Abstract: A whiplash restrainer for use by riders in vehicles, generally in conjunction with safety belts. A helmet-like device is secured, with reasonable freedom of motion of the rider's head, to a shock absorber by a joint device. The shock absorber is removeably secured to the vehicle seat back.

Abstract: A child seat monitoring system for a child seat and a method for determining a type of child seat are provided. The child seat has a first region and an opposite second region. The child seat has first and second patterns disposed on the first and second regions, respectively, both indicating whether the child seat is a forward-facing child seat or a rearward-facing child seat relative to a vehicle seat. The system includes a first detection apparatus configured to detect either the first pattern on the first region of the child seat or the second pattern on the second region of the child seat. The system further includes a controller operably communicating with the first detection apparatus. The controller is configured to generate a first signal when the child seat is a forward-facing child seat.

Abstract: This invention is a vehicle safety system which provides lateral passenger restraint for certain accident events. The invention consists of lateral occupant restraints which are deployed in response to an indication that an appropriate event has occurred, or are deployed during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integral seat of an automotive vehicle having an underframe, a seat pan carried by underframe, a seat back and a seat belt mechanism, where the seat belt mechanism includes a seat belt with a tongue member that divides the seat belt in a shoulder belt and a lap belt, the seat belt having an upper end formed by the shoulder belt and a lower end formed by the lap belt, a primary automatic belt tensioner that is disposed on the underframe and in which there is secured the lower end of the seat belt and a secondary automatic belt tensioner that is disposed in the seat back and in which there is secured the upper end of the seat belt.

Abstract: An infant support cushion to provide a safe and secure environment for containment and retainment of an infant in a sitting position. The support cushion is provided with a resilient foam cushion body with a child receiving opening centrally therein and a contoured extremity receiving portions defined by an access opening inwardly from its perimeter front edge surface by oppositely disposed extending cushion arm portions. Interlinking fastener elements maintain the arm portions in an engaged closed position maintaining corresponding central opening therewithin and contoured extremity receiving portions for the infant's leg.

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.

Abstract: A collapsible child safely seat device for use in a vehicle, the device comprising a seating portion pivotally connected to a back support, the back support comprising a backrest portion and a headrest portion, wherein the seating portion and back support may be folded together, wherein the sealing portion and the back support may be laterally narrowed, and wherein the headrest portion can be retracted or folded to at least partially overlap with the backrest portion, whereby the collapsible child safety seat device can be transformed between a deployed position where all the parts are deployed and a compact position where all the parts are collapsed.

Abstract: A side impact protector is configured to be worn by a youth seated in a child-restraint system anchored in place on a vehicle seat. Such a protector may also be worn by a person of any age seated in a vehicle and restrained using a seat belt harness of the type found onboard a vehicle.

Abstract: A cargo harness for securing an item resting on a vehicle seat with a back support. The harness has three belts. The first belt wraps around the seat back support and is tightened with fasteners at the end of the belt. The second belt, which is attached to the first belt, wraps around the piece of cargo in the horizontal plane and is tightened with fasteners at the end of the belt. The third belt is also attached to the first belt, and it wraps around the piece of cargo in the vertical plane and is tightened with fasteners at the end of the belt. The seat back belt and the horizontal cargo belt form a FIG. 8 when viewed from above. The vertical cargo belt lies in a vertical plane that bisects the ends of the FIG. 8.

Abstract: A child restraint assembly for a child vehicle seat includes a buckle assembly including a buckle and a pair of latches, a harness coupled to the buckle assembly, and a harness adjuster to adjust the harness. The buckle includes a buckle actuator slidably between a first position and a second position relative to a front surface of the buckle to unlock the buckle assembly. The harness adjuster includes a housing and a harness adjuster actuator movable between a first position and a second position relative to a front surface of the housing to unlock the harness adjuster. Movement of the buckle actuator from the first position to the second position is in the same direction as movement of the harness adjuster actuator from the first position to the second position. The buckle can include a grip surface of sufficient thickness to enable a user to brace a finger against the buckle grip surface when actuating the buckle actuator.

