MOTOR VEHICLE AND OCCUPANT SEAT COMBINATION
A motor vehicle and occupant seat combination may include any one or combination of means for selectively preventing forward pivoting of at least one vehicle seat, one or more web attenuators for dampen forces applied thereby by one or more respective shoulder webs of at least one occupant restraint system, at least one sleeve received on at least one shoulder web and a corresponding sleeve adjuster for adjusting a position of the sleeve along the respective shoulder web, and one or more ratcheting web retractors for selectively tightening a lap web or a thigh web about an occupant of at least one vehicle seat.
This is a continuation-in-part of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2020/014217, filed Jan. 17, 2020, and claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/977,641, filed Feb. 17, 2020, the disclosures of which are both expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSUREThis disclosure relates generally to restraint systems, and more specifically to such restraint systems for vehicle seats operatively mounted in motor vehicles.
BACKGROUNDConventional motor vehicles may be equipped with one or more restraint devices for restraining occupants in vehicle seats mounted therein. Such restraint devices may include two or more points of connection to the motor vehicle seat and/or to the motor vehicle.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure may comprise one or more of the features recited in the attached claims, and/or one or more of the following features and combinations thereof. In one aspect, a motor vehicle and occupant seat combination may comprise a motor vehicle having a frame comprising a plurality of frame components, a first occupant seat pivotably mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components such that the first occupant seat is pivotable between an at rest position to support an occupant and a forward tilted position to permit access to a portion of the motor vehicle reardwardly of the first occupant seat, a second occupant seat pivotably mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components such that the second occupant seat is pivotable between an at rest position to support an occupant and a forward tilted position to permit access to a portion of the motor vehicle reardwardly of the second occupant seat, the first and second occupant seats mounted side-by-side within the motor vehicle, means for selectively preventing pivoting of the first occupant seat forwardly from the at rest position thereof, and means for selectively preventing pivoting of the second occupant seat forwardly from the at rest position thereof.
In another aspect, a motor vehicle and occupant seat combination, may comprise a motor vehicle having a frame comprising a plurality of frame components, a first occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components, the first occupant seat having a first seat bottom and a first seat back extending upwardly away from the first seat bottom, a second occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components, the second occupant seat having a second seat bottom and a second seat back extending upwardly away from the second seat bottom, the first and second occupant seats mounted side-by-side within the motor vehicle, a first occupant restraint system mounted to the first occupant seat and configured to selectively restrain an occupant supported on the first occupant seat, a second occupant restraint system mounted to the second occupant seat and configured to selectively restrain an occupant supported in the second occupant seat, a first web attenuator mounted to the first seat back adjacent to one side thereof and spaced apart from a top end of the first seat back, the first occupant restraint system including a first shoulder web extending through or over the first seat back with a portion of the first shoulder web supported by the first web attenuator, the first web attenuator configured to dampen forces applied thereto by the first shoulder web, and a second web attenuator mounted to the second seat back adjacent to one side thereof and spaced apart from a top end of the second seat back, the second occupant restraint system including a second shoulder web extending through or over the second seat back with a portion of the second shoulder web supported by the second web attenuator, the second web attenuator configured to dampen forces applied thereto by the second shoulder web.
In a further aspect, a motor vehicle and occupant seat combination may comprise a motor vehicle having a frame comprising a plurality of frame components, a first occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components, the first occupant seat having a first seat bottom and a first seat back extending upwardly away from the first seat bottom, a second occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components, the second occupant seat having a second seat bottom and a second seat back extending upwardly away from the second seat bottom, the first and second occupant seats mounted side-by-side within the motor vehicle, a first occupant restraint system mounted to the first occupant seat and configured to selectively restrain an occupant supported on the first occupant seat, a second occupant restraint system mounted to the second occupant seat and configured to selectively restrain an occupant supported in the second occupant seat, a first elongated sleeve received on and at least partially about a first shoulder web of the first occupant restraint system, a first sleeve position adjuster coupled to the first sleeve and including a first actuator normally engaging a portion of the first shoulder web to fix a position of the first sleeve relative to the first shoulder web and responsive to actuation thereof to disengage from the first shoulder web to allow the first sleeve to be moved along the first shoulder web, a second elongated sleeve received on and at least partially about a first shoulder web of the second occupant restraint system, and a second sleeve position adjuster coupled to the second sleeve and including a second actuator normally engaging a portion of the second shoulder web to fix a position of the second sleeve relative to the second shoulder web and responsive to actuation thereof to disengage from the second shoulder web to allow the second sleeve to be moved along the second shoulder web.
In still a further aspect, a motor vehicle and vehicle seat combination may comprise a motor vehicle having a frame comprising a plurality of frame components, a first occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components, the first occupant seat having a first seat bottom including a first seat base and a first occupant support mounted thereto, and a first seat back extending upwardly away from the first seat bottom, a second occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components, the second occupant seat having a second seat bottom including a second seat base and a second occupant support mounted thereto, and a second seat back extending upwardly away from the second seat bottom, the first and second occupant seats mounted side-by-side within the motor vehicle, a first occupant restraint system mounted to the first occupant seat and configured to selectively restrain an occupant supported on the first occupant seat, a second occupant restraint system mounted to the second occupant seat and configured to selectively restrain an occupant supported in the second occupant seat, at least a first ratcheting web retractor mounted to the first seat base, a first release handle operatively coupled to the at least a first ratcheting web retractor, and a first ratcheting handle operatively coupled to the at least a first ratcheting web retractor, and wherein the first occupant restraint system includes: a first lap web comprising at least one restraint web operatively coupled to the at least a first ratcheting web retractor and having opposite ends extending through respective opposite sides of the first seat base or the first occupant support panel, and first engagement members coupled to the opposite ends of the first lap web and configured to releasably engage one another to secure the first lap web about a lap of an occupant of the first occupant seat, and wherein the at least a first ratcheting web retractor is: (a) normally locked to prevent the first lap web from being drawn therefrom in a web payout direction of the at least a first ratcheting web retractor, (b) responsive to actuation of the first release handle to unlock to allow the first lap web to be drawn therefrom in the web payout direction of the at least a first ratcheting web retractor, and (c) responsive, when locked, to actuation of the first ratcheting handle to draw at least a portion of the first lap web therein in a web take up direction of the at least a first ratcheting web retractor while remaining locked to prevent the first lap web from being drawn therefrom in the web payout direction of the at least a first ratcheting web retractor to thereby tighten the first lap web about the lap of the occupant of the first occupant seat, at least a second ratcheting web retractor mounted to the second seat base, a second release handle operatively coupled to the at least a second ratcheting web retractor, and a second ratcheting handle operatively coupled to the at least a second ratcheting web retractor, and wherein the second occupant restraint system includes: a second lap web comprising at least one restraint web operatively coupled to the at least a second ratcheting web retractor and having opposite ends extending through respective opposite sides of the second seat base or the second occupant support panel, and second engagement members coupled to the opposite ends of the second lap web and configured to releasably engage one another to secure the second lap web about a lap of an occupant of the second occupant seat, and wherein the at least a second ratcheting web retractor is: (a) normally locked to prevent the second lap web from being drawn therefrom in a web payout direction of the at least a second ratcheting web retractor, (b) responsive to actuation of the second release handle to unlock to allow the second lap web to be drawn therefrom in the web payout direction of the at least a second ratcheting web retractor, and (c) responsive, when locked, to actuation of the second ratcheting handle to draw at least a portion of the second lap web therein in a web take up direction of the at least a second ratcheting web retractor while remaining locked to prevent the second lap web from being drawn therefrom in the web payout direction of the at least a second ratcheting web retractor to thereby tighten the second lap web about the lap of the occupant of the second occupant seat.
This disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying Figures. Where considered appropriate, reference labels have been repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.
While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawing and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives consistent with the present disclosure and the appended claims.
References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases may or may not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. Further still, it is contemplated that any single feature, structure or characteristic disclosed herein may be combined with any one or more other disclosed feature, structure or characteristic, whether or not explicitly described, and that no limitations on the types and/or number of such combinations should therefore be inferred.
This disclosure relates to a restraint system for a vehicle seat operatively mounted in a motor vehicle. The subject restraint system illustratively includes a number of different restraint structures and components, some non-limiting examples of which will be described in detail below. In the attached figures, the motor vehicle in which the vehicle seat and one or more of the restraint system components are to be mounted is represented in the form of example motor vehicle frame components or structures to which one or more structures of the vehicle seat and/or restraint system(s) are to be mounted. In some embodiments, the motor vehicle in which the vehicle seat and associated restraint system components are to be mounted is illustratively, but not exclusively, an off-road motor vehicle such as an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or the like. It will be understood that the vehicle seat and/or one or more restraint components may alternatively be mounted within other motor vehicles without limitation. It will be further understood that whereas the vehicle seat and associated restraint system is illustrated in the attached drawings and described below as including multiple different occupant and vehicle seat restraint components, the illustrated seat or other motor vehicle seat may alternatively be outfitted with only a single one or any combination of any of the multiple different occupant and/or vehicle seat restraint components described herein by example.
Referring now to
The seat base 14 is may be conventional and may include conventional structure(s) for pivoting, i.e., folding, the seat 10 forwardly, e.g., so as to allow for ingress to and exit from a portion of the motor vehicle rearwardly of the seat 10, and/or for sliding the vehicle seat 10 fore and/or aft to selectively position the vehicle seat 10 relative to the motor vehicle. In this regard, a non-limiting embodiment of a seat base 14 is illustrated by example in
The lower plate 22A and the upper plate 22B are hingedly and pivotably coupled to one another via a pair of hinges 25A, 25B positioned along the front of the seat bottom module 14. The lower plate 22A of the mounting plate assembly 22 is thus hingedly coupled to the upper plate 22B along the front of the seat bottom module 18. As illustrated by example in
It bears pointing out that the embodiment of the seat base 14 illustrated in
The seat bottom module 18 illustratively includes a seat module base 34 secured to the frame components 30A, 30B of the vehicle seat 10. An occupant support panel 36 is secured to the seat base 34 and illustratively defines a recessed center portion 36A flanked by upwardly extending side walls 36B, 36C at respective opposite sides of the vehicle seat 10. A seat cushion 38 is mounted or otherwise disposed in the center portion 36A, and side cushions 40A, 40B are illustratively disposed on either side of the seat cushion 36A. In some embodiments, the side cushions 40A, 40B are integral with the seat cushion 36A, i.e., such that the cushions 36A, 40A, 40B are together of unitary constructions, although in other embodiments one or both of the side cushions 40A, 40B is/are structurally separate from the seat cushion 36A.
A ratcheting web adjustment apparatus is illustratively mounted to and within the seat base 34, and a non-limiting example embodiment of such an apparatus 140 is illustrated in
Some of the actuator components of the ratcheting web adjustment apparatus 140 are accessible externally to the seat base 34, and are illustrated in
The seat back module 20 illustratively includes a seat back frame 48, as best seen in
Referring now specifically to
Upper seat back cushions or pads 52A, 52B are mounted, e.g., affixed or otherwise secured, to respective ones of the upper side panel sections 50A, 50B, and lower seat back cushions or pads 52C, 52D are likewise mounted, e.g., affixed or otherwise secured, to respective ones of the lower side panel sections 50C, 50D. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper seat back cushions 52A, 52B are non-detachably secured to the respective panel sections 50A, 50B, and the lower seat back cushions 52C, 52D are both detachably mounted to the respective panel sections 50C, 50D so as to be removable and/or repositionable. In some alternative embodiments, the upper cushions 52A, 52B may be detachable, and in other alternate embodiments none of the cushions 52A-52D are detachable or repositionable. Wing cushions 52E, 52G, 52F, 52H are affixed to respective ones of the wing panel members 50E, 50G, 50F, 50H, and a head rest cushion 521 is illustratively affixed to the head rest panel section 55. In the illustrated embodiment, the cushions 38, 40A, 40B and 52E-521 are all non-detachably affixed to their respective structures, although in alternate embodiments one or more such cushions may be detachable so as to be replaceable and/or repositionable. The seat back panel 50 is illustratively a rigid material, as is the seat module base 34 and the occupant seat panel 36, and in one embodiment such components are made of one or more conventional rigid plastic materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the seat back panel 50, the seat module base 34 and the occupant seat panel 36 may be structurally reinforced using one or more conventional reinforcing materials. In some embodiments, the upper wings 48E/50E, 48G/50G and/or the lower wings 48F/50F, 48H/50H may be adjustable, e.g., vertically, horizontally and/or semi-flexibly positionable.
