Abstract: A seat belt buckle receptacle presenter is disclosed that presents the seat belt buckle receptacle to a vehicle occupant in a convenient and visually accessible location. In a first preferred embodiment, the seat belt receptacle is pivotally mounted along a generally horizontal track to move from a storage position located in the rearward portion of a vehicle seat to a presenting position located adjacent a forward edge of the vehicle seat. An alternative second preferred embodiment includes an upwardly extending presenting arm that is connected to a conventional restraint belt receptacle. The presenting arm receives a seat belt buckle and delivers the belt buckle to the seat belt receptacle.

Abstract: A restraint belt presenter assembly includes a restraint belt engaging member that is selectively driven by a track drive mechanism to catch and pull a restraint belt from its unused position to a presentation position for grasping by a vehicle occupant. In one embodiment, the restraint belt engaging member includes a selectively upwardly moving arm having a finger assembly with an offset rotary action for moving the finger assembly into an actuating position. In a second embodiment, the restraint belt engaging member is connected to a hinge member that pivots the restraint belt engaging member into an actuating position.

Abstract: A restraint belt presenter assembly includes a restraint belt positioning member carried by a slidable member that is selectively driven by a track drive mechanism to move a restraint belt buckle assembly forward from its unused, storage position to a presentation position for easy grasping by a vehicle seat occupant. The slidable member is connected to a track that may optionally be pivotally mounted to elevate the restraint belt positioning member into the presentation position. Alternatively, the track member may include an inclined distal end, such that the slidable member moves upwardly into the presentation position. Another embodiment includes a pivoting shaft member that pivots the restraint belt buckle assembly forward for a starting position to the presentation position as the slidable member travel upwardly on an inclined track.

Abstract: A restraint belt presenter assembly includes a restraint belt engaging member that is selectively driven by a track drive mechanism to catch and pull a restraint belt from its unused position to a presentation position for grasping by a vehicle occupant. The restraint belt engaging member includes a housing having an L-shaped slot that receives a finger assembly wherein the finger assembly has a rotary offset with locking movement for maintaining the finger assembly in an actuating position.

Abstract: A restraint presentation system is disclosed that includes a movable presenting member, such as an armrest or an actuating arm, that moves between a presenting position and a storage position and a restraint belt connected to a tensioning mechanism. The presenting member preferably has a concave shaped portion on a distal end thereof that captures a contact portion of the restraint belt to position the restraint belt in an operational position so as to be accessible to a vehicle occupant. The tensioning mechanism biases the restraint belt into a retracted position when the presenting member is in the storage position such that the contact portion of the restraint belt is in a co-linear relationship with the concave shaped portion of the presenting member.

Abstract: A vehicle component sub-assembly having self-aligning appropriately fitted structural members is disclosed wherein a closure member, such as a vehicle door, hood or trunk is integrated with and becomes a structural part of a vehicle body. The sub-assembly includes mating components wherein a first mating component is mounted to the vehicle body and a second mating component is mounted to the closure member in such a manner that the first and second mating components become substantially aligned and structurally engaged with one another. The first mating component includes at least one structural key member formed thereon and the second mating component has a complementary mating receptacle therein. When the first and second mating components are aligned into interlocking engagement, the structural key members and mating receptacles are thereby structurally integrating the vehicle body and the closure member.

Abstract: A vehicle closure panel includes an outer frame that is connected to a central beam portion to provide a primary structure that resists deformation and efficiently distributes impact forces during a collision. The present invention can be used with or without structural key members and mating recesses to integrate the closure panel with the rest of the vehicle body, depending on design criteria. Also, primary structure of the present invention provides a structural modularity for closure panels that simplifies design by reducing the number of overall parts and uses the primary structure alone to meet the demands for crash testing. Thus, a basic structure is relied on for crash strength while accompanying secondary structures provide cosmetic differences.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a generally horizontal sitting portion connected to a generally vertical backrest, and an armrest connected to the sitting portion or the armrest. At least one of the sitting portion, the backrest, or the armrest includes a plastically deformable cellular structural material arranged therein. Another embodiment is an armrest for a vehicle seat including an elastically deformable cushion material and a plastically deformable cellular structural material. A further embodiment is a vehicle seat including a sitting portion connected to a backrest, and an armrest connected to at least one of the sitting portion and the backrest. The armrest includes an elastically deformable cushion material and a plastically deformable cellular structural material. A variation of the armrest includes a barrier interposed between the cushion material and the cellular structural material. The sitting portion and the backrest each include plastically deformable cellular structural material arranged therein.

Abstract: This invention relates to chassis and body panel structural systems for a wide variety of vehicles, including automotive, water vessels, aircraft and human powered vehicles, principally comprising a node and interlocking spaceframe system that can be hand assembled in the field. The invention also comprises a key and lock system for wedgingly interlocking body panels to the spaceframe. Together these systems comprise novel Frame Integration Technology (FIT) of the invention. Examples of vehicles include autos, utility vehicles (trucks), public transport vehicles, light boats, human powered vehicles such as bicycles, pedicabs and the like, and light aircraft.

