Belt Or Harness Rides On Seat Connected Slide Patents (Class 297/473)
  • Patent number: 11590922
    Abstract: An occupant restraint system for a seat of a vehicle includes at least a first airbag carried by the seat and deployable from the seat and at least a first tether mounted to the seat and deployable from a stowed position to a deployed position such that the first tether extends around a front facing side of the first airbag from a first lateral side of a seatback of the seat to a second lateral side of the seatback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11390244
    Abstract: A seat belt pretensioner for a motor vehicle includes a cam that rotates, a cable with a first end and a second end, a section of the cable positioned on an outer portion of the cam. Upon deployment the cam rotates and guides the first end from a first location to a second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Scott D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 11230257
    Abstract: A seat belt device includes a webbing and a tongue. The webbing includes a lap belt and a shoulder belt. At least a portion of the lap belt is configured to be disposed to extend in a vehicle-width direction along a front of an abdomen of an occupant. At least a portion of the shoulder belt is configured to be disposed obliquely along a front of a chest of the occupant. The tongue is provided between the lap belt and the shoulder belt of the webbing and is configured to be coupled to a vehicle body when the tongue is to be mounted. The tongue rotates in accordance with a collision or a warning of the collision of a vehicle in a direction in which the shoulder belt is twisted with respect to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Isamu Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 11214230
    Abstract: A belt guide system of a vehicle guides a restraining belt between an automatic belt mechanism and a passenger area in which the restraining belt can be placed onto an occupant of the vehicle. The belt guide system includes a belt slide on which the restraining belt bears at least in part. The belt slide has a deflection region on which the restraining belt is guided to change the angle. A friction-reducing element, by which the friction of the restraining belt is reduced on the deflection region relative to the rest of the restraining belt, is provided on the deflection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Florian Klingseisen, Andreas Loecherer, Matthias Sagerer
  • Patent number: 11173872
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint device includes a three point seatbelt device that includes shoulder webbing running from one seat width direction end side of an upper section a seatback toward a buckle at another seat width direction end side of a lower section of the seatback, a shoulder webbing anchor that is provided on the one seat width direction end side of the upper section of the seatback, and through which the shoulder webbing is inserted, and a mover device that moves the shoulder webbing anchor toward a seat width direction outer side of the seatback when the seatback, which is configured so as to be capable of reclining from an upright state, has been reclined by at least a predetermined angle or greater with respect to a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mitsuyoshi Ohno
  • Patent number: 10668893
    Abstract: Provided is a belt assist device having a compact configuration and being configured to move a seatbelt to an easily reachable position. A vehicle seat includes a belt assist device attached to a lateral portion of a seat back and configured to move a portion of a seatbelt placed on the lateral portion to the easily reachable position. The belt assist device includes a rotary member attached to a recessed housing portion of the lateral portion via a rotary shaft and configured to rotate up and down between a housing position at which the rotary member is housed in the seat back and a protruding position at which the rotary member rotates to protrude forward of the seat back to push out a portion of the seatbelt. The rotary member is disposed forward of a belt guide provided at the periphery of an upper end of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamabe, Noriyuki Yamato, Haruki Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 10449926
    Abstract: Provided is a belt assist device having a compact configuration and being configured to move a seatbelt to an easily reachable position. A vehicle seat includes a belt assist device attached to a lateral portion of a seat back and configured to move a portion of a seatbelt placed on the lateral portion to the easily reachable position. The belt assist device includes a rotary member attached to a recessed housing portion of the lateral portion via a rotary shaft and configured to rotate up and down between a housing position at which the rotary member is housed in the seat back and a protruding position at which the rotary member rotates to protrude forward of the seat back to push out a portion of the seatbelt. The rotary member is disposed forward of a belt guide provided at the periphery of an upper end of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamabe, Noriyuki Yamato, Haruki Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 10399538
