Shoulder Belt Or Harness Patents (Class 280/808)
  • Patent number: 8414028
    Abstract: A seatbelt device comprises a seatbelt including a shoulder belt to restrain a passenger's upper body and a lap belt to restrain a passenger's waist portion, a tongue fixed to the seatbelt and parting the seatbelt into the shoulder belt and the lap belt, a first retractor fixed to a pillar and coupled to a tip of the shoulder belt, a second D ring attached to a position of an inner panel of a side sill below the pillar and supporting the lap belt so as to let the lap belt slide therein, and a second retractor fixed to another position of the inner panel of the side sill located in front of the second D ring and below a seat slide rail, the second retractor being coupled to a tip of the lap belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi Miyajima, Hiroaki Takeshita
  • Patent number: 8408599
    Abstract: A guide loop for a vehicle seat belt system includes a first portion configured for attachment to a body of a vehicle in one plane and a second portion extending from the first portion at an angle and configured for attachment to the body in another plane. The guide loop is fixedly attachable to and not rotatable with respect to the body. In another embodiment, the guide loop includes a third portion extending from the second portion and substantially parallel to the first portion. The third portion is spaced apart from the first portion prior to attachment to the body so as to define a channel that is configured for receiving a seat belt webbing. A guide loop for a vehicle seat belt system including a height adjuster includes a loop portion and a stop portion, and is fixedly attachable to and not rotatable with respect to the height adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: George J. Strnad, Steven J. Richter
  • Patent number: 8393645
    Abstract: Devices that can be releasably attached to seat belts and other restraint system webs to adjust the operational tension in the webs are described herein. In one embodiment, a seat belt web passes through a clamping device that includes a button movably coupled to a housing. In this embodiment, manual operation of the button in a first direction causes the device to clamp onto the adjacent portion of the seat belt web, thereby preventing the portion of web from being pulled through a web guide by a retractor. Manual operation of the button in a second direction causes the device to release the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Wiseman, Robert Desmarais
  • Patent number: 8382160
    Abstract: A belt latch including a connection plate, for connecting it to a buckle, and a latch main body rigidly connected thereto. The latch main body may have a cut-open hollow cylindrical portion housing a bending and clamping element arranged to rotate in relation thereto from a deflecting position to a clamping position if the force in an associated belt exceeds a defined force. A lid may be arranged to cover the cut-open hollow cylindrical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Disley, Ingmar Skarin, Andreas Nilsson
  • Patent number: 8376407
    Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle has a shoulder-belt extending diagonally across the seat. A belt tensioner applies tension to the belt in response to detection/prediction of a potentially unsafe situation by a safety sensor/control system. A support arm has an upper end mounted to the vehicle structure above an upper outboard portion of the seat. The support arm extends downwardly and a guide member is attached to the lower end of the support arm and engages the belt. The lower end of the support arm is movable relative to the upper end/mounting point such that when the tensioner is activated, the belt urges the guide member from a comfort position relatively far from the neck and/or upper shoulder of a seat occupant to a safety position closer to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Adolfsson, Gert Aldeborg
  • Publication number: 20130033029
    Abstract: A seatbelt relief device for a seatbelt having a shoulder harness utilized by a driver sitting on a seat in a motor vehicle behind a steering wheel. The device comprises a sleeve that fits over a chest portion of the shoulder harness of the seatbelt. A cord assembly extends from the sleeve. A mechanism is for releasably mounting the cord assembly centrally to the steering wheel in a pivotable manner, whereby the sleeve will pull the chest portion of the shoulder harness of the seatbelt slightly away from the chest of the driver to reduce pressure on the chest of the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventor: GARY HILL
  • Patent number: 8353534
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicular frame, a utility bed, and a passenger restraint assembly. The utility bed is coupled with the vehicular frame and includes a bed floor, a side wall, and a rear scat. The passenger restraint assembly includes a securing member, a belt and a retractor. The securing member is coupled with the utility bed adjacent to the rear seat. The belt includes a first end; a second end, and a securing portion. The securing portion is configured for selective engagement with the securing member. The retractor is coupled with the side wall. The retractor includes a carrier that is coupled with the first end of the belt and is configured to facilitate selective dispensation of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: David W. Arnold, Craig Mitchell, Justin Michael Winter