Abstract: A back and internal organ supportive belt that can be installed in a chair or a seat, including the driver's seat of a vehicle or the operator's seat of a piece of equipment, to provide support to internal organs, and to the musculoskeletal system of the driver or operator. The back and internal organ supportive belt includes an inelastic support structure with upper and lower sections; belts and straps for fastening the belt to a seat, and for strapping the driver/operator into the supportive belt; vertically extendable foam lordotic support pads; an inflatable bladder for applying vertical extension and lumbar vertebrae distraction; and a pad for providing heat and/or vibration for the driver's or operator's further comfort.

Abstract: A light-weight portable vertebrae decompression support device comprising a pair of arm rests with selectively adjustable members connecting the arm rests and a base member. The base member is adapted to rest on a seat. The selective adjustment raises and lowers the height of the arm rests with respect to the base. The support device provides arm support sufficient to decompress the vertebrae and aids persons recovering from back surgery or those with chronic back problems. The support device can be made adjustable to fit different girth persons.

Abstract: A plated automotive part and method of plating are provided. One or more semi-bright finish layers of nickel are plated onto an automotive part. One or more bright finish layers of nickel are plated onto the outermost, semi-bright finish layer of nickel. One or more layers of an alloy are plated onto the outermost, bright-finish layer of nickel. The alloy has a Vickers hardness of 400 VHN or greater.

Abstract: A back support (6) comprising a first support element (7) adapted to be mounted on a seat back (3), and a second support element (21) adapted to be mounted to the back of a user, the elements (7, 21) each being provided with securing means (7?, 24) to secure the support elements (7, 21) together when the support elements (7, 21) are placed together. The arrangement is such that, in use, the first support element (7) supports the second support element (21) so that the back of a user of the back support (6) is in traction. The means to secure the elements together comprises a hook-and-loop-type pad on each support element (7, 21) or a tongue and groove arrangement.

Abstract: A light-weight portable vertebrae decompression support device comprising a pair of arm rests with selectively adjustable members connecting the arm rests and a base member. The base member is adapted to rest on a seat. The selective adjustment raises and lowers the height of the arm rests with respect to the base. The support device provides arm support sufficient to decompress the vertebrae and aids persons recovering from back surgery or those with chronic back problems. The support device can be made adjustable to fit different girth persons.

Abstract: A golf cart safety bar device is activated by occupied cart seats operatively installed on the cart frame to swivel about hinges and on spring biases. The safety bar device includes a pair of laterally adjacent driver/passenger seat bottoms each having a front end and a rear end. A weight is installed internally or externally of the cart frame to hold up the seat front at rest until the seating passenger depresses it. The weight means provides an eccentric weight about its own axis of rotation. A safety bar is fixed at one end to the weight means with the opposite end protruding upright at rest in preparation for a passenger to board the cart without a blocking. When passengers sit the safety bars are lowered limiting lateral outward movement of passengers from the cabin. The safety bars block the entrances or exits.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning an occupant of a vehicle in an area of a closeable roof hatch includes a carrier frame suspended within a vehicle below the roof hatch and including a vertical support portion and a horizontal standing area connected to the vertical support portion. A seat assembly for the occupant has a backrest which is guided by the vertical support portion for movement in a vertical direction between upper and lower end positions and is spring-biased to seek the upper end position. The seat assembly has a seating area, which is swingably mounted to a lower end of the backrest, and a coupling brace, which has one end swingably mounted to the seating area and another end swingably mounted to the standing area. Connected to the seat assembly is a seat belt for fastening the occupant.

Abstract: A traction chair system for efficiently relieving an individual of lower back pain. The traction chair system includes a chair frame, a seat, a plurality of actuators attached between the chair frame and the seat for elevating/lowering the seat, a backrest, a harness attached to the backrest for securing an individual to the backrest, a motor mechanically elevating/lowering the backrest, and a control unit in communication with the actuators and the motor. A scale is positioned within the seat and in communication with the control unit for providing feedback to the individual regarding the actual amount of traction occurring. The amount of traction being applied to an individual is shown upon a display of the control unit.

