Abstract: An energy absorbing mounting fastener assembly is provided for a seat belt component particularly a seat belt sling assembly 22 which includes an energy absorbing member 46, 47 carried with a mounting bolt 32 for pivotally mounting the seat belt component with the energy absorbing member being retained between the mounting bolt head and the seat belt component and providing an access aperture 63 for tool engagement with the bolt 32 at a pocket 64.

Abstract: A safety system operable during vehicle accidents comprises a seat located inside a vehicle and having a back, a safety belt assembly operative for holding a user to the seat, and means for connecting the back of the seat to a vehicle roof.

Abstract: A device for use in safely positioning a shoulder belt upon a child seated in a booster set, the strap comprising in combination with a shoulder belt positioning strap, the strap having a first end, a second end and an intermediate extent therebetween means to couple the first end of the belt to a booster seat; a shoulder belt clip secured to the second end of the belt; and the shoulder belt clip having a semicircular recess at a lower extent adapted to receive the second end of the strap, the shoulder belt clip having an opened upper extent, an aperture with diametrically opposed inwardly directed protrusions, the aperture formed intermediate the super and lower extents of the shoulder belt clip, the opened upper extent and the aperture together adapted to removably engage the shoulder belt.

Abstract: A child seat belt clip having a housing containing preferably two block-type pinch clamps to secure a lap and shoulder belt slid into a housing. Depression of preferably a latch or lever acts to rotate the clamping blocks about their respective axle, allowing the clamping blocks to be rotated up and out of the way for easy insertion or removal of the lap and shoulder belt into or from a slot in the housing. Release of the latch allows springs wound around each axle to rotate the clamping blocks back, and in tight contact with the lap and shoulder belt, thereby securing the lap and shoulder belt against the wall of the housing. Increased force against the clamped belt acts to tighten the clamp against the belt, reducing the possibility of slippage of the lap and shoulder belt through the seat belt clip.

Abstract: A safety belt system with a lap portion and a shoulder portion which shoulder portion extends upwardly at an angle from a location on the lap belt portion, and more particularly a belt system including a shoulder belt angle determinant or adaptor component and the method of using the angle determinant or adaptor to improve such belt system. The adaptor component of the belt which when installed in the belt system relocates the position from which the shoulder belt portion extends upwardly to and in engagement with an upper vehicle anchor. By varying the length of the adaptor component the angle at which the shoulder belt section is located is varied to accommodate vehicle occupants of different sizes including children. The angle and position of the shoulder belt is selected to properly place the shoulder belt across the occupant's torso.

Abstract: An automotive seat back (34) which comprises a pair of spaced upright members (40) each having lower ends rotatably supported on pivot pins (38) and interconnected by a cross member (42) extending between the upper ends. A shoulder belt housing (44) extends upwardly between the upright members (40) from below the cross member (42) to a distal end (46) disposed above and outside the cross member (42). Crisscrossing truss elements (52) interconnect the upright members (40) and the housing (44) to suspend the housing (44) within the periphery of the seat back as defined by the upright members (40) and the cross member (42). The upright members (40) and the cross member (42) and the truss elements (52) and the housing (44) are all integrally die cast of magnesium. The housing (44) includes a coffin portion, defined by side walls (54) and a bottom (56), and a cover (58) disposed over and in sealing engagement with the side walls (54).

Abstract: A deflection fitting for vehicular safety belt systems comprises a yoke with a pair of parallel limbs interconnected by a rod and a roller rotatably mounted on the rod. The roller has a cylindrical main section between a pair of axial end sections. A substantially continuous and concavely curved transition is provided from the main section to each end section of the roller and from each end section to an adjacent limb surface portion.

Abstract: A belt connecting metal fitting for a seat belt device of a vehicle comprises a metal fitting plate body, and a belt insertion means formed as a slot formed to the metal fitting plate body through which a seat belt is inserted. The belt inserting slot is provided with bulged portions on both surfaces of the plate body so as to provide a thickened portion at least to an edge portion with which the belt is engaged to form a central belt insertion hole, the edge portion of the belt inserting slot having substantially circular curved cross section. A belt mounting hole is formed to the metal fitting plate body to secure the belt. At least the belt engaging portion of the metal fitting plate body is coated with a resin material formed through a resin molding process with the belt insertion hole remaining uncoated.

