Patents by Inventor Donald C. Boyle

Donald C. Boyle has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8113584
    Abstract: A vehicle safety restraint system comprises a portable base having a mounting assembly and a restraint assembly. The portable base may be a booster seat. The mounting assembly mounts the base the base to the seat of a vehicle and the restraint assembly restrains an occupant of the base. The mounting assembly may wrap around at least a portion of the vehicle seat to mount the booster seat to the vehicle. The restraint assembly may comprise a five-point or a four-point restraint and may include a lateral support assembly. The restraint assembly may further include a torso support assembly. A method of mounting a portable base to a vehicle seat is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Boyle, Michael A. Wiseman, Thomas P. Woellert, James T. Anthony
  • Publication number: 20110037301
    Abstract: A vehicle safety restraint system comprises a portable base having a mounting assembly and a restraint assembly. The portable base may be a booster seat. The mounting assembly mounts the base the base to the seat of a vehicle and the restraint assembly restrains an occupant of the base. The mounting assembly may wrap around at least a portion of the vehicle seat to mount the booster seat to the vehicle. The restraint assembly may comprise a five-point or a four-point restraint and may include a lateral support assembly. The restraint assembly may further include a torso support assembly. A method of mounting a portable base to a vehicle seat is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Donald C. Boyle, Michael A. Wiseman, Thomas P. Woellert, James T. Anthony
  • Patent number: 7770969
    Abstract: A vehicle safety restraint system comprises a portable base having a mounting assembly and a restraint assembly. The portable base may be a booster seat. The mounting assembly mounts the base the base to the seat of a vehicle and the restraint assembly restrains an occupant of the base. The mounting assembly may wrap around at least a portion of the vehicle seat to mount the booster seat to the vehicle. The restraint assembly may comprise a five-point or a four-point restraint and may include a lateral support assembly. The restraint assembly may further include a torso support assembly. A method of mounting a portable base to a vehicle seat is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Boyle, Michael A. Wiseman, Thomas P. Woellert, James T. Anthony
  • Patent number: 7506413
    Abstract: A web position adjusting device comprises a frame defining a first web engaging surface, and a web clamping member movably mounted to the frame and defining a second web engaging surface The device is configured to receive a first web therethrough between the frame and the web clamping member with the first web normally clamped between the first and second web engaging surfaces. The web clamping member is movable relative to the frame to move the second web engaging surface away from the first web engaging surface to allow travel of the first web through the device. The device is further configured to receive and allow unimpeded travel therethrough of a second web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy R. Dingman, Donald C. Boyle, Thomas Mashino
  • Patent number: 7488038
    Abstract: A portable restraint system mountable to a vehicle seat may comprise a booster seat, a restraint harness mounted to the booster seat and a mounting harness coupled to the restraint harness. The restraint harness may be configured to restrain a passenger positioned on the booster seat. The mounting harness may have a connector attached thereto configured to releasably engage an anchorage of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Boyle, Julia D. King, Thomas Mashino
  • Publication number: 20080203793
    Abstract: A vehicle safety restraint system comprises a portable base having a mounting assembly and a restraint assembly. The portable base may be a booster seat. The mounting assembly mounts the base the base to the seat of a vehicle and the restraint assembly restrains an occupant of the base. The mounting assembly may wrap around at least a portion of the vehicle seat to mount the booster seat to the vehicle. The restraint assembly may comprise a five-point or a four-point restraint and may include a lateral support assembly. The restraint assembly may further include a torso support assembly. A method of mounting a portable base to a vehicle seat is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Donald C. Boyle, Michael A. Wiseman, Thomas P. Woellert, James T. Anthony
  • Patent number: 7347494
    Abstract: A vehicle safety restraint system comprises a portable base having a mounting assembly and a restraint assembly. The portable base may be a booster seat. The mounting assembly mounts the base to the seat of a vehicle and the restraint assembly restrains an occupant of the base. The mounting assembly may wrap around at least a portion of the vehicle seat to mount the booster seat to the vehicle. The restraint assembly may comprise a five-point or a four-point restraint and may include a lateral support assembly. The restraint assembly may further include a torso support assembly. A method of mounting a portable base to a vehicle seat is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Boyle, Michael A. Wiseman, Thomas P. Woellert, James T. Anthony
  • Patent number: 7278684
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting an add-on passenger restraint system to a vehicle seat is provided. The apparatus comprises a retractor affixed to the add-on passenger restraint system. An extension member extends between the retractor and a coupling member. The coupling member is configured to engage an anchorage attached to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald C. Boyle
  • Patent number: 7144085
    Abstract: A harness for restraining a passenger in the seat of a vehicle, such as, for example, a car, a van, or a bus, is provided. The harness may be configured to releasably couple with at least one rigid member mounted in the bight of the vehicle's seat between the seat's seat and back portions. The restraining harness may be a harness, a belt system, a child seat, or a booster seat, any of which may be configured to utilize any suitable coupling and to cooperate with the vehicle's own restraint system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles G. Vits, Christopher W. Foye, John David Scelsi, Donald C. Boyle, Guy R. Dingman
  • Patent number: 7077475
    Abstract: A child restraint system comprises a retractor attached to a child seat. A restraint harness is coupled at one end to the automatic retractor and is releasably attached at another end to a buckle attached to the child seat. The retractor is normally biased to tighten the harness but will yield to an opposite force sufficient to overcome the normal bias. The harness may be further tightened by actuating a manual adjustment device. The restraint harness may be any suitable restraint harness including a three-point, four-point, or five-point restraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald C. Boyle
