Patents Assigned to AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.
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Patent number: 8720019Abstract: Personal restraint systems with buckle assemblies for use in vehicles are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a personal restraint system includes a connector configured to be coupled to a web. The restraint system also includes a buckle assembly configured to releasably retain the connector. In this embodiment, the buckle assembly includes a frame having a locking feature configured to engage a tongue of the connector. The buckle assembly also includes a locking member movably positioned adjacent to the frame that retains the tongue in a locked position. The buckle assembly further includes an actuator that can be actuated by a user to move the tongue out of the locked position.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventors: Fred Buckingham, Mark E. Main
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Patent number: 8713765Abstract: Latch assemblies for releasably engaging anchor members and other attachment points in vehicles are disclosed herein. A latch assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a latch and an ejector movably coupled to a frame. In some embodiments, a biasing member urges the ejector toward a position that holds the latch in a first or open position prior to attachment to an anchor member. When the anchor member presses against the ejector, another biasing member urges the latch to pivot from the first or open position to a second position about a first pivot point, and then from the second position to a third or fully closed position about a second pivot point.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventors: Fred Buckingham, Mark E. Main
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Patent number: 8683666Abstract: Buckle assemblies for use with child seats and other personal restraint systems in vehicles are disclosed herein. A buckle assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a housing assembly that receives at least a portion of a web connector. The housing assembly includes a coating having a generally soft or tactile surface finish. For example, the coating can be at least partially elastically compressible.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventor: Peter E. Miller
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Publication number: 20140054405Abstract: Seat belt web retractors and associated systems and methods are described herein. Web retractors assemblies configured in accordance with various embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a frame having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, and a spring-loaded shaft extending between the first and second sidewalls. The web retractor can further include a locking mechanism positioned proximate to the first sidewall of the frame and operably coupled to the shaft. The locking mechanism can include a vehicle inertia sensor and/or a web inertia sensor. A cover can enclose the locking mechanism such that the cover and the first sidewall form a liquid-sealed enclosure around the locking mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2012Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventors: John Clark, Robert Desmarais, Graham Betteridge, Ken Kohlndorfer, Martin Phillips, Andy Toth, Bruce Flora, Brandon Marriott, Michael Alan Wiseman, Ruth Hamilton
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Patent number: 8646158Abstract: Latch assemblies for releasably engaging anchor members and other attachment points in vehicles are disclosed herein. A latch assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a latch and an ejector movably coupled to a frame. In some embodiments, a biasing member urges the ejector toward a position that holds the latch in a first or open position prior to attachment to an anchor member. When the anchor member presses against the ejector, the biasing member causes the ejector to rotate latch from the first or open position to a second position about a first pivot point, and then from the second position to a third or fully closed position about a second pivot point.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2010Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventors: Fred Buckingham, Mark E. Main
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Publication number: 20140001299Abstract: Web retractors for use in seatbelt systems and other restraint systems are disclosed herein. Web retractors configured in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure can include one or more self cleaning features. For example, one embodiment of a web retractor can include a lock assembly that at least partially immobilizes a spool assembly. The retractor can further include lock assembly housing at least partially covering the lock assembly. The lock assembly housing can include a sidewall portion having one or more drain openings to allow dirt, mud, water, or other unwanted debris to exit the lock assembly housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2010Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Meyer
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Publication number: 20130328378Abstract: Self adjusting and/or locking buckle tongue assemblies for use with occupant restraint systems in vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, a buckle tongue assembly includes a plate having a tongue portion configured to cooperatively engage a corresponding buckle assembly. The buckle tongue assembly of this embodiment can further include first and second web gripping portions carried by the plate. The second web gripping portion is configured to move relative to the first web gripping portion between a first position in which the web gripping portions are spaced apart to permit movement of a web therebetween, and a second position in which the web gripping portions are engaged or interlocked to clamp the web therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventor: David D. Merrick
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Patent number: 8444222Abstract: Retractor systems for securing child safety seats in vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, a child safety seat includes a web operably coupled to a spool of a web retractor movably positioned under the safety seat. The web can include a first end portion that carries a first anchor connector and a second end portion that carries a second anchor connector. Rotation of the spool in a first direction retracts the first and second end portions of the web toward the retractor. Rotation of the spool in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, allows the first and second end portions to be drawn away from the retractor.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventors: Fred Buckingham, Mark E. Main
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Patent number: 8393645Abstract: Devices that can be releasably attached to seat belts and other restraint system webs to adjust the operational tension in the webs are described herein. In one embodiment, a seat belt web passes through a clamping device that includes a button movably coupled to a housing. In this embodiment, manual operation of the button in a first direction causes the device to clamp onto the adjacent portion of the seat belt web, thereby preventing the portion of web from being pulled through a web guide by a retractor. Manual operation of the button in a second direction causes the device to release the web.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2010Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Wiseman, Robert Desmarais