  • Patent number: 8348306
    Abstract: An automotive passenger restraint system of the lapbelt/diagonal shoulder belt type wherein a sensor and lookup table are used to detect the onset of a collision and provide a programmed (a) relocation of the inboard seatbelt anchor point to increase pelvic area restraint and (b) asymmetric airbag deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Atsutaka Tamura
  • Publication number: 20120248846
    Abstract: A height-adjustable deflection device that functions as the upper fastening point of a three-point safety belt which facilitates adjustment of the belt height and minimizes unintentional changes of the upper fastening point. The relative height of the upper fastening point of the belt is established by a slot formed in the device housing. In a locked position, the housing is engaged with a holder in a form-locking manner via connecting means to securely establish the upper fastening point of the belt. In an adjustment position, engagement between the holder and the housing is prevented to enable free rotation of the housing about a swivel axle. The configuration of the housing geometry with respect to the swivel axle, the height of the outlet slot thereby changes during rotation of the housing. The relative height of the slot, i.e., the upper fastening point, can be readily established on an individual basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Winfried Titz, Austin Jennings
  • Patent number: 8251400
    Abstract: A restraint system for a transportation vehicle may comprise a restraint member movably mounted to the vehicle. The restraint member may have a first leg and a second leg that travel together along opposite sides of a seat carried by the vehicle as the restraint member moves relative to the vehicle. A restraint harness may include a retractor that may be mounted to one of the first and second legs, and a lap web having one end mounted within the first retractor and an opposite end mounted to the other of the first and second legs. The lap web may be configured to restrain an occupant of the seat when the restraint member is moved to an occupant restraint position. At least one lock may be mounted to the vehicle and configured to secure the restraint member to the vehicle when the restraint member is in the occupant restraint position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip J. Davis, Brian Hood
  • Patent number: 8251429
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle including a folding rear compartment seat, the seat resides adjacent the vehicle body. The vehicle body includes a latch assembly accessible via a slot. A seat belt retractor is disposed within the vehicle body above the slot. A seat belt webbing extends from the retractor. The seat is comprised of a seat back and a seat base with a pivot interconnecting the back and base. An assembly including a striker and a webbing guide is secured to the seat back. The assembly comprises a first arm mounted to the seat back and engaging the striker element and a second arm adapted to receive the seat belt webbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Derek Shane Lindsay, Carlington George Demetrius
  • Patent number: 8246077
    Abstract: An occupant restraining device for a vehicle that can regulate a position of a seat belt, without occupying vehicle cabin space. An air belt device includes a retractor that is arranged to the rear, in a vehicle front-rear direction, with respect to a seat back, a seat belt that is pulled out from the retractor when applied to an occupant and that includes a shoulder belt portion for restraining an upper body of the occupant, and a belt insertion portion that is formed by indenting a portion, in a seat width direction, of an upper end of the seat back, and into which an upper side portion of the shoulder belt portion of the seat belt is made to enter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuya Nezaki
  • Patent number: 8240712
    Abstract: A shoulder anchor device is provided with a shoulder anchor (38) in which is formed an insert-through hole (40) through which a webbing (24) is inserted, and a slide plate (50) covering a vehicle cabin interior side of the shoulder anchor. A gap between an upper edge portion (52a) of an opening portion (52) at the slide plate (50) and a supporting region (42) that supports the webbing (24) at the shoulder anchor, is such that A>B where A is a gap dimension at a front portion side in a vehicle longitudinal direction and B is a gap dimension at a rear portion side in the vehicle longitudinal direction. A rear portion (152a) in the vehicle longitudinal direction at the upper edge portion (52a) is formed at a position at which, when the webbing (24) is twisted, the rear portion (152a) abuts a twisted portion of the webbing and correction of the twisted portion is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Fukuzawa