The occupant restraint system 12 is a multi-point restraint system and in this regard the restraint system 12 may be configured to have two or more points of restraint. In the illustrated embodiment, the restraint system 12 is a 6-point restraint system, although in alternate embodiments the restraint system 12 may be configured to have more or fewer points of restraint. Referring to
The opposite ends of the webs 60A, 60B are each coupled to a respective one of a pair of web attachments members 68A, 68B. Between the web attachment members 62A, 62B and the web retractor 64, the shoulder webs 60A, 60B each pass through the guide plate 56 as described above, and each is supported on and by a respective one of the shoulder web attenuators 58A, 58B. The shoulder web attenuators 58A, 58B are each illustratively configured to attenuate movement of the shoulder webs 60A, 60B during operation of the motor vehicle as will be described in detail below. The shoulder web 60A thus extends upwardly from the Y-connector 62 along the back side of the seat back module 20, through the web attenuator 58A, through the seat back panel 50 and then downwardly along the front side of the seat back module 20 and into engagement with the web attachment member 68A. The shoulder web 60B likewise extends upwardly from the Y-connector 62 along the back side of the seat back module 20, through the web attenuator 58B, through the seat back panel 50 and then downwardly along the front side of the seat back module 20 and into engagement with the web attachment member 68B. The shoulder webs 60A, 60B thus run substantially parallel with and spaced apart from one another so as to extend over respective shoulders and downwardly along a torso of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat 10.
Adjacent to the front portion of the seat back panel 50 through which the shoulder webs 60A, 60B pass, the shoulder web 60A passes through an elongated web sleeve or pad 78A and the shoulder web 60B likewise passes through another elongated web sleeve or pad 78B. A cross strap 76 is illustratively affixed to the shoulder web 60A between the sleeve or pad 78A and the web attachment member 68A, and the cross strap 92 is configured to be releasably secured to the shoulder web 60B as illustrated by example in
The illustrated occupant restraint system 12 further includes two lap webs 72A, 72B each coupled at one end to a respective one of the web attachment members 68A, 68B. The lap webs 72A, 72B each extend through the occupant support panel 36 and into engagement with the ratcheting web adjustment apparatus 140 as will be described in detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the lap webs 72A, 72B comprise a single length of web operatively coupled to apparatus 140, although in other embodiments the lap webs 72A, 72B may be separate from one another.
The illustrated occupant restraint system 12 further includes two thigh restraint webs 74A, 74B each coupled at one end to a respective one of the web attachment members 68A, 68B. The thigh webs 74A, 74B each extend through the occupant support panel 36 and into engagement with the ratcheting web adjustment apparatus 140 as will be described in detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the thigh webs 74A, 74B comprise a single length of web operatively coupled to apparatus 140, although in other embodiments the thigh webs 74A, 74B may be separate from one another. Operation of the ratcheting web adjustment apparatus will be described in detail below with respect to
The restraint system 12 further includes engagement members 70A, 70B mounted to or integral with respective ones of the web attachment members 68A, 68B. In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement member 70A is or includes a conventional tongue and the engagement member 70B is or includes a conventional buckle, wherein the tongue of the tongue member 70A is releasably engageable with and to the buckle of the buckle member 70B. In some alternate embodiments, the engagement member 70A may be the buckle member and the engagement member 70B may be the tongue member. In any case, the engagement members 70A, 70B are releasably engageable with and to one another to releasably couple the web attachment members 68A, 68B together as illustrated in
Referring now to
In the embodiment illustrated in
A rod or shaft 90A is mounted to and between the brackets 86A, 88A adjacent to or near a top of the opening 56A, and a rod or shaft 90B is likewise mounted to and between the brackets 86B, 88B adjacent to or near the opening 56B. Opposing ends of another rod or shaft 96A are received within respective slots 92A, 94A of the brackets 86A, 88A, and opposing ends of yet another rod or shaft 96B are received within respective slots 92B, 94B of the brackets 86B, 88B. The rod or shaft 96A thus extends transversely across the opening 56A between the two brackets 86A, 88A, and is movable along the slots 92A, 94A between the terminal ends of the slots 92A, 94A. The rod or shaft 96B likewise extends transversely across the opening 56B between the two brackets 86B, 88B, and is movable along the slots 92B, 94B between the terminal ends of the slots 92B, 94B. A resilient member 98A is coupled between the rod or shaft 90A and the rod or shaft 96A at or near respective ends thereof adjacent to an outer surface of the bracket 88A, and another resilient member 98B is coupled between the rod or shaft 90A and the rod or shaft 96A at or near respective opposite ends thereof adjacent to an outer surface of the bracket 86A, wherein the outer surfaces of the brackets 86A, 88A are those facing away from each other and away from the opening 56A. Another resilient member 98C is coupled between the rod or shaft 90B and the rod or shaft 96B at or near respective ends thereof adjacent to an outer surface of the bracket 88A, and still another resilient member 98D is coupled between the rod or shaft 90B and the rod or shaft 96B at or near respective opposite ends thereof adjacent to an outer surface of the bracket 86B, wherein the outer surfaces of the brackets 86B, 88B are likewise those facing away from each other and away from the opening 56B. Although the rod or shaft 90A acts to securely couple the brackets 86A, 88A to one another and the rod or shaft 90B likewise acts to securely couple the brackets 86B, 88B to one another, it is not essential to the functionality of the web attenuators 58A, 58B to extend the rods or shafts 90A, 90B transversely between the respective brackets. In some alternate embodiments, then, the rods or shafts 90A, 90B may be replaced with simple structures mounted to or integral with the outer surfaces of the brackets 86A, 86B, 88A, 88B suitable for securing a respective one of the resilient members 98A-98D thereto.
