Patents by Inventor Christopher Joe Kranz
Christopher Joe Kranz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8864174Abstract: A vehicle includes a roll cage, at least one rear seat, and at least one rear seat belt assembly. Each rear seat is positioned within a rear protected area at least partially defined by the roll cage. Each rear seat belt assembly is associated with a respective one of the rear seats, and includes a retractor assembly attached to the roll cage.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2014Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., TK Holdings Inc.Inventors: Hidemi Minami, Takeshi Kobayashi, Jeremy T. McGuire, Drey Dircks, Darin D. King, Tsuyoshi Kumasaka, Noriyuki Muto, Casey Heit, Jacob O. Borth, Christopher Michael Krajewski, Christopher Joe Kranz
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Publication number: 20140217715Abstract: A vehicle includes a roll cage, at least one rear seat, and at least one rear seat belt assembly. Each rear seat is positioned within a rear protected area at least partially defined by the roll cage. Each rear seat belt assembly is associated with a respective one of the rear seats, and includes a retractor assembly attached to the roll cage.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicants: TK Holdings Inc., Honda Motor Co.,Ltd.Inventors: Hidemi Minami, Takeshi Kobayashi, Jeremy T. McGuire, Drey Dircks, Darin D. King, Tsuyoshi Kumasaka, Noriyuki Muto, Casey Heit, Jacob O. Borth, Christopher Michael Krajewski, Christopher Joe Kranz
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Patent number: 8612099Abstract: An occupant restraint system including a harness coupled to the occupant by surrounding a portion of the occupant, a winding mechanism fixed to the vehicle and configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode, and a flexible linking member having a first end coupled to the harness and a second end coupled to the winding mechanism. The linking member is configured to selectively wind and unwind from the winding mechanism. When the winding mechanism is in the first mode of operation, the linking member may be unwound from the winding mechanism to allow the occupant to move freely about the vehicle. When the winding mechanism is in the second mode of operation, the winding mechanism winds the linking member to pull the harness toward the winding mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2012Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventors: Christopher Joe Kranz, Paul Michael Smith, Nicklaus John Pelliccia
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Patent number: 8308190Abstract: An occupant safety mechanism for an occupant of a vehicle includes a buckle assembly, an airbag cushion, an inflator, and webbing. The airbag cushion is coupled to the buckle assembly, such as in a buckle assembly housing, and is configured to deploy from the buckle assembly. The webbing is coupled to the buckle assembly and substantially fixed points disposed on the vehicle, on a seat, or both, so as to restrain the occupant a seat during a dynamic vehicle event. The inflator is configured to deploy the airbag cushion upon occurrence of a dynamic vehicle event.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventors: Paul Michael Smith, Christopher Joe Kranz
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Publication number: 20120283916Abstract: An occupant restraint system including a harness coupled to the occupant by surrounding a portion of the occupant, a winding mechanism fixed to the vehicle and configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode, and a flexible linking member having a first end coupled to the harness and a second end coupled to the winding mechanism. The linking member is configured to selectively wind and unwind from the winding mechanism. When the winding mechanism is in the first mode of operation, the linking member may be unwound from the winding mechanism to allow the occupant to move freely about the vehicle. When the winding mechanism is in the second mode of operation, the winding mechanism winds the linking member to pull the harness toward the winding mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: Christopher Joe KRANZ, Paul Michael SMITH, Nicklaus John PELLICCIA
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Patent number: 8052170Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventors: Nick John Pelliccia, Christopher Joe Kranz, Thomas Grzybowski, Brandon Scott Marriott, Paul Michael Smith, David Sanders, April Lee Lampkowski, Lyle William Dunham
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Patent number: 7971907Abstract: A vehicle seat belt assembly comprises a vehicle seat configured to contain a seat occupant; a seat belt webbing mountable to the vehicle seat and connected to a latch plate, wherein the latch plate is configured to be releasably connected to a seat belt buckle in order to secure the webbing in a position capable of restraining the occupant; and a buckle strap mountable to a portion of the vehicle seat or vehicle structure and connected to the buckle, wherein the buckle strap includes a plurality of brackets configured to attach to a buckle component. Additionally, a vehicle seat belt assembly could comprise a buckle strap and buckle frame manufactured as a single component.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventor: Christopher Joe Kranz