Abstract: A shoulder belt anchor adjusting device comprises an adjusting unit supported on a side pillar of a vehicle so as to be movable in substantially vertical directions along the side pillar, and having a stud bolt as a shoulder belt anchor support projection projecting toward the interior of the cabin of the vehicle; and a shoulder belt anchor unit detachably mounted on the stud bolt of the adjusting unit, and having an anchor member through which a seat belt is passed. The stud bolt is provided with an engagement groove in its head portion, the shoulder belt anchor unit is provided with a latch member or members which engage with the engagement groove in a spring action to hold the shoulder belt anchor unit on the adjusting unit, when the shoulder belt anchor unit is moved toward the adjusting unit along the axis of the stud bolt. It is not necessary to remove a cover of the shoulder belt anchor unit before the anchor unit is assembled with the adjusting unit.

Abstract: A height adjusting mechanism for an upper brace of a shoulder belt of a safety belt device of a motorized vehicle has a locking device that includes a guide track having a longitudinal extension and having locking recesses distributed along the longitudinal extension. The locking device also includes a slide displaceable in the longitudinal direction and a locking lever with a locking projection. The locking lever has a supporting zone for supporting the locking lever on the slide such that the locking lever is pivotable from a locking position into a release position. In the locking position the locking projection engages one of the locking recesses. The locking lever has a zone of reduced material strength located between the locking projection and the supporting zone, wherein the zone of reduced material strength provides a deformative travel for the locking projection under load and has an abutment for limiting the deformative travel.

Abstract: An automotive bench seat assembly which may be removable from a vehicle, has a seat, a seatback adjacent to the seat, a pair of relatively spaced stanchions having an upper portion secured to the seat, and a lower floor engaging portion. The seat has a front rail, a rear rail, and a pair of side members connecting the front and rear rails. A pair of belt supporting towers are operatively associated with shoulder belts and serve to transmit impact loads to the floor through the stanchions. The stanchions have upper portions supportingly secured to towers or the rear rail intermediate the ends thereof and to the front rail intermediate the ends thereof. The stanchions have the floor engaging portion positioned inwardly of the side members. Lap belts also transmit impact loads through the stanchions to the floor. The stanchion may be generally V-shaped and have sidewalls composed of reinforced sheet members. Reinforced sheet members may be provided in the seatback and seat.

Abstract: A restraint system for use in a vehicle for the restraint of an occupant. The system is comprised of a three point belt assembly wherein the anchor for the shoulder strap is pivotably mounted and laterally adjustable. The system includes a housing mounted atop a vehicle seat with a drive shaft rotatably mounted to the housing and threadably engaged with a post. A belt guide is pivotable mounted to the post.

Abstract: An improved shoulder belt guide for use with a child's booster seat positioned on a vehicle seat having a safety belt with a shoulder strap. The guide has first and second generally parallel slots formed in a body member with each slot having a belt access opening for enabling the shoulder strap to be attached to the guide. The guide has a third slot with closed perimeter, and a fourth slot generally parallel to the third slot but having an access opening enable the guide to be adjustably attached to one of a number of loops in a flexible securement strap attached to a booster seat. The strap is attached to the booster seat at several anchor points in order to provide one large loop and a series of small adjustment loops. The large loop portion of the securement strap passes through the third guide slot, while the smaller loops are engaged in the fourth parallel apertured slot so that the position of the guide is determined by which of the several small loops is received in the apertured parallel slot.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint apparatus (10) includes seat belt webbing (16), a seat belt retractor (50), and a mounting structure (80) for mounting the retractor (50) on a shoulder portion (40) of a seat back (20). The apparatus (10) further includes a guide structure (52) having an elongated turning surface (192) which engages the webbing (16) to define a turn (190) in the webbing (16). Another mounting structure (142, 144, 146) mounts the guide structure (52) on an opposite shoulder portion 38 of the seat back (20), with the turning surface (192) in a vertically extending orientation. The guide structure (52) supports the webbing (16) for movement along and around the turning surface (192) upon extraction and retraction of the webbing (16) when a shoulder belt section (64) of the webbing (16) is moved back and forth across the seat back (20).

Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle seat is provided. In one embodiment, the seat belt system includes a shoulder strap, a retractor for tensioning the shoulder strap at one end thereof, a seat belt buckle for securing the shoulder strap at the opposite end thereof, and an adjustable guide assembly for directing the shoulder strap across an occupant of the seat. The guide assembly includes a guide body having a webbing opening through which the shoulder strap extends and a push-button mechanism capable of positioning the guide body in any one of a plurality of rotational positions relative to the seat.

Abstract: A web adjuster particularly suitable with occupant restraint systems wherein a shoulder belt, or the like, utilizes an adjustable web for confinement purposes. An upper reversing ring slidably receives an adjustment web having a lower manually adjustable handle for adjusting the web, and the web passes through the ring and through a cam adjustable buckle having an end affixed to the reversing ring. A load ring is attached to the buckle and tilting of the buckle between release and lock positions permits the position of the load ring to be adjusted as the adjustment web is pulled through the reversing ring.

Abstract: A webbing height adjuster of the invention is formed of a movable member disposed on a guide rail on a vehicle to be slidable in the longitudinal direction; a lock pin disposed on the movable member to be movable in a direction of engaging and slipping off one of engaging portions of the guide rail; a control member slidably mounted on the movable member and having a pair of side walls to sandwich the lock pin; and a driven pin mounted on the lock pin to form a T-shape. Each of the side walls has a notching groove which opens in a direction of slipping of the lock pin from one of the engaging portions, and a cam face formed in the notching groove and engaging the driven pin. The control member controls the movement of the lock pin in the direction of engaging and slipping off by sliding relative to the movable member. The driven pin with the lock pin can be easily assembled with the movable member.

Abstract: A seat and seat belt assembly wherein a platform is slidable relative a first track and a second track, a belt guide is mounted on the seat back, and seat belt retractor is mounted on the slidable platform beneath the belt guide. Preferably, substantially all the seat belt is mounted external the first and second interior envelopes, and the web of the seat belt extends flat along the first side of the seat back between the retractor and the belt guide and the axis of rotation of the retractor extends generally parallel to the first track. Advantageously, the belt guide is mounted on a second member which is moveable with respect to a first member which is fixed to the seat back.

Abstract: A new and improved shoulder belt retractor for mounting on a vehicle seat or on the vehicle body adjacent the seat and providing a headrest support shaft which cantilevers inboard from the housing of the shoulder belt retractor to support the headrest. In particular, the shoulder belt retractor has a belt reel rotatably supported between spaced apart sidewalls of a housing located outboard of the occupant seating position. The headrest support shaft is attached to and extends between the sidewalls of the housing vertically above the belt reel and cantilevers inboard from the housing to support a headrest. A belt routing pulley is rotatably journaled on the support shaft between the sidewalls of the housing and receives the belt to guide the belt over the shoulder of the seated occupant. The belt routing pulley is preferably conical in shape to redirect the belt from a vertical path aligned with the belt reel to an angled path directed diagonally over the occupant's shoulder.

Abstract: A seat belt bezel includes an inner bezel element that includes six hollow insert tabs. Each tab is snappingly engageable with a respective receptacle in a seat belt retractor housing that is positioned in a seat of a vehicle. An outer bezel member in turn includes six engagement legs, with each engagement leg of the outer bezel element being snappingly engaged with an insert tab of the inner bezel element to expand the insert tabs in the receptacles of the retractor housing. Part of the seat fabric is sandwiched between the inner bezel element and outer bezel element to retain the fabric.

Abstract: A vehicle seat which carries a passenger restraint system, namely a lap belt and a shoulder belt, with a tension load carrying member being provided to resist forward rotation and bending of the backrest frame during a frontal vehicle collision when the shoulder belt is loaded in tension. The tension load carrying member forms a truss structure with the frame back portion and the frame base portion. However, during normal vehicle operation, the tension load carrying member is detached from the frame back portion eliminating the truss structure and the need for a more complex recliner mechanism for adjusting the position of the backrest. A grip mechanism is provided to attach the load carrying member in response to a high shoulder belt load to complete the truss. In an alternative embodiment, the load carrying member is released from the backrest only during adjustment of the backrest.