Abstract: A sleeper bunk restraining system includes a sleeper bunk configured to be carried by a vehicle and having a top surfaced defining a length upon which an occupant may rest. The bunk includes a stationary portion and a moveable portion defined along the length, and the moveable portion is movable toward the stationary portion to form an occupant restraining barrier. A restraining member may be included and is configured for releasable connection to the vehicle such that the restraining member restrains movement of the movable portion of the bunk relative to the stationary portion of the bunk to thereby maintain the occupant restraining barrier in an occupant restraining position.

Abstract: A seat and shoulder belt protective cushion configuration for use in motor vehicles and the like. The cushion has pairs of elongated cushion extension arms extending from a central body member and a removable vertically disposed cushion portion that extends to provide shoulder belt displacement preventative element above the co-planar top edge surface of the respective upper cushion arm extensions for a child. The protective cushion is positioned between the occupant and a seat belt assembly securely restraining the occupant in place in the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An abdominal exercise device for use by a person sitting in an automobile seat and doing crunches. An automobile seat-engaging member engages either the back or the head rest of the automobile seat. An elastic resistance strap extends through the automobile seat-engaging member and forward thereof to be gripped by the person sitting in the automobile seat so as to add resistance as the person sitting in the automobile seat does the crunches. The elastic resistance strap enters the automobile seat-engaging member from close to one end, and leaving an exposed portion thereof extending out of the automobile seat-engaging member extends through the automobile seat-engaging member, and exits the automobile seat-engaging member from close to the other end thereof and leaving another exposed portion thereof extending out of the automobile seat-engaging member.

Abstract: A restraint system for restraining a person in a vehicle of transportation, includes a safety harness having length adjustable shoulder belts and a buckle for connecting the shoulder belt on a chest-side of a person and a stiff U-shaped shoulder yoke having legs, which are contoured to a torso of the person, and a high collar interconnecting the legs, whereby the shoulder belts are secured by a fastening mechanism behind the collar. The legs of the shoulder yoke and the shoulder belts have confronting sides which are formed, at least partially, with an interacting engagement structure which is configured to increase friction as the shoulder belts move in relation to the legs in longitudinal direction, while inhibiting a displacement of the shoulder belts in relation to the legs in transverse direction.

Abstract: An infant support structure having a seat and an adjustment mechanism that is configured to adjust the receiving area of the seat.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapidly restraining a person for an extended period of time at a seat are disclosed. The inventive apparatus includes a pair of wrist cuff modules, each supplied with a releasable connector, configured to either attach to existing hardware on one or more seats, or to a first interconnect for releasably connecting the wrist cuff modules to one another behind the seat in which the restrained person is positioned. A set of two ankle cuff modules with a second interconnect and an elongated connection member secured to the second interconnect is provided for securing the person's legs by applying the ankle cuff modules to the ankles and then connecting the connection member to a seat. The second interconnect may be provided with an optional quick release mechanism that enables instant disconnection of the second interconnect from the ankle cuff modules to immediately free the person's legs in case of an emergency.

Abstract: A description is given of a device for avoiding or limiting the tilting of the head forwards and/or to the side of a passenger sitting in a seat which has a backrest, having at least one one-piece or multi-piece head-support element which comprises one or more cushion-like elements (1a, 1b; 11a, 11b). The head-tilting protection described is distinguished by the fact that the one or more cushion-like elements are designed and dimensioned such that, in the position worn as intended, they are able to completely surround the side and front sections of the neck and/or of the head of the passenger, resting on the shoulders and/or the chest region of the passenger.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed for a planar seating apparatus having a seat support in a first plane, a back support in a second plane and coupled to the seat support, and a plurality of side supports coupled to the back support. The plurality of side supports are adjustable and capable of folding, as is the back support, to provide a compact and easily transportable and storable device.