The resilient members 98A-98B illustratively operate to suspend the rods or shafts 96A, 96B from the ends of the respective rods or shafts 90A, 90B such that the rod or shaft 96A is moveable within the slots 92A, 94A under bias of the resilient members 98A, 98B and the rod or shaft 96B is moveable within the slots 92B, 94B under bias of the resilient members 98C, 98D. As illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, the resilient members 98A-98D are provided in the form of O-rings or rings of other shapes formed of one or more suitable resilient materials such as rubber, latex, or the like. In other embodiments, the resilient members 98A-98D may be provided in the form of linear, non-linear or piecewise liner shapes of one or more conventional resilient materials. In some such alternate embodiments, the one or more conventional biasing members may be or include one or more conventional springs, e.g., one or more linear or non-linear coil springs, flat springs and/or wire forms embodied as one or more compression springs, one or more extension springs, one or more torsion springs, one or more constant force springs or the like, or any combination thereof. Alternatively or additionally, the one or more biasing members may be or include one or more conventional shock absorbing or shock dampening devices, e.g., such as one or more conventional dashpots, of hydraulic, pneumatic and/or mechanical design. In any case, the one or more biasing members may be selected or designed to have any desired linear or non-linear, constant or non-constant, biasing force(s) to achieve any desired dampening or spring rate.
It will be noted that the acute angle defined by the opposed pairs of slots 92A, 94A and 92B, 94B is selected to at least approximately match an angle at which the shoulder webs 60A, 60B exit the openings 56A, 56B of the guide plate 56 due to the shoulder webs 60A, 60B, in operation, being forced horizontally away from the front surface of the seat back module 20 by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the torso of the seat occupant. In one embodiment, the acute angle is selected to match an approximate torso thickness of an average sized occupant. Other applications will require other considerations as to the angle relative to vertical, if any, of the slots 92A, 94A and 92B, 94B.
Referring now to both
The shoulder web 60A in
In the illustrated embodiment, each rod or shaft 96A, 96B is movable therein between an upper and lower positions thereof as defined by the dimensions of the respective slots 92A, 94A and 92B, 94B and the resilient force and dimensions of the resilient members 98A-98D. In the illustrated embodiment, the slots 92A, 94A and 92B, 94B are linear and the rods or shafts 96A, 96B accordingly move linearly therein. In other embodiments, the slots 92A, 94A and/or 92B, 94B be non-linear or piece-wise linear, and movement the rods or shaft 96A, 96B in such embodiments will move non-linearly or piecewise linearly therein. In one embodiment, the rods or shafts 96A, 96B are each illustratively biased upwardly within the respective openings 56A, 56B, such that with no downward force applied either of the shoulder webs 60A, 60B the rods or shafts 96A, 96B are both in their upper positions as illustrated by the rod or shaft 96B in
It will be understood that in embodiments of the vehicle seat 10 in which the shoulder webs 60A, 60B do not pass through the seat back module 20 but instead pass over the top of the seat back module 20, e.g., on either side of the head rest 55, the shoulder web attenuators 58A, 58B may be mounted to the seat back module 20 in a manner that positons them above the top of the seat back panel 50 on either side of the head rest panel 55.
Referring now to
Each web sleeve 78A, 78B includes a respective sleeve position adjuster 100A, 100B operatively coupled thereto and illustratively positioned adjacent to a respective end 78A1, 78B1 thereof. In alternate embodiments, the sleeve position adjuster 100A and/or the sleeve position adjuster 100B may be positioned elsewhere along the respective web sleeve 78A, 78B. Each sleeve position adjuster 100A, 100B includes a housing 102A, 102B mounted, i.e., attached, affixed or otherwise secured to a respective one of the web sleeves 78A, 78B, and an actuator 104A, 104B, e.g., in the form of a button, lever or other conventional actuator, which is manually actuatable between a normal, unactuated position in which the actuator 104A, 104B engages a portion of a respective one of the shoulder webs 60A, 60B to secure, i.e., clamp, the portion of the shoulder web 60A, 60B and thus fix the position of the sleeve 78A, 78B relative to the shoulder web 60A, 60B, and an actuated position in which the actuator 104A, 104B disengages from the shoulder web 60A, 60B to thus allow the sleeve 78A, 78B to be moved along the respective shoulder web 60A, 60B. In the unactuated or clamped position of the actuator 104A, the position of the respective actuator 104A, 104B, and thus the position of the respective web sleeve 78A, 78B, relative to the respective shoulder web 60A, 60B, is fixed. In the actuated or unclamped position of the actuator 104A, 104B, the respective actuator 104A, 104B, and thus the respective web sleeve 78A, 78B is movable, e.g., slidable, along the respective shoulder web 60A, 60B so as to be adjustably positionable relative to the respective shoulder web 60A, 60B.
Referring to
The actuator 104B illustratively includes a lever portion 120 that is sized to be received within the opening 108. A post 122 extends downwardly from the lever 120 and receives a biasing member 124 positioned between the lever portion 120 and a top surface of the upper wall 110. The web clamping portion 128 of the actuator 104B extends downwardly from one end of the lever portion 120 and into the aligned openings 112, 116 as illustrate in
In the unactuated or clamped position of the actuator 104B, the biasing member 124 exerts an upward biasing force to the underside of the lever portion 120 at or near the free end thereof which drives the clamping portion 128 of the actuator 104B into and through the aligned openings 112, 116 and into engagement with the shoulder web 60B as illustrated by example in
Referring again to
It will be understood that whereas the web sleeves 78A, 78B are illustrated in the attached figures and described above as being received on the shoulder webs 60A, 60B of the restraint system 12, either or both of the web sleeves 78A, 78B may alternatively or additionally be provided on any of the webs or pairs of webs of the restraint system 12.
