Inertia-responsive Locking Or Tightening Of Belt Or Harness Patents (Class 297/480)
  • Patent number: 11833995
    Abstract: A force transfer element for an apparatus for belt tightening is provided, wherein the force transfer element is a rod-shaped body that is essentially structured over its total length and/or is formed from at least a first and a second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: David Kühne, Christian Engel, Eyüp Aslan, Jose Luis Serrada
  • Patent number: 11752971
    Abstract: Various implementations include a child restraint anchoring system. The system includes one or more anchors configured for coupling to a support frame of a vehicle seat. The one or more anchors are automatically movable from a retracted position to an extended position. The one or more anchors are closer to the support frame in the retracted position than in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC
    Inventor: Len Cech
  • Patent number: 11724665
    Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle includes a pillar elongated along an axis. A seatbelt guide is supported by the pillar. The seatbelt guide is moveable relative to the pillar along the axis. The vehicle includes a seatbelt retractor and a webbing. The webbing is retractably extendable from the retractor. The seatbelt retractor is below the seatbelt guide. The webbing extends upwardly from the retractor and around the seatbelt guide. The vehicle includes a load limiter. The load limiter has a lower end fixed to the pillar. The load limiter has an upper end. The upper end is between the seatbelt guide and the lower end. The load limiter is crushable relative to the seatbelt guide and the pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: 11639151
    Abstract: A seat belt positioning mechanism that has a vehicle seat and an elastic tensioning member. The vehicle seat has a frame structure, a cushion portion covering the frame structure and a cover material covering the cushion portion. The cushion portion defines a main seating section and an outboard side seat section extending laterally outboard from a corresponding side of the main seating section. The side seat section defines an opening extending through the cushion portion. The opening is dimensioned to receive a seat belt extending therethrough. The cover material has a cover extension extending into the opening. The elastic tensioning member has a first end fixed to the frame structure and extends under the cover extension into the opening. The elastic tensioning member is dimensioned and shaped to bias the cover extension in an outboard direction against a part of the seat belt located within the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Niko Jovicevic
  • Patent number: 11618352
    Abstract: A retainer apparatus including a first retainer portion, a second retainer portion, a wireless transceiver, and a sensor contained within at least one of the first retainer portion and the second retainer portion. The retainer apparatus includes the first retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a first harness strap and a second retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a second harness strap. The first retainer portion is removably attached to the second retainer portion. The sensor is configured to detect the first retainer portion being disconnected from the second retainer portion and generate a warning signal. The wireless transceiver is configured to wirelessly transmit the warning signal to a controller in a vehicle to activate an audible warning alert to warn a user in the vehicle of the first retainer portion being disconnected from the second retainer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: FRIEDMAN IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Mark J. Friedman
  • Patent number: 11613367
    Abstract: An ejection system may comprise an ejection seat and a rail assembly. A plurality of sliders may be coupled to the ejection seat. The rail assembly may include a rail defining a channel and a rail insert located in the channel. The rail insert may define an insert channel configured to receive the plurality of sliders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: AMI Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jackson Fulcher, Steve Holstine, Casey A. Stribrny, Nicholas K. Bharucha, John Hampton
  • Patent number: 11597521
    Abstract: A modal restraint system for an occupant of a seat of an aircraft. The modal restraint system includes a strap feeder unit and a strap selectively retractable into and extendable from the strap feeder unit. The strap feeder unit is adapted to switch between a plurality of modes including an unfixed mode and a fixed mode. The strap is extendable from and retractable into the strap feeder unit in the unfixed mode. The strap is substantially unextendable from the strap feeder unit in the fixed mode. The strap feeder unit is in the unfixed mode by default. The strap feeder unit is operable to switch from the unfixed mode to the fixed mode in response to a precautionary event including detection of an operational parameter that is beyond a predetermined threshold, thereby reducing freedom of movement of the occupant relative to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Sinusas, Olivier Andre Boisvert, Guillaume Noiseux-Boucher, Steve Loveland, Sebastien Duval