    Abstract: In a buckle device, a pressing force, applied from wire ropes to an inside wall face of a wire guide groove of a wire guide, is along an imaginary line passing through a center of a cover plate first hole portion of a cover plate fixing tab of a cover plate and a center of a wire guide hole portion of the wire guide as viewed from the vehicle inside, similarly to a pressing force applied to a first fixing bolt that fixes the cover plate to a support plate, and these pressing forces are both oriented in the same direction. This enables rotation moment to be suppressed from occurring at the cover plate when the wire ropes are pulled toward their length direction leading end side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Yasunori Hata, Takuhiro Saito, Tatsuhiro Murasaki, Yusuke Watada
  • Patent number: 10315615
    Abstract: A child restraint system for restraining a child in a vehicle in lieu of a child car seat includes a vehicle that has a seat. A child is selectively seated on the seat and the seat has a backrest and a base that is positioned in front of the backrest. A first attachment is coupled to the vehicle and the first attachment is positioned behind the backrest. A second attachment is coupled to the vehicle and the second attachment is positioned between the base and the backrest. A harness unit is removably coupled between the first attachment and the second attachment. Moreover, the harness unit restrains the child in the seat in lieu of a child car seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: Jose Rivera
  • Patent number: 8998261
    Abstract: A mounting structure for mounting a support for a seat belt to a vehicle, arranged so that when mounted to a vehicle it will move relative to the vehicle in a first range of directions under application of a first force urging the mounting structure in one of the range of directions, but will not move relative to the vehicle in a direction outside the first range of directions when a second, greater, force is applied urging the mounting structure in such a direction. The structure may have a bracket (7) secured to a vehicle by bolts (18) passing through slots (15) in the bracket, allowing the bracket to move generally in the direction of the slots, but not otherwise. De-couplers, in which toothed flanges (20) on collars (19) through which the bolts extend bear against raised pads on u-shaped washer structures (23) may be disposed between the bolt heads and the bracket to limit the force applied to the bracket and enable the applied force at which the bracket will move relative to the vehicle to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Bentley Motors Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Downie, Alexander James Redman
  • Patent number: 8960717
    Abstract: A seatbelt strap for a seatbelt of a motor vehicle includes several seatbelt strap layers and at least one belt interior that can be charged with gas and is arranged between at least two seatbelt strap layers. The seatbelt strap layers are connected to one another in the region of the chargeable seatbelt interior at edge regions by tear strips having different seam thicknesses in different sections. The seatbelt strap layers are fastened to one another outside a region of the chargeable seatbelt interior in such a way that these remain connected to one another at least during the charging of the seatbelt interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Christian Burczyk, Uwe Merz
  • Patent number: 8690258
    Abstract: A guide structure of a vehicle seatbelt includes a belt guide. The belt guide is provided at one of a left corner and a right corner defined by a left side frame, a right side frame, and an upper frame. The one corner faces a belt pulled out from a seatbelt device. The left side frame and the right side frame extend vertically. The upper frame connects an upper end of the left side frame to an upper end of the right side frame. The belt guide protrudes upwardly with respect to the upper frame and forwardly with respect to the left side frame and the right side frame so that when the belt is placed on an occupant who sits on the seat, a portion of the belt that is placed on a shoulder of the occupant is guided by the belt guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomotake Kato, Yuichi Mashiko
  • Patent number: 8480180
    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 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: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Isringhausen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Winfried Titz, Austin Jennings
  • Patent number: 8439448
    Abstract: A 60/40 bench seat is provided allowing for increased sliding travel along a set of tracks to allow for easier ingress and egress of a vehicle passenger accessing the rear of a bench seat. The 60/40 bench seat assembly allows for increased travel along the tracks without adding significant increases in assembly parts, cost, or weight. The 60/40 bench seat assembly is provided including a profile member and a buckle. The 60/40 bench seat assembly is divided into a 40% section seat and a 60% section seat. The 60/40 seat assembly further includes a profile member operable to push down the buckle to allow for increased travel of the 60% seat. The buckle includes a first surface and the profile includes a second surface contacting the buckle first surface thereby pushing the buckle towards a vehicle floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Vasudeva Sankarshana Murthy