  • Publication number: 20120200070
    Abstract: A passenger automobile without B-column is provided that has front side doors and rear side doors. Two front individual seats are arranged in the area of the front side doors and a rear seat arrangement is arranged in the area of the rear side doors. A column for accommodating three-point safety belts for the individual seats is mounted between the individual seats in the area of backrests of the individual seats. This column is mounted in the floor of the vehicle. The shoulder belt of the respective safety belt is mounted in the area of the upper end of the column and the lap belt of the respective safety belt is mounted in the area of the lower end of the column. In a passenger automobile without B-column, a structurally simple safety belt arrangement is provided that has a favorable design for the front individual seats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Gian Luca BACCELLI
  • Patent number: 8235469
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable belt guide for the upper hold point of a three-point seat belt with a directing element, via which the belt band of the three-point seat belt can be guided, with a connecting element to fix the belt guide 4 to a backrest of a vehicle seat and with an adjustment element arranged between connecting element and directing element. It is provided according to the invention that the adjustment element is developed such that the distance between the backrest, i.e. the connecting element, and the directing element is variable perpendicular to the backrest and the directing element can be fixed in various positions vis-á-vis the backrest. In addition, the invention relates to a vehicle seat with integrated three-point seat belt in which the belt band of the three-point seat belt is guided by an adjustable belt guide connected to the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Isringhausen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Lutz Meyer
  • Patent number: 8226115
    Abstract: An objective is to inflate an inflation portion to an upward position, corresponding with a temple area of an occupant, at the time of a side impact. At a shoulder portion of a seatback 26 of a vehicle seat 12, there is an inflation-time cross-sectional shape regulation component 22, through which an occupant restraint webbing 16 passes. The occupant restraint webbing 16 has an inflation portion 18 that corresponds with a cephalic region 14H of an occupant 14 at the time of inflation. At the time of inflation of the inflation portion 18, the inflation-time cross-sectional shape regulation component 22 regulates such that a cross-sectional shape of the inflation portion 18 is an oblong shape which is long in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Sekizuka, Takuya Nezaki, Atsushi Hiroshige
  • Patent number: 8215675
    Abstract: A restraint system (14) for a seat belt (22) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The restraint system (14) comprises one or more pneumatic ports (42, 44) for actuating the restraint system (14) from a first position to a second position. The restraint system (14) also comprises one or more pyrotechnic ports (52, 54) for actuating the restraint system (14) from either the first position or the second position to a third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Norgren Limited
    Inventors: Mark Edward Byers Sealy, Hugh Christopher Bramley, Graham Barber
  • Publication number: 20120112444
    Abstract: A safety belt of the present invention includes a first backing member attached to the back of the driver, a first waist belt attached around the waist of the driver, a pair of first shoulder belts attached around the shoulders of the driver, a second waist belt attached around the waist of the passenger, a pair of second shoulder belts attached around the shoulders of the passenger, a plurality of waist belt attaching portions enabling attachment of the second waist belt to the first backing member in a freely detachable manner, and a plurality of shoulder belt attaching members enabling attachment of respective portions of the second shoulder belts located at a front side of the passenger to the first backing member. An attachment position of the second waist belt and attachment positions of the second shoulder belts to the first backing member are selectable accordingly among the plurality of waist belt attaching portions and the plurality of shoulder belt attaching members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Sadaaki Nishino
  • Patent number: 8146946
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for adjusting a restraining device. The method, system and apparatus can include a body foldably formed with a first segment, a second segment and a third segment. There may further be a first anchor and a second anchor disposed on an interior portion of the first segment, as well as a third anchor disposed on an interior portion of the second segment. Additionally, a backing material may be disposed on an interior portion of the third segment, on exterior portions of the first segment, the second segment and the third segment and extending beyond the exterior portion of the third segment and a coupling mechanism can be disposed on portions of the backing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Elizabeth A Emond