  • Patent number: 11156482
    Abstract: A contactless sensor mounting system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a contactless sensor that is mounted in an interior component of the vehicle and having a first surface and a second surface opposing each other. A bracket is disposed around the contactless sensor and is fixed to the interior component. A first buffer member is interposed between the first surface of the contactless sensor and the interior component. A second buffer member is mounted on the second surface of the contactless sensor. Additionally, a leaf spring presses the second buffer member and the contactless sensor toward the interior component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dae Yun An, Sang Kyung Seo, Gyun Ha Kim, Eung Hwan Kim, Yoon Seok Choi
  • Patent number: 11052866
    Abstract: A safety belt device for a vehicle, having a belt force limiting unit and a safety belt buckle that interacts therewith, through which buckle a wire cable loop is passed that transitions into wire cable segments that are passed out of the safety belt buckle and extend to a cable deflection element at which they are deflected about at least one deflection axis in the direction toward the belt force limiting unit, wherein the safety belt buckle is rotated about a safety belt buckle axis such that the wire cable loop passed through the safety belt buckle is oriented with its loop opening open in the axial direction with respect to the deflection axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Carsten Moeker
  • Patent number: 11034269
    Abstract: A seat control apparatus controls a seat of a vehicle in which an occupant of the vehicle sits. The seat control apparatus includes an occupant weight recognition unit; an occupant sitting state recognition unit configured to recognize an occupant sitting state including at least either of a grip force of the occupant and a load applied to the occupant; a lateral acceleration estimation unit configured to estimate a subsequent lateral acceleration of the vehicle; and a seat controller configured to control the seat. The seat has an occupant support adjustment portion including at least one of a first adjustment portion, a second adjustment portion, and a third adjustment portion. The seat controller calculates an adjustment amount of the occupant support adjustment portion and controls the occupant support adjustment portion in response to the calculated adjustment amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shintaro Saigo, Satoshi Inoue, Terumasa Endo
  • Patent number: 10953849
    Abstract: A seatbelt device for a vehicle comprises a belt which restrains an occupant, a retractor which supports the belt so as to wind up one end of the belt, a frictional-force applier which is configured to apply a frictional force to the belt by contacting the belt, and an actuator to actuate the frictional-force applier so as to change the frictional force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Teruhiko Hiruta, Yoichi Miyajima
  • Patent number: 10752360
    Abstract: A modal restraint system for an occupant of a seat of an aircraft includes a strap feeder unit and a strap selectively retractable into and extendable from the strap feeder unit. The strap is positionable adjacent to the occupant so as to dispose the occupant between the strap and the seat. The strap feeder unit is adapted to switch between a plurality of modes including a fixed mode and an unfixed mode. The strap is substantially unextendable from the strap feeder unit in the fixed mode. The strap is extendable from and retractable into the strap feeder unit in the unfixed mode. The strap feeder unit is in the fixed mode by default. The strap feeder unit is operable to switch to the unfixed mode in response to a user input, thereby increasing freedom of movement of the occupant relative to the seat of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Sinusas, Olivier Andre Boisvert, Guillaume Noiseux-Boucher, Steve Loveland, Sebastien Duval
  • Patent number: 10611333
    Abstract: A vehicle seat belt buckle attachment system includes an anchor bracket fixed to a vehicle, a pivot fixed to the anchor bracket, a buckle bracket defining a curved slot that receives the pivot, and a buckle connected to the buckle bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J. Storck, Mohan Bhogineni
  • Patent number: 10569731