  • Patent number: 8303042
    Abstract: A seat belt guide includes a housing defining an interior region, and a guide member at least partially disposed within the interior region. The guide member defines a channel for receiving and guiding a webbing of a seat belt. The guide member is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, with the channel concealed when in the stowed position, and the channel exposed when in the deployed position. The guide member includes a base portion and a guide portion, with the guide portion rotatable relative to the base portion to allow for automatic withdrawal of the webbing from the channel when the seat is moved into a position that does not require the use of the seat belt guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Peter P. Kujawa, Gregory S. Ches, Leslie A. Sajovec, Steven G. Corrion
  • 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: 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: 8132863
    Abstract: A vehicle seat has a seat base and a seatback. The vehicle seat has as a permanent feature a pair of seat belt guides positioned such that when a lap portion of a seat belt webbing is received in both of the seat belt guides the lap portion of the seat belt webbing intersects the seat belt guides at a selected distance from a forward face of the seatback. Each of the seat belt guides restricts movement of the lap portion of the seat belt webbing away from the forward face of the seatback. The seat belt guides direct the lap portion of the seat belt webbing across the seat base along a path such that the lap portion of the seat belt webbing interacts with the lower body of a child when the vehicle seat is occupied by a child aged three to twelve years and under 150 cm in height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc
    Inventors: Matthew Surgeon, John Bell
  • Patent number: 8109568
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a seat bottom, a seat back pivotably attached to the seat bottom, a seat belt. The seat bottom has a support frame to be attached to a vehicle body, and a bottom cushion supported by the support frame. A pretensioner is disposed between the bottom cushion and the support frame to move the bottom cushion rearward with respect to the support frame when the unpreferable external force is generated. When the pretensioner is actuated, the bottom cushion moves rearward, and a moving distance S of a tip anchor and a tongue anchor is set larger than a moving distance T of the bottom cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Masutani
  • Patent number: 8061781
    Abstract: A configurable restraint system (10-10vi) for a vehicle seat (12, 12?) may comprise a first restraint harness (30-30?) coupled to a first engagement member (32), a second restraint harness (34-34?) coupled to a second engagement member (36), and a third engagement member (50-50??) configured to be movable between first and second positions relative to the vehicle seat. The first position may be located relative to the vehicle seat so that the first engagement member (32) may releasably engage the third engagement member (50-50??) to restrain a first occupant of the vehicle seat via the first restraint harness (30-30?). The second position may be located relative to the vehicle seat so that the second engagement member (36) may alternatively releasably engage the third engagement member (50-50??) to alternatively restrain the first occupant of the vehicle seat via the second restraint harness (34-34?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W Foye, Aaron J Acton, Guy R Dingman
  • 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: 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: 7997657
    Abstract: An assembly to attach a belt buckle (12) to a vehicle, especially to a vehicle body part (16), has an attachment fitting (14) which is fixed in place directly at the belt buckle (12), is made in one piece, and is movable together with the belt buckle (12), the attachment fitting (14) being adapted to assume an initial position, an attachment member (22) and a spring member (28) which urges the attachment fitting (14) that is movable relative to the vehicle into the initial position. The attachment member (22) fixes the attachment fitting (14) in place directly at the vehicle body part (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Haas, Ralf Knoedl
  • Publication number: 20110181093
    Abstract: A configurable restraint system (10-10vi) for a vehicle seat (12, 12?) may comprise a first restraint harness (30-30?) coupled to a first engagement member (32), a second restraint harness (34-34?) coupled to a second engagement member (36), and a third engagement member (50-50??) configured to be movable between first and second positions relative to the vehicle seat. The first position may be located relative to the vehicle seat so that the first engagement member (32) may releasably engage the third engagement member (50-50??) to restrain a first occupant of the vehicle seat via the first restraint harness (30-30?). The second position may be located relative to the vehicle seat so that the second engagement member (36) may alternatively releasably engage the third engagement member (50-50??) to alternatively restrain the first occupant of the vehicle seat via the second restraint harness (34-34?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher W. Foye, Aaron J. Acton, Guy R. Dingman