  • Patent number: 8136842
    Abstract: A deflector for a safety belt system of a motor vehicle with a metal core, which has a mounting aperture in the upper section (12) and a belt loop in the lower section, and a plastic element that encompasses at least some sections of the metal core. The plastic element having a first section (30), which is fixed on the metal core, and a second section (50) connected to the first section (30) by means of a film hinge (60), which in the fully assembled state covers at least the front side of the upper section (12) of the metal core and engages with the first section. In order to reliably prevent the second section (50) from becoming detached from the first section (30) in case an expanding curtain airbag makes impact on the second section, one of the two sections of the plastic element has a nose (40) with a first contact surface beside the film hinge, which in the fully assembled state is in contact with a second contact surface of the other section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Arno Kardel, Knut Janzen
  • Patent number: 8136210
    Abstract: A seat belt (2) for motor vehicles, has a restraining element (4) for a seat belt tongue (3). The restraining element protrudes from the seat belt (2), from only on one side thereof and the seat belt (2) may be configured as a multi-layer seat belt (2) forming a hollow space (5) between the seat belt layers (21, 22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Michael Strutz
  • Patent number: 8079616
    Abstract: A seatbelt apparatus is provided which can constrain a passenger by ensuring removal of a slack of a lap belt when two pretensioners are activated under two different time frames. A pretensioner of a seatbelt retractor is activated first, and a shoulder belt and a lap belt are pulled in a direction toward the seatbelt retractor. Subsequently, a pretensioner of a belt anchor portion is activated and pulls a seatbelt toward the belt anchor portion, and hence a one-way tongue catches and locks the seatbelt. Accordingly, the shoulder belt is prevented from moving toward the lap belt through the tongue. Therefore, removal of the slack of the lap belt is ensured, and hence a lumber of the passenger is firmly fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Higuchi, Yasuo Itoga
  • Patent number: 8052170
    Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle may include a tongue configured to slidably engage a seat belt; a retractor coupled to a portion of the vehicle, the retractor configured to receive the seat belt; and a height adjuster. The height adjuster may include a guide webbing configured to be secured to a portion of the vehicle; a frame supporting a locking mechanism; and a supporting surface to support the seat belt as the seat belt changes direction. The position of the frame relative to the guide webbing is adjustable. The locking mechanism is configured to lock the frame in a position relative to the guide webbing by clamping the guide webbing without input from the user and stays in position during a crash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Nick John Pelliccia, Christopher Joe Kranz, Thomas Grzybowski, Brandon Scott Marriott, Paul Michael Smith, David Sanders, April Lee Lampkowski, Lyle William Dunham
  • Patent number: 8037581
    Abstract: An anti-rattle tongue plate is provided that includes two different materials for being operably connected to the body of the tongue plate. One of the materials is softer than the other to minimize noise when the tongue plate engages against interior components of the vehicle such as during rough ride conditions. One of the materials is made into a distinct component for being operably connected to the tongue plate body. In this manner, the tongue plate herein eliminates at least one of the insert molds needed for prior over molded latch plates, thus providing manufacturing and cost efficiencies thereover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark F. Gray, Timothy A. Gandee
  • Publication number: 20110241328
    Abstract: A seatbelt device comprises a seatbelt including a shoulder belt to restrain a passenger's upper body and a lap belt to restrain a passenger's waist portion, a tongue fixed to the seatbelt and parting the seatbelt into the shoulder belt and the lap belt, a first retractor fixed to a pillar and coupled to a tip of the shoulder belt, a second D ring attached to a position of an inner panel of a side sill below the pillar and supporting the lap belt so as to let the lap belt slide therein, and a second retractor fixed to another position of the inner panel of the side sill located in front of the second D ring and below a seat slide rail, the second retractor being coupled to a tip of the lap belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoichi MIYAJIMA, Hiroaki TAKESHITA
  • Patent number: 8016318