    Abstract: A linear blocking apparatus has a linear device which is longitudinally displaceable along an axis and is guided in a housing. It is possible to switch back and forth, by means of a connectable or integrated switching device, between two motional states of the linear device. The linear device acts directly or indirectly on a rotary device. The rotary device, in dependence on the motional direction of the linear device, can be set in rotation in diverse rotational directions. A, in particular mechanical, blocking device is present, which is, or can be brought, directly or indirectly into operative connection with the rotary device. The blocking device is actuable by the switching device, whereby it is possible to switch back and forth between a first motional state and a second motional state of the linear device, and hence between the possible rotational directions of the rotary device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Horst Thiele Maschinebau-Hydraulische Geräte GmbH
    Inventor: Ewald Thiele
  • Patent number: 9428147
    Abstract: A linear drive, especially for a belt tensioner, includes a housing (10) including a piston seat (12), a piston element (16) accommodated in the piston seat (12) and a pyrotechnical drive element adapted to supply gas for displacing the piston element (16). The inner wall of the piston seat (12) includes a groove (30) extending in the displacing direction (R) of the piston element (16) through which gas can flow off the piston seat (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Simon Schreiber, Hermann Grau, Krzysztof Krukowski
  • Patent number: 9027965
    Abstract: A gas generating system (24) is provided including a gas generant container (34) and an initiator (28). A gas generant composition (32) is placed within the container (34) in ignitable communication with the igniter (28). A molecular sieve (33) is positioned within the housing 17 combined within the gas generant composition (32), or external of the gas generant (32) but in reactive proximity or vapor communication therewith. A seatbelt device (150) and a vehicle occupant restraint system (180) incorporating a gas generating system as described herein are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Deborah L. Hordos
  • Patent number: 8979129
    Abstract: A retractor including a rotatable spool configured to be connected to a webbing, a locking member configured to selectively lock the spool and prevent the spool from rotating in the webbing extraction direction, a sensor, and a cover for the sensor and locking member. When the locking member is in a locked position, the spool is prohibited from rotating in the webbing extraction direction. The sensor is configured to move in a first direction in response to the vehicle having a threshold acceleration. Movement of the sensor in the first direction causes a corresponding movement of the locking member to a locked position. The sensor is located in a cavity in the cover and an insert member is disposed between the cover and the sensor to limit the travel of the sensor in a second direction transverse to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: John Pasquale Puzzonia, Michael Zdravkoski
  • Patent number: 8960724
    Abstract: The seatbelt pretensioner, which is designed for reducing slack in seatbelt webbing upon deployment in response to a triggering event, comprises an igniter that generates gas in response to the triggering event, an elongate body defining a chamber for receiving and the confining gas generated by the igniter, a piston movable within the elongate body by the gas generated, a slack-reducing assembly that responds to movement of the piston and is connected to at least a portion of seatbelt webbing, movement of the piston causes the slack-reducing assembly to move the seat belt webbing reducing slack in the seatbelt webbing; and a controlled pressure release that enables gas to escape from the elongate body after deployment, relieving gas pressure within the pretensioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon E. Burrow, Bin Wang, Kurt W. Schulz
  • Publication number: 20150028652
    Abstract: The invention relates a belt tensioner (10) for a seat belt system comprising a tensioner tube (42) for receiving and guiding a pressurizing element (44) as well as a separate generator housing (46) for receiving a gas generator (48), wherein a coupling element (50) tightly connecting the generator housing (46) to the tensioner tube (42) is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Betz, Dominik Seitzer, Ruediger Karl
  • Patent number: 8931851
    Abstract: The present invention provides a seat belt adjuster applicable to seat belts in vehicles, comprising: a pair of supporting swing rods composed of a first swing rod and a second swing rod, with the adjacent ends of the first and second swing rods hinged together and forming an included angle between the swing rods, either non-adjacent end of the first and second swing rods fixed in stationary state, and the other non-adjacent end of the first and second swing rods movable as the included angle between the swing rods changes; and an actuator, which changes the included angle between the swing rods by exerting force to the first swing rod and/or the second swing rod and/or the hinge point of the swing rods, and thereby directly applies variable force on the strap of the seat strap via the other non-adjacent end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: Yingui Sun
