Abstract: A restraint system for use in a passenger seating area of a motor vehicle includes a seat belt assembly having a webbing extending between a lower anchor and a belt retractor positionable across the body of an occupant. A sensor is coupled with the belt retractor to sense a change in the condition of the seat belt assembly. An inboard anchor disposed opposite the seat belt assembly includes a buckle element adapted to engage and secure a latch element on the webbing. An adjustment mechanism connected to the inboard anchor is configured to move the inboard anchor between a stowed position and at least one deployed position. A controller monitors the sensor to detect change in the condition of the seat belt assembly and instructs the adjustment mechanism to position the inboard anchor between the stowed and at least one deployed positions.

Abstract: A restraint system for use in a passenger seating area of a motor vehicle includes a seat belt assembly having a webbing extending between a lower anchor and a belt retractor positionable across the body of an occupant. A sensor is coupled with the belt retractor to sense a change in the condition of the seat belt assembly. An inboard anchor disposed opposite the seat belt assembly includes a buckle element adapted to engage and secure a latch element on the webbing. An adjustment mechanism connected to the inboard anchor is configured to move the inboard anchor between a stowed position and at least one deployed position. A controller monitors the sensor to detect change in the condition of the seat belt assembly and instructs the adjustment mechanism to position the inboard anchor between the stowed and at least one deployed positions.

Abstract: A restraint system for use in a passenger seating area of a motor vehicle includes a seat belt assembly disposed adjacent the passenger seating area which is adjustable between a stowed position and at least one deployed position. The seat belt assembly including a webbing positionable across the body of an occupant and an inflatable section disposed within the webbing adjustable between a deflated condition and an inflated condition by a source of gas pressure. An anchor is disposed opposite the seat belt assembly adjacent the seating area and includes a receiving element adapted to engage and secure the belt assembly. A controller monitors vehicle conditions and is operative to inflate the inflatable section such that the belt assembly is placed in a deployed position for securement around an occupant in a vehicle.

Abstract: An inflatable belt presenter for use with an occupant restraint belt of a motor vehicle has a stored condition wherein the presenter is deflated and allows the restraint belt to assume a stowed position, and a deployed condition wherein the presenter is inflated and urges the belt to a graspable position in which the occupant can more easily grasp the belt prior to fastening it. The presenter is inflated by a source of gas pressure carried on board the vehicle, such as a compressor, pressure vessel, or a seat-mounted bladder after an occupant has been seated in the seat and is ready to don the restraint belt. Inflation of the presenter preferably occurs upon activation by an electronic control system that receives inputs from one or more vehicle systems, such as a seat weight sensor, a door open/closed sensor, and/or an ignition switch. The inflated presenter is flexible and compliant enough that it will not cause any discomfort to the seat occupant if it should contact the occupant's body.

Abstract: An inflatable belt presenter for use with an occupant restraint belt of a motor vehicle has a stored condition wherein the presenter is deflated and allows the restraint belt to assume a stowed position, and a deployed condition wherein the presenter is inflated and urges the belt to a graspable position in which the occupant can more easily grasp the belt prior to fastening it. The presenter is inflated by a source of gas pressure carried on board the vehicle, such as a compressor, pressure vessel, or a seat-mounted bladder after an occupant has been seated in the seat and is ready to don the restraint belt. Inflation of the presenter preferably occurs upon activation by an electronic control system that receives inputs from one or more vehicle systems, such as a seat weight sensor, a door open/closed sensor, and/or an ignition switch. The inflated presenter is flexible and compliant enough that it will not cause any discomfort to the seat occupant if it should contact the occupant's body.

Abstract: Backrests for vehicle seats are disclosed including a support attached to a frame including a plurality of resilient springs and a corresponding plurality of stroke limiters for permitting the resilient springs to move through a predetermined stroke and absorb a load within a first load range and limiting further stroke of the resilient springs within a second load range, one of the resilient springs and the stroke limiters including a fastener for attachment to the frame and one of the resilient springs and stroke limiters including a second fastener for attachment to the support.

Abstract: An occupant restraint belt for use with a seat of a motor vehicle has an inflatable section having a deflated condition wherein the belt assumes a stowed position and an inflated condition wherein the belt assumes a deployed position in which the belt is in a position making it easy for a seat occupant to see and grasp the belt in order to fasten it. The inflatable section is formed by sewing a layer of flexible material to the webbing that constitutes the main restraint member of the belt to form at least one gas-tight inflation chamber. The belt is inflated after an occupant is seated in the seat and ready to don the restraint belt. Inflation of the inflatable section preferably occurs upon activation by an electronic control system that receives inputs from one or more vehicle systems, such as a seat weight sensor, a door open/closed sensor, and/or an ignition switch.

Abstract: There is provided an arrangement for tensioning a strap of a vehicle seat safety harness upon or immediately prior to a collision. The arrangement includes strap tensioning means connected to attachment points of the strap adapted to be actuated by a force generating assembly, which assembly is associated with a sensing device responsive to an impact or an imminent impact on the vehicle for initiating the force. Preferably the strap tensioning means comprises two pistons arranged for mutually opposing movement in a common cylinder, each piston being connected via a line to an attachment point whereby actuation of the means effects simultaneous tensioning at the two points.