  • Patent number: 7980634
    Abstract: A rotational vehicle restraint system includes an anchoring component configured to be attached to a vehicle seat assembly; a rotatable component attached to the anchoring component and configured to rotate relative to the anchoring component about an axis of rotation; and a harness connected to the rotatable component and configured to fit about a passenger. When installed in a vehicle, the rotational vehicle restraint system is configured to restrain a passenger fitted with the harness in both an upright sitting position and a lying down position. When installed in a vehicle, the rotational vehicle restraint system is also optionally configured to enable the passenger fitted with the harness to change from a first lying down position facing forward in the vehicle seat assembly to a second lying down position facing backward in the vehicle seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Michael A. Jay
  • Patent number: 7954901
    Abstract: A configurable restraint system (10-10vi) for a vehicle seat (12, 12?) may comprise a first restraint harness (30-30?) coupled to a first engagement member (32), a second restraint harness (34-34?) coupled to a second engagement member (36), and a third engagement member (50-50??) configured to be movable between first and second positions relative to the vehicle seat. The first position may be located relative to the vehicle seat so that the first engagement member (32) may releasably engage the third engagement member (50-50??) to restrain a first occupant of the vehicle seat via the first restraint harness (30-30?). The second position may be located relative to the vehicle seat so that the second engagement member (36) may alternatively releasably engage the third engagement member (50-50??) to alternatively restrain the first occupant of the vehicle seat via the second restraint harness (34-34?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher W. Foye, Aaron J. Acton, Guy R. Dingman
  • 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: 7758130
    Abstract: A rotational vehicle restraint system includes an anchoring component configured to be attached to a vehicle seat assembly; a rotatable component attached to the anchoring component and configured to rotate relative to the anchoring component about an axis of rotation; and a harness connected to the rotatable component and configured to fit about a passenger. When installed in a vehicle, the rotational vehicle restraint system is configured to restrain a passenger fitted with the harness in both an upright sitting position and a lying down position. When installed in a vehicle, the rotational vehicle restraint system is also optionally configured to enable the passenger fitted with the harness to change from a first lying down position facing forward in the vehicle seat assembly to a second lying down position facing backward in the vehicle seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventor: Michael A. Jay
  • Patent number: 7740316
    Abstract: In the integrated car seat with a lengthwise adjustment mechanism having two pairs of rails, with a bottom support frame having two front pivotal supports, two rear pivotal supports and two side parts carried on the pivotal supports, with a seat back connected to the side parts by a seat back joint and with a seat belt buckle, the side part is configured in the shape of a shell on the seat side that is turned away from the buckle, the side part having a bottom and a perimeter profile rim. The side part turned away from the buckle is open toward the outside, the outside preferably meaning the outboard side of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wilfried Beneker, Burckhard Becker, Jörg-Max Wölfel
  • Patent number: 7717392
    Abstract: A simple, compact and easy-to-assemble slide rail unit is provided. The slide rail unit reliably restrains right and left rails from sliding even when the right and left rails are installed onto the vehicle floor at an inclination angle different from each other in a longitudinal direction thereof. The slide rail unit includes a slide rail member having an upper rail member and an upper rail member slidably engaged with each other and a lock lever rotatably pivoted to the upper rail member so as to engage with/disengage from an engagement portion formed on the lower rail member. The slide rail unit also includes an operation lever connected to the lock lever within the slide rail member. Between the lock lever and the operation lever, a leaf spring member is disposed for connecting the lock lever and the operation lever therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Imasen Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Sakakibara, Mitsunao Koumura
  • Patent number: 7712785