Abstract: A collision energy absorbing structure of a vehicle seat belt device is provided with a guide rail, a slider, and a slip joint. The guide rail (14) includes a vertically extending slit (20) and a pair of flanges (24, 25) which make resistance against deformation of the guide rail in the inward direction of the passenger compartment. The slider (16) is attached to the guide rail with nails (50) deformable under a load larger than a predetermined one in the outward direction of the passenger compartment and disposed in the guide rail outward thereof. The slip joint (18) is attached to the slider and disposed in the guide rail inward thereof.

Abstract: A rear seat system for a motor vehicle, particularly a passenger car, has at least one backrest which can be folded from an upright operating position into an approximately horizontal depositing position and has an operating part which releases the backrest locking. Three-point seat belts are provided for the occupants of the rear seat system. In the deposited condition, the belt strap extends close to the vehicle side panel and in the process is situated in the swivel area of the backrest. When the backrest is folded up, the belt strap will not be clamped in between the backrest and the vehicle side panel because the operating part is also used as a guiding part for the adjoining belt strap of the deposited three-point seat belt.

Abstract: A slip-on seat belt tension adjustment clip for relieving the tension from the shoulder strap of a seat belt assembly. The clip is made from a flexible polymer and is one piece. It has a handle with two outwardly extending clip arms. One of the clip arms has a convex curve along its inner surface and the other clip arm is spaced a constant distance from the first clip arm. A user may simply slip on the clip adjacent the guide loop and relieve the normal constant tension which otherwise exists in the shoulder strap. The clip may then be easily removed by pulling it off.

Abstract: A seat for vehicles is provided with a pivotable seat back and a seat belt system including a seat belt, a belt roll-up device, and a belt deflector mounted on the seat back. A locking device triggerable in the event of a collision is provided for securing the seat back to the vehicle body. To create a highly stable locking device without having parts projecting therefrom when the seat back is folded, the locking device has a locking pin that is displaceable crosswise with respect to the vehicle, the pin cooperating with a hole located in the side wall of the body and urged by a tensioned drive spring in the direction of the hole, and a locking unit which secures the locking pin in its basic position against axial displacement. The locking unit is coupled to a section of the seat belt located between the belt roll-up device and the belt deflector in such fashion that it releases the locking pin as a result of a pull that acts when the belt pull-out lock on the seat belt is active.

Abstract: A booster seat for use by children in a vehicle includes structure to position the shoulder portion of the seat belt at an appropriate position in relation to the child occupant. The belt is secured on lateral elements located on the sides of the seat back by a strap or a sleeve, which is fitted with hook and loop fasteners. The belt is slidably engaged and may be continuously and selectively positioned at the desired height for proper functioning of the belt. To prevent interference with the positioning device by the child occupying the seat, the strap may extend and be fixed to the upper surface of the lateral elements so that the end of the strap is above and behind the child's head.

Abstract: A deflector fitting for safety belts comprises a stirrup member which is provided with two parallel limbs. A pin is arranged between the two limbs. On this pin a roller is mounted by means of two bearings which are arranged at axial ends of the roller. The roller is provided with an increased wall thickness between the bearings. This increased wall thickness forms at least one support structure closely spaced from and surrounding the pin.

Abstract: A modular automotive seat frame enabling a variety of seat frames to be fabricated of modular components. The seat back frame includes a pair of side supports each including a cross member which nestingly interfit with one another. The amount of nesting is varied to vary the width of the seat back. An upper member is secured between the side supports and is adapted to support a headrest. In an enhanced embodiment, the seat is an all-belts-to-seat design. A belt retractor is mounted to the nested cross members of the side supports and a shoulder belt terminal is mounted on the upper member of the seat back frame. The terminal permits the height of the shoulder belt loop to be adjusted for comfort and safety.

Abstract: A retractor having a frame pivotably mounted to a structural member of the back of a seat of an automotive vehicle. A self-zeroing center of gravity assembly is pivotably mounted to the structural member which maintains a predetermined orientation independent of the angle at which the back of the seat is positioned. A blocker mechanism, responsive to extraction of the shoulder webbing from the retractor to temporarily block the center of gravity assembly from pivoting during the displacement of the back of the seat toward a reclined position and prevents inadvertent locking of the retractor and displacement of the seat's back.

