used, the occupant restraints 40 are configured to restrain and protect the occupant 128 during a collision event. The occupant restraints 40 may be, for example, deployable airbags. With the development of vehicles that allow the vehicle seat assembly 20 to be positioned more freely within the vehicle's cabin, the issue of providing a safe ride and / or user experience for the occupant 128 arises, regardless of lateral, longitudinal, and / or rotational positioning within the vehicle's cabin. Therefore, the vehicle seat assembly 20 of the present invention provides multiple deployable restraints designed to protect the occupant 128 during a collision event.

[0067] Reference Figure 5, a method 500 of operating a vehicle seating assembly 20 is shown according to one embodiment. The method 500 of operating a vehicle seating assembly 20 may include step 504 of detecting an occupant 128 in the vehicle seating assembly 20. Once the occupant 128 is detected in the vehicle seating assembly 20, the method of operating the vehicle seating assembly 20 may proceed to step 508 of actuating a restraint lever to a second position. Next, the method 500 of operating the vehicle seating assembly 20 may proceed to step 512 of detecting a crash event. Once a crash event is detected in step 512, the method 500 of operating the vehicle seating assembly 20 may proceed to step 516 of actuating a restraint lever to a third position. Upon reaching the third position, the method 500 of operating the vehicle seating assembly 20 may proceed to step 520 of deploying at least one occupant restraint device 40. In some embodiments, the method 500 of operating the vehicle seating assembly 20 may proceed from step 504 of detecting an occupant 128 in the vehicle seating assembly 20 to step 512 of detecting a crash event. Next, once a crash event is detected in step 512, the method 500 of operating the vehicle seating assembly 20 may proceed to step 508 of actuating the restraint bar to the second position. Stated another way, it is contemplated that the method 500 of operating the vehicle seating assembly 20 may reorder the steps so that step 512 of detecting a crash event precedes step 508 of actuating the restraint bar to the second position. In some embodiments, the method 500 of operating the vehicle seating assembly 20 may include the step of returning the restraint bar 36 to the first position (which may be the stowed position) if a detected impending crash event has occurred, the risk or threat has subsided, and no actual crash event has occurred. Step 520 of deploying at least one occupant restraint device 40 may further include the step of deploying the first occupant restraint device 132 from the restraint bar 36 generally downwardly toward the seat pan 28 of the vehicle seating assembly 20 when the restraint bar 36 is in the third position. In some embodiments, the step 520 of deploying the at least one occupant restraint device 40 may further include the step of deploying the second occupant restraint device 136 generally rearward from the restraint rod 36 toward the seat back 32 of the vehicle seating assembly 20 when the restraint rod 36 is in the third position. In other embodiments, the step 520 of deploying the at least one occupant restraint device 40 may further include the step of deploying the third occupant restraint device generally forward from the seat back 32 of the vehicle seating assembly 20 when the restraint rod 36 is in the third position.

[0068] The vehicle seating assembly 20 tends to provide limited freedom of movement relative to the vehicle seating assembly 20 within the vehicle's cabin. Consequently, occupant restraints tend to be fixed and positioned at conventional fixed locations within the vehicle. Because greater freedom of movement relative to the vehicle seating assembly 20 within the vehicle's cabin is provided, there is a need to provide occupant restraints for the occupant 128 of the vehicle seating assembly 20 at various locations within the vehicle. Accordingly, the vehicle seating assembly 20 of the present invention provides occupant restraints (e.g., first, second, and third occupant restraints 132, 136, 140) that can be co-located with (e.g., mounted on) the vehicle seating assembly 20 so that as the vehicle seating assembly 20 is moved throughout various locations within the vehicle, the occupant restraint 40 is similarly moved throughout various locations within the vehicle.

[0069] Those skilled in the art and those who make or use the concepts disclosed herein will recognize modifications of the invention. It should be understood, therefore, that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law (including the doctrine of equivalents).

[0070] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the construction and other components of the described invention are not limited to any particular material.Other exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be made of a variety of materials, unless otherwise specified herein.

[0071] For purposes of this invention, the term "connected" (in all its forms, present, continuous, past, etc.) generally refers to the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or removable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate elements integrally formed as a single body with each other or with the two components. Unless otherwise specified, such joining may be permanent in nature or removable or releasable in nature.

[0072] It is also important to note that the configuration and arrangement of the elements of the present invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovation are described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that numerous modifications are possible (e.g., variations in the size, dimensions, structure, shape, and proportions of the various elements, parameter values, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the described subject matter. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed from multiple parts, or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of interfaces may be flipped or otherwise altered, the length or width of structures and / or elements or connectors or other elements of the system may be varied, and the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between elements may be altered. It should be noted that the elements and / or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, and in any of a variety of colors, textures, and combinations thereof. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovation. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovation.

[0073] It should be understood that any of the processes or steps within the described processes can be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as limiting.

[0074] It will also be understood that changes and modifications may be made to the foregoing structures and methods without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it will be further understood that such spirit is intended to be covered by the following claims unless such claims expressly state otherwise by their language.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising: a seat back having a central portion flanked on either side by side wings; a seat pan operatively connected to the seat back; as well as a restraint bar connected to a front portion of the seat back such that the restraint bar extends vertically upward along a substantial portion of a side wing of the seat back, wherein the restraint bar is operable between a first position and a second position, wherein the restraint bar is equipped with at least one deployable occupant restraint device, and wherein the restraint bar is generally U-shaped. 2 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the restraint lever is further operable to a third position. 3 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 2 , wherein the at least one deployable occupant restraint is deployed when the restraint bar is in the third position. 4 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 3 , wherein the at least one deployable occupant restraint device comprises a first occupant restraint device and a second occupant restraint device. 5 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first and second occupant restraints deploy from the restraint rod such that a deployment path of the first occupant restraint is non-parallel to a deployment path of the second occupant restraint.

6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 4, wherein the seat back is equipped with a third occupant restraint device.

7. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 , further comprising: A seat base is configured to rotate the vehicle seating assembly about a vertical axis.

8. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 , further comprising: A thigh support is positioned beneath the seat pan, the thigh support being operable between a retracted position and an extended position.

9. A vehicle having a vehicle seating assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A vehicle seat assembly comprising: a thigh support positioned below the seat pan, wherein the thigh support is extendable from the seat pan; a seat back vertically extendable relative to the seat pan, wherein the seat back is connected to the seat base, the seat back having a central portion flanked on either side by side wings; as well as a restraint bar connected to a front portion of the seat back such that the restraint bar extends vertically upward along a substantial portion of a side wing of the seat back, wherein the restraint bar is operable between a first position and a second position, wherein the restraint bar is equipped with at least one deployable occupant restraint device.

11. A method of operating a vehicle seat assembly, comprising the steps of: detecting an occupant in the vehicle seat assembly; actuating the restraining lever to a second position; Detect collision events; actuating the restraining lever to a third position; and deploying at least one occupant restraint device; wherein the vehicle seating assembly includes a seat back having a central portion flanked on either side by side wings; the restraint rod is connected to a front portion of the seat back such that the restraint rod extends vertically upward along a substantial portion of the side wings of the seat back.

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