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: 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: A buckle assembly for a vehicle includes a seat belt tongue and a seat belt buckle with a blocking mechanism and a manual release button. The blocking mechanism is configured to latch the tongue in the buckle. The buckle assembly further includes a remote buckle release mechanism, including a buckle release cable and a module operably connected to the cable. The module is configured to pull the cable to release the blocking mechanism to thereby release the seat belt tongue from the buckle. The buckle assembly is also configured to be actuated by an occupant via the manual release button on the buckle. The remote buckle release mechanism does not interfere with operation of the manual release button. The remote buckle release mechanism may also be configured to automatically release the buckles a predetermined time after an airbag deployment.

Abstract: A buckle assembly for a vehicle comprises a seat belt tongue and a seat belt buckle with a blocking mechanism and a manual release button. The blocking mechanism is configured to latch the tongue in the buckle. The buckle assembly further comprises a remote buckle release mechanism, including a buckle release cable and a module operably connected to the cable. The module is configured to pull the cable to release the blocking mechanism to thereby release the seat belt tongue from the buckle. The buckle assembly is also configured to be actuated by an occupant via the manual release button on the buckle. The remote buckle release mechanism does not interfere with operation of the manual release button. The remote buckle release mechanism may also be configured to automatically release the buckles a predetermined time after an airbag deployment.

Abstract: A buckle assembly for a vehicle includes a seat belt tongue, a seat belt buckle with a blocking mechanism and a manual release button, and a remote buckle release mechanism. The blocking mechanism is configured to latch the tongue in the buckle. The remote buckle release mechanism includes a buckle release cable and a motor module configured to pull the cable to release the blocking mechanism to thereby release the seat belt tongue from the buckle. The buckle assembly is also configured to be actuated by an occupant via the manual release button on the buckle. The remote buckle release mechanism does not interfere with the operation of the manual release button. The remote buckle release mechanism may also be configured to automatically release the buckle a predetermined time after an airbag deployment.

Abstract: A seat belt monitoring system is provided. The seat belt monitoring system includes a seat belt system. The seat belt system has a first portion including a seat belt webbing and a tongue. The seat belt system also includes a buckle. A radio frequency device is associated with the first portion. The seat belt monitoring system further includes a radio frequency receiver that detects either a signal from the radio frequency device or a particular spatial relationship between the radio frequency device and a second radio frequency device placed near the buckle of the seat belt system.

Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle may include a tongue configured to slidably engage a seat belt; a retractor coupled to a portion of the vehicle, the retractor configured to receive the seat belt; and a height adjuster. The height adjuster may include a guide webbing configured to be secured to a portion of the vehicle; a frame supporting a locking mechanism; and a supporting surface to support the seat belt as the seat belt changes direction. The position of the frame relative to the guide webbing is adjustable. The locking mechanism is configured to lock the frame in a position relative to the guide webbing by clamping the guide webbing without input from the user and stays in position during a crash.

Abstract: A seat belt stowage apparatus includes a seat with a backrest, a cavity, and a seat belt buckle. The cavity is located in the seat. The buckle is releasably attached to a seat belt tongue. The buckle is movable between a stowage position inside the cavity and an in-use position. When a force is applied to the seat belt buckle, a buckle strap allows the seat belt buckle to be rotated forward out of the seat. When the force is removed, a torsion spring reverts the seat belt buckle to the stowage position inside the cavity.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system includes a seat belt webbing connected to a latch plate, wherein the latch plate is configured to be releasably connected to a buckle assembly in order to secure the webbing in a position capable of restraining the occupant. The buckle assembly includes a release button, a blocking component, a solenoid coupled to a connecting member positioned to engage the blocking component, and a solenoid actuator electrically connected to the solenoid. The blocking component is configured to engage the latch plate in order to connect the latch plate to the buckle assembly, and is configured to disengage from the latch plate in order to facilitate the release of the latch plate when the release button is depressed. When the solenoid actuator actuates the solenoid, the connecting member is configured to move to thereby change the position of the blocking component in order disengage the blocking component from the latch plate.

Abstract: An occupant monitoring and restraint status system is provided. The system includes an occupant boarding and de-boarding system. The occupant boarding and de-boarding system detects boarding and de-boarding of occupants. The system also includes a bench type seat that has a plurality of seat locations. Each of these seat locations includes a seat belt system which has a status sensor to detect a state of the seat belt system. Each seat location also includes an occupant sensing system. The occupant sensing system detects the presence and identity of an occupant at the seat location. The system further includes a display which includes a seat status indicator for each of the plurality of seat locations. The seat status indicators include information regarding a presence of an occupant, an occupant identity, and a state of a seat belt system.

Abstract: A bus includes a plurality of bus seats with a side airbag module mounted to each of the plurality of bus seats. The bus includes a plurality of sensors configured to detect a collision event and a side airbag control module configured to determine which side airbag modules to deploy based on information received from the plurality of sensors. The control module is configured to selectively deploy one or more of the side airbag modules.