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint apparatus includes: a retracting device that retracts one end side of a webbing for restraining an occupant so that the webbing can be withdrawn; a webbing holding portion that holds the other end side of the webbing; and a fixing member to which the retracting device and the webbing holding portion are attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuya Nezaki
  • Patent number: 8002358
    Abstract: A seatbelt system for a bench seat is provided. The seatbelt system includes a first seatbelt device that includes seatbelt webbing with a latch, a buckle to receive the latch, and at least one adjustable turning loop that is configured to adjust the vertical position of the adjustable turning loop and, thus, the webbing for the seatbelt. The adjustable turning loop includes a continuous, folding cover to conceal the structural components of the adjuster mechanism and rail assembly and to protect these components from debris and undesirable interaction with the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Marriott, Paul Smith, Thomas Grzybowski, Thomas Messner
  • Patent number: 7988196
    Abstract: A seatbelt assembly for motor vehicle occupant restraint applications of the three point type in which a lap belt section is formed of two layers of seatbelt webbing. The system may be implemented in connection with single or dual seatbelt retractors. A loop tongue is provided which is releasably affixed to a seatbelt buckle and has at least one slot which allows the free movement of webbing through the tongue between the use and storage conditions of the seatbelt system. An end of the webbing is also attached to the tongue. The system is operated by an occupant in a manner like a conventional three point restraint system using a single releasable attachment. Through the use of a pair of thicknesses of webbing in the lap belt section of the restraint system, control of reduced chest deflection and pelvic excursion may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Bin Wang
  • Patent number: 7980635
    Abstract: An auxiliary mechanism for a seat belt apparatus includes a support portion and a guide portion. The support portion supports a webbing in a manner drawable to the front of a seat back. The support portion is movable between a storage position, which is near the seat back, and a projection position, which is spaced further apart from the seat back than the storage position to draw out the webbing toward the front of the seat back. The guide portion guides the movement of the support portion between the storage position and the projection position, and then continuously guides the movement of the support portion along a vertical direction of the seat back at the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukihiro Matsushita
  • Patent number: 7971908
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat of a vehicle, a safety belt, and a guide assembly. The seat includes a seat back and an attachment feature that is operatively connected to the seat back. The safety belt includes webbing that is configured to extend in a generally diagonal direction across the seat back. The guide assembly includes a clip, a cord, an attachment mechanism, and a breakaway mechanism. The clip is configured for operative attachment to the webbing of the safety belt. The cord operatively extends from the clip. The attachment mechanism is operatively connected to the cord. The attachment mechanism is configured for selective attachment to the attachment feature of the seat back. The breakaway mechanism operatively interconnects the cord and the clip and is configured to separate such that the cord pulls free from the clip upon the application of a force to the clip or the cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Carol C. Hathaway, Thomas M. DiMambro, Alfred A. Jefferson, Steven G. Corrion, Thomas Tilly, Leslie A. Sajovec
  • Patent number: 7963562
    Abstract: A safety belt system for a motor vehicle is provided. The safety belt system comprising a safety belt, a shoulder portion of the safety belt, a buckle element, a mobile region of the buckle element, which under the action of forces caused by a crash is mobile from an initial position in which the safety belt may slide along the buckle element into a final position, in which the safety belt is fixed to the buckle element. The safety belt cooperating with the mobile region, such that the mobile region is movable by a force acting on the shoulder portion which tensions the shoulder portion in the direction of extension of the belt, from its initial position into its final position. The fixing of the safety belt on the buckle element is carried out by the mobile region itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Mario Wendt, Kliment Vidolov
  • Patent number: 7964130
    Abstract: A guide anchor for a seat belt, and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The guide anchor comprises a guide plate having a latching hole and a slide guide hole formed therein, a guide piece engaged with a lower circumference of the slide guide hole, and a first molded part for coupling the guide plate and the guide piece. The guide piece comprises a cover, and a second molded part injected into a lower surface of the cover. The second molded part has a recess formed in a longitudinal direction at a lower surface. The cover has cover eaves extending from a lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Byoung-Gae You