    Abstract: A webbing guide mechanism includes an upper webbing guide (58) and a lower webbing guide (60) that are disposed on the side portion of a seat back (30) of a front seat (24) that is a tumbling seat. A webbing (50) is wound in a looped manner on these guides (58, 60). The webbing (50) is pulled forward and a loading/unloading space (78) is easily enlarged by sequentially changing the seat back (30) from a standard state to an inclined state and then to a tumbled state. According to the invention, a webbing guide mechanism is provided which can easily secure, without troubling a passenger, loading/unloading space behind the front seat (24) when the passenger climbs into or out of the space or when the passenger loads items into or unloads items from the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Ajisaka
  • Patent number: 7686338
    Abstract: A seat-belt presenter for a motor vehicle includes a seat-belt capture unit for supplying a seatbelt, a guide device for supplying and retracting the seat-belt capture unit, a pivoting element and a pivoting unit which, together with the pivoting element, form the seat-belt capture unit. The pivoting unit contains a locking device which during the supply operation, locks the pivoting element in its expanded position in such a manner that it does not pivot inward under the dynamic effect of the seatbelt, permits the pivoting element to pivot inward with manual application of force while it is still locked, and automatically unlocks during retraction of the guide device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Claus Dallwig, Bern Freisleben
  • Patent number: 7651167
    Abstract: A fitting for a vehicle incorporates a backrest and a removable seat squab so that the fitting may be used as a conventional seat, or as a safety fitting to engage a rear of a wheelchair. The backrest is wider at the top than at a lower point, to enable the handles of a relatively narrow wheelchair to pass on either side of the backrest. The backrest is mounted on a supporting frame by a pivotal link mechanisms enabling the backrest to move forwardly so that an electric wheelchair, or other wheelchair that has a rearwardly extending portion towards the back lower part of the wheelchair may be accommodated with the back of the wheelchair in engagement with the backrest of the fitting. The fitting is mounted for lateral movement, the fitting being supported on a base plate which can move laterally on a floor-mounted platform to enable a wheelchair to be manoeuvred easily past the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: NMI Safety Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Barry Sawdy
  • Publication number: 20090284067
    Abstract: A 4-point occupant restraint belt system for a vehicle seat having a seat bottom and a back rest. A one-piece belt is connected to the vehicle at upper and lower attachment points disposed adjacent a first side of the vehicle seat, and a buckle is disposed adjacent an opposite second side of the vehicle seat. A latch is slidingly mounted on the belt and engagable with the buckle to secure the belt around a seat occupant in a three-point configuration. A lifting arm has a lowered position wherein it is beneath the belt and adjacent the latch when the latch is engaged with the buckle, and the lifting arm is movable to a raised position wherein it raises a portion of the belt to a position adjacent the back rest above the buckle, thereby creating a 4th belt attachment point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Anders Kling, Anders Axelson, Lars-Erik Andersson
  • Patent number: 7618097
    Abstract: A vehicle seat belt guide includes a substantially rigid and elongate support body having at least one anchor position for enabling the seat belt guide to be supported by a support member extending from a vehicle seat back to a headrest, and the elongate support body including a guide formation which extends along at least part of the length of the support body and along which a seat belt diverter is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the support member extends from a vehicle seat back to a headrest, and clamping part to secure the belt diverter in a required position relative to the elongate support body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Inventor: Ramesh Ghatge
  • Patent number: 7584990
    Abstract: The disclosed passenger constraining apparatus includes an inflated inflatable portion which may be placed at a high position around a lateral side of a passenger's head without using a high-capacity inflator. The passenger constraining device may include a passenger constraining belt comprising an inflatable portion configured such that at least a portion of the inflatable portion is arranged near the lateral side of the head of the passenger and a push-up device for pushing up the inflatable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Yoji Suyama, Akira Kokeguchi
  • Patent number: 7574975
    Abstract: A pet seat for carrying a pet in a vehicle in which the pet is secured in the pet seat and the pet seat is secured in the vehicle against the vehicle seat and the vehicle seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Inventor: Nancy Kline
  • Publication number: 20090174250