Abstract: A bus or motor-coach includes a curtain airbag module. The airbag module comprises a curtain airbag, a trim cover, a plurality of fasteners to attach the curtain airbag module to an interior bus component or side wall of the bus, and an inflator to inflate the curtain airbag.

Abstract: The disclosed airbag device may protect a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle. The airbag device may comprise an airbag cushion that functions as a side airbag and as a curtain airbag so as to cover an area of a portion of an interior side wall of the vehicle, a portion of a window glass, or a combination thereof upon deployment. The airbag cushion may have a width in fore and aft directions and a height which result in the portion of window glass, the portion of the interior side wall, or the combination thereof being covered in a vicinity of the vehicle occupant such that a thorax, a pelvis, a shoulder and a head of the vehicle occupant are protected from directly contacting adjacent interior side surfaces of the motor vehicle during a crash event.

Abstract: A buckle assembly for a vehicle comprises a seat belt tongue and a seat belt buckle with a blocking mechanism and a manual release button. The blocking mechanism is configured to latch the tongue in the buckle. The buckle assembly further comprises a remote buckle release mechanism, including a buckle release cable and a motor module operably connected to the cable. The motor module is configured to pull the cable to release the blocking mechanism to thereby release the seat belt tongue from the buckle. The buckle assembly is also configured to be actuated by an occupant via the manual release button on the buckle. The remote buckle release mechanism does not interfere with operation of the manual release button. The remote buckle release mechanism may also be configured to automatically release the buckles a predetermined time after an airbag deployment.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system includes a seat belt webbing connected to a latch plate, wherein the latch plate is configured to be releasably connected to a buckle assembly in order to secure the webbing in a position capable of restraining the occupant. The buckle assembly includes a release button, a blocking component, a solenoid coupled to a connecting member positioned to engage the blocking component, and a solenoid actuator electrically connected to the solenoid. The blocking component is configured to engage the latch plate in order to connect the latch plate to the buckle assembly, and is configured to disengage from the latch plate in order to facilitate the release of the latch plate when the release button is depressed. When the solenoid actuator actuates the solenoid, the connecting member is configured to move to thereby change the position of the blocking component in order disengage the blocking component from the latch plate.

Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle may include a tongue configured to slidably engage a seat belt; a retractor coupled to a portion of the vehicle, the retractor configured to receive the seat belt; and a height adjuster. The height adjuster may include a guide webbing configured to be secured to a portion of the vehicle; a frame supporting a locking mechanism; and a supporting surface to support the seat belt as the seat belt changes direction. The position of the frame relative to the guide webbing is adjustable. The locking mechanism is configured to lock the frame in a position relative to the guide webbing by clamping the guide webbing without input from the user and stays in position during a crash.

Abstract: The disclosed airbag device may protect a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle. The airbag device may comprise an airbag cushion that functions as a side airbag and as a curtain airbag so as to cover an area of a portion of an interior side wall of the vehicle, a portion of a window glass, or a combination thereof upon deployment. The airbag cushion may have a width in fore and aft directions and a height which result in the portion of window glass, the portion of the interior side wall, or the combination thereof being covered in a vicinity of the vehicle occupant such that a thorax, a pelvis, a shoulder and a head of the vehicle occupant are protected from directly contacting adjacent interior side surfaces of the motor vehicle during a crash event.

Abstract: A seat belt monitoring system is provided. The seat belt monitoring system includes a seat belt system. The seat belt system has a first portion including a seat belt webbing and a tongue. The seat belt system also includes a buckle. A radio frequency device is associated with the first portion. The seat belt monitoring system further includes a radio frequency receiver that detects either a signal from the radio frequency device or a particular spatial relationship between the radio frequency device and a second radio frequency device placed near the buckle of the seat belt system.

Abstract: An occupant monitoring and restraint status system is provided. The system includes an occupant boarding and de-boarding system. The occupant boarding and de-boarding system detects boarding and de-boarding of occupants. The system also includes a bench type seat that has a plurality of seat locations. Each of these seat locations includes a seat belt system which has a status sensor to detect a state of the seat belt system. Each seat location also includes an occupant sensing system. The occupant sensing system detects the presence and identity of an occupant at the seat location. The system further includes a display which includes a seat status indicator for each of the plurality of seat locations. The seat status indicators include information regarding a presence of an occupant, an occupant identity, and a state of a seat belt system.

Abstract: A bus includes a plurality of bus seats with a side airbag module mounted to each of the plurality of bus seats. The bus includes a plurality of sensors configured to detect a collision event and a side airbag control module configured to determine which side airbag modules to deploy based on information received from the plurality of sensors. The control module is configured to selectively deploy one or more of the side airbag modules.