Abstract: A low profile sensor assembly for use in a vehicle occupant sensing system that comprises a base, an upper slide member, and at least one intermediate guide member. Also disclosed is a low profile sensor assembly for use in a vehicle occupant sensing system that comprises a base with an outer step and a receptacle, and the low profile sensor assembly also comprises an upper slide member with a lower flange and a retainer. The outer step is adapted to accept the lower flange, and the receptacle is adapted to accept the retainer. The intermediate guide member, the outer step, and the receptacle each allow the respective upper slide member to move further toward the base. Thus, when the low profile sensor assembly is incorporated into a vehicle seat assembly, the low profile sensor assembly is less likely to detrimentally affect the comfort level of the vehicle seat assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant sensing system that includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly has a housing that includes a base and an upper slide member. The upper slide member is moveable toward and away from the base. A sensor is operatively fixed relative to at least one of the upper slide member and the base and is operable to detect movement of the upper slide member toward and away from the base. Additionally, the vehicle occupant sensing system includes a variable biasing member adapted to bias the upper slide member away from the base with a force that is non-linearly related to movement of the upper slide member toward and away from the base. The vehicle occupant sensing system of the present invention may be employed in a vehicle seat assembly to detect a condition of the vehicle seat assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing motion therapy to a physically-challenged child includes an adjustable seat attached to the base of an amusement-type carriage device by a spring mechanism and having a back portion to provide lower back support to the child. An adjustable torso support mechanism is mounted on the amusement-type carriage device and provides lateral support to the child while seated on the ride. The torso support includes rotatable support arms to which are fastened adjustable hand brackets and hand pads, all mounted on vertically-positioned spine rods. An adjustable headrest support is mounted on the amusement-type carriage device to provide head and neck support to the child. An adjustable shoulder strap secures the child in a stable position during operation. A lap belt is also provided to securely position the child inside the torso support mechanism.

Abstract: The seat unit of a stroller includes a seat frame mounted on a stroller frame, a backrest frame unit, and a pad assembly. The backrest frame unit includes a backrest support mounted on the seat frame, and a movable frame member connected pivotally to the backrest support and pivotable from a folded position, where the movable frame member is disposed proximate to the backrest support to form a seating space adapted for seating of a baby therein, to an unfolded position, where the movable frame member extends inclinedly from the backrest support to form a reclining space adapted for reclining of the baby therein. The pad assembly includes a seat pad, a back pad and a backrest pad mounted on the seat frame, the backrest support and the movable frame member, respectively.

Abstract: A base section supports a revolution section. The revolution section supports a tilting section. The tilting section supports a seat section. The seat section includes a seat, a seat back and a step. The seat back has a restraining section. The restraining section includes an occipital region retainer and a temple retainer. Subject is seated with its occipital region and temples restrained by the restraining section. The head of subject is tilted on one side down from a head's horizontal plane in the Reid stereotaxic coordinate system to place one of left and right othlith organs within the head's horizontal plane. In this tilted position, different liner acceleration stimuli are applied to left and right otolith organs, respectively, for independent function tests of the left and right otolith organs.

Abstract: A child car seat restraint assembly for providing a safety restraint system for children especially between the ages of 3 and 6 years old.

Abstract: A booster seat head rest comprises a harness assembly and at least one pillow attached to and suspended from the harness assembly.

Abstract: The Vehicle Body Armor Support System (V-BASS) significantly enhances the survivability of vehicle crewmembers and occupants in aircraft and ground vehicles from high velocity projectiles such as shrapnel or bullets at minimum weight burden on the vehicle occupants. Current heavy body armor systems weigh 20 to 40 pounds. The majority of this weight is carried on the vehicle occupant's torso and transferred through the occupant'spine to the seat. The Vehicle Body Armor Support System invention allows the direct transfer of the heavy body armor system's weight directly to the seat or other points in the vehicle without burdening the occupant. This invention is comprised of a vehicle platform; an occupant seat supported by the vehicle platform; an occupant armor component carried on the occupant designed in such a fashion to transfer the weight of the armored component from the occupant to the seat or other points in the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides an automobile seat belt structure and an assist apparatus thereof which can provide a comfortable drive environment by restraining nothing of a chest of an occupant by a seat belt, remove a pressure feeling of the chest for an occupant having a disease in the chest, an occupant having a hypertension, a headache or a retch and the like, and can secure safety with respect to various body types such as a physical build of the occupant, a child and a tall figure, a fatness and the like. Further, the invention provides an automobile seat belt structure and an assist apparatus thereof which can completely prevent a so-called submarine phenomenon that an occupant slides out from a lower area of a belt and strongly collides with a dash board or the like, when an accident is generated.