  • Publication number: 20150008718
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to reduce the weight of a pretensioner by reducing the length of a piston and a wire of the pretensioner. A pretensioner (1) is used in a seat belt device and pulls a seat belt. Due to gas supplied into a cylinder (10) from a gas generator (4), a piston (20) is moved in the cylinder (10). A wire (60) is connected to the piston (20) and the seat belt and pulls the seat belt when the piston (20) moves. The wire (60) has both ends that are connected to the seat belt and has a folded portion (63) that is connected to the piston (20) via connecting means (51). The connecting means (51) has a connecting hole (24) that is formed in the piston (20) and through which the folded portion (63) passes and has a detachment preventing member (52) that is positioned between the folded portion (63) and the piston (20) to prevent the folded portion (63) from being detached from the connecting hole (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Inagawa, Hiroyuki Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 8888137
    Abstract: A serviceable seatbelt buckle mounted belt tensioner for use with a vehicle seat having a seat frame includes a bracket fixed to the seat frame and a pre-tensioning assembly releasably attached to the bracket, the pre-tensioning assembly includes a housing, a seatbelt attachment portion such as a seatbelt buckle, a cylindrical container and a cable connecting the seatbelt buckle and the cylindrical container, the cable passing through the housing. Both the bracket and the housing include attachment interfaces in the forms of flanges, tabs, pins, and slots. A fastener such as a screw or a clip is used to prevent movement of the housing relative to the bracket once the components are fitted together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Curtis David Kalina, Richard Edward Ruthinowski, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Publication number: 20140265489
    Abstract: A harness tensioner for a child safety seat has a lower lever part pivotable about an axis and an upper lever part above the lower lever part and pivotable about a different axis. A lower portion of the upper lever part contacts with an upper portion of the lower lever part. Harness straps of a child safety seat are coupled to the upper lever part. Upon an impact event, the lower part is moved against a biasing force, which in turn moves the upper part to apply rearward tension to the harness straps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Matthew Alan Morgenstern
  • Patent number: 8820789
    Abstract: Various embodiments of seat harness pretensioning devices for use in land, air, and sea vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, a seat unit for use in a military land vehicle or helicopter includes a stroking device that enables the seat to move downwardly in response to sudden movement. The seat unit also includes a seat belt or harness that extends around the occupant in the seat. Sudden movement of the seat in response to an explosion or hard landing causes a tensioning system to automatically pretension the seat harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Merrill, Todd J. Humbert
  • Patent number: 8789851
    Abstract: A seat belt system comprising a webbing configured to restrain an occupant, a pretensioner coupled to the webbing and configured to apply a tensile force to the webbing when a dynamic vehicle event is detected, and a connector assembly for connecting the webbing to the pretensioner. The connector assembly includes a first coupling member having a first end and a second end connected to the webbing, and a second coupling member having a first end and a second end connected to the pretensioner. The first end of the second coupling member is configured to be detachably coupled to the first end of the first coupling member. The first end of the first coupling member includes a cavity configured to receive the first end of the second coupling member, and the relative positions of the first and second coupling members are fixed when the first end of the second coupling member is inserted into the cavity and rotated relative to the first coupling member into a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Joel David Alvarado, Nancy Abigail Perez
  • Patent number: 8777268
