Abstract: A bumper assembly includes a crush can, a bumper extending along a longitudinal axis and supported by the crush can, and a secondary bumper assembly. The secondary bumper assembly is supportable by the bumper, and includes a secondary bumper that extends along the longitudinal axis, and a hand-actuated release supported by the secondary bumper having an arm attachable to the bumper. The arm is moveable between an engaged position for engagement with the bumper and a disengaged position for disengagement with the bumper.

Abstract: A vehicle component includes a main panel extending in a first direction; a plurality of lobes extending in a second direction transverse to the first direction; and a plurality of ridges extending in the second direction. Each ridge extends around a subset of the lobes. Each lobe may be encircled by one of the ridges. The cover may include a plurality of depressions connecting the ridges to the corresponding lobes.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing device includes a beam having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of lobes attached to and positioned sequentially along the beam. The lobes are spaced from each other, deformable relative to the beam, and configured to contact adjacent lobes when deformed. The size and spacing of the lobes is such that if a single lobe is deformed, the lobe will not contact adjacent lobes, but if adjacent lobes are deformed, the lobes will contact each other.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle assembly includes a buckle housing; a plate extending from the buckle housing and defining a slot; and a bracket including a rivet engaged in the slot. The plate and rivet are configured such that, in response to an impact force that exceeds a threshold acting to pull the buckle housing away from the bracket, the slot plastically deforms, permitting the buckle housing and plate to translate relative to the bracket.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing device includes a beam having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of lobes attached to and positioned sequentially along the beam. The lobes are spaced from each other, deformable relative to the beam, and configured to contact adjacent lobes when deformed. The size and spacing of the lobes is such that if a single lobe is deformed, the lobe will not contact adjacent lobes, but if adjacent lobes are deformed, the lobes will contact each other.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle assembly includes a buckle housing; a plate extending from the buckle housing and defining a slot; and a bracket including a rivet engaged in the slot. The plate and rivet are configured such that, in response to an impact force that exceeds a threshold acting to pull the buckle housing away from the bracket, the slot plastically deforms, permitting the buckle housing and plate to translate relative to the bracket.

Abstract: A seat belt assembly for a vehicle includes a pretensioner, and a cable connected to the pretensioner. The seat belt assembly includes a torsion bar having a plurality of teeth. The cable has slots interlocking with the teeth. During a sensed impact of the vehicle, the pretensioner is activated to retract the cable to pretension the seat belt assembly relative to an occupant of the vehicle. The interlocking of the slots with the teeth exerts torsional forces on the torsion bar, which yields to reduce forces on a chest of the occupant.

Abstract: A restraint system includes a housing, a spool, a disc, a cutter, a plate, and an actuator. The spool is rotatably coupled to the housing. The disc is fixed to the spool. The cutter is moveable along a path from a spaced position away from the disc to a cutting position adjacent the disc. The plate is moveable between an engaged position extending in the path and a disengaged position spaced from the path. The actuator is coupled to the plate.

Abstract: A restraint system includes a housing, a spool, a disc, a cutter, a plate, and an actuator. The spool is rotatably coupled to the housing. The disc is fixed to the spool. The cutter is moveable along a path from a spaced position away from the disc to a cutting position adjacent the disc. The plate is moveable between an engaged position extending in the path and a disengaged position spaced from the path. The actuator is coupled to the plate.

Abstract: A seat bottom includes a frame, a first thigh support, and a second thigh support. The first thigh support and the second thigh support are each supported by the frame and independently movable relative to the frame. A first deployable device is coupled to the first thigh support, and a second deployable device is coupled to the second thigh support. At least one inflator is in fluid communication with at least one of the first and second deployable devices. The first and second deployable devices are each formed of thermoplastic elastomer and are inflatable from an undeployed position to a deployed position.

Abstract: A seat bottom includes a frame, a first thigh support, and a second thigh support. The first thigh support and the second thigh support are each supported by the frame and independently movable relative to the frame. A first deployable device is coupled to the first thigh support, and a second deployable device is coupled to the second thigh support. At least one inflator is in fluid communication with at least one of the first and second deployable devices. The first and second deployable devices are each formed of thermoplastic elastomer and are inflatable from an undeployed position to a deployed position.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle assembly includes a buckle housing; a plate extending from the buckle housing and defining a slot; and a bracket including a rivet engaged in the slot. The plate and rivet are configured such that, in response to an impact force that exceeds a threshold acting to pull the buckle housing away from the bracket, the slot plastically deforms, permitting the buckle housing and plate to translate relative to the bracket.

Abstract: A seat belt assembly for a vehicle includes a pretensioner, and a cable connected to the pretensioner. The seat belt assembly includes a torsion bar having a plurality of teeth. The cable has slots interlocking with the teeth. During a sensed impact of the vehicle, the pretensioner is activated to retract the cable to pretension the seat belt assembly relative to an occupant of the vehicle. The interlocking of the slots with the teeth exerts torsional forces on the torsion bar, which yields to reduce forces on a chest of the occupant.

Abstract: A seatbelt web guide assembly is adapted to be fixed to a seat back and comprises a web guide in the shape of a loop and a track base adapted to be fixed to a seat back. The track base has a housing and a sliding element. The housing is adapted to be fixed to the seat back and defines a sliding axis. A sliding element is slideably disposed in a guide feature of the housing defining the sliding axis. The web guide is connected to the sliding element for movement therewith along the sliding axis. A spring is disposed between the housing and the sliding element, biasing the sliding element relative to the housing.

Abstract: A seatbelt web guide assembly adapted to be fixed to a seat back comprises a web guide in the shape of a loop and a pivot adapted to be fixed to a seat back and defining a first pivot axis. A connector is disposed between and connects the web guide to the pivot at a position in which the web guide is spaced from the first pivot axis. The pivot has a first part and a second pivot part. The second pivot part is rotatable with respect to the first part about the pivot axis, and the connector is fixed to the second pivot part.

Abstract: A seatbelt web guide assembly is adapted to be fixed to a seat back and comprises a web guide in the shape of a loop and a track base adapted to be fixed to a seat back. The track base has a housing and a sliding element. The housing is adapted to be fixed to the seat back and defines a sliding axis. A sliding element is slideably disposed in a guide feature of the housing defining the sliding axis. The web guide is connected to the sliding element for movement therewith along the sliding axis. A spring is disposed between the housing and the sliding element, biasing the sliding element relative to the housing.

Abstract: A seatbelt web guide assembly adapted to be fixed to a seat back comprises a web guide in the shape of a loop and a pivot adapted to be fixed to a seat back and defining a first pivot axis. A connector is disposed between and connects the web guide to the pivot at a position in which the web guide is spaced from the first pivot axis. The pivot has a first part and a second pivot part. The second pivot part is rotatable with respect to the first part about the pivot axis, and the connector is fixed to the second pivot part.

Abstract: A seat belt guide assembly for a vehicle includes a webbing guide defining a slot for slidably receiving a seat belt web, a pivot mounted to the webbing guide, and a track configured to slidably receive the pivot and provide a path of travel for the webbing guide. A resilient member may be disposed within the track for biasing the pivot. The webbing guide includes a bottom and a cover together defining the slot, the cover being hingedly connected to the bottom at a first end and having a releasable closure disposed at an opposed end. The pivot may be defined by a stem attached to the webbing guide and a head attached to the stem. Configurations of the head provide a rotational and/or a pivoting movement of the webbing guide. A safety harness assembly incorporating the described webbing guide is provided also.