Abstract: A system is provided for controlling operation of an electrically controlled and magnetically actuated locking web retractor of an occupant restraint coupled to an occupant seat of a motor vehicle. A control circuit may monitor output signals produced by one or more sensors configured to produce one or more respective sensor output signals indicative of one or more corresponding sensed conditions of the motor vehicle, vehicle seat or occupant restraint, process the output signals produced by the one or more sensors to determine one or more values of the one or more sensed conditions, compare the one or more determined values of the one or more sensed conditions to one or more corresponding threshold or range values, and then provide a control signal, based on the one or more comparisons, to a magnet actuator of the web retractor to cause the web retractor to lock or unlock.

Abstract: A snap hook configured to secure a car seat within a vehicle. The restraint system includes a hook body that has a hook at one end and a handle portion at an opposing end. The snap hook further includes a clip insert with a gate. The clip insert is configured to snap fit into an opening defined by the handle portion. The snap hook is configured to attach to the car seat by a belt and/or other suitable attachment device received within a belt opening. The gate extends from the clip insert so that an end of the gate is biased to contact the hook of the hook body. As should be appreciated, the gate is rotatable away from contact with the hook to form a gap. The gap enables a user to secure the snap hook to an anchor point within the vehicle.

Abstract: A belt adjuster configured to secure a belt of a child car seat. The belt is squeezed and/or compressed between a belt bar and a frame to prevent movement of the belt. The belt adjuster includes a trigger configured to function as a lever. In one example, the lever extends from a belt bar to the trigger, such that force applied to the trigger actuates the belt bar. The lever is configured to multiply a force applied to the trigger to reduce the force needed to release the belt. In one embodiment, a force vector applied to the trigger is in a parallel and opposite direction from a force vector of the belt bar. In another embodiment, a force vector applied to the trigger is in a parallel and/or transverse direction from a force vector of the belt bar.

Abstract: A harness adjuster configured to secure webbing of a child car seat. The adjuster includes a frame, a lever assembly, and a shaft configured to secure the lever assembly within the frame. The lever assembly further includes a lever portion and a web engagement portion. The web engagement portion is configured to secure a toothed insert via a tongue and groove connection. In one embodiment, the lever portion and the toothed insert are made from different materials. For example, the lever portion is made from a plastic and/or polymeric material and the toothed insert is made from a metallic material.

Abstract: A motor vehicle, seat and multi-point restraint system combination may include one or a combination of means for selectively preventing forward pivoting of the seat, one or more web attenuators for dampen forces applied thereby by one or more respective shoulder webs of the multi-point restraint system, at least one sleeve received on at least one shoulder web and a corresponding sleeve adjuster for adjusting a position of the sleeve along the respective shoulder web, web retractors operatively coupled to each of a pair of lap webs and to each of a pair of thigh webs of the multi-point restraint system, and at least one web retractor operatively coupled to the shoulder webs of the multi-point restraint system.

Abstract: A seat assembly including a frame and a seat mounted to the frame via one or more clips. In one example, the clips include a lock assembly configured to extend through an opening in a seat support. The lock assembly includes a T-lock with one or more tabs configured to lock the clip within the opening without the use of tools and/or other fasteners. In another example, the lock assembly is inserted into the opening and the clip is rotated 90 degrees from an unlocked to a locked position. In yet another example, the clip includes a retention assembly with a snap button configured to snap-fit within an aperture to prevent accidental rotation and/or removal of the clip from the opening.

Abstract: A bus seat including a seat back and a seat bottom. The seat back further includes a panel and a housing. The housing is a modular and configured to receive a variety of different panels. In one example, attachment of the panel to the housing defines a cavity. In another example, the cavity is filled with an energy absorbing material. In another example, the energy absorbing material is expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam and/or expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam. The seat back further includes a pair of parallel mounting posts disposed between the panel and the housing. The mounting posts include a plurality of fastener mounting locations to enable a universal fit. In another embodiment, the seat back includes one or more energy absorbing portions configured to absorb energy in the event of an accident.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system for a vehicle seat operatively mounted in a motor vehicle may include a restraint web operatively coupled to at least one of the vehicle seat and the motor vehicle, an elongated sleeve received on and at least partially about the restraint web, and a sleeve position adjuster coupled to the sleeve and including an actuator normally engaging a portion of the restraint web to fix a position of the sleeve relative to the restraint web and responsive to actuation thereof to disengage from the restraint web to allow the sleeve to be moved along the restraint web.