Abstract: An occupant safety apparatus comprising: a gimbaled web guide (80, 80') having a first member (90, 130) defining a belt exit slit (92) and a gimbaled support structure (94, 96, 100, 102, 130) for permitting the first member to rotate about at least two generally perpendicular axes. This support structure also permits the first member to rotate about a third axis.

Abstract: A webbing height adjuster of the present invention comprises a lock pin adjusting slider 3, a covering member 9 made of resin which is fixed to the lock pin adjusting slider 3, and a bolt 73 for supporting a slip anchor 75 which is fixed to the slider 3. A lock pin 5 is slidably inserted into an axial slot 41 of a column 40 of the covering member 9, and a lock pin biasing spring 7 is accommodated in the axial slot 41. The column 40 acts as a sliding guide of the lock pin 5. The column 40 is provided with a spring garnish mount portion 48 formed coaxially with the axial slot 41. The covering member 9 is provided with a guide groove 38 for guiding a lock pin control slider 10 pressing the lock pin 5. The guide groove 38 is formed integrally with the column 40. Therefore, the bolt can be manufactured in a simple structure at low cost and the thickness of the adjuster can be reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seatback frame for a vehicle seat, comprising a lower structure provided with two side uprights, and an upper structure provided with a horizontal torsion bar surmounted by an arch. The first end of the torsion bar is prevented from rotating relative to one of the two uprights of the lower structure and is secured to one end of the arch. The second end of the torsion bar is mounted to pivot freely relative to the other side upright of the lower structure, while being secured to the other end of the arch. A seat belt is mechanically connected to the arch of the upper structure, with said upper structure being dimensioned so as to deform plastically when the seat belt is subjected to a traction force.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system (10) includes a seat (12) and a length of belt webbing (42) connected with the seat. A belt webbing engaging member (62) on the seat frame (18) engages the belt webbing (42) for transferring forces from the belt webbing to the seat frame. The belt webbing engaging member (62) is mounted on a first one (110) of a plurality of interconnected seat frame members (72, 90, 110, 130, 150, 170). The seat frame members are movable relative to each other to form a truss (70) in response to the application of force from the belt webbing (42) in excess of a predetermined force. The truss (70) resists deformation of the seat frame (18) due to the forces transmitted to the seat frame.

Abstract: An apparatus (40) includes a movable webbing guide (28) which guides seat belt webbing (26) extendable around an occupant (11) in a vehicle seat (12). A webbing guide stop (70) is movable between different stop positions for stopping movement of the guide (28). The stop (70) is moved between the different stop positions using a positioning screw (64) having one end connected to the stop (70) and the other end operatively connected with a motor (60). A first sensor (80, 84) senses at least one characteristic of an occupant (11) in the seat (12) and provides a signal (82, 86) indicative of the occupant characteristic. The webbing guide stop (70) moves to a stop position which is dependent upon the signal indicative of the occupant characteristic when the occupant (11) is seated in the seat (12) and the vehicle ignition is turned on. An actuator (32), when actuated, causes the guide (28) to move.

Abstract: A safety restraint system in which the retractor for the shoulder webbing is pivotably mounted to a structural member associated with the back of the seat. The retractor is pivotable about a horizontal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The retractor has a shaft normal to the spool of the retractor and is pivotably locked in a sleeve of a mounting bracket attached to the structural member.

Abstract: A seat belt positioning assembly (30) for seat belt webbing (16) includes a structure (50) that has an opening (52) through which the webbing (16) extends. The assembly (30) also includes a movable closure member (60) that blocks the opening (52) and a support assembly (70) for the closure member (60). The closure member (60) has a slot (62) through which the seat belt webbing (16) extends. The support assembly (70) supports the closure member (60) for simultaneous pivotal adjustment about a center (74) as well as for rotational adjustment about a central axis (72).

Abstract: A seat belt adjuster is provided for holding the shoulder belt to the lap belt of an automotive seat belt at a fixed distance to create a compound angle of assent of the shoulder belt to prevent it from crossing the occupant's face or neck. The adjuster is an assembly of three components; a shoulder belt clip, lap belt locking buckle, and a tether. The shoulder belt clip is tethered to the lap belt locking buckle pulling the shoulder belt closer to the lap. The lap belt locking buckle can slide along the lap belt for adjustment and then be locked into position by closing the locking arm of the buckle.