  • Publication number: 20110140405
    Abstract: Devices that can be releasably attached to seat belts and other restraint system webs to adjust the operational tension in the webs are described herein. In one embodiment, a seat belt web passes through a clamping device that includes a button movably coupled to a housing. In this embodiment, manual operation of the button in a first direction causes the device to clamp onto the adjacent portion of the seat belt web, thereby preventing the portion of web from being pulled through a web guide by a retractor. Manual operation of the button in a second direction causes the device to release the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Wiseman, Robert Desmarais
  • Patent number: 7942448
    Abstract: A vehicular seatbelt device whereby slack in a lap belt is sufficiently eliminated according to a traveling state of a vehicle, and a comfortable ride for a vehicle occupant is maintained. A seatbelt device comprises a belt retraction part and an actuator for driving the belt retraction part. The belt retraction part pulls part of a belt in a direction opposite the direction in which the belt is wound up by a belt reel so as to restrain the vehicle occupant. A controller includes a plurality of pre-set control modes for controlling a motor and the actuator in accordance with the traveling state of the vehicle, and selects and implements one control mode corresponding to the traveling state from among the plurality of control modes. The control modes include a mode for drivably controlling both the motor and the actuator, a mode for drivably controlling only the motor, and a mode for drivably controlling only the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shotaro Odate, Yo Ito
  • Patent number: 7938447
    Abstract: A seat belt apparatus simplifying an operation of mounting tongues to left and right respective buckles is provided. In the seat belt apparatus, a second tongue is held by a second tongue containing portion provided at a first buckle, and a first tongue is held by a first tongue containing portion provided at a second buckle. When mounting a first and second shoulder belt, and a first and second lap belt, when both of the first buckle and the second buckle are pulled to a front side of an occupant and an inserting hole of the first buckle and an inserting piece of the first tongue are opposed to each other, an inserting piece of the second tongue and an inserting hole of the second buckle are opposed to each other. When the inserting piece of the first tongue is inserted to the inserting hole of the first buckle, the inserting piece of the second tongue is inserted to the inserting hole of the second buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Toshihito Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 7922195
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system includes left and right inflating belts which are formed long in the vertical direction of a seat and in a belt shape enabling an occupant to be restrained; a first slider which is supported on an outer end side in the seat width direction by a support portion of one of the inflating belts in a manner to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the one inflating belt, and which retains an engaging member on an inner end side in the seat width direction; and a second slider which is supported on an outer end side in the seat width direction by a support portion of the other inflating belt in a manner to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the other inflating belt, and which retains an engageable member on an inner end side in the seat width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuya Nezaki
  • Patent number: 7887094
    Abstract: A tensioner mechanism that winds a webbing to restrain a passenger seated in a seat when a vehicle crash is detected is provided near the seat. A headrest body is provided to protect the passenger at the vehicle rear crash. A drive mechanism is coupled to the tensioner mechanism via a connection member, and configured to drive the headrest body in accordance with a webbing-winding operation of the tensioner mechanism. Accordingly, the seat structure can be simple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Masafumi Sakaida
  • Patent number: 7878546
    Abstract: A belt guide anchor is provided to improve handling operability of a seat belt even when a belt opening angle between a portion of the seat belt adjacent to a retractor and that adjacent to an occupant is increased. A belt guide anchor has a belt insertion hole into which a seat belt is fitted so as to be slidable and expanded portions formed on surfaces of the belt guide anchor facing the interior and exterior, respectively, of the vehicle adjacent to the belt insertion hole. In one form, a thin portion is formed in the expanded portion on the surface facing the interior of the vehicle at a position adjoining a part of the belt insertion hole facing the front side of the vehicle, and a thin part is formed in the expanded portion on the surface facing the exterior of the vehicle at a position adjoining a part of the belt insertion hole facing the rear side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Tabata, Tadashi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7866701
