Abstract: A buckle has a buckle mechanism with a lock pawl and a latch pin. The latch pin is designed to travel only in a longitudinal or horizontal direction relative to the buckle mechanism. When a latch plate assembly is secured, the latch pin holds the lock pawl in a latched position and prevents accidental release of the latch plate assembly. A release button is coupled to the latch plate retention bar so that all of the effective actuation and other motions are in the longitudinal direction of the buckle mechanism. The buckle mechanism has an ejector mechanism with an ejection spring for ejecting the latch plate assembly.

Abstract: A web management system includes a base that is configured to be secured to the seat of a vehicle. A retraction member has a first end and a second end. The first end is fixedly secured to an anchor attached to the base. The retraction member is configured to expand and retract in length between a first length and a shorter second length. The expansion and retraction are biased in favor of retraction to the second length. A web having at least a portion is fixedly secured to the base. A roller is attached to the second end of the retraction member. The roller is configured to slidably couple the web to the retraction member. Retraction of the retraction member takes up slack in the web.

Abstract: A restraint system for an occupant seat mounted in a motor vehicle includes a processor to produce at least one control signal to control either or both of an electronically controllable unit to disable or impede operation of the motor vehicle and a notification device to produce a notification unless, in sequence, a first sensor produces a first signal indicating detection of an occupant being seated in the occupant seat followed by at least one second sensor producing least one second signal indicating that a rotatable shaft of a web retractor coupled to a web of a restraint harness has rotated by at least a threshold amount followed by a third sensor producing a third signal indicating that a tongue of the restraint system is engaged with a buckle of the restraint system.

Abstract: A tilt-lock adjuster system includes a tilt-lock adjuster that is used to tighten and loosen webbing. The tilt-lock adjuster includes an indicator configured to indicate when proper tension is applied to the webbing. The tilt-lock adjuster has a frame to which the indicator is slidably coupled and a web bar slidably coupled to the frame. The web bar is asymmetric for one way assembly with the frame. The web bar has a web engagement notch that is concave for enhancing locking of the webbing to the frame. The web bar has a frame guide slidably engaged to the frame. The frame defines a web opening in which the frame engagement ledge extends. The frame guide of the web bar includes a key guide foot. The frame has an orientation notch configured to receive the key guide foot of the web bar.

Abstract: A snap hook assembly includes a base assembly that has a hook at one end. A lever assembly including an actuation mechanism and an arm assembly fits through an opening defined through the base assembly. The arm assembly is positioned on one side of the base assembly and the actuation mechanism of the lever assembly is positioned on the opposite side of the base assembly. The actuation mechanism is fit within a housing so that the lever assembly may pivot with respect to the base assembly. A clasp is attached to the base assembly so that an end of the clasp is biased to contact the hook of the base assembly. When the lever assembly pivots, the arm assembly contacts and rotates the clasp to create a gap between the clasp and the hook.

Abstract: A snap hook assembly includes a base assembly that has a hook at one end. A lever assembly including an actuation mechanism and an arm assembly fits through an opening defined through the base assembly. The arm assembly is positioned on one side of the base assembly and the actuation mechanism of the lever assembly is positioned on the opposite side of the base assembly. The actuation mechanism is fit within a housing so that the lever assembly may pivot with respect to the base assembly. A clasp is attached to the base assembly so that an end of the clasp is biased to contact the hook of the base assembly. When the lever assembly pivots, the arm assembly contacts and rotates the clasp to create a gap between the clasp and the hook.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing restraint web assembly may include a motor vehicle seat restraint web and an energy absorption web having a first length, a first end attached to the restraint web at a first location thereof and a second end, opposite the first end of the energy absorption web, attached to the restraint web at a second location thereof, the energy absorption web responsive to a transverse force applied to the restraint web between first and second ends thereof that is greater than a threshold force to elongate and absorb energy while elongating, wherein the restraint web defines a second length between the first and second locations thereof, the second length of the restraint web greater than the first length of the energy absorption web such that the overall length of the restraint web increases as the energy absorption web elongates.

Abstract: A web management system includes a base that is configured to be secured to the seat of a vehicle. A retraction member has a first end and a second end. The first end is fixedly secured to an anchor attached to the base. The retraction member is configured to expand and retract in length between a first length and a shorter second length. The expansion and retraction are biased in favor of retraction to the second length. A web having at least a portion is fixedly secured to the base. A roller is attached to the second end of the retraction member. The roller is configured to slidably couple the web to the retraction member. Retraction of the retraction member takes up slack in the web.

Abstract: A cot includes a patient platform that supports a frame, a patient support assembly, and a pad. The cot further includes a lift system that is coupled to a transport system that includes a cot retainer. The patient support assembly includes a headrest, backrest, seat, and leg rest. In some forms, a child restraint assembly is incorporated into the various parts of the patient support assembly to allow safe transport of children in an ambulance. The child restraint assembly is adjustable to accommodate the size of the child being transported. In other forms, the child restraint assembly is incorporated into the pad. The various embodiments envision a child restraint assembly that is easily accessible to emergency medical professionals.

