Abstract: Shock absorbing seat belt height adjusters for use with vehicle occupant restraint systems, and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, a shock absorbing height adjuster includes an adjustable D-ring that is operably coupled to an anchor point on a vehicle frame near a seat occupant's shoulder. The height adjuster can include an anti-cinch feature that enables the D-ring to elastically respond to tension loads in a shoulder web portion of the occupant restraint through at least an initial portion of D-ring movement.

Abstract: Energy absorbing devices for use with child seat restraint webs, seat belt webs, and other webs are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an energy absorbing device includes a body having first and second apertures that receive a portion of a web, such as a web of an occupant restraint system. When a load is applied to the web, such as in a vehicle crash, the body deflects under the load from a first shape to a second shape to absorb the energy transmitted by the web.

Abstract: Buckle assemblies having electronic engagement indicating devices for use with child seats and other restraint systems are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a restraint system for use with a child seat can include first and second web connectors which each have a corresponding tongue, and a buckle assembly including a housing that encloses a latch configured to engage the tongues. The buckle assembly can further include a magnet operably coupled to the latch, and an electronic switch operably positioned in the housing. The latch is configured to move between a first latch position in which the latch is disengaged from the tongues, and a second latch position in which the latch is engaged with the tongues. Movement of the latch from the first latch position to the second latch position moves the magnet relative to the electronic switch.

Abstract: Shock absorbing seat belt height adjusters for use with vehicle occupant restraint systems, and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, a shock absorbing height adjuster can be attached to a vehicle frame between an upper anchor point and a lower anchor point adjacent to an occupant's shoulder. The height adjuster can include a web clamp that locates a D-ring for positioning a shoulder web portion of the restraint web at a desired height that is comfortable for the occupant. Additionally, the height adjuster can include an anti-cinch feature that can elastically extend in response to tension loads in the shoulder web portion, thereby reducing shock loads from being transmitted to the seat occupant from the shoulder web portion.

Abstract: Web adjusters and other web connecting devices for use with restraint systems are described herein. In some embodiments, web adjusters, such as tilt-lock web adjusters, can include web gripping features on an edge portion of a web aperture to prevent a web that is joined to the web adjuster from sliding or otherwise moving to one side of the web aperture or the other when the web is pulled in a direction that is not perpendicular to the edge. In some embodiments, the web gripping features can include alternating recessed and raised edge portions.

Abstract: Buckle assemblies and associated systems and methods for use with child seats and other restraint systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a buckle assembly includes a housing having an opening shaped to receive a first tongue of a first web connector and a second tongue of a second web connector. The buckle assembly also includes a spring having a first ejector arm carrying a first magnet and a second ejector arm carrying a second magnet. A switch assembly is positioned within the housing, and insertion of the tongues into the housing to latch the buckle assembly moves the magnets toward the switch assembly to activate switches in the switch assembly and produce a signal confirming buckle engagement.

Abstract: Sealed web retractors and associated systems and methods for retracting a web, such as seat belt web, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a web retractor includes a frame having a sidewall with a first opening, a locking assembly attached to the frame and having a housing with a second opening adjacent to the first opening, and a shaft coupler rotatably and sealably carried by the sidewall. The shaft coupler operably couples a spool shaft to the locking assembly through the first and second openings. At least one seal is operably positioned in the first opening between the shaft coupler and the sidewall.

Abstract: Buckle assemblies having load indicating features and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a buckle assembly includes a tang having an opening that receives a web to secure the buckle assembly to a vehicle or a seat structure. The tang also includes an elongate aperture and one or more deformable protrusions along the edge of the aperture. The tang is operably coupled to a buckle frame via a coupling member that extends through the aperture. Upon the application of a sufficient load to the tang, the coupling member deforms the protrusion(s), allowing the tang to move relative to the frame. Movement of the tang relative to the frame can move a colored load indicating region to a position that is visible through a window in a housing of the buckle assembly.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a buckle assembly includes a release actuator that can apply a first force and a second force to release a web connector. The release actuator is slidably coupled to a frame that includes a pair of opposing openings. A pawl is pivotally mounted to the frame via the opposing openings and includes a latch portion positioned to releasably engage the web connector. A biasing member is operably positioned between the release actuator and the pawl, and the release actuator is movable to compress the biasing member and exert the first force against the pawl. The release actuator is also movable to contact the pawl to exert the second force against the pawl. The first and second forces urge the pawl to rotate and disengage the latch portion from the web connector.

Abstract: Shock absorbing seatbelt height adjusters for use with vehicle occupant restraint systems, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shock absorbing height adjuster includes a D-loop assembly slidably coupled to a rail, and a stop assembly and a pre-loader slidably coupled to the rail on opposite sides of the D-loop assembly. The stop assembly and the pre-loader can be releasably lockable at a plurality of positions along the rail. A biasing member can be compressed between the pre-loader and the D-loop assembly to urge the D-loop assembly toward the stop assembly and allow motion of the D-loop assembly toward the pre-loader under load. The position of the pre-loader can be adjusted to vary the compression in the biasing member.

Abstract: Web connectors for use in occupant restraint systems in a vehicle are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, first and second web connectors include first and second web receiving portions, respectively. The first web receiving portion includes a first projection at a first side and a first recess adjacent a second side opposite the first side. The first recess includes a first surface feature. The second web receiving portion includes a second recess and a second projection having a second surface feature. In this embodiment, the second recess is configured to receive the first projection, the first recess is configured to receive the second projection, and the first surface feature is configured to engage the second surface feature to resist movement between the first and second connectors during use.

Abstract: Various embodiments of web adjusters are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a web adjuster includes a spring-loaded cam member having a bore through which a mounting shaft or pin extends for rotatably or pivotally mounting the cam member to a frame. The cam member can extend along a central axis and include a first engagement feature positioned at a first radial distance from the central axis, and a second engagement feature positioned at a second radial distance from the central axis, larger than the first radial distance. The cam member can be rotated to engage the web to restrict movement of the web. The web adjuster can also include a handle or cover portion and a strap attached to the handle for gripping by a user to adjust the web adjuster.

Abstract: Personal restraint systems having releasable safety nets are disclosed herein. A personal restraint system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present technology includes a safety net configured to extend across a portion of an opening in a vehicle adjacent to an operator seating portion. The restraint system can further include a latch device configured to releasably couple the safety net to an anchor point adjacent to the opening. In some embodiments, a pull cord is operably coupled to the latch device and slidably coupled to the safety net. The pull cord is configured to be pulled by an operator to release the latch device from the anchor point and allow the safety net to fall free of the opening.

Abstract: Self adjusting and/or locking buckle tongue assemblies for use with occupant restraint systems in vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, a buckle tongue assembly includes a plate having a tongue portion configured to cooperatively engage a corresponding buckle assembly. The buckle tongue assembly of this embodiment can further include first and second web gripping portions carried by the plate. The second web gripping portion is configured to move relative to the first web gripping portion between a first position in which the web gripping portions are spaced apart to permit movement of a web therebetween, and a second position in which the web gripping portions are engaged or interlocked to clamp the web therebetween.