Patents by Inventor Eric Kawabata

Eric Kawabata 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: 8276942
    Abstract: A combat vehicle restraint system accommodates a wide range of soldiers, both with and without battle, arctic, or chemical gear. The restraint system includes lengthened belts and an adjustable buckle position. The belts include loops for locating and grasping the belts, and separate lap and shoulder belts with small narrowing ends to prevent catching on gear. The belts are extendable from Inertial reels which are calibrated for off-road operation. The buckle engages each belt separately and includes a single action release. The buckle position is easily adjusted using an oversized knob so that a soldier may easily find and adjust buckle length in the dark, wearing heavy gloves, or with muddy slippery fingers. The latch/unlatch mechanism and associated hardware is an open frame type to reduce or eliminate affects of mud, dust, water or other contaminants on operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Conax Florida Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Van Druff, John Churilla, Eric Kawabata
  • Publication number: 20110043016
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system includes a seat base pivotally connected to a seat mounting point and seat back pivotally connecting to the seat base. The seat base pivot reside proximal to a forward edge of the seat base and the seat back pivot resides proximal to a rearward edge of the seat base. Each pivot includes a toothed rack, and an engaging member for locking the pivot. The teeth define a radius about the pivots. The engaging members are attached to the seat base and are actuated by levers attached to the seat base. A harness is attached to the seat to prevent injury of an occupant in the event of a unanticipated maneuver, crash, rough terrain, or turbulence. The restraint system comprises a robust mechanism to withstand crash loads and offer sufficient adjustment between sitting and standing positions to accommodate an occupant's duties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: Conax Florida Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Van Druff, Daniel H. Meggs, Eric Kawabata, John Churilla
  • Publication number: 20100320740
    Abstract: A combat vehicle restraint system accommodates a wide range of soldiers, both with and without battle, arctic, or chemical gear. The restraint system includes lengthened belts and an adjustable buckle position. The belts include loops for locating and grasping the belts, and separate lap and shoulder belts with small narrowing ends to prevent catching on gear. The belts are extendable from Inertial reels which are calibrated for off-road operation. The buckle engages each belt separately and includes a single action release. The buckle position is easily adjusted using an oversized knob so that a soldier may easily find and adjust buckle length in the dark, wearing heavy gloves, or with muddy slippery fingers. The latch/unlatch mechanism and associated hardware is an open frame type to reduce or eliminate affects of mud, dust, water or other contaminants on operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Conax Florida Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Van Druff, John Churilla, Eric Kawabata
  • Patent number: 7722081
    Abstract: A combat vehicle restraint system accommodates a wide range of soldiers, both with and without battle, arctic, or chemical gear. The restraint system includes lengthened belts and an adjustable buckle position. The belts include loops for locating and grasping the belts, and separate lap and shoulder belts with small narrowing ends to prevent catching on gear. The belts are extendable from Inertial reels which are calibrated for off-road operation. The buckle engages each belt separately and includes a single action release. The buckle position is easily adjusted using an oversized knob so that a soldier may easily find and adjust buckle length in the dark, wearing heavy gloves, or with muddy slippery fingers. The latch/unlatch mechanism and associated hardware is an open frame type to reduce or eliminate affects of mud, dust, water or other contaminants on operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Conax Florida Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Van Druff, John Churilla, Eric Kawabata
  • Patent number: 7594701
    Abstract: Aircrafts troop seating is lightweight and minimizes protruding features on which gear might snag. High strength webbing straps are added to a light weight seat fabric to add strength where strength is required, thus reducing the overall weight. The webbing is of a type used for seatbelts and meets fire regardant requirements. Seat belt style tension adjusters allow adjustment of the seating stretch to improve comfort and crash protection. Internal hardware attachment points are provided to reduce protruding features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Conax Florida Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Kawabata, Charlie VanDruff, Michael Duran
  • Publication number: 20070257480
    Abstract: A combat vehicle restraint system accommodates a wide range of soldiers, both with and without battle, arctic, or chemical gear. The restraint system includes lengthened belts and an adjustable buckle position. The belts include loops for locating and grasping the belts, and separate lap and shoulder belts with small narrowing ends to prevent catching on gear. The belts are extendable from Inertial reels which are calibrated for off-road operation. The buckle engages each belt separately and includes a single action release. The buckle position is easily adjusted using an oversized knob so that a soldier may easily find and adjust buckle length in the dark, wearing heavy gloves, or with muddy slippery fingers. The latch/unlatch mechanism and associated hardware is an open frame type to reduce or eliminate affects of mud, dust, water or other contaminants on operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Inventors: Charles Van Druff, John Churilla, Eric Kawabata
  • Patent number: 7275710
    Abstract: A mobile aircrew restraint system includes a track system and a trolley which runs along the track and carries a retractor which releases a webbing strap attached to a harness. The track is preferably an extruded or sectioned track which follows contours of an aircraft interior and may be removable and/or retractable to allow additional room for oversize cargo. The trolley includes an interlock pin which cooperates with interlock holes spaced one to two feet apart along the track, and includes a release handle for disengaging the interlocking pin. The strap retractor is attached to the trolley and is controllable to limit the payout of the webbing strap. The harness is worn by an aircrew member and is attached to the webbing strap by releasable buckles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventors: Charles E. VanDruff, Eric Kawabata, Christopher C. Culbertson
  • Publication number: 20060284012
    Abstract: A mobile aircrew restraint system includes a track system and a trolley which runs along the track and carries a retractor which releases a webbing strap attached to a harness. The track is preferably an extruded or sectioned track which follows contours of an aircraft interior and may be removable and/or retractable to allow additional room for oversize cargo. The trolley includes an interlock pin which cooperates with interlock holes spaced one to two feet apart along the track, and includes a release handle for disengaging the interlocking pin. The strap retractor is attached to the trolley and is controllable to limit the payout of the webbing strap. The harness is worn by an aircrew member and is attached to the webbing strap by releasable buckles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Charles VanDruff, Eric Kawabata, Christopher Culbertson
  • Publication number: 20060186723
    Abstract: Aircrafts troop seating is lightweight and minimizes protruding features on which gear might snag. High strength webbing straps are added to a light weight seat fabric to add strength where strength is required, thus reducing the overall weight. The webbing is of a type used for seatbelts and meets fire regardant requirements. Seat belt style tension adjusters allow adjustment of the seating stretch to improve comfort and crash protection. Internal hardware attachment points are provided to reduce protruding features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Inventor: Eric Kawabata
  • Patent number: 6698677
    Abstract: A pretensioner for tightening an occupant restraint, such as a seatbelt, against an occupant on a vehicle. The pretensioner has a locking reel which is activated when a signal is sent by a crash sensing device. When such signal is sent, the pretensioner causes a rack to turn a pinion, which is attached to a reel which tightens the occupant restraint. The pinion is allowed to turn freely by holding the rack out of its sphere of movement until the piston, which controls the position of the rack, is caused to extend. The pinion turns a shaft which is connected to a locking reel through a connector which is movable between a connected configuration and a disconnected configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: H. Koch & Sons Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Happ, Daniel H. Meggs, Eric Kawabata