    Abstract: A sliding carriage for a height adjuster of a safety belt system has a carrier plate and an attachment structure for a deflector fitting, the attachment structure being made in one piece with the carrier plate. The carrier plate includes a bending portion in which the carrier plate becomes bent when a predetermined force acting on the deflector fitting is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Hersacher, Frank Ramsak
  • Patent number: 7857350
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle includes a first seat, a second seat, and a seatbelt mechanism provided at the second seat. A first frame member for supporting the second seat and a first seat slide mechanism for slidably moving the second seat are arranged to be vertically coplanar with the shoulder belt guide member and the belt anchor of the seatbelt mechanism. A first lock member is provided at a second frame member disposed adjacently to the first seat for supporting the second seat. A second lock member is provided at a supporting member for supporting the first seat. The first and second lock members allow a movement of the second frame member in a forward and backward direction of the vehicle and engage with each other for locking the second frame member relative to the vehicle floor when an excess load is received from the seatbelt mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Naoki Goto
  • Patent number: 7850205
    Abstract: Part of a seat belt, anchored at the top of the seat, adopts a conventional sash/belt arrangement (2a, 2c). The other end of the belt, however, passes under the seat base and protrudes up on the opposite side of the seat base to the above anchorage point. This other end carries a buckle to receive a conventional tongue which slides along the belt. Thus, in use, the belt encircles user's thighs (22) and the seat squab. In an accident a pretensioner activates which tightens the belt, somewhat raising and curling seat squab and user's legs (22), so preventing “submarining” (ie sliding of the user out from under the belt). Alternatively an existing lap/sash belt may be augmented by an extra belt passing from the seat top, across the chest, and around one thigh of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Lifebelt Pty Limited
    Inventors: Luigi Luke Pisaniello, Marcel Paul Stephan
  • Publication number: 20100301594
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat of a vehicle, a safety belt, and a guide assembly. The seat includes a seat back and an attachment feature that is operatively connected to the seat back. The safety belt includes webbing that is configured to extend in a generally diagonal direction across the seat back. The guide assembly includes a clip, a cord, an attachment mechanism, and a breakaway mechanism. The clip is configured for operative attachment to the webbing of the safety belt. The cord operatively extends from the clip. The attachment mechanism is operatively connected to the cord. The attachment mechanism is configured for selective attachment to the attachment feature of the seat back. The breakaway mechanism operatively interconnects the cord and the clip and is configured to separate such that the cord pulls free from the clip upon the application of a force to the clip or the cord.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATION, INC.
    Inventors: Carol C. Hathaway, Thomas M. DiMambro, Alfred A. Jefferson, Steven G. Corrion, Thomas Tilly, Leslie A. Sajovec
  • Patent number: 7832769
    Abstract: A one-piece stamped metal guide (128) for seatbelt webbing (112) in a vehicle (108) includes a mounting portion (242) for mounting the guide in the vehicle. The mounting portion (242) defines a mounting plane (352). A guiding portion (244) includes a guiding surface (256) having at least one guide element (258) stamped in the metal forming the guiding portion. A portion of the guiding surface (256) including the at least one guide element (258) is positioned outside the mounting plane (352). Laterally spaced side portions (246) connect the guiding portion (244) with the mounting portion (242). The mounting portion (242), guiding portion (244), and side portions (246) define a webbing slot (248) for receiving the seatbelt webbing (112) for sliding movement over the guiding surface (256).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Gleason, Jeffery Rosso, Devin Rewalt
  • Patent number: 7832770