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Publication number: 20130009391Abstract: Personal restraint systems for use in recreational utility vehicles (RUVs) are disclosed herein. A personal restraint system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a web configured to extend around an occupant and a locking retractor having a motorized spool. A control module is electrically coupled to the locking retractor and the motorized spool is operably coupled to the web. A sensor is electrically coupled to the control module and is configured to detect dynamic characteristics of the RUV. In one embodiment, the sensor detects acceleration events that indicate a level of ride quality and the locking retractor adjusts the tension in the web based on the level of ride quality.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventors: Peter E. Miller, Tom Fisher, Jeffrey Miller, Michael A. Wiseman, Jeff Wood, Wayne Carter, Robert Desmarais
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Patent number: 8291555Abstract: Multi-pivot latch assemblies for releasably engaging anchors and other attachment points in vehicles are disclosed herein. A latch assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a latch and a release actuator movably coupled to a frame. In operation, movement of the release actuator causes the latch to rotate from a first position to a second position about a first pivot point, and from the second position to a third position about a second pivot point to open the latch. In some embodiments, a blocker holds the latch in the open position prior to attachment to an anchor member. In other embodiments, a biasing member holds the latch in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventors: Fred Buckingham, Mark E. Main
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Patent number: 8220118Abstract: Latch assemblies for releasably engaging anchor members and other attachment points in vehicles are disclosed herein. A multi-pivot latch assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a latch and an ejector movably coupled to a frame. In some embodiments, a biasing member holds the latch in a first or open position prior to attachment to an anchor member. When the anchor member presses against the ejector, the latch pivots from the first or open position to a second position about a first pivot point, and then from the second position to a third or fully closed position about a second pivot point.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventors: Fred Buckingham, Mark E. Main
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Publication number: 20120104815Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to tensioning devices and associated systems for use with child seats and other personal restraint systems. In one embodiment of the disclosure, a buckle includes a manual tensioning device configured to provide fine-tuning of harness tension when securing an occupant (e.g., a child) in a safety seat. In another embodiment, tensioning components can be configured to provide a means of dynamically adding tension in a restraint harness during crash event.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventors: Peter Edward Miller, Ian John Hadlow, Derrick John Martin Barker, Andrew Charles Peters, Sean Leonard Rory Casey
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Publication number: 20120104826Abstract: The present disclosure describes components for use with child seats and other personal restraint systems. In one embodiment a soft pad portion of a buckle assembly can be configured to surround or encase components of a buckle assembly of a personal restraint system. In certain embodiments of the disclosure, the pad can include one or more media features that can include entertainment, education, or care-giver alert devices that can be attached to, integrated with, or otherwise connected to the pad. Moreover, the pad can also serve as a platform onto which indicators, additional user devices, and/or media features can be incorporated and/or displayed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventors: Peter Edward Miller, Ian John Hadlow, Derrick John Martin Barker, Andrew Charles Peters, Sean Leonard Rory Casey
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Publication number: 20120080917Abstract: Magnetic buckle assemblies and associated methods of use with child seats and other restraint systems are disclosed herein. A restraint system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first web connector and a second web connector configured to releasably engage the first web connector. The restraint system can further include a magnet positioned on at least one of the first and second web connectors. The magnet can be configured to hold the first and second web connectors together such that they can be simultaneously inserted into a corresponding buckle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2011Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventors: Peter E. Miller, Ian J. Hadlow, Derrick J. Barker, Andrew C. Peters, Sean L. Casey, Phillip Morgan, Alphons L. Van Der Mullen
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Publication number: 20110243653Abstract: Latch assemblies for releasably engaging anchor members and other attachment points in vehicles are disclosed herein. A latch assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a latch and an ejector movably coupled to a frame. In some embodiments, a biasing member urges the ejector toward a position that holds the latch in a first or open position prior to attachment to an anchor member. When the anchor member presses against the ejector, another biasing member urges the latch to pivot from the first or open position to a second position about a first pivot point, and then from the second position to a third or fully closed position about a second pivot point.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventors: Fred Buckingham, Mark E. Main
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Patent number: D649432Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2011Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventors: Mark E. Main, Fred Buckingham, Derrick J. Barker, Ian J. Hadlow
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Patent number: D649433Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventors: Fred Buckingham, Mark E. Main, Derrick J. Barker, Ian J. Hadlow
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Patent number: D655223Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2010Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventors: Ian John Hadlow, Derrick John Martin Barker, Peter Edward Miller, Phillip Morgan, Mark Earl Main, Xinghua Huang, Michael Alan Wiseman
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Patent number: D661619Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2010Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.Inventors: Ian J. Hadlow, Derrick J. Barker, Peter E. Miller, Phillip Morgan, Xinghua Huang, Mark E. Main, Michael A. Wiseman