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiment, the ratcheting web adjustment apparatus 140 includes two ratcheting web retractors of the type just described. One is coupled via at least one web to the lap web(s) 72A, 72B, and the locking/release mechanism thereof is operatively coupled to the release lever 42. The at least one toothed gear or wheel of this ratcheting web retractor is operatively coupled to the manually actuatable lever 44A mounted on one side of the seat module base 34. In some alternate embodiments, the at least one toothed gear or wheel of this ratcheting web retractor may instead be operatively coupled to the manually actuatable lever 44B mounted on the opposite side of the seat module base 34. The lap web 72A illustratively enters and exits the seat module base 34 via a slot 36B2 defined through a top edge 36B1 of the side wall 36B of the occupant seat panel 36, and the lap web 72B illustratively enters and exits the seat module base 34 via a slot 36C2 defined through a top edge 36C1 of the side wall 36C of the occupant seat panel 36, as illustrated by example in
The release lever 42 is illustratively operable to simultaneously control the locking states of the locking mechanisms of each ratcheting web retractor of the apparatus 140. In the default position of the lever 42 illustrated in
The manually actuatable levers 44A, 44B are each configured to be manually actuated in a manner that causes incremental rotation of the toothed gear(s) of a respective one of the ratcheting web retractors of the apparatus 140 to thereby take up slack, i.e., reduce the length of, the respective web coupled to the respective lap web(s) 72A, 72B or thigh web(s) 74A, 74B, thereby reducing or displacing the length thereof in a manner which tightens the respective lap web(s) 72A, 72B or thigh web(s) 74A, 74B about the occupant. In one embodiment of the apparatus 140 in which the lap webs 72A, 72B are provided in the form of a single length of web and in which the thigh webs 74A, 74B are likewise provided in the form of a single length of web, ratcheting of one of the ratcheting web retractor mounted in the seat module base 34 reduces the length of a web coupled to the single lap web which, in turn, displaces a portion of the single lap web within the seat module base 34, thereby tightening the single lap web about the lap of the occupant of the vehicle seat 10. Likewise, ratcheting of the other ratcheting web retractor mounted in the seat module base 34 reduces the length of another web coupled to the single thigh web which, in turn, displaces a portion of the single thigh web within the base 34, thereby tightening the single thigh web about the thighs of the occupant of the vehicle seat 10. In some alternate embodiments, the apparatus 140 may be configured such that ratcheting of one or more web retractors causes shortening, and therefore tightening, of the one or more lap webs 72A, 72B and such that ratcheting of one or more other web retractors causes shortening, and therefore tightening, of the one or more thigh webs 74A, 74B.
In any case, each manually actuatable lever 44A, 44B is operatively coupled to the toothed gear(s) or wheel(s) of a respective ratcheting web retractor of the apparatus, and is configured to be manually actuated in a manner which causes incremental rotation of the respective toothed gear(s) or wheel(s) in the web take-up direction, thereby tightening a respective one of the lap web(s) 72A, 72B and the thigh web(s) 74A, 74B about the occupant. In the illustrated embodiment, each lever 44A, 44B is rotatable about a respective pivot point 46A, 46B between a lower position, and an upper position. In some embodiments, the lower position is the default position, and each lever 44A, 44B is illustratively biased to the lower position. Alternatively, the upper position may be the default position and each lever 44A, 44B may be biased to the upper position. In other alternate embodiments, only one or neither lever 44A, 44B is biased and therefore has no default position.
In the illustrated embodiment in which each lever 44A, 44B is biased to the lower, default position, each lever 44A, 44B is manually actuated upwardly from the lower position to incrementally rotate the toothed gear(s) or wheel(s) of a respective ratcheting web retractor in the web take-up direction and thereby incrementally tightening a respective one of the lap web(s) and thigh web(s) about the occupant 100. In the illustrated embodiment, each lever 44A, 44B returns under bias to its lower position, where the ratcheting process may be repeated. In embodiments in which the levers 44A, 44B are not biased to the lower position, each lever 44A, 44B must be manually returned to the lower position before repeating the ratcheting process.
Referring not to
Referring now to
Referring now to
In
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiment, the restraint system 360 includes a base bracket 362 mounted to the frame 16B1, 16B2 or other structure of the motor vehicle, an elongated bracket 364 having spaced apart side walls 364A, 364B of a lower end 3641 pivotally mounted to the bracket 362 between spaced apart sidewalls 362A, 362B thereof via a pivot connector 366, e.g., a bolt, pin or the like, and an upper end 3642 extending away from the lower end, and a biasing member 368 coupled to and between the brackets 362, 364. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated bracket 364 is a planar bracket, although in alternate embodiments one or more portions of the bracket 364 may be non-linear or piecewise linear. A tab or plate section 362C of the bracket 362 illustratively extends perpendicularly away from the plane formed by the bracket with a terminal end of the tab section 362C facing the rear of the vehicle seat 10′.
An elongated coupling pin 370 is transversely mounted to the terminal end of the bracket 364 adjacent to the upper end thereof such that a longitudinal axis extending centrally through the coupling pin 370 is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis extending centrally through the bracket 364. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling pin 370 illustratively includes an elongated pin with guide wheels 370A, 370B mounted at each end thereof. The restraint system 360 further includes a conventional web retractor 372 mounted to the bracket 362 and/or to the frame 16B1, 16B2 of the motor vehicle. A length of web 374 is operatively coupled at one end to a rotatable spool of the web retractor 372 and at the opposite end to the coupling pin 370, and the portion of the web 374 between the web retractor 372 and the coupling pin 370 rides on the upper surface of the tab section 362C of the bracket 362.
The biasing member 368, e.g., a torsion spring, illustratively biases the bracket 364 away from the frame 16B1, 16B2 such that the plane formed by and along the bracket 364 forms an angle about the pivot connector 366 with the plane formed by the bracket 362. Illustratively, the length of web 374 is selected to restrict pivoting of the bracket 364 about the pivot connector 366 to a maximum angle about the pivot connector 366, corresponding to a maximum linear distance of the coupling pin 370 from the plane formed by the bracket 362 as illustrated in
The web retractor 372 illustratively includes a biasing member which biases the spool of the retractor 372 in the web take up direction. The biasing force of the biasing member 368 is illustratively greater than the biasing force of the biasing member of the web retractor 372 so that when the restraint system 360 is not being acted upon by the vehicle seat 10 the elongated bracket 364 pivots away from the bracket 362 and, in the process, draws the web 374 from the web retractor 372 until the maximum distance (or angle) allowed by the length of the web 374 is reached, at which point the restraint system 360 is in its fully extended position. If a force greater than, and generally opposite to, the biasing force of the biasing member 366 is applied to the bracket 364 and/or to the coupling pin 366, the bracket 364 pivots rearwardly about the pivot connector 366 as the biased spool of the web retractor 372 rotates in the web take-up direction and takes up the web 374 therein until the minimum distance (or angle) is reached, at which point the restraint system 360 is in its fully retracted position. In the illustrated embodiment, the web retractor 372 is an emergency locking retractor (ELR) configured in a conventional manner to lock the spool and prevent the spool from rotating in the web payout direction upon detection of a rapid rate of payout of the web therefrom and/or upon detection of vehicle deceleration exceeding a vehicle deceleration threshold.