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Publication number: 20110148081Abstract: An occupant safety mechanism for an occupant of a vehicle includes a buckle assembly, an airbag cushion, an inflator, and webbing. The airbag cushion is coupled to the buckle assembly, such as in a buckle assembly housing, and is configured to deploy from the buckle assembly. The webbing is coupled to the buckle assembly and substantially fixed points disposed on the vehicle, on a seat, or both, so as to restrain the occupant a seat during a dynamic vehicle event. The inflator is configured to deploy the airbag cushion upon occurrence of a dynamic vehicle event.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Paul Michael Smith, Christopher Joe Kranz
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Patent number: 7963614Abstract: A buckle assembly configured to mate with a plurality of tongues may include a rotational lever; a latch plate supported by the rotational lever and configured to move in a vertical direction when the lever rotates; a plurality of latch pins, wherein each latch pin is configured to engage the latch plate at one end of the pin and one of the plurality of tongues at the other end of the pin in order to mate the tongue with the buckle assembly; and a rotational solenoid. A core of the rotational solenoid may be connected to the rotational lever, so that rotation of the core causes the lever to rotate and the latch plate to move in a vertical direction. Each of the latch pins is configured to disengage from the corresponding tongue when the lever rotates.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2010Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventors: Christopher Joe Kranz, Paul Michael Smith, Thomas Mogg
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Publication number: 20100325845Abstract: A buckle assembly configured to mate with a plurality of tongues may include a rotational lever; a latch plate supported by the rotational lever and configured to move in a vertical direction when the lever rotates; a plurality of latch pins, wherein each latch pin is configured to engage the latch plate at one end of the pin and one of the plurality of tongues at the other end of the pin in order to mate the tongue with the buckle assembly; and a rotational solenoid. A core of the rotational solenoid may be connected to the rotational lever, so that rotation of the core causes the lever to rotate and the latch plate to move in a vertical direction. Each of the latch pins is configured to disengage from the corresponding tongue when the lever rotates.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Christopher Joe Kranz, Paul Michael Smith, Thomas Mogg
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Publication number: 20100244423Abstract: A vehicle seat belt assembly comprises a vehicle seat configured to contain a seat occupant; a seat belt webbing mountable to the vehicle seat and connected to a latch plate, wherein the latch plate is configured to be releasably connected to a seat belt buckle in order to secure the webbing in a position capable of restraining the occupant; and a buckle strap mountable to a portion of the vehicle seat or vehicle structure and connected to the buckle, wherein the buckle strap includes a plurality of brackets configured to attach to a buckle component. Additionally, a vehicle seat belt assembly could comprise a buckle strap and buckle frame manufactured as a single component.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventor: Christopher Joe Kranz
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Publication number: 20100244424Abstract: A buckle assembly configured to mate with a plurality of tongues may include a rotational lever; a latch plate supported by the rotational lever and configured to move in a vertical direction when the lever rotates; a plurality of latch pins, wherein each latch pin is configured to engage the latch plate at one end of the pin and one of the plurality of tongues at the other end of the pin in order to mate the tongue with the buckle assembly; and a rotational solenoid. A core of the rotational solenoid may be connected to the rotational lever, so that rotation of the core causes the lever to rotate and the latch plate to move in a vertical direction. Each of the latch pins is configured to disengage from the corresponding tongue when the lever rotates.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventors: Christopher Joe Kranz, Paul Michael Smith, Thomas Mogg
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Patent number: 7794024Abstract: A buckle assembly configured to mate with a plurality of tongues may include a rotational lever; a latch plate supported by the rotational lever and configured to move in a vertical direction when the lever rotates; a plurality of latch pins, wherein each latch pin is configured to engage the latch plate at one end of the pin and one of the plurality of tongues at the other end of the pin in order to mate the tongue with the buckle assembly; and a rotational solenoid. A core of the rotational solenoid may be connected to the rotational lever, so that rotation of the core causes the lever to rotate and the latch plate to move in a vertical direction. Each of the latch pins is configured to disengage from the corresponding tongue when the lever rotates.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventors: Christopher Joe Kranz, Paul Michael Smith, Thomas Mogg
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Publication number: 20090261566Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2009Publication date: October 22, 2009Inventors: Nick John Pelliccia, Christopher Joe Kranz, Thomas Grzybowski, Brandon Scott Marriott, Paul Michael Smith, David Sanders, April Lee Lampkowski, Lyle William Dunham