A test assembly for evaluating vehicle head restraints comprises a carriage adapted
to be coupled to a drive member capable of moving the test assembly, a head restraint
coupled to the carriage and a manikin assembly having a head portion and a neck
portion with an upper and lower end. The head portion couples to the upper end
of the neck portion and the manikin assembly couples to the carriage at the lower
end of the neck assembly. The head restraint is positioned adjacent the manikin
assembly so that movement of the drive member causes the head portion of the manikin
assembly to contact the head restraint. The manikin assembly may further include
a load cell and accelerometer for evaluating the effectiveness and performance
of a particular head restraint design.