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reversible belt tensioner (10) comprising a drive motor (12), a spindle (14) connected to the drive motor (12), a spindle nut (16) adapted to be displaced in axial direction (18) on the spindle (14), a catch (20) the one end of which is connected to the spindle nut (16) and a belt buckle (22) connected to the other end of the catch (20), wherein at least one of the following features prevents the spindle nut (16) from jamming during travel against block: a cylindrical guiding portion (50) inside the spindle nut (16) interacting with the outer geometry of the spindle (14); a freewheel mechanism (48) between the drive motor (12) and the spindle (14); a compression spring (70) between the belt buckle (22) and a stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Artur Klein, Nathalie Kramer, Martin Prokscha, Stefano Roehm
  • Patent number: 8746803
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a retractor that is manufacturable at a much lower cost by making a pretensioner operate more effectively, by minimizing the length of a pipe so that a weight reduction is realized effectively, and by easing the restriction for the shape of a guide member. [Solution] A pipe 17 in which a plurality of balls as force transmitting members are provided includes an attaching portion 17c as a projection provided at one end portion 17a thereof. A guide member 18 having a guide surface 18c that guides the balls has attaching grooves 18 as recesses. The attaching portion 17c is fitted into the attaching grooves 18, whereby the pipe 17 is attached around the outer circumference thereof to the guide member 18 attached to a frame. Since the guide member 18 is provided on the outer circumference of the pipe 17, the pipe 17 can be shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Shiotani, Yusuke Iura
  • Patent number: 8684413
    Abstract: A pretensioning device (10) for a safety belt, of a motor vehicle, having a gas generator (17), a piston (21) guided in a tube (16), which closes a pressure area (20) in the tube (16) that is pressurized by the gas generator (17) whereupon the piston (21) is able to move in a pretensioning movement which is able to be conveyed to the safety belt by means of an inertia body (19a) resting on a front face (9) of the piston (21). The piston (21) forms a pass-through opening (1) releasable upon exceeding of a predetermined pressure and a recess (26) is provided in the front face (9) with an inertia body (19a) resting thereon, so that a flow connection is created from the pass-through opening (1) to the area (25) located behind the piston (21) in the direction of the pretensioning movement (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Thomas Schmidt, Martin Schmidt, Christian Fischer, Michael Pech, Matthias Steinberg, Tobias Voss
  • Patent number: 8678509
    Abstract: To effectively operate a pretensioner using a plurality of balls and an energy absorption mechanism, to simplify the structure of an exhaust passage in the pretensioner, and to facilitate the working process of the exhaust passage. A pretensioner 15 includes a plurality of balls 20 serving as force transmission members and a piston 21 in a pipe 17. A piston body 21a of the piston 21 includes a shaft portion 21c and a substantially hemispherical head portion 21d. The piston body 21a is provided with an exhaust hole 21e extending in the axial direction and exhaust grooves 21f communicating with the exhaust hole 21e that define an exhaust passage. The exhaust grooves 21f prevent the exhaust hole 21e from being closed even if the head portion 21d of the piston 21 contacts the ball 20. Since the exhaust hole 21e and the exhaust grooves 21f are simply provided in the piston body 21a formed as a single member, the structure of the exhaust passage is simple, and working of the exhaust passage is easy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Shiotani, Yusuke Iura
  • Patent number: 8678510
    Abstract: An anchor plate (12) and an inner lap anchor (14) disposed at left and right sides of a vehicle seat are connected to an inner side cable (20A) and an outer side cable (20B), respectively. The anchor plate (12) and the inner lap anchor (14) are pulled substantially at the same time by a pretensioner device (21) when acceleration of a predetermined degree or more is applied to a seat (1). A support device (40) is provided between the inner lap anchor (14) and the inner side cable (20A) so as to support load applied to the inner lap anchor (14) in a distributed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Masutani
  • Patent number: 8662582
    Abstract: An inertial lock system for use with an anchorage system for at least one vehicle child seat, the inertial lock system. The inertial lock system includes a retainer; an anchor movably connected to the retainer; at least one energy managing component connected between the retainer and the anchor biasing the anchor in a first direction capable of managing energy transmitted between the anchor and the retainer when the anchor is displaced in the direction opposite the first direction; a retention switch component selectively engageable with the anchor to limit the movement of the anchor in the first direction; and an inertial switch selectively operable in response to a predetermined deceleration of the retainer in the first direction to selectively release the retention switch and to thereby permit the at least one energy managing device to be displaced in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Brewster Hall, Brian Robert Spahn, Richard Ruthinowski, Parakrama V. Weerappuli, Kevin Siasoco