In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle seat 10 is provided with structural features 180 configured to selectively engage, or to be selectively engaged by, the restraint system 360 in a manner which secures the interconnected frame components of the seat back module 20 to the restraint system 360 and thus to the frame 16B1, 16B2 of the motor vehicle. A rigid frame plate 48C1, 48C2 is illustratively affixed, i.e., secured, e.g., by welding or using a plurality of conventional fixation members, to each of the frame components 30A, 30B, 30C. With respect to the seat back panel 60A, 50B, the frame plate 48C1, 48C2 illustratively extends upwardly from the space defined between the upper wings 50E, 50G and the lower wings 50F, 50H to the transverse frame component 30C positioned near the tops of the upper wings 50E, 50G. In any case, a pair of elongated, laterally or transversely spaced apart engagement plates 182A, 182B are each secured at one end thereof to the frame plate 48C1 and, in some embodiments, to the transverse frame member 30C. The engagement plates 182A, 182B each extend downwardly away from the frame member 30C to terminal ends thereof, and a pair of matching spaces are defined between the rearwardly facing surface of the frame plate 48C1 and each respective one of the engagement plates 182A, 182B. The matching spaces are illustratively sized to receive therein respective portions of the coupling pin 370 therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement plates 182A, 182B are illustratively at least partially arcuate in shape as then extend downwardly to the terminal ends thereof so as to guide the coupling pin 370 therein and therefrom as the vehicle seat 10′ is pivoted forwardly and rearwardly about the hinges 25A, 25B as described above. Illustratively, all frame components 30A-30C, the coupling pin 370 and the brackets are made of a rigid, high-strength material such as steel.
The restraint system 360 just described is illustratively configured to automatically, i.e., without user intervention or manual actuation of the system 360, adjust to accommodate any fore or aft position of the vehicle seat 10′ relative to the bracket 362 (i.e., relative to the frame 16B1, 16B2 of the motor vehicle) while remaining coupled to the vehicle seat 10′ at all times, and at any fore or aft position of the vehicle seat 10′ to also disengage from the vehicle seat 10′ when being pivoted forwardly from the occupant support position and reengage the vehicle seat 10′ when being pivoted from any forwardly pivoted position back to the occupant support position.
Starting with
Moving now to
Moving again to
Operation of the restraint system 360 to automatically, i.e., without user intervention or manual actuation of the system 360, adjust to accommodate any fore or aft position of the vehicle seat 10′ relative to the bracket 362 (i.e., relative to the frame 16B1, 16B2 of the motor vehicle) while remaining coupled to the vehicle seat 10′ at all times is depicted in steps. Starting with
In
Referring now to
The occupant seat 408A and the occupant seat 408B may each be configured to include one or any combination of the features of the vehicle seat 10, 10′ illustrated in the attached figures and described in detail hereinabove. In some embodiments, the seats 408A, 408B are identically configured, i.e., identical to one another, although in alternate embodiments the seat 408A may include one or some combination of the features of the vehicle seat 10, 10′ and the seat 408B may include a the same or a different one of such features or a different combination of such features. In some embodiments, for example, either or both of the vehicle seats 408A, 408B may be pivotably and/or movably mounted to the frame 402 of the motor vehicle 400 such that the such that the seat 408A and/or the vehicle seat 408B is pivotable between an at rest position to support an occupant and a forward tilted position to permit access to a portion 416 of the motor vehicle reardwardly of the seat(s) 408A, 408B. In such embodiments, the motor vehicle may include an apparatus 460A, mounted to a frame component 414 that is part of, or secured to, the frame 402 of the motor vehicle 400, for selectively preventing pivoting of the seat 408A forwardly from the at rest position thereof and/or for selectively preventing forward movement of the seat 408A, and/or may include an apparatus 460B, mounted to the frame component 414, for selectively preventing pivoting of the seat 408B forwardly from the at rest position thereof and/or for selectively preventing forward movement of the seat 408B. In embodiments which include it, the apparatus 460A may illustratively be implemented in the form of the restraint system 160, the restraint system 260 or the restraint system 360 described above, as a variant one the system 160, 260, 360 or similar structure. Likewise, in embodiments which include it, the apparatus 460B may illustratively be implemented in the form of the restraint system 160, the restraint system 260 or the restraint system 360 described above, as a variant one the system 160, 260, 360 or similar structure.
Although not specifically illustrated in
Referring to
The motor vehicle 500 illustratively differs from the motor vehicle 400 illustrated in
Like the occupant seats 408A, 408B, 508A, 508B, the occupant seat 508C and the occupant seat 508D may each be configured to include one or any combination of the features of the vehicle seat 10, 10′ illustrated in the attached figures and described in detail hereinabove. In some embodiments, the seats 508C, 508D are identically configured, i.e., identical to one another, although in alternate embodiments the seat 508C may include one or some combination of the features of the vehicle seat 10, 10′ and the seat 508D may include a the same or a different one of such features or a different combination of such features. In some embodiments, for example, either or both of the vehicle seats 508C, 508D may be pivotably and/or movably mounted to the frame 502 of the motor vehicle 500 such that the such that the seat 508C and/or the vehicle seat 508D is pivotable between an at rest position to support an occupant and a forward tilted position to permit access to a portion 524 of the motor vehicle 500 reardwardly of the seat(s) 508C, 508D. In such embodiments, the motor vehicle may include an apparatus 560C, mounted to a frame component 522 that is part of, or secured to, the frame 502 of the motor vehicle 500, for selectively preventing pivoting of the seat 508C forwardly from the at rest position thereof and/or for selectively preventing forward movement of the seat 508C, and/or may include an apparatus 560D, mounted to the frame component 522, for selectively preventing pivoting of the seat 508D forwardly from the at rest position thereof and/or for selectively preventing forward movement of the seat 508D. In embodiments which include it/them, the apparatus(es) 560C and/or 560D may illustratively be implemented in any of the forms described above with respect to the apparatus(es) 460A, 460B illustrated in
Although not specifically illustrated in
Referring now to
In the embodiment illustrated in
Referring now to
In the embodiment illustrated in
While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such an illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications consistent with the disclosure and recited claims are desired to be protected.