    Abstract: A configurable restraint system (10-10vi) for a vehicle seat (12, 12?) may comprise a first restraint harness (30-30?) coupled to a first engagement member (32), a second restraint harness (34-34?) coupled to a second engagement member (36), and a third engagement member (50-50??) configured to be movable between first and second positions relative to the vehicle seat. The first position may be located relative to the vehicle seat so that the first engagement member (32) may releasably engage the third engagement member (50-50??) to restrain a first occupant of the vehicle seat via the first restraint harness (30-30?). The second position may be located relative to the vehicle seat so that the second engagement member (36) may alternatively releasably engage the third engagement member (50-50??) to alternatively restrain the first occupant of the vehicle seat via the second restraint harness (34-34?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Foye, Aaron J Acton, Guy R. Dingman
  • Patent number: 7547065
    Abstract: A child restraint seat is provided including a seat shell adapted to be coupled to a vehicle seat, a child restraint harness coupled to the seat shell, and a harness adjustment mechanism. A shoulder strap mounting mechanism permits the height of the shoulder strap mounts to be varied to adapt the seat to accommodate children of different sizes. The mounting mechanism is easily operable from the front of the seat without requiring operation of latching mechanism or the rethreading of straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Evenflo Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery A. Barger
  • Patent number: 7537242
    Abstract: A seat belt device allowing easy connection of a lap anchor fixed to one end of a seat belt relative to a vehicle body or the like even when a seat weight sensor is installed below a vehicle seat. The seat weight sensor and the vehicle seat are fixed to a vehicle body floor. A hitch member is attached to the seat weight sensor via a mounting bracket by a bolt. A lap anchor is fixed to one end of a seat belt. By locking the lap anchor to the hitch member, the seat belt is connected to the seat weight sensor. In this manner, the seat belt can be easily connected to the vehicle body just by locking the lap anchor to the hitch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Fujii, Shigeru Kohama
  • Patent number: 7520532
    Abstract: A vehicle seat arrangement provides location and fixing points on the vehicle seat that will take crash loads and can be used to position a webbing path adapter to serve as a guide for placing a standard seat belt in a suitable position for when a child is occupying the seat. A vehicle seat arrangement includes a seat backrest having an upholstered part overlying a load-bearing plate. A first plurality of holes pass through the upholstered part and a second, aligned, plurality of holes pass through the load-bearing plate. A webbing path adapter has a passageway for receiving seat belt webbing. A pin connects the webbing path adapter in a removable manner to any one of a plurality of holes on the load-bearing plate through the corresponding holes in the upholstered part of the seat backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Bell, Martyn Palliser
  • Patent number: 7516987
    Abstract: A buckle pretensioner system includes a substantially L-shaped rail for guiding a buckle body of a buckle from a position where the buckle body engages with a tongue plate to a position corresponding to a lumbar region of a vehicle occupant. When a vehicle disposed with the buckle pretensioner system undergoes a sudden deceleration, a piston inside a cylinder is moved in a frontward direction of the vehicle by gas generated by the actuation of a gas generator, a buckle stay is pulled by a wire coupled to the piston, and the buckle stay is moved along the shape of the rail. As a result, the buckle body supported by the buckle stay pivots from the position where the buckle body engages with the tongue plate to a vehicle occupant restraining position of a webbing belt, and then is pulled to the lumbar region-corresponding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Teruhiko Koide, Koji Muto, Masayoshi Nojiri, Toshihito Miyagawa
  • Publication number: 20090079253
    Abstract: A rotational vehicle restraint system includes an anchoring component configured to be attached to a vehicle seat assembly; a rotatable component attached to the anchoring component and configured to rotate relative to the anchoring component about an axis of rotation; and a harness connected to the rotatable component and configured to fit about a passenger. When installed in a vehicle, the rotational vehicle restraint system is configured to restrain a passenger fitted with the harness in both an upright sitting position and a lying down position. When installed in a vehicle, the rotational vehicle restraint system is also optionally configured to enable the passenger fitted with the harness to change from a first lying down position facing forward in the vehicle seat assembly to a second lying down position facing backward in the vehicle seat assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Michael A. Jay
  • Publication number: 20080258527