    Abstract: A vehicle passenger restraint system is disclosed. The restraint system has a pair of vertically extending shoulder strap portions, horizontally extending positioning strap portions attached to the shoulder strap portions, and horizontally extending lower strap portions spaced vertically below the positioning strap portions. The shoulder strap portions may be contiguous with one another, so as to form one continuously linked shoulder strap portion. The shoulder strap portions and positioning strap portions may be connected to retractors. The restraint system is particularly suitable for use in emergency vehicles such as ambulances, and may be used in forward-facing, rearward-facing or side-facing seating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Intertek Industrial Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Bradley, Bradley T. Elliott
  • Patent number: 7823925
    Abstract: A head and neck restraint device controls the motion of the head and forces exerted upon the neck of a seated occupant in a decelerating vehicle. A body defines a collar, right and left legs, and right and left wings. The collar is tethered to the helmet. Each leg has belt interaction surfaces that provide a friction action on the shoulder straps. Left and right extensions or wings residing under the shoulder strap rearward of the legs provide a restriction of rotation of the body and thus a binding action on the shoulder straps. A cantilever action is induced during forward impact by the tethers pulling on the collar of the body and the binding action on the shoulder straps, thus reducing the forward motion of the body. The present restraint device does not attach to the structure of the vehicle, allows travel thereof with respect to the seated occupant, yet controls the motion of the occupant's head in order to substantially reduce neck loads on the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventor: Leigh R. Sargent
  • Publication number: 20100270786
    Abstract: A high mobility restraint for a side facing vehicle occupant allows the occupant's trailing shoulder to rotate forward during the vehicle collision by a controlled amount after the restraint is activated, and allows the occupant's lower torso to move by a controlled amount in the vehicle direction of travel during the vehicle collision after the restraint is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS SAFETY PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Marianne Kump, Andrew Walker, Stefan Meier-Arndt
  • Patent number: 7815217
    Abstract: There is provided a slant face at an upper portion of a seatbelt anchor. The slant face is formed in such a manner that its lower portion is located inward. There is provided an uneven portion that is formed near an upper edge portion of the seatbelt anchor so as to overhang. Accordingly, the curtain airbag can be prevented from catching on the seatbelt anchor even if the curtain airbag inflates downward contacting the inner face of the center pillar during its inflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Nakao, Motoharu Hirata
  • Patent number: 7810843
    Abstract: A guide loop assembly for a seat belt has a core body with spaced front and rear flanges and an arcuate bearing surface for the seat belt extending therebetween. An arcuate shell cover is provided and has a concave configuration relative to the arcuate bearing surface. The shell cover extends between the front and rear flanges thereof. The shell cover includes a bushing portion integrally connected by a flexible hinge to the concave core configuration portion. The integral hinge is connected to an impact cover as by threading a flexible portion of the hinge through a hinge portion such as a split pin on the impact cover. In a method assembly, the impact cover and shell cover are hinged together and mounted on the core. After the fastener is inserted through the assembly, the impact cover is pivoted about the hinge to cover a fastener for the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc
    Inventor: Mark Gray
  • Patent number: 7806440
    Abstract: A restraint assembly of a type including a seat belt assembly and a side impact air bag assembly. The seat belt assembly and side impact assembly are preferably mounted to a motor vehicle seat. The seat belt assembly includes one or two retractors, preferably each having roto pretensioners. A single gas source is used to actuate retractor pretensioning functions, as well as providing a gas source for initiating the production of inflation gas for the side impact air bag assembly. Preferably, these elements are all mounted to a motor vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Gunter K. Clute
  • Publication number: 20100244424
    Abstract: A buckle assembly configured to mate with a plurality of tongues may include a rotational lever; a latch plate supported by the rotational lever and configured to move in a vertical direction when the lever rotates; a plurality of latch pins, wherein each latch pin is configured to engage the latch plate at one end of the pin and one of the plurality of tongues at the other end of the pin in order to mate the tongue with the buckle assembly; and a rotational solenoid. A core of the rotational solenoid may be connected to the rotational lever, so that rotation of the core causes the lever to rotate and the latch plate to move in a vertical direction. Each of the latch pins is configured to disengage from the corresponding tongue when the lever rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher Joe Kranz, Paul Michael Smith, Thomas Mogg