Claims
1. A motor vehicle and occupant seat combination, comprising:
- a motor vehicle having a frame comprising a plurality of frame components,
- a first occupant seat pivotably mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components such that the first occupant seat is pivotable between an at rest position to support an occupant and a forward tilted position to permit access to a portion of the motor vehicle reardwardly of the first occupant seat,
- a second occupant seat pivotably mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components such that the second occupant seat is pivotable between an at rest position to support an occupant and a forward tilted position to permit access to a portion of the motor vehicle reardwardly of the second occupant seat, the first and second occupant seats mounted side-by-side within the motor vehicle,
- means for selectively preventing pivoting of the first occupant seat forwardly from the at rest position thereof, and
- means for selectively preventing pivoting of the second occupant seat forwardly from the at rest position thereof.
2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the first occupant seat includes a first seat bottom and a seat back secured to one another via at least one seat frame component such that the seat bottom and the seat back of the first occupant seat are pivotable together between the at rest position thereof and the forward tilted position of the first occupant seat,
- and wherein the second occupant seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back secured to one another via at least one seat frame component such that the seat bottom and the seat back of the second occupant seat are pivotable together between the at rest position thereof and the forward tilted position of the second occupant seat.
3. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a first occupant restraint system mounted to the first occupant seat and configured to selectively restrain an occupant supported on the first occupant seat,
- wherein the first occupant seat includes a first seat bottom, a first seat back extending upwardly away from the first seat bottom, and a first web attenuator mounted to the first seat back adjacent to one side thereof and spaced apart from a top end of the first seat back,
- and wherein the first occupant restraint system includes a first shoulder web extending through or over the first seat back with a portion of the first shoulder web supported by the first web attenuator, the first web attenuator configured to dampen forces applied thereto by the first shoulder web.
4. The combination of claim 3, further comprising a second occupant restraint system mounted to the second occupant seat and configured to selectively restrain an occupant supported on the second occupant seat,
- wherein the second occupant seat includes a second seat bottom, a second seat back extending upwardly away from the second seat bottom, and a second web attenuator mounted to the second seat back adjacent to one side thereof and spaced apart from a top end of the second seat back,
- and wherein the second occupant restraint system includes a second shoulder web extending through or over the second seat back with a portion of the second shoulder web supported by the second web attenuator, the second web attenuator configured to dampen forces applied thereto by the second shoulder web.
5. The combination of claim 4, wherein the first occupant seat further includes a third web attenuator mounted to the first seat back adjacent to an opposite side thereof and spaced apart from the top end of the first seat back,
- and wherein the first occupant restraint system further includes a third shoulder web extending through or over the first seat back with a portion of the third shoulder web supported by the third web attenuator, the third web attenuator configured to dampen forces applied thereto by the third shoulder web,
- and wherein the second occupant seat further includes a fourth web attenuator mounted to the second seat back adjacent to an opposite side thereof and spaced apart from the top end of the second seat back,
- and wherein the second occupant restraint system further includes a fourth shoulder web extending through or over the second seat back with a portion of the fourth shoulder web supported by the fourth web attenuator, the fourth web attenuator configured to dampen forces applied thereto by the fourth shoulder web.
6. The combination of claim 1, further comprising a first occupant restraint system mounted to the first occupant seat and configured to selectively restrain an occupant supported on the first occupant seat, the first occupant restraint system including:
- a first shoulder web configured to extend over a first shoulder of an occupant of the first occupant seat,
- a first elongated sleeve received on and at least partially about the first shoulder web, and
- a first sleeve position adjuster coupled to the first sleeve and including a first actuator normally engaging a portion of the first shoulder web to fix a position of the first sleeve relative to the first shoulder web and responsive to actuation thereof to disengage from the first shoulder web to allow the first sleeve to be moved along the first shoulder web.
7. The combination of claim 6, further comprising a second occupant restraint system mounted to the second occupant seat and configured to selectively restrain an occupant supported on the second occupant seat, the second occupant restraint system including:
- a second shoulder web configured to extend over a first shoulder of an occupant of the second occupant seat,
- a second elongated sleeve received on and at least partially about the second shoulder web, and
- a second sleeve position adjuster coupled to the second sleeve and including a second actuator normally engaging a portion of the second shoulder web to fix a position of the second sleeve relative to the second shoulder web and responsive to actuation thereof to disengage from the second shoulder web to allow the second sleeve to be moved along the second shoulder web.
8. The combination of claim 7, wherein the first occupant restraint system further includes:
- a third shoulder web configured to extend over a second shoulder of an occupant of the first occupant seat opposite the first shoulder of the first occupant,
- a third elongated sleeve received on and at least partially about the third shoulder web,
- a third sleeve position adjuster coupled to the third sleeve and including a third actuator normally engaging a portion of the third shoulder web to fix a position of the third sleeve relative to the third shoulder web and responsive to actuation thereof to disengage from the third shoulder web to allow the third sleeve to be moved along the third shoulder web,
- a fourth shoulder web configured to extend over a second shoulder of an occupant of the second occupant seat opposite the first shoulder of the second occupant,
- a fourth elongated sleeve received on and at least partially about the fourth shoulder web, and
- a fourth sleeve position adjuster coupled to the fourth sleeve and including a fourth actuator normally engaging a portion of the fourth shoulder web to fix a position of the fourth sleeve relative to the fourth shoulder web and responsive to actuation thereof to disengage from the fourth shoulder web to allow the fourth sleeve to be moved along the fourth shoulder web.