    Abstract: A strap support apparatus has a body 121 having an elongare slot 131, and a strap support 141. The strap support 141 has a receiving portion 143 for receipt of a strap, a portion 145 that extends through the elongate slot of the body and defines an axis, and a portion 147 that is positioned on an opposite side of the slot from the receiving portion. Part of the strap support defines an engagement portion for selectively engaging part of the body to inhibit movement of the strap support along the slot. The strap support has a sliding configuration and an engaged configuration. The strap support 141 is adjustable between the sliding configuration and the engaged configuration by rotating the strap support about the axis relative to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: Phil and Ted Most Excellent Buggy Company Limited
    Inventors: Campbell Gower, Philip Brace
  • Patent number: 7416218
    Abstract: A seat belt device includes a seat belt for restraining and protecting an occupant sitting on a vehicle seat; a lap anchor fixed to an end of the seat; seat weight sensor installed below the vehicle seat for measuring a seat load; and a hitch member including two ends and a slide bar therebetween. The seat weight sensor and the vehicle seat are fixed to a vehicle body floor. One end of the hitch member is attached to one of the vehicle body, the vehicle seat fixed to the vehicle body, or the seat weight sensor fixed to the vehicle body. A second end of the hitch member is fixed to the vehicle body. The lap anchor is slidably attached to the slide bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Fujii, Shigeru Kohama
  • Patent number: 7384103
    Abstract: A longitudinal guide rail for a motor vehicle seat. The rail includes two elongated guide rails that engage with one another and are displaceable in relation to one another in the longitudinal direction of the rails, a retaining bracket for a seatbelt buckle, which is fastened to one of the two guide rails, a slot that is provided in one of the guide rails, through which a fixing section of the retaining bracket is guided into a space enclosed by the two guide rails and a fixing point, at which the fixing section of the retaining bracket is connected to one of the guide rails. The fixing section when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the rails, extends beyond the slot and the fixing point, also viewed from the longitudinal direction of the rails, is located at a distance from the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Peter Rausch, Jochen Hofmann, Wolfgang Suck, Christina Schwerdtner, Andrea Bauersachs, Matthias Baudler
  • Publication number: 20080030013
    Abstract: A seat belt assembly for use in a vehicle seat includes a shoulder anchor for guiding a seat belt having a turn flange with a flat portion and a curved portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventor: Ross L. Burghardt
  • Patent number: 7325879
    Abstract: A seat belt guide includes first and second walls each having opposite top and bottom ends. A pair of generally parallel end walls extends from the first wall. The end walls are spaced apart for retaining the seat belt in a transverse direction. A pair of generally parallel side walls extends from the second wall. The side walls are spaced apart for retaining the seat belt in the transverse direction. First and second lips protrude outwardly for maintaining the seat belt spaced apart from the second wall to minimize friction associated with sliding of the seat belt through the guide. A pair of retaining walls extends toward each other from the pair of side walls, the retaining walls being spaced apart from the second wall for retaining the seat belt therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Masroor Fahim, Todd Rupert Muck, Yi-Ru Chen, Bill Deming
  • Publication number: 20070182236
    Abstract: A seat belt guide includes first and second walls each having opposite top and bottom ends. A pair of generally parallel end walls extends from the first wall. The end walls are spaced apart for retaining the seat belt in a transverse direction. A pair of generally parallel side walls extends from the second wall. The side walls are spaced apart for retaining the seat belt in the transverse direction. First and second lips protrude outwardly for maintaining the seat belt spaced apart from the second wall to minimize friction associated with sliding of the seat belt through the guide. A pair of retaining walls extends toward each other from the pair of side walls, the retaining walls being spaced apart from the second wall for retaining the seat belt therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Masroor Fahim, Todd R. Muck, Yi-Ru Chen, Bill Deming
  • Patent number: 6974192
    Abstract: There is provided a seat belt anchor attaching structure, comprising a seat adjuster for adjusting a seat position by moving an upper rail attached with a seat cushion relatively to a lower rail, and a seating sensor arranged between the seat adjuster and the floor panel and for detecting a presence or absence of a sitting occupant by a downward force applied to the lower rail. An anchor plate of the seat belt for binding the occupant is fixed on the lower rail thereby eliminating the application of an unnecessary load to the seat sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Miwa, Masami Tanaka