Abstract: A method of helping to secure an infant in a child's car seat and to prevent slouching of the infant in the car seat includes the step of placing a cushion having a unitary tube shaped structure into the car seat and placing an infant into the car seat where the tube-shaped structure has an upside-down U-shape including two legs with two axial ends and a base portion where the two legs are joined together. The base portion is located at the top of the back surface of the car seat and the two axial ends of the legs are located at the free edge of the seat surface of the car seat. The cushion legs engage the side walls of the car seat. The method includes the step of placing the infant into the car seat so that the infant is surrounded by the cushion base portion and legs to reduce the surface area of the car seat for the infant to occupy in order to help to minimize slouching of the infant in the car seat.

Abstract: A thin and light webbing having a high strength per warp yarn unit, maintaining abrasion resistance, and using, as a warp yarn, a very strong polyester multifilament yarn for a seat belt made by fine single-yarn fibers. A yarn obtained by performing a twisting process of a high degree of twist is used as a warp yarn. The polyester multifilament yarn of fine single-fibers is essential to be woven at the maximum stretch ratio in a yarn making process to obtain a very-strong polyester fiber for a seat belt. A multifilament yarn and/or a monofilament yarn of polyester is/are used as weft yarns. By making the weft yarns and warp yarns cross each other so as to be woven in a belt like configuration, a webbing having a very high strength per unit of warp yarns, using low-cost base yarns, and maintaining abrasion resistance is obtained.

Abstract: A motor retractor system includes a first winding device having a motor for driving a shoulder belt in a winding direction, and a second winding device having a tension-applying device for always applying a tension in a winding direction to a lap belt extending from the shoulder belt through a through-tongue. A control unit controls the motor to drive when the through-tongue coupled to the buckle is released from the buckle. Therefore, the shoulder belt can be smoothly pulled out. When the through-tongue is buckled up, an occupant can be restrained by the seat belt with a comfortable force and no slack. When the through-tongue is released from the buckle, the seat belt can be promptly withdrawn to the first winding device.

Abstract: A head restraint for a passenger of a vehicle including a seat with a seat back, a helmet pivotally secured to the seat back and having an interior for receiving a human head therein, and an inertia harness connected to the helmet for restricting relative movement of the helmet upon application of forces beyond a desired level to the vehicle. A universal joint secures the helmet to the seat back. The helmet includes a rigid outer shell, a resilient member layer affixed to an interior surface of the outer shell, a packing layer affixed to an interior surface of the resilient member layer, and a pliable layer affixed to an interior surface of the packing layer. The resilient member layer includes a plurality of springs. The packing layer includes a bubble wrap material or a plurality of randomly disposed foam elements. The pliable layer includes a layer of silicone material lined around the surface of the packing layer.

Abstract: A chair with a desk includes a chair body having a support leg and a seat section mounted on the support leg such that the level of the seat section is adjustable, a support member coupled to the chair body turnably within a horizontal plane, a desk body which is provided for the support member and a position of which is adjustable back and forth with respect to the chair body, a rest provided for the desk body and including a storage, and a drawer type rest which is allowed to be drawn from the rest in a lateral direction.