  • Patent number: 7040696
    Abstract: A seat system for a vehicle having a plurality of seat spaced longitudinally of the vehicle in a row. A first seat of the plurality of seats having a passive passenger restraint for restraining a passenger occupying a second seat located behind the first seat and having an active passenger restraint comprising a seat belt system mounted on a movable frame mounted to a frame of the seat for restraining a passenger occupying the first seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles G. Vits, Christopher W. Foye, Larry E. Gray, Donald C. Boyle, John David Scelsi
  • Patent number: 7029067
    Abstract: A passenger vehicle seat and restraint system comprising a frame mountable to a vehicle and a restraint member and a seat member coupled to the frame to form a seat for supporting an occupant. The vehicle seat may further comprise a seat back frame movably attached to the frame and a restraint harness affixed to the frame and the seat back frame for securing the occupant thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles G. Vits, Christopher W. Foye, Larry E. Gray, Donald C. Boyle, John David Scelsi
  • Patent number: 6886889
    Abstract: A passenger vehicle seat and restraint system comprising a frame mountable to a vehicle and a restraint member and a seat member coupled to the frame to form a seat for supporting an occupant. The vehicle seat may further comprise a seat back frame movably attached to the frame and a restraint harness affixed to the frame and the seat back frame for securing the occupant thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles G Vits, Christopher W Foye, Larry E. Gray, Donald C Boyle, John David Scelsi
  • Patent number: 6868591
    Abstract: A buckle for use with a safety belt includes a buckle housing formed to define a cavity, an actuator aperture in communication with the cavity, and an insertion opening in communication with the cavity. An actuator of the buckle is coupled to the buckle housing and formed to include a button accessible through the actuator aperture of the buckle housing as well as a belt-anchor catch coupled to the button to move with the button. The buckle further includes an ejector spring positioned within the cavity of the buckle housing along a substantially central longitudinal axis defined to extend from a back end of the buckle housing to a front end of the buckle housing. First and second belt anchors are formed to be inserted, at least in part, into the insertion opening to engage the ejector spring and move the ejector spring to a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy R. Dingman, Gregory L. Woodard, Donald C. Boyle, Michael A. Wiseman
  • Publication number: 20040251722
    Abstract: A child restraint system comprises a retractor attached to a child seat. A restraint harness is coupled at one end to the automatic retractor and is releasably attached at another end to a buckle attached to the child seat. The retractor is normally biased to tighten the harness but will yield to an opposite force sufficient to overcome the normal bias. The harness may be further tightened by actuating a manual adjustment device. The restraint harness may be any suitable restraint harness including a three-point, four-point, or five-point restraint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Donald C. Boyle
  • Publication number: 20040239164
    Abstract: A seat system for a vehicle having a plurality of seat spaced longitudinally of the vehicle in a row. A first seat of the plurality of seats having a passive passenger restraint for restraining a passenger occupying a second seat located behind the first seat and having an active passenger restraint comprising a seat belt system mounted on a movable frame mounted to a frame of the seat for restraining a passenger occupying the first seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Charles G. Vits, Christopher W. Foye, Larry E. Gray, Donald C. Boyle, John David Scelsi
  • Publication number: 20040084939
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting an add-on passenger restraint system to a vehicle seat is provided. The apparatus comprises a retractor affixed to the add-on passenger restraint system. An extension member extends between the retractor and a coupling member. The coupling member is configured to engage an anchorage attached to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Donald C. Boyle
  • Publication number: 20040003486
    Abstract: A buckle for use with a safety belt includes a buckle housing formed to define a cavity, an actuator aperture in communication with the cavity, and an insertion opening in communication with the cavity. An actuator of the buckle is coupled to the buckle housing and formed to include a button accessible through the actuator aperture of the buckle housing as well as a belt-anchor catch coupled to the button to move with the button. The buckle further includes an ejector spring positioned within the cavity of the buckle housing along a substantially central longitudinal axis defined to extend from a back end of the buckle housing to a front end of the buckle housing. First and second belt anchors are formed to be inserted, at least in part, into the insertion opening to engage the ejector spring and move the ejector spring to a retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Guy R. Dingman, Gregory L. Woodard, Donald C. Boyle, Michael A. Wiseman
  • Publication number: 20030173817
    Abstract: A harness for restraining a passenger in the seat of a vehicle, such as, for example, a car, a van, or a bus, is provided. The harness may be configured to releasably couple with at least one rigid member mounted in the bight of the vehicle's seat between the seat's seat and back portions. The restraining harness may be a harness, a belt system, a child seat, or a booster seat, any of which may be configured to utilize any suitable coupling and to cooperate with the vehicle's own restraint system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Charles G. Vits, Christopher W. Foye, John David Scelsi, Donald C. Boyle, Guy R. Dingman
  • Publication number: 20030025380
    Abstract: A passenger vehicle seat and restraint system comprising a frame mountable to a vehicle and a restraint member and a seat member coupled to the frame to form a seat for supporting an occupant. The vehicle seat may further comprise a seat back frame movably attached to the frame and a restraint harness affixed to the frame and the seat back frame for securing the occupant thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Charles G. Vits, Christopher W. Foye, Larry E. Gray, Donald C. Boyle, John David Scelsi