  • Patent number: 8628114
    Abstract: A releasable tether retention system includes a housing having a slot extending therealong and a projection extending into the slot. The projection is coupled to the housing so as to be movable along the housing between a first position along the slot and a second position along the slot. Rotation of the projection is prevented when the projection is in the first position, and rotation of the projection is enabled when the projection is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Eduardo L. Quioc
  • Patent number: 8585091
    Abstract: An occupant protection device including a pyrotechnical gas generator and a safety valve operating in a temperature-dependent manner and leading to the outside is connected to the gas generator. A sealing element of the safety valve is formed by a pin that includes a pin head, which is inserted from inside into a hole in a wall of a supply element such that the pin head bears against the inner face of the wall. A pin end, which is located on the outer face of the wall and protrudes outwardly through the hole, is plastically reshaped, so that the cross section of the pin end is larger than the cross section of the hole thereby forming a sealing portion which is larger in cross section than the cross section of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Takata AG
    Inventors: Jochen Benz, Lars Mast, Jochen Lang, Christoph Pechhold, Robert Fleischmann
  • Patent number: 8585139
    Abstract: A seat bottom of a vehicle seat includes a base portion, a movable frame configured to be movable in a front-rear direction relative to the base portion, a tension generator and a tension transmission member. The tension transmission member connected at one end of its first portion with the tension generator is bifurcated at another end of a first portion into a second portion connected with a seat belt anchor or a seat belt buckle and a third portion connected with the movable frame. Upon activation of the tension generator, the third portion pulls the movable frame rearward and at the same time the second portion pulls the seat belt anchor or the seat belt buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Masutani
  • Patent number: 8585090
    Abstract: A linear pretensioner device for motor vehicle belt restraint systems of the type mountable to a motor vehicle structure and coupled with a belt restraint system component. In one form, the linear pretensioner includes a stroking housing forming a bore and a cable coupled with the stroking housing and to the belt restraint component. A main housing adapted to be fixed to the motor vehicle structure is positioned within the bore of the stroking housing, with the stroking housing telescopically overfitting the main housing. The main housing and the stroking housing form an expanding chamber that enlarges when pressurized by a gas generator. Upon activation, the gas generator drives the stroking housing along the main housing to exert tension on the cable. In another form, the pretensioner has an inner housing positioned within a bore of an outer housing, and the cable is coupled with the inner housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Wendell Chenney Lane, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8579371
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a reclinable seatback (2), a seat bottom (3) movable in a front-and-rear direction, a pretensioner (41) for moving the seat bottom (3) rearward, and brackets (21, 21) attached to a vehicle body. The seat bottom is attached to the brackets so as to move in the front-and-rear direction, the seatback is rotatably attached to the brackets, and the pretensioner moves the seat bottom relatively rearward with respect to the brackets. When the seat bottom is moved rearward by the pretensioner, a front portion of the seat bottom is moved upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Eiji Masutani
  • Patent number: 8579066
    Abstract: This seat belt device of a vehicle includes a webbing, a belt reel, a motor, a clutch, detection unit, brake control unit and motor control unit. The motor control unit includes a waiting current control unit configured to conduct a current that can maintain the clutch to be in the connection state in the motor when the brake control unit outputs the operation signal and variable current control unit configured to proceed from current control performed by the waiting current control unit when a change in the movement state of the vehicle is detected by the detection unit during the current control performed by the waiting current control unit and adjusts the amount of conduction in the motor based on the movement state of the vehicle that is detected by the detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shotaro Odate, Takeshi Kojima, Yo Ito
