Interpretation ID: nht87-2.81

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 08/28/87

FROM: CARL C. CLARK -- NHTSA OFFICE OF CRASHWORTHINESS RESEARCH

TO: JERRY PETERSON -- TARACO ENTERPRISES, INC.

TITLE: NRD - 12-00-87127

ATTACHMT: ATTACHED TO LETTER DATED 09/02/88 FROM ERIKA Z JONES TO GERALD PETERSON; REDBOOK A32, STANDARD 202; LETTER DATED 09/29/86 FROM DALE T FANZO TO DIANE STEED; PRM-202-001; LETTER DATED 05/17/88 FROM GERALD PETERSON TO ERIKA JONES, OCC - 2052

TEXT: Dear Mr. Peterson:

Thank you for the information on your RP-448 SAF-T-Headrest (P), for attachment to the rear cab window of a light truck. I am particularly interested in your drop tests, showing that a ten pound bowling ball (close to head weight) is sufficiently padded by the headrest to prevent the rear window from breaking when the ball is dropped onto the headrest on the window from 25 feet, i.e., with a contact velocity of 27.3 mph. A rear end collision by a vehicle of like weight would have to be with a velocity difference of about 54 mph for the head to hit the cap rear window at 27 mph, so your device does indeed provide excellent need protection. With the usual tempered glass cap rear window, the glass breaks with a need contact velocity of about 15 mph. T his would be a drop height of a ten pound ball with skin simulation of about 7.5 feet. The ball without the skin simulation would expectedly break the glass at a slightly lower speed. What results did you get?

From our National Accident Sampling System (NASS) in 1985, there were 15,000 rear and collisions requiring towaway invciving 24,000 occupants in light trucks and vans, producing 13,000 estimated injuries, with less than 500 of these being serious injurie s. However, from our Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) for 1985, 318 people were killed in light truck and van rear end collisions, although 217 of these were with the occupants in the striking vehicle.

This agency is concerned with the problem of head partial ejection in rear end collisions of light trucks, which at present do not have to have head restraints. As an after-market head protection device, your device appears from the data you have suppli ed, which we have not incependently checked, to be excellent for cealing with the problem of head partial ejection in rearing collisions. If the rear window, and hence the head restraints, are near enough to the head during normal driving, your device w ould also provide significant neck deflection (whiplash) protection.

Sincerely,

TARACO ENTERPRISES, INC. Empire Plaza 27 Empire Drive St. Paul, MN 55103

PRICE SHEET FOR TRUK-HEDREST

The basic price of the Hedrest is $ 18.95 a pair with quantity discounts given as stated below: Quantity Price Per Pair 1-499 $ 18.95 500-999 17.95 1,000-4,999 17.25 5,000 and over 16.95

Your company's logo or any other symbol can be imprinted on the Hedrest. The imprint is only available for purchases of 500 pairs or more. There is a nominal one time setup cost to cut the logo into the molds.

Companies located in Minnesota must also pay 6% sales tax.

Postage is paid by buyer - F.O.B. Shipping Point.

This price sheet is effective 5/1/88. It is subject to change without notice.