IP Library Granted Patent US 8,056,427
Granted Patent B2
US 8,056,427 · App. 12/402,620 · Granted Nov 15, 2011

Adjustable face tool for positioning a free motion headform

Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,056,427
App. No.
12/402,620
Granted
Nov 15, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

An adjustable head tool (AHT) is configured for positioning a free motion headform (FMH) having a regulated FMH backoff requirement prior to an impact between the FMH and a target surface having a target point. The AHT has a built-in or a variable backoff angle relative to the position of the target point, and includes a cranial portion and an adjustable facial template. The cranial portion encloses a linkage assembly, and the facial template has one or more facial features. A rotary dial translates the facial template with respect to the cranial portion to maintain the regulated FMH backoff requirement. The cranial portion includes a forehead impact zone having a first set of demarcations, and the rotary dial has a second set of demarcations corresponding to the first set of demarcations. The dial is set so the second set of demarcations matches the first set during positioning of the AHT.

Claims (24)

1. An adjustable head tool (AHT) for positioning a free motion headform (FMH) having a regulated FMH backoff requirement prior to an impact between the FMH and a vehicle surface having a target point, the AHT having a backoff angle relative to the position of the target point, the AHT comprising:

a cranial portion at least partially enclosing a linkage assembly;

an adjustable facial template that is connected to the linkage assembly; and

a dial configured for selectively translating the adjustable facial template with respect to a selected primary impact point on the cranial portion to thereby achieve the regulated FMH backoff requirement while maintaining the backoff angle relative to the target point.

2. The AHT of claim 1 , wherein the cranial portion substantially encapsulates the linkage assembly, and wherein the facial template is configured as a facial model having at least one human facial feature.

3. The AHT of claim 1 , wherein the cranial portion includes a designated forehead impact zone (FIZ) including an identical external contour as a FIZ of the FMH, and further including a first set of demarcations, and wherein the dial has a second set of demarcations corresponding to the first set of demarcations on the FIZ.

4. The AHT of claim 1 , wherein the linkage assembly includes a pair of cams that are interconnected by a cam shaft, and wherein a rotation of the dial rotates each of the cams and the camshaft.

5. The AHT of claim 1 , wherein the backoff angle is one of a built-in backoff angle and a variable backoff angle.

6. The AHT of claim 5 , wherein the backoff angle is the variable backoff angle, and wherein the variable backoff angle has a value greater than approximately 5 degrees.

7. An adjustable head tool (AHT) for positioning a free motion headform (FMH) having a regulated FMH backoff requirement prior to an impact between the FMH and a target surface having a target point, the AHT having a backoff angle relative to the position of the target point, the AHT comprising:

a cranial portion encapsulating a linkage assembly and having a designated forehead impact zone (FIZ) with a first set of demarcations;

a facial template positioned adjacent to the cranial portion and adapted to move with respect to the cranial portion, the facial template being connected to the linkage assembly; and

a dial having a second set of demarcations each corresponding to a demarcation of the second set of demarcations, wherein a rotation of the dial selectively translates the facial template with respect to a selected primary impact point on the FIZ to thereby achieve the regulated FMH backoff requirement while maintaining the backoff angle relative to the target point.

8. The AHT of claim 7 , wherein the linkage assembly includes a cam assembly having a pair of cams interconnected by a cam shaft, and wherein a rotation of the rotatable dial rotates the cam shaft and the pair of cams.

9. The AHT of claim 7 , wherein the FIZ is constructed of a transparent material that is configured to allow the target point to be visible through the FIZ from a rear of the AHT.

10. The AHT of claim 7 , wherein the cranial portion defines a plurality of guide slots, and wherein the adjustable linkage assembly includes a plurality of guide pins that are each variably positionable within a respective one of the plurality of guide slots.

11. The AHT of claim 10 , wherein the backoff angle is a built-in backoff angle having a value of one of: approximately 5 degrees and approximately 10 degrees.

12. An adjustable head tool (AHT) for positioning a free motion headform (FMH) having a regulated FMH backoff requirement prior to an impact between the FMH and a target surface having a target point, the AHT having a backoff angle relative to the position of the target point and comprising:

a cranial portion at least partially enclosing a linkage assembly, the cranial portion defining a plurality of guide slots and having a forehead impact zone (FIZ) with a first set of demarcations;

an adjustable facial template connected to the linkage assembly, the linkage assembly having a plurality of guide pins that are moveable within the guide slots to allow translation of the adjustable facial template relative to the cranial portion; and

a dial having a second set of demarcations corresponding to the first set of demarcations, wherein a rotation of the dial moves the guide pins within the guide slots and translates the facial template with respect to a select primary impact point on the cranial portion to thereby achieve the regulated FMH backoff requirement while maintaining the backoff angle relative to the target point.

13. The AHT of claim 12 , wherein the facial template defines each of a nose portion, a lip portion, and a chin portion.

14. The AHT of claim 12 , wherein the backoff angle is built-in.

15. The AHT of claim 12 , wherein the backoff angle is variable.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034185/0789 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025781/0245 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025324/0515 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025315/0091 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025246/0056 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0048 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023201/0118 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 12, 2009
From: WANG, JENNE-TAI; NEAL, MARK O.; GAREAU, PETER J.; WILLIAMSON, JAMES E.; MILLERMAN, ALEXANDER
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 022385/0150 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100229663A1 · Sep 16, 2010