  • Patent number: 8550566
    Abstract: A seat belt includes: a lap strap stretchable around the waist of an operator, in other words, laterally stretchable across a seat surface; an AL retractor that is configured to wind the lap strap; a shoulder strap stretchable from the shoulder to the waist of the operator, in other words, stretchable from an upper portion on one side of the backrest to a lower portion on the other side thereof; and an EL retractor that is configured to wind the shoulder strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Wada
  • Patent number: 8528986
    Abstract: A seatbelt mechanism (S) comprises a chip anchor (12) disposed to one of right and left sides of a seat bottom (3) of the vehicle seat (1) and coupled to a tip end of the seatbelt (10), and a tongue anchor (14) disposed to the other of the right and left sides of the seat bottom (3) and engaged with a tongue plate (13) disposed to an intermediate portion of the seatbelt (10). A pretensioner mechanism (21) moves both the chip anchor (12) and the tongue anchor (14) substantially at the same time to actively tenses the seatbelt (10) when the vehicle collision occurs. A moving distance of the chip anchor (12) is substantially equal to a moving distance of the tongue anchor (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Masutani
  • Patent number: 8528987
    Abstract: A linear seat belt pretensioner (10, 110, 210) has a frame (12; 112, 113; 212, 213) and an axial cavity (24, 60; 124, 160; 232) rigidly connected to the frame (12; 112, 113; 212, 213), a gas generator (20, 120, 220) in fluid communication with the axial cavity (24, 60; 124, 160, 232), and a piston (40, 140, 240) movably arranged in the axial cavity (24, 60; 124, 160; 232). An actuating profile (42, 142, 242) movable with the piston (40, 140) pulls a length of seat belt webbing (38, 238) into the frame (12; 112, 113; 212, 213) that corresponds to twice the piston stroke (D). The pretensioner device having a locking ramp arrangement (66, 70; 266, 290, 292) configured to form a one-way clutch allowing an increase and resisting a reduction of the length of belt webbing (38, 238) received by the pretensioner (10, 110, 210).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Cahill, Jon E. Burrow
  • Publication number: 20130214584
    Abstract: The present invention provides a seat belt adjuster applicable to seat belts in vehicles, comprising: a pair of supporting swing rods (2) composed of a first swing rod and a second swing rod, with the adjacent ends of the first and second swing rods hinged together and forming an included angle between the swing rods, either non-adjacent end of the first and second swing rods fixed in stationary state, and the other non-adjacent end of the first and second swing rods movable as the included angle between the swing rods changes; and an actuator (3, 6), which changes the included angle between the swing rods by exerting force to the first swing rod and/or the second swing rod and/or the hinge point of the swing rods, and thereby directly applies variable force on the belt of the seat belt via the other non-adjacent end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Yingui Sun
  • Publication number: 20130193741
    Abstract: A linear seat belt pretensioner (10, 110, 210) has a frame (12; 112, 113; 212, 213) and an axial cavity (24, 60; 124, 160; 232) rigidly connected to the frame (12; 112, 113; 212, 213), a gas generator (20, 120, 220) in fluid communication with the axial cavity (24, 60; 124, 160, 232), and a piston (40, 140, 240) movably arranged in the axial cavity (24, 60; 124, 160; 232). An actuating profile (42, 142, 242) movable with the piston (40, 140) pulls a length of seat belt webbing (38, 238) into the frame (12; 112, 113; 212, 213) that corresponds to twice the piston stroke (D). The pretensioner device having a locking ramp arrangement (66, 70; 266, 290, 292) configured to form a one-way clutch allowing an increase and resisting a reduction of the length of belt webbing (38, 238) received by the pretensioner (10, 110, 210).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Cahill, Jon E. Burrow
  • Publication number: 20130193740
    Abstract: A linear seat belt pretensioner includes a housing with a sealed axial cavity and a piston (52, 152, 232, 352, 452) slidable in the cavity. A gas generator (76, 166, 156, 376, 476) deploys into the axial cavity, thereby propelling the piston outward. Because the axial cavity is well sealed, the arrangement retains the gas pressure upon deployment and is capable of a restart after a partial displacement if additional slack develops. The piston travels by a distance (X) corresponding to the piston travel and shortens the length of seat belt webbing available outside the pretensioner device by twice or thrice the distance (2X). The axial cavity can be sealed with a bladder element, such as a rolling sock (38). Alternatively, the seal may be established by a hollow piston (152) forming a ballistic seal with the wall of the cavity under pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Dario Brisighella, Christopher Fischer, Brent Parks