Abstract: An upwardly retracting vehicle door is disclosed, such as for use on the rear of a mini-van. The door includes a lower primary door panel and an upper secondary door panel, such as a glass window, that is retractable into the primary door panel. The primary door panel includes rollers on both side edges for slidably mounting the primary door panel on channels located on the vehicle body. When the primary door panel is opened, the window retracts into the primary door panel while the primary door panel travels upward toward the window and along an arcuate path preferably into a pocket within the vehicle roof. In a first embodiment of the invention, a single weather seal is used for both the primary door panel and window on each side with the primary door panel sliding over the seal when opening and closing. In a second embodiment, separate seals for the primary door panel and window are used on each side.

Abstract: Various advances are disclosed pertaining to vertically sliding automobile doors of the type which retract under the vehicle floor to open, and rotate upward to close, and in the elevated closed position become an integral part of the vehicle's structural chassis frame.

Abstract: A vehicle side impact air bag system is disclosed wherein the air bag is located in an outboard armrest. During a collision, the air bag deploys outward away from the occupant and against the vehicle door or side body panel. Preferably, the air bag fills the entire space between the occupant and the door in order to protect the torso, neck and head of the occupant during the collision. The inventive system may be used with a movable door or an adjacent portion of the vehicle body. Various embodiments are disclosed, including pivotably attaching the armrest to the seat, removably attaching the armrest to the seat, attaching the armrest to the floor, forming the armrest in the floor, and attaching the armrest to the door or vehicle body.

Abstract: A side intrusion beam is disclosed for mounting within a vehicle door to inhibit intrusion into the vehicle during a collision. The intrusion beam spans across substantially the entire main portion (i.e. non-window portion) of the door. Structural keys located on the four corners of the intrusion beam mate with complementary shaped receptacles on the door jamb when the door is closed to anchor the intrusion beam to the vehicle chassis. Preferably, the intrusion beam includes a framework of truss members which create an overall outwardly curved shape. In the preferred embodiment, the entire framework is constructed from two sheet metal stampings that are welded together, forming a void therebetween. A structural foam can be injected into the void to increase strength and deaden sound.

Abstract: A motor vehicle chassis is disclosed wherein a conventionally hinged door is integrated with and becomes a structural part of the main chassis when the door is closed. Wedge-shaped structural keys located on the forward and rearward edges of the door engage mating receptacles on the door jamb to transmit compressive, tensile, and torsional forces across the door opening when the door is closed. Preferably, the door hinges are separated when the door is closed so that all forces are transmitted through the keys and receptacles without interference from the hinges. The inventive technology can also be used with other vehicle door panels such as sliding side van doors, hoods, trunks, liftgates and tailgates to form a stronger, stiffer vehicle chassis that is less susceptible to deformation during impact.

Abstract: A vehicle side impact air bag system is disclosed wherein the air bag is located in an outboard armrest. During a collision, the air bag deploys outward away from the occupant and against the vehicle door or side body panel. Preferably, the air bag fills the entire space between the occupant and the door in order to protect the torso, neck and head of the occupant during the collision. The inventive system may be used with a movable door or an adjacent portion of the vehicle body. Various embodiments are disclosed, including pivotably attaching the armrest to the seat, removably attaching the armrest to the seat, attaching the armrest to the floor, forming the armrest in the floor, and attaching the armrest to the door or vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle door and window drive assembly is disclosed for simultaneously or independently driving a vertically moving door and its associated window between respective open and closed positions. A single prime mover, such as a reversible electric motor, a door moving mechanism, and a window moving mechanism are selectively coupled and uncoupled with each other in various combinations by three electromagnetically operated clutches to provide for synchronized manual or powered movement of the door with the window or independent door and window operation.

Abstract: A pivotable armrest is disclosed for presenting a seat belt buckle to a vehicle's occupant when the armrest is extended from a retracted position to a working position. The armrest preferably retracts into an upright position along side of the seat back, but alternatively can be made to downwardly retract adjacent to the seat bottom. The armrest movement may be manually or automatically driven. The armrest is preferably attached to the outboard side of a seat, and is used in conjunction with a conventional shoulder and lap belt arrangement. Preferably, the conventional restraint system is integrally mounted within the seat.

Abstract: A vehicle side impact air bag system is disclosed wherein the air bag is located in an outboard armrest pivotably attached to a vehicle seat. During a collision, a cover panel located over an aperture in the outboard side of the armrest releases, and the air bag deploys outwardly through the aperture away from the occupant and against the vehicle door. Preferably, the air bag fills the entire space between the occupant and the door in order to protect the torso, neck and head of the occupant during the collision. The inventive system may be used with a vertically movable door or with a conventional door.

Abstract: Various advances are disclosed pertaining to vertically sliding automobile doors of the type which retract under the vehicle floor to open, and rotate upward to close, and in the elevated closed position become an integral part of the vehicle's structural chassis frame.

Abstract: A pivotable armrest is disclosed for presenting a seat belt buckle to a vehicle's occupant when the armrest is lowered from an upright retracted position to a lowered working position. The armrest movement may be manually or automatically driven. The armrest is preferably attached to the outboard side of a seat, and is used in conjunction with a conventional shoulder and lap belt arrangement.