Patents Assigned to Indiana Mills and Manufacturing, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7566086
    Abstract: A seat mounting system for a vehicle comprises an elongated track mounted to a floor of the vehicle and a number of seat coupling members. The elongated track defines a length and a continuous first channel along its length. Each of the number of seat coupling members is configured to be received and retained within the first channel anywhere along the length of the elongated track, and to be secured to a vehicle seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry E. Gray, Christopher W. Foye
  • Publication number: 20090174250
    Abstract: A configurable restraint system (10-10vi) for a vehicle seat (12, 12?) may comprise a first restraint harness (30-30?) coupled to a first engagement member (32), a second restraint harness (34-34?) coupled to a second engagement member (36), and a third engagement member (50-50??) configured to be movable between first and second positions relative to the vehicle seat. The first position may be located relative to the vehicle seat so that the first engagement member (32) may releasably engage the third engagement member (50-50??) to restrain a first occupant of the vehicle seat via the first restraint harness (30-30?). The second position may be located relative to the vehicle seat so that the second engagement member (36) may alternatively releasably engage the third engagement member (50-50??) to alternatively restrain the first occupant of the vehicle seat via the second restraint harness (34-34?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Foye, Aaron J Acton, Guy R. Dingman
  • Patent number: 7556291
    Abstract: A vehicle safety system comprises a gate movably coupled to the vehicle, and a collapsible barrier coupled to the gate and to the vehicle. The gate is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position, the gate collapses the collapsible barrier into a position adjacent to the vehicle such that the occupant may egress through an exit of the vehicle substantially unimpeded by the collapsible barrier or gate. In the deployed position, the gate and the collapsible barrier extend at least partially across the exit to impede egress of the occupant through the exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Gale, Chris P. Jessup
  • Patent number: 7506413
    Abstract: A web position adjusting device comprises a frame defining a first web engaging surface, and a web clamping member movably mounted to the frame and defining a second web engaging surface The device is configured to receive a first web therethrough between the frame and the web clamping member with the first web normally clamped between the first and second web engaging surfaces. The web clamping member is movable relative to the frame to move the second web engaging surface away from the first web engaging surface to allow travel of the first web through the device. The device is further configured to receive and allow unimpeded travel therethrough of a second web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy R. Dingman, Donald C. Boyle, Thomas Mashino
  • Patent number: 7488038
    Abstract: A portable restraint system mountable to a vehicle seat may comprise a booster seat, a restraint harness mounted to the booster seat and a mounting harness coupled to the restraint harness. The restraint harness may be configured to restrain a passenger positioned on the booster seat. The mounting harness may have a connector attached thereto configured to releasably engage an anchorage of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Boyle, Julia D. King, Thomas Mashino
  • Patent number: 7431548
    Abstract: A housing assembly for housing a restraint device is provided. The housing assembly may be recessed into a floor or a wall of a building or a vehicle. The restraint device may be a retractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Acton, Jeffrey A. King
  • Patent number: 7357099
    Abstract: An animal restraint apparatus is provided to restrain an animal. The restraint apparatus comprises a first loop that fits over the animal's head and a second loop that is formed about the animal's torso when two straps are routed behind the animal's forelegs and releasably connected to a connecting assembly. The connecting assembly is equipped with at least one anchor member that releasably connects with a restraint member. The restraint member may be freestanding such as a leash or it may be attached to an anchorage. A method of restraining an animal is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Smith, Will Dodson, Curt Nowaskie
  • Patent number: 7347494
    Abstract: A vehicle safety restraint system comprises a portable base having a mounting assembly and a restraint assembly. The portable base may be a booster seat. The mounting assembly mounts the base to the seat of a vehicle and the restraint assembly restrains an occupant of the base. The mounting assembly may wrap around at least a portion of the vehicle seat to mount the booster seat to the vehicle. The restraint assembly may comprise a five-point or a four-point restraint and may include a lateral support assembly. The restraint assembly may further include a torso support assembly. A method of mounting a portable base to a vehicle seat is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Boyle, Michael A. Wiseman, Thomas P. Woellert, James T. Anthony
  • Patent number: 7318599
    Abstract: A modular inflatable restraint apparatus includes an elongated housing defining an open channel, a manifold tube, an air bladder inflator and an inflatable air bladder all positioned within the open channel of the housing when the air bladder is deflated. The air bladder is secured to the manifold tube with an open end of the manifold tube in fluid communication with an interior portion of the air bladder and with an inflation end of the inflator. An elongated cover is mounted to the housing to cover the open channel with the manifold tube, deflated air bladder and inflator positioned therein. The inflator is responsive to an activation signal to inflate the air bladder, and at least a portion of the cover is configured to move away from the open channel to allow deployment of the air bladder from the open channel when the inflator inflates the air bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Marius Magdun
  • Publication number: 20070290535