  • Patent number: 8496269
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt buckle presenter for a seat belt system of a vehicle comprising a belt buckle which is coupled to a spindle drive (16) through force transmission means (14), the force transmission means (14) including a locking member (40) which in normal operation is movable along a threaded spindle (30) of the spindle drive (16) in axial direction and in the case of restraint can be deformed by a restraining force acting on the belt buckle (12) so as to adopt a locking position in which the locking member (40) positively engages in the threaded spindle (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Artur Klein, Nathalie Kramer, Martin Prokscha, Stefano Roehm
  • Patent number: 8474873
    Abstract: A seat belt system in motor vehicles includes a seat belt disposed at a front seat and a shoulder-belt portion and a lap-belt portion, which at its outer anchorage point, is retained in the area of a door sill of the motor vehicle on a belt tensioner that is connected to the lap-belt portion via a connecting device. The connecting device is disposed out of view below a door-sill molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Carsten Moeker, Stefan Grutzeck
  • Patent number: 8469400
    Abstract: Various embodiments of seat harness pretensioning devices for use in land, air, and sea vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, a seat unit for use in a military land vehicle or helicopter includes a stroking device that enables the seat to move downwardly in response to an explosion or hard landing, respectively. The seat unit also includes a seat belt or harness that extends around the occupant in the seat. Downward movement of the seat in response to an explosion or hard landing causes a tensioning system to automatically pretension the seat harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc. (Phoenix Group)
    Inventors: David T. Merrill, Todd Humbert
  • Patent number: 8469401
    Abstract: Various embodiments of seat harness pretensioning devices for use in land, air, and sea vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, a seat unit for use in a military land vehicle or helicopter includes a stroking device that enables the seat to move downwardly in response to sudden movement. The seat unit also includes a seat belt or harness that extends around the occupant in the seat. Sudden movement of the seat in response to an explosion or hard landing causes a tensioning system to automatically pretension the seat harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd J. Humbert, David T. Merrill
  • 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: 8414027
    Abstract: A seat belt tensioner for motor vehicle, having a belt shaft (12) rotatably supported in housing as a carrier of a seat belt wound thereon and with a tensioner drive coupled thereto by a metal strip (18), the drive rotatable driving the belt shaft (12) when triggered by action on the metal strip (18) and the movement thereof, the metal band (18) before triggering the tensioning drive (10) surrounds an extension (13) of the belt shaft. The metal strip (18) is wound around the extension (13) of the belt shaft (12) in at least one winding turn serving as winding supply (20) for the movement thereof. The winding reserve (20) is held at a radial gap (21) to the extension (13) of the belt shaft (12) by a holding element (22) releasing the metal band (18) in case of tensile force acting on the metal strip caused by activation of the belt tensioner causing the metal stripto engage and rotate the belt shaft extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Erik Arthur Rydsmo, Linus Karl Axel Larsson
  • Patent number: 8403424
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle part adjusting device (10), especially a belt buckle presenter or belt presenter, comprising a first elongated flexible push member (12), a second elongated flexible push member (14) and a connecting and separating means (16) for the push members (12, 14) which is designed so that it detachably connects the push members (12, 14) upon an adjusting movement of the push members (12, 14) in a first longitudinal direction (X1) to form a bending-resistant interconnected part (18) and separates them upon an adjusting movement of the push members (12, 14) in an opposed second longitudinal direction (X2), wherein the push members (12, 14) are connected and separated in a reversible manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Birk, Mark Mages