Abstract: A motor vehicle and occupant seat combination may include any one or combination of means for selectively preventing forward pivoting of at least one vehicle seat, one or more web attenuators for dampen forces applied thereby by one or more respective shoulder webs of at least one occupant restraint system, at least one sleeve received on at least one shoulder web and a corresponding sleeve adjuster for adjusting a position of the sleeve along the respective shoulder web, and one or more ratcheting web retractors for selectively tightening a lap web or a thigh web about an occupant of at least one vehicle seat.

Abstract: A dual-web retractor includes a frame having first, second and third sidewalls spaced apart from one another with the second sidewall positioned between the first and third sidewalls, a spool rotatably mounted to and between the first, second and third sidewalls, the spool having a first spool section defined between the first and second sidewalls and a second spool section defined between the second and third sidewalls, a first web having one end coupled to the first spool section, and a second web having one end coupled to the second spool section, wherein rotation of the spool causes the first and second webs to be simultaneously paid taken up on or paid out from the first and second respective spool sections.

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 bench type seat frame for use in vehicles, such as busses and/or other passenger vehicles has been developed. In one example, the seat frame includes a reinforced pedestal mount. For example, the pedestal includes one or more self-reinforced feet mounted to a floor of the vehicle. In another example, the self-reinforced feet are made from folded steel in a double thickness configuration. The pedestal further includes one or more crumple zones configured to dissipate energy during a collision. In another example, the seat frame includes a cross member extending between the pedestal and a wall mount. In one example, the cross member is able to support both belted and unbelted seat configurations. For example, the cross member includes one or more belt anchors configured to receive and secure one or more seat belts.

Abstract: A locking web retractor includes a frame including spaced-apart side walls, a spool rotatably mounted between the side walls, the spool rotatable in a web take-up pay out directions, locking components operatively coupled to the spool, a ferromagnetic component movable relative to the locking components between an unlocking position in which the ferromagnetic component does not cause the locking components to prevent the spool from rotating in the web pay out direction and a locking position in which the ferromagnetic component causes the locking components to prevent the spool from rotating in the web pay out direction, a magnet responsive to actuation to cause the ferromagnetic component to move from the unlocking position to the locking position to cause the locking components to prevent the spool from rotating in the web pay out direction, and means for actuating the magnet.

Abstract: A restraint barricade control system may include a restraint barricade configured to be mounted to a motor vehicle at or adjacent to an occupant access opening thereof, the restraint barricade having an non-deployed state and a deployed state, at least one sensor configured to produce at least one sensor signal corresponding to movement of the motor vehicle relative to at least one axis of an axis system of the motor vehicle, at least one actuator operatively coupled to the restraint barricade, a processor operatively coupled to the at least one sensor and to the at least one actuator, and a memory having instructions therein which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to activate the at least one actuator to deploy the restraint barricade from the non-deployed state to the deployed state based on the at least one sensor signal.

Abstract: A seat monitoring system including one or more shoulder belt tension sensors and one or more buckle belt tension seniors configured to monitor the tension in a harness of a child safety seat. The seat monitoring system further includes a headrest position sensor for monitoring the position of a headrest. The seat monitoring system includes a motor for automatic tensioning of the shoulder belts and buckle belt. The seat monitoring system includes an I/O device for inputting child specifications. The I/O device includes a step-by-step guide for properly securing the child within the child safety seat.

Abstract: A dual-web retractor includes a frame having spaced-apart sidewalls, a spool rotatably mounted between the sidewalls, a pair of engagement members configured to be releasably engaged to one another, and a single web having opposite ends each coupled to a different one of the pair of engagement members and a portion of the single web between the opposite ends affixed to the spool to define a first web section extending from one end of the frame between the spool and one of the pair of engagement members and a second web section extending from an opposite end of the frame between the spool and the other of the pair of engagement members. Rotation of the spool in a web take up direction alternatingly wraps the web sections onto the spool and rotation of the spool in a web pay out direction alternatingly unwraps the web sections from the spool.

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 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 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.