Abstract: A tilt-lock adjuster system includes a tilt-lock adjuster that is used to tighten and loosen webbing. The tilt-lock adjuster includes an indicator configured to indicate when proper tension is applied to the webbing. The tilt-lock adjuster has a frame to which the indicator is slidably coupled and a web bar slidably coupled to the frame. The web bar is asymmetric for one way assembly with the frame. The web bar has a web engagement notch that is concave for enhancing locking of the webbing to the frame. The web bar has a frame guide slidably engaged to the frame. The frame defines a web opening in which the frame engagement ledge extends. The frame guide of the web bar includes a key guide foot. The frame has an orientation notch configured to receive the key guide foot of the web bar.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat restraint system may include a tongue or buckle and an electrical component carried thereby, an elongated restraint web coupled to the tongue or buckle, the restraint web having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, an outer surface between the first and second sides and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, a channel member coupled to and between the inner and outer surfaces of the restraint web adjacent to the first side of the restraint web and extending along at least a portion of a length thereof, the channel member and the first side of the restraint web defining a passageway therebetween, and one or more electrical wires operatively coupled to the electrical component and extending into and through the passageway such that the one or more electrical wires ride within the channel member along-side the restraint web.

Abstract: A web management system includes a base that is configured to be secured to the seat of a vehicle. A retraction member has a first end and a second end. The first end is fixedly secured to an anchor attached to the base. The retraction member is configured to expand and retract in length between a first length and a shorter second length. The expansion and retraction are biased in favor of retraction to the second length. A web having at least a portion is fixedly secured to the base. A roller is attached to the second end of the retraction member. The roller is configured to slidably couple the web to the retraction member. Retraction of the retraction member takes up slack in the web.

Abstract: An apparatus for dynamically stiffening a vehicle seat back may include a vehicle seat including a seat bottom mountable within a vehicle, a seat back extending upwardly away from the seat bottom, and a bight defined at a forward-facing interface between the seat bottom and the seat back, an occupant restraint harness coupled to the vehicle seat and engaging a top end of the seat back, and a seat back stiffening apparatus having a seat back stiffening member and an actuator coupled to the occupant restraint harness adjacent to or near the bight of the vehicle seat. The actuator may be responsive to a first force applied thereto by the occupant restraint harness in excess of a first threshold force to deploy the seat back stiffening member to couple to and between the seat bottom and the seat back to add stiffness to the seat back frame.

Abstract: A switchable retractor system includes a retractor with a spool. The spool is rotatable in an extension direction for extending a web and in a retraction direction for retracting the web. A first clutch has an engaged state where the first clutch inhibits rotation of the spool in the extension direction and a disengaged state where the first clutch allows rotation of the spool in the extension direction. A release actuator actuates the first clutch into the disengaged state when actuated by a user to allow extension of the web. A second clutch has a locked state where the second clutch inhibits rotation of the spool in the retraction direction and an unlocked state where the second clutch allows rotation of the spool in the retraction direction. A tension actuator actuates the second clutch into the unlocked state when actuated to allow retraction of the web into the retractor.

Abstract: A passenger seat is described for use with a vehicle seat and includes, a base, an attachment assembly, a restraint assembly, and a non-rigid back. The base includes a central front opening. The attachment assembly includes a plurality of straps, which are configured to adjustably secure the base to the vehicle seat. The restraint assembly includes a shoulder strap assembly, a crotch strap assembly, and an adjustment strap. The adjustment strap is in communication with the shoulder strap assembly, extending from the shoulder strap assembly through the base and out of the central front opening of the base. The adjustment strap assembly is configured to adjust the shoulder strap assembly in response to translation of the adjustment strap through the central front opening of the base. The back encompasses at least a portion of the restraint assembly and the attachment assembly.

Abstract: A snap hook assembly includes a base assembly that has a hook at one end. A lever assembly including an actuation mechanism and an arm assembly fits through an opening defined through the base assembly. The arm assembly is positioned on one side of the base assembly and the actuation mechanism of the lever assembly is positioned on the opposite side of the base assembly. The actuation mechanism is fit within a housing so that the lever assembly may pivot with respect to the base assembly. A clasp is attached to the base assembly so that an end of the clasp is biased to contact the hook of the base assembly. When the lever assembly pivots, the arm assembly contacts and rotates the clasp to create a gap between the clasp and the hook.

Abstract: A gate assembly for a motor vehicle having an open doorway includes an elongated gate having a pivoting end mounted to a first frame component at one side of the doorway and a latching end opposite the pivoting end, a latch striker pin mounted to a second frame component at the opposite side of the doorway, a latch cam at the latching end of the gate and having a latched position and an unlatched position, and an actuator having an engaged position in which the latch cam is in its unlatched position and a disengaged position in which the latch cam is in its latched position. The gate is pivotable from a stowed position adjacent to the one side of the doorway to a deployed position across the doorway in which the latch cam in its latched position engages the striker pin to secure the gate in its deployed position.