Abstract: A shoulder belt mounting assembly includes a mounting bracket attached to the vehicle and having a transversely extending arcuate bearing surface. The assembly further includes a pivot clip having a belt-receiving portion through which the shoulder belt webbing is routed and having a mounting portion adapted for snap-fitted engagement onto the mounting bracket. The mounting portion of the pivot clip includes a transversely extending arcuate pivot surface seated atop and slidably engaging the arcuate bearing surface of the mounting bracket when the pivot clip is mounted on the mounting bracket such that the pivot clip freely transversely pivots relative the mounting bracket. Thus, facile pivotal movement of the shoulder belt webbing relative the vehicle is permitted by the transverse pivotal movement of the pivot clip relative the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A seat (20) includes a frame (22) with a first frame portion (26) supporting a seat bottom (40) and a second frame portion (24) supporting a seat back (42) and attached at two places (28) to the first frame portion to define a reference axis (A). Seat belt webbing (62) carries a tongue (64) and has an end (82) fixed to the first frame portion (24). A retractor (84) is fixed to the frame (22) and another end of the seat belt webbing is operably connected with the retractor. A buckle (80) is fixed to the first frame portion (26) of the seat (20) to receive the tongue (64). A guide (100) extends through the seat back for guiding movement of the seat belt webbing (62) through the seat back (42). A turning mechanism (120, 120a) directs the seat belt webbing (62) and comprises a housing (122, 122a) fixed to a part (118, 118a) of the second frame portion (24). A support portion (182) includes a support surface (225) and has a snap attachment for attaching to the housing (122, 122a).

Abstract: A device for automatically positioning a shoulder harness of a vehicle retractable seat belt for maximum fit and comfort of a vehicle occupant regardless of the body size of the occupant, and including a shoulder harness positioning guide for automatically positioning the shoulder harness of the safety belt over the torso of a seat occupant, wherein the guide is provided adjacent the retractor mechanism and provides at least a convex guide surface over which the shoulder harness is fed out during deployment, the convex guide surface being wider than the width of the safety belt webbing, the convex guide surface having an upper end and a lower end, such that during deployment of the safety belt the movement of the safety belt tongue plate over a lower path causes the shoulder harness to be deployed from the lower end of the convex guide surface, and movement of the safety belt tongue plate over a higher path causes the shoulder harness to be deployed from the upper end of the convex guide surface.

Abstract: A seat belt assembly in a vehicle for restraining an occupant includes a lap-shoulder belt assembly and an lap-shoulder belt extender assembly. The lap-shoulder belt includes a shoulder belt having an upper end mounted to the vehicle and a lap belt having a first end mounted to the vehicle and a second end joined to the lower end of the shoulder belt to form a lap-shoulder belt junction. The extender belt includes an extender shoulder belt and an extender lap belt. The extender shoulder belt has an upper extender end adjustably coupled to the shoulder belt. The extender lap belt has a first lap extender end releasably connected to the lap-shoulder belt junction and a second lap extender end connected to a lower extender end of the extender shoulder belt to form an extender junction. The extender junction is releasably connected to the vehicle at the normal location of the lap-shoulder belt junction.

Abstract: A support system for maintaining a person in a substantially upright sitting position in a wheelchair, comprises a unitary frame and a unitary cushion. The unitary frame has front and back portions, and a generally rectangularly shaped central portion having upper and lower sections. A pair of upper lateral wing frame portions extend from the upper section of the central portion, and a pair of lower lateral wing frame portions extend from the lower section of the central portion. The unitary cushion is shaped to fit over the frame and comprises, a generally rectangularly shaped central cushioned portion having upper and lower sections, a pair of upper lateral cushioned wing portions extending from the upper section of the cushioned central portion and a pair of lower lateral cushioned wing portions extending from the lower section of the cushioned central portion.

Abstract: A bezel assembly (40) for seat belt webbing (16) includes a bezel (42) and a trim plate (44) with a track (88) on which the bezel (42) is movable. The bezel (42) has a slot (62) through which the seat belt webbing (16) is movable in a lengthwise direction. The bezel (42) further has an axis (45) parallel to the lengthwise direction. The bezel (42) is supported for sliding movement along the track (88) in opposite directions perpendicular to the axis (45), and is supported for rotation about the axis (45) at any location to which the bezel (42) is slidable along the track (88).

