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.

Abstract: A system for testing a number of electronic module assemblies (EMAs) that control one or more personal restraint systems. A programmed processor with a computer system transmits signals that instruct the EMAs to perform a diagnostic self-test. The results of the self-test are received by the computer system and stored in a computer readable memory. In one embodiment, the computer system is a cabin management computer system for use on an aircraft.

Abstract: Buckle assemblies with lift latches and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a buckle assembly is configured to detachably engage at least one latch plate. The buckle assembly includes a cover, a load plate connected to the cover and formed with a plurality of openings, a shaft passing through the cover, a lift latch being operably rotated around the shaft in the operation space, and pawls selectively locking corresponding latch plates inserted in the openings in response to the rotation of the lift latch.

Abstract: Buckle assemblies with dual release features and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a buckle assembly is configured to detachably engage latch plates. The buckle assembly can include a top cover and a bottom housing collectively defining an operation space; a load plate having a plurality of apertures, an actuator configured to connect with the top cover, a plurality of pawls configured to operably enter the corresponding apertures so as to secure a plurality of latch plates, a release ring positioned adjacent to the pawls and connected with a release cord. The latch plates can be released by rotating the top cover or pulling the release cord.

Abstract: Various embodiments of restraint harnesses for use in land, air, and sea vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, for example, a restraint harness can include a first shoulder web, a second shoulder web, and a torso web. A first end portion of the torso web can include a buckle that is configured to engage a connector at a second, opposite end portion of the torso web. The restraint harness can further include first and second portions of a stiffening material attached to first and second portions of the first and second shoulder webs, respectively. The stiffening material can form the first and second shoulder webs into preformed openings with inverted U-like shapes.

Abstract: Insulation assemblies and associated methods of use and manufacture are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, an insulation assembly includes a plurality of insulation panels that are configured to releasably attach to an interior surface of an engine housing. The individual insulation panels can include a first surface configured to face the interior surface, and a second surface opposite the first surface and configured to face an engine in the housing. The insulation panels can each further include an attachment portion on the first surface carrying one or more first fasteners that releasably attach to a corresponding portion of the interior surface. The insulation panels can additionally include an attachment strap carried on the second surface. The attachment strap carries a second fastener that releasably attaches to a corresponding portion of the interior surface.

Abstract: Tensioning apparatuses for occupant restraint systems and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, an occupant restraint system for a vehicle can include a flexible web configured to extend across at least a portion of an occupant seated in the vehicle and an electrically actuated web retractor operably coupled to a proximal end portion of the web. The web retractor is configured to automatically wind and unwind the web. The system also includes an acceleration sensor operably coupled to the electrically actuated web retractor. The acceleration sensor is configured to send an electrical signal to the web retractor in response to a vehicle acceleration above a preset magnitude. In response to the signal, the web retractor is configured to (a) retract the web, and/or (b) at least temporarily prevent the web from moving inwardly or outwardly.

Abstract: Buckle assemblies with swivel and dual release features and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a buckle assembly is configured to detachably engage a web connector coupled to a first web. The buckle assembly includes a support structure coupled to a first release actuator, a second release actuator, and a swivel subassembly. The buckle assembly is configured to allow a user to detach the web connector from the buckle assembly via the first and/or second release actuators. Moreover, the swivel subassembly is configured to be coupled to a second web and to prevent the second web from twisting with reference to the buckle assembly.

Abstract: A buckle assembly for a vehicle restraint system where the buckle assembly is adapted to receive a plurality of belt connectors, with the belt connectors being simultaneously released upon moving at least one handle to a release position.

Abstract: Buckle connectors and airbag assemblies for inflatable personal restraints, and associated methods of use and manufacture are described herein. In one embodiment, an inflatable personal restraint system for use in an aircraft includes a web configured to restrain an occupant in a seat, a connector attached to a distal end portion of the web, and an airbag carried by the web. The restraint system further includes an airbag cover at least partially enclosing the airbag and engaging a portion of the connector. The connector can include a tongue portion configured to be releasably engaged with a corresponding buckle to secure the web around a portion of the occupant.

Abstract: Structure mounted airbag assemblies and associated systems and methods are described herein. An airbag system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure can include, for example, a housing having a cavity and an opening in communication with the cavity, an airbag assembly within the cavity, and an inflator operably coupled to the airbag assembly. The airbag assembly can include an airbag configured to deploy through the opening of the housing during a crash event. The airbag system can further include a door removably positioned across the opening and configured to move away from the opening during airbag deployment. The housing can be affixed to an interior portion of an aircraft, forward of and offset from an aircraft seat.

Abstract: Structure mounted airbag assemblies and associated systems and methods are described herein. An airbag system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure can include, for example, a housing having a cavity and an opening in communication with the cavity, an airbag assembly within the cavity, and an inflator operably coupled to the airbag assembly. The airbag assembly can include an airbag configured to deploy through the opening of the housing during a crash event. The airbag system can further include a door removably positioned across the opening and configured to move away from the opening during airbag deployment. The housing can be affixed to an interior portion of an aircraft, forward of and offset from an aircraft seat.

Abstract: Electronics module assemblies (“EMAs”) for inflatable personal restraints and associated systems are described herein. An EMA configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology can include, for example, a housing having a body portion, cover portion that attaches to the body portion to form an enclosure, and protrusion extending outwardly from the cover portion. The protrusion can have an outer boundary at which the protrusion projects away from the cover portion. The EMA can further include a crash sensor within the enclosure in an area defined by the outer boundary of the protrusion. The protrusion can form an envelope of space around the crash sensor that defines a minimum distance an external object with a magnetic field can come to the crash sensor without activating it. The EMA can optionally include a magnetic field configured to disable the crash sensor upon the detection of an external magnetic field.

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.

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.

Abstract: Stitch patterns for inflatable personal restraint systems and associated systems and methods. A stitch pattern between a web of a restraint and an airbag mounted to the restraint has a continuous, or curvilinear pattern to reduce stress concentrations. The stitch pattern can be applied to the web, the airbag, and a gas tube in a single stitching procedure.

Abstract: Tensioning apparatuses for occupant restraint systems and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, an occupant restraint system for a vehicle can include a flexible web configured to extend across at least a portion of an occupant seated in the vehicle and an electrically actuated web retractor operably coupled to a proximal end portion of the web. The web retractor is configured to automatically wind and unwind the web. The system also includes an acceleration sensor operably coupled to the electrically actuated web retractor. The acceleration sensor is configured to send an electrical signal to the web retractor in response to a vehicle acceleration above a preset magnitude. In response to the signal, the web retractor is configured to (a) retract the web, and/or (b) at least temporarily prevent the web from moving inwardly or outwardly.

Abstract: Inflator connectors for inflatable personal restraints and associated systems and methods are described herein. An inflator connector configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, for example, can include a body having an attachment portion and a sleeve portion and a coupling rotatably received in the sleeve portion. The attachment portion of the body can include a first bore having a first engagement feature positioned toward a first opening for operably engaging at least one of an inflator and a gas tube. The sleeve portion can include a second bore in fluid communication with the first bore. The coupling can include a second engagement feature positioned toward a second opening for operably engaging the other of the inflator and the gas tube.

Abstract: Systems for indicating the status of a seatbelt buckle prior to a protective response are disclosed herein. An airbag activation system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a normally closed magnetically operated reed switch. The reed switch is attached to a connector carried on one portion of a seatbelt, and a magnet is attached to a buckle carried on another portion of the seatbelt. Coupling the connector to the buckle causes the magnetic field of the magnet to move the reed switch from the normally closed position to an open position, thereby enabling the activation system to inflate the airbag in the event of an accident.