    Abstract: A vehicle safety seat may comprise, among other things, a vehicle seat having a seat base configured to be mounted to a support surface of a motor vehicle, and a roll sensor mounted to the seat base. The vehicle seat may be a suspension seat. The vehicle seat may have other sensors, event detection systems or the like mounted thereto. The vehicle seat may include a number of vehicle/occupant safety mechanisms integral therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: INDIANA MILLS & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffery Meredith, James Chinni, Marius Magdun, Chris Jessup, Douglas Bittner, David Merrick
  • Patent number: 7278684
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting an add-on passenger restraint system to a vehicle seat is provided. The apparatus comprises a retractor affixed to the add-on passenger restraint system. An extension member extends between the retractor and a coupling member. The coupling member is configured to engage an anchorage attached to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald C. Boyle
  • Patent number: 7246854
    Abstract: A child vehicle seat includes a seat portion and a headrest assembly. The headrest assembly defines at least one belt aperture. The headrest assembly is movable in relation to the seat portion between an upper position and a lower position. The child vehicle seat further includes a harness system including (i) at least one shoulder belt portion extending through the at least one belt aperture defined in the headrest assembly, and (ii) a crotch belt assembly that is movable in relation to the seat portion between an extended position and a retracted position. Movement of the headrest assembly in relation to the seat portion from the upper position to the lower position causes the crotch belt assembly to move from the extended position to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing Inc
    Inventors: Guy Dingman, Mike Ayette, Tom Woellert
  • Publication number: 20070040441
    Abstract: A vehicle safety restraint system comprises a portable base having a mounting assembly and a restraint assembly. The portable base may be a booster seat. The mounting assembly mounts the base to the seat of a vehicle and the restraint assembly restrains an occupant of the base. The mounting assembly may wrap around at least a portion of the vehicle seat to mount the booster seat to the vehicle. The restraint assembly may comprise a five-point or a four-point restraint and may include a lateral support assembly. The restraint assembly may further include a torso support assembly. A method of mounting a portable base to a vehicle seat is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Boyle, Michael Wiseman, Thomas Woellert, James Anthony
  • Publication number: 20070001495
    Abstract: A portable restraint system mountable to a vehicle seat may comprise a booster seat, a restraint harness mounted to the booster seat and a mounting harness coupled to the restraint harness. The restraint harness may be configured to restrain a passenger positioned on the booster seat. The mounting harness may have a connector attached thereto configured to releasably engage an anchorage of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: INDIANA MILLS & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Donald Boyle, Julia King, Thomas Mashino
  • Patent number: 7144085
    Abstract: A harness for restraining a passenger in the seat of a vehicle, such as, for example, a car, a van, or a bus, is provided. The harness may be configured to releasably couple with at least one rigid member mounted in the bight of the vehicle's seat between the seat's seat and back portions. The restraining harness may be a harness, a belt system, a child seat, or a booster seat, any of which may be configured to utilize any suitable coupling and to cooperate with the vehicle's own restraint system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles G. Vits, Christopher W. Foye, John David Scelsi, Donald C. Boyle, Guy R. Dingman
  • Patent number: 7125069
    Abstract: A vehicle safety system for impeding an occupant's egress from a vehicle is provided. A barrier is deployed, either manually or automatically, to cover at least a portion of the vehicle's exit in order to impede an occupant from egressing through the exit. The barrier may be a passive barrier or a reactive barrier. The barrier may also be a combination of a passive and a reactive barrier or the combination of several reactive barriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Giuliano Cacucci, Steve Johnson, Brian Hood
  • Patent number: 7097204
    Abstract: A sleeper bunk restraining system includes a sleeper bunk configured to be carried by a vehicle and having a top surfaced defining a length upon which an occupant may rest. The bunk includes a stationary portion and a moveable portion defined along the length, and the moveable portion is movable toward the stationary portion to form an occupant restraining barrier. A restraining member may be included and is configured for releasable connection to the vehicle such that the restraining member restrains movement of the movable portion of the bunk relative to the stationary portion of the bunk to thereby maintain the occupant restraining barrier in an occupant restraining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris P. Jessup, Douglas Wayne Bittner
  • Patent number: 7077475
    Abstract: A child restraint system comprises a retractor attached to a child seat. A restraint harness is coupled at one end to the automatic retractor and is releasably attached at another end to a buckle attached to the child seat. The retractor is normally biased to tighten the harness but will yield to an opposite force sufficient to overcome the normal bias. The harness may be further tightened by actuating a manual adjustment device. The restraint harness may be any suitable restraint harness including a three-point, four-point, or five-point restraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald C. Boyle
  • Patent number: 7040696
    Abstract: A seat system for a vehicle having a plurality of seat spaced longitudinally of the vehicle in a row. A first seat of the plurality of seats having a passive passenger restraint for restraining a passenger occupying a second seat located behind the first seat and having an active passenger restraint comprising a seat belt system mounted on a movable frame mounted to a frame of the seat for restraining a passenger occupying the first seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles G. Vits, Christopher W. Foye, Larry E. Gray, Donald C. Boyle, John David Scelsi
  • Patent number: D555358
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. King