Abstract: a control system of a factory automation facility for a seatbelt retractor assembly comprising a factory automation facility and a control portion for controlling the operating of all parts in the factory automation facility, integrally, to enable the mass-production of a seatbelt retractor assembly, in which the factory automation facility comprises a webbing throwing-in portion for throwing-in a webbing of a strip type thereinto by a first webbing supplying portion; first and second webbing position determining devices for guiding the webbing to pass through the hole of a retractor spool, a webbing withdrawing portion including a second webbing supplying portion and a case to withdraw the webbing and store it for a while, first and second part supplying portions for assembling a tongue, a guide ring and a ring mount on the withdrawn webbing, a stopper fixing portion including a third webbing supplying portion for carrying the webbing to a webbing folding portion, upper and lower stopper suppliers for supply

Abstract: A bolster chair includes a seat having a horizontal position to support a seated user and an upwardly folded vertical position where it enables a user to stand in a space bordered by back and side walls of the bolster chair. The vertical position of the seat is height adjustable so that users of differing heights may lean against the seat when standing in the bordered space. When the seat is in its vertical configuration, the user may displace a handle in a first direction to lock the plunger and the seat into a position of vertical adjustment and to cause a pair of locking members to extend and to lock the seat so that it cannot be folded into a horizontal position. Displacing the handle in an opposite direction releases a gas spring plunger to unlock the seat for vertical adjustment and retracts the pair of locking members.

Abstract: A booster seat having a body including a seat back and a seat pan for supporting an occupant thereon and an adjustable thigh support coupled to the seat pan and being movable closer to or further away from the seat pan. The booster seat further includes a pair of adjustable arm rests coupled to the body, each arm rest being located on opposed sides of the body and being pivotable about an axis that extends generally transverse to the body. The booster seat includes a pair of head rests coupled to the seat back, each head rest being located on opposed sides of the seat back and being pivotable about an axis that extends generally along the height of the body.

Abstract: A compartmentalized occupant restraint system and kit for restraining an occupant in a seating arrangement comprising a vehicle seat with a seat frame, a seat bottom, and a seat back.

Abstract: A standing support having a non-rotating height adjustable central column. Three or more substantially horizontal legs radiate from and are attached to the central column, and a seat is connected to the top of the central column. The seat can be any seat which allows the feet of a user to remain on the surface on which the Standing Support rests, with the legs of the user being in a substantially upright position. Preferably, though, the seat 8 is a bicycle seat. A releasable restraint for a user is attached to the seat; and, preferably, wheels are attached to the ree end of the horizontal legs.

Abstract: The method and device of this invention immobilizes a person in a secure, upright restraint system in a police vehicle. It can be easily and safely applied by public safety officers including police or other law enforcement personnel and medical personnel to secure a person against undesired movement while maintaining them in an upright, sitting position which leaves the diaphragm free for natural, unrestrained breathing movement. The asphyxia-preventing restraining device comprises an ALR/ELR retractor. The ALR/ELR retractor comprises a shoulder harness having a pair of seat belt buckles, which significantly reduce the possibilities of injuries to police officers.

Abstract: A harness arrangement for a seat, the arrangement comprising an occupant harness configured to be worn by an occupant of the seat, a separate seat harness securable to the seat, and means releasably to connect the seat harness to the occupant harness.

Abstract: A head restraint for a passenger of a vehicle including a seat having a seat back, a helmet pivotally secured to the seat back, and an inertia harness mechanism connected to the helmet. The helmet has an interior suitable for receiving a human head therein. In particular, the helmet has a plurality of bar members extending in transverse relationship to each other and have a curvature generally conforming to a curvature of a portion of the human head. The inertia harness mechanism is suitable for restricting relative movement of the helmet upon application of forces beyond a desired level to the vehicle. Pad members are secured to the ends of the each of the bar members so as to generally face the human head received within the helmet.

Abstract: A cavity and channel system within a seat back is adapted to provide design flexibility in locating isofix attachment rods. The system includes a rear cavity for receiving the isofix rod and a channel which extends through the seat back. A plate is designed to substantially close the rear of the cavity to prevent wind and noise issues, and a tunnel is attached to the front of the plate to provide the appearance of a smooth seam when a child seat is not in use.

Abstract: A spring loaded pay out arrangement for a seat harness securable to a seat, the seat harness being releasably connectable to an occupant harness configured to be worn by an occupant of the seat.