Abstract: A modular automotive seat frame enabling a variety of seat frames to be fabricated of modular components. The seat back frame includes a pair of side supports each including a cross member which nestingly interfit with one another. The amount of nesting is varied to vary the width of the seat back. An upper member is secured between the side supports and is adapted to support a headrest. In an enhanced embodiment, the seat is an all-belts-to-seat design. A belt retractor is mounted to the nested cross members of the side supports and a shoulder belt terminal is mounted on the upper member of the seat back frame. The terminal permits the height of the shoulder belt loop to be adjusted for comfort and safety.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable safety and assistance harnessing device that is mountable to chairs or wheelchairs. Particularly, there is a harness loop (20) which may be attached to one handle (22) of a wheelchair. Additionally, the harness fits under one arm of a person, across the chest and under the other arm of the person. Moreover, the harness may fit under the other handle (34) and over one shoulder of the occupant where the harness is secured to a slideable clip (30). The clip sliding along the chest portion so as to loosen and tighten the harness system. Therefore, the person is free to bend and move more freely in a loosed harness position, and held more securely in a tightened position.

Abstract: A slip anchor for a seat belt device is attached to a vehicle for guiding a webbing. The slip anchor is formed of a fixing plate to be attached to the vehicle, a guide member having an upper section fixed to the fixing plate, a lower section situated parallel to the upper section and two side sections for connecting the upper and lower sections at lateral sides thereof to thereby form a guide hole for the webbing between the upper and lower sections, and a resin coating coated over the lower section. The lower section is located parallel to and at a predetermined distance away from a plane extending through a back surface of the fixing plate, and includes a rear surface facing the plane, a lower surface facing in a direction away from the upper section, and a curved upper surface extending from an upper end of the rear surface to a front end of the lower surface. Thus, the webbing extending along the rear surface changes a direction along the curved upper surface to smoothly guide the webbing.

Abstract: A slip anchor for a seat belt device has a webbing guide portion including a steel plate pivotably mounted on a part of the vehicle body by a fixing portion and a webbing through opening formed in the steel plate by punching. The steel plate as an insert metal is provided with a resin coating at least at the position of the webbing through opening. The webbing through opening of the steel plate has a flange formed at an edge of the opening at least on the side contacting the webbing and a portion of the steel plate under the webbing through opening is provided with a bend for stiffening.

Abstract: A frame assembly for a vehicle seat includes a seat-supporting section and a back-supporting section which are joined in a manner which accommodates the attachment thereto of a seat belt assembly so that the seat belt assembly need not be attached to the body of the vehicle within which the seat is used in order to pass load test requirements. The seat-supporting section includes two elongated side members which are fixedly secured to one another in a substantially parallel relationship, and the back-supporting section includes a generally vertically-oriented beam disposed on one side of the seat and a brace for stabilizing the beam in its vertical orientation. The frame also includes gusset members for joining the back-supporting section to the seat-supporting section at the corners of the frame.

Abstract: A seat belt comfort clamp provides a vehicle occupant protection from injury and enhanced comfort and convenience and includes a clamp assembly having first and second arms and a pivot member. The pivot member defines an axis extending substantially parallel to the seat belt and pivotally couples the first and second arms together. The first arm pivots between an open position and a closed or clamping position. A spring member biases the first arm from its open position to its clamping position. The first and second arms engage opposite sides of the seat belt and secure the seat belt in a comfortable position when the first arm is in its closed position. The second arm includes a guide member for slidably and adjustably coupling the comfort clamp to the seat belt when the first arm is in its open position.

Abstract: A shock absorbing belt for a child, of a seat belt restraint system or of a child seat in an automotive vehicle. The shock absorbing belt comprises base yarns including warp and weft yarns which are interlaced with each other. A plurality of additional yarns are inserted along the longitudinal direction of the warp yarns and at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of each weft yarn. The additional yarns are lower in elongation percentage and higher in strength than the base yarns. Each additional yarn is placed between upper weft yarns and lower weft yarns. The additional yarns have a total size of not more than 12000 D/cm, and a yarn size of not more than 1500 D. Each additional yarn is breakable when a high impact load is applied to the shock absorbing belt.