Patents by Inventor Robert Desmarais

Robert Desmarais 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).

  • Publication number: 20140054405
    Abstract: Seat belt web retractors and associated systems and methods are described herein. Web retractors assemblies configured in accordance with various embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a frame having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, and a spring-loaded shaft extending between the first and second sidewalls. The web retractor can further include a locking mechanism positioned proximate to the first sidewall of the frame and operably coupled to the shaft. The locking mechanism can include a vehicle inertia sensor and/or a web inertia sensor. A cover can enclose the locking mechanism such that the cover and the first sidewall form a liquid-sealed enclosure around the locking mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John Clark, Robert Desmarais, Graham Betteridge, Ken Kohlndorfer, Martin Phillips, Andy Toth, Bruce Flora, Brandon Marriott, Michael Alan Wiseman, Ruth Hamilton
  • Patent number: 8393645
    Abstract: Devices that can be releasably attached to seat belts and other restraint system webs to adjust the operational tension in the webs are described herein. In one embodiment, a seat belt web passes through a clamping device that includes a button movably coupled to a housing. In this embodiment, manual operation of the button in a first direction causes the device to clamp onto the adjacent portion of the seat belt web, thereby preventing the portion of web from being pulled through a web guide by a retractor. Manual operation of the button in a second direction causes the device to release the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Wiseman, Robert Desmarais
  • Publication number: 20130009391
    Abstract: Personal restraint systems for use in recreational utility vehicles (RUVs) are disclosed herein. A personal restraint system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a web configured to extend around an occupant and a locking retractor having a motorized spool. A control module is electrically coupled to the locking retractor and the motorized spool is operably coupled to the web. A sensor is electrically coupled to the control module and is configured to detect dynamic characteristics of the RUV. In one embodiment, the sensor detects acceleration events that indicate a level of ride quality and the locking retractor adjusts the tension in the web based on the level of ride quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter E. Miller, Tom Fisher, Jeffrey Miller, Michael A. Wiseman, Jeff Wood, Wayne Carter, Robert Desmarais
  • Publication number: 20110140405
    Abstract: Devices that can be releasably attached to seat belts and other restraint system webs to adjust the operational tension in the webs are described herein. In one embodiment, a seat belt web passes through a clamping device that includes a button movably coupled to a housing. In this embodiment, manual operation of the button in a first direction causes the device to clamp onto the adjacent portion of the seat belt web, thereby preventing the portion of web from being pulled through a web guide by a retractor. Manual operation of the button in a second direction causes the device to release the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Wiseman, Robert Desmarais
  • Publication number: 20070013185
    Abstract: A height adjuster (200) for a vehicle safety restraint comprising: a rail (230) for providing a vertical path guide for a carrier (220); the carrier (220) configured to be vertically movable along the rail to one of a plurality of locations, the carrier also configured to rotationally support the web guide (210). The height adjuster also comprises a lock mechanism (240) movable between a locked and an unlocked condition, when in a locked condition the carrier is prohibited from moving down the rail and when in an unlocked condition the carrier is free to be moved; and a return spring mechanism (300) comprising a coiled return spring having an interior or coiled end (372) and a distal end (376), the internal end configured not to rotate as the carrier is moved and a distal end of the return spring secured to one of the carrier and release mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Desmarais, Richard Koning, David Arnold, Lawrence Refior, Steven Bell
  • Publication number: 20060113786
    Abstract: A height adjuster for a vehicle safety restraint has a web guide (38) and a track (84) for the web guide. The web guide (38) is vertically moveable along the track (84). A lock (76) has a lock condition for preventing vertical movement of the web guide (38) along the track (84) and an unlocked condition for allowing vertical movement of the web guide (38) along the track (84). A release mechanism (50, 80) is operatively connectable to said lock (76). The release mechanism (50, 80) has a release position for placing the lock (76) in the unlocked condition and an unreleased position from maintaining the lock (76) in the lock condition. A lift mechanism (66) at least partially assists vertical movement of the web guide (38) along the track (84) and biases the release mechanism (50, 80) toward the unreleased position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Desmarais, Kim Anzell, Phillip Yee, Joel Gordon, Gopalakrishnan Doraiswamy, Richard Koning, Ravinder Mann, David Arnold, Lawrence Refior
  • Publication number: 20050206215
    Abstract: An adjustable turning loop for a vehicle comprises a rail and a slide for a web guide. The slide is slideably received on the rail. A lock maintains a slide at a position on the rail. The lock has a locked condition limiting movement of the slide on the rail and an unlocked condition allowing movement of the slide on the rail. The lock comprises a first member and a second member. The first member and the second member pivot relative to the rail. The first member and the second member engage the rail in the locked condition and disengage from the rail in the unlocked condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: David Arnold, Richard Boelstler, Robert Desmarais
  • Publication number: 20050167970
    Abstract: A vehicle restraint adjuster has a guide and a support for a vehicle restraint. The support is moveable along the guide. A securing member is provided to secure the guide to a vehicle body. The securing member is selectively actuable between a first position interfering with movement of the support past a predetermined point on the guide and a second position permitting movement of the support through the predetermined point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Desmarais, Richard Boelstler
  • Publication number: 20050167971
    Abstract: A vehicle safety restraint adjuster has a vehicle safety restraint support and a guide for the support. The support is moveable along the guide. The adjuster further has a lock which secures the safety restraint support at a position on the guide in the locked state and allows the support to move in the unlocked state. A magnetic actuator selectively places the lock in the locked state and the unlocked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Desmarais, David Arnold, Richard Boelstler
  • Publication number: 20050158117
    Abstract: A quick connect anchor 20 for attachment to a cooperating fastener 110, the anchor including: a plate 30 configured to be placed over the fastener and configured to be moved in a first direction from a free position to a locked position; and a resilient blocking member 50 movable with the plate from a first position, in which the resilient member is free from the fastener, to an engaged position in engagement with a portion of the fastener, to resiliently connect the plate with the fastener when the plate is in its locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: David Arnold, Richard Boelstler, Robert Desmarais
  • Publication number: 20050077718
    Abstract: A web guide assembly has a D-ring to receive a seatbelt. The D-ring is attached to a support by a joint. The joint allows universal movement relative to the support. The web guide assembly may be part of a vehicle restraint system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Desmarais, David Arnold, Bayard Temple
  • Patent number: 5394945
    Abstract: The machine includes a frame adapted to move along spaced ridges planted with crop plants, frame support runners engaging the furrows between the ridges, a pair of transverse rows of weeding implements carried by the frame for movement along the ridges and furrows, the implements of one row disposed on one side of the plants and the implements of the other row disposed on the other side of the plants. Each row is transversely displaceable by a double acting hydraulic ram relative to the frame. The rams are controlled by an operator supported by the frame in a position to have a direct view of the weeding implements. Each implement is free to move up and down independently of the remaining implements in order to follow the ground contour. The implements of any one row can be raised together out of working position. These weeding implements can be earth working discs and/or thermal weeders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventor: Robert Desmarais