9. The combination of claim 1, wherein the first and second occupant seats are mounted side-by-side within a first occupant area of the motor vehicle,
- and wherein the combination further comprises:
- a third occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components such in a second occupant area of the motor vehicle rearwardly of the first occupant area, and
- a fourth occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components in the second occupant area of the motor vehicle and with the third and fourth occupant seats mounted side-by-side within the second occupant area of the motor vehicle,
- and further comprising a rear occupant restraint system mounted to at least one of the third and fourth occupant seats and configured to selectively restrain an occupant supported thereon,
- and wherein the at least one of the third and fourth occupant seats includes at least one of: (i) at least one web attenuator mounted to a seat back thereof and spaced apart from a top end of the seat back and configured to dampen forces applied thereto by at least one corresponding shoulder web of the rear occupant restraint system extending through the seat back and supported by the at least one web attenuator, and (ii) at least one elongated sleeve received on and at least partially about at least one respective shoulder web of the rear occupant restraint system, and at least one respective sleeve position adjuster coupled to the at least one sleeve and including at least one actuator normally engaging a portion of the at least one shoulder web to fix a position of the at least one sleeve relative to the at least one shoulder web and responsive to actuation thereof to disengage from the at least one shoulder web to allow the at least one sleeve to be moved along the at least one shoulder web.
10. The combination of claim 1, wherein the first and second occupant seats are mounted side-by-side within a first occupant area of the motor vehicle,
- and wherein the combination further comprises:
- a third occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components such in a second occupant area of the motor vehicle rearwardly of the first occupant area, and
- a fourth occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components in the second occupant area of the motor vehicle and with the third and fourth occupant seats mounted side-by-side within the second occupant area of the motor vehicle,
- and wherein at least one of the third and fourth occupant seats is pivotably mounted to the at least one of the plurality of frame components such that the at least one of the third and fourth occupant seat is pivotable between an at rest position to support an occupant and a forward tilted position to permit access to a portion of the motor vehicle reardwardly of the at least one of the third and fourth occupant seats,
- and wherein the combination further comprises means for selectively preventing pivoting of the at least one of the third and fourth occupant seats forwardly from the at rest position thereof.
11. A motor vehicle and occupant seat combination, comprising:
- a motor vehicle having a frame comprising a plurality of frame components,
- a first occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components, the first occupant seat having a first seat bottom and a first seat back extending upwardly away from the first seat bottom,
- a second occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components, the second occupant seat having a second seat bottom and a second seat back extending upwardly away from the second seat bottom, the first and second occupant seats mounted side-by-side within the motor vehicle,
- a first occupant restraint system mounted to the first occupant seat and configured to selectively restrain an occupant supported on the first occupant seat,
- a second occupant restraint system mounted to the second occupant seat and configured to selectively restrain an occupant supported in the second occupant seat,
- a first web attenuator mounted to the first seat back adjacent to one side thereof and spaced apart from a top end of the first seat back, the first occupant restraint system including a first shoulder web extending through or over the first seat back with a portion of the first shoulder web supported by the first web attenuator, the first web attenuator configured to dampen forces applied thereto by the first shoulder web, and
- a second web attenuator mounted to the second seat back adjacent to one side thereof and spaced apart from a top end of the second seat back, the second occupant restraint system including a second shoulder web extending through or over the second seat back with a portion of the second shoulder web supported by the second web attenuator, the second web attenuator configured to dampen forces applied thereto by the second shoulder web.
12. The combination of claim 11, further comprising:
- a third web attenuator mounted to the first seat back adjacent to an opposite side thereof and spaced apart from the top end of the first seat back, the first occupant restraint system including a third shoulder web extending through or over the first seat back with a portion of the third shoulder supported by the third web attenuator, the third web attenuator configured to dampen forces applied thereto by the third shoulder web, and
- a fourth web attenuator mounted to the second seat back adjacent to an opposite side thereof and spaced apart from the top end of the second seat back, the second occupant restraint system including a fourth shoulder web extending through or over the second seat back with a portion of the fourth shoulder web supported by the fourth web attenuator, the fourth web attenuator configured to dampen forces applied thereto by the fourth shoulder web.
13. The combination of claim 11, further comprising:
- a first elongated sleeve received on and at least partially about the first shoulder web,
- a first sleeve position adjuster coupled to the first sleeve and including a first actuator normally engaging a portion of the first shoulder web to fix a position of the first sleeve relative to the first shoulder web and responsive to actuation thereof to disengage from the first shoulder web to allow the first sleeve to be moved along the first shoulder web,
- a second elongated sleeve received on and at least partially about the second shoulder web, and
- a second sleeve position adjuster coupled to the second sleeve and including a second actuator normally engaging a portion of the second shoulder web to fix a position of the second sleeve relative to the second shoulder web and responsive to actuation thereof to disengage from the second shoulder web to allow the second sleeve to be moved along the second shoulder web.
14. The combination of claim 13, further comprising:
- a third elongated sleeve received on and at least partially about the third shoulder web,
- a third sleeve position adjuster coupled to the third sleeve and including a third actuator normally engaging a portion of the third shoulder web to fix a position of the third sleeve relative to the third shoulder web and responsive to actuation thereof to disengage from the third shoulder web to allow the third sleeve to be moved along the third shoulder web,
- a fourth elongated sleeve received on and at least partially about the fourth shoulder web, and
- a fourth sleeve position adjuster coupled to the fourth sleeve and including a fourth actuator normally engaging a portion of the fourth shoulder web to fix a position of the fourth sleeve relative to the fourth shoulder web and responsive to actuation thereof to disengage from the fourth shoulder web to allow the fourth sleeve to be moved along the fourth shoulder web.
15. The combination of claim 11, wherein the first and second occupant seats are mounted side-by-side within a first occupant area of the motor vehicle,
- and wherein the combination further comprises:
- a third occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components such in a second occupant area of the motor vehicle rearwardly of the first occupant area, and
- a fourth occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components in the second occupant area of the motor vehicle and with the third and fourth occupant seats mounted side-by-side within the second occupant area of the motor vehicle,
- and further comprising a rear occupant restraint system mounted to at least one of the third and fourth occupant seats and configured to selectively restrain an occupant supported thereon,
- and wherein the at least one of the third and fourth occupant seats includes at least one of: (i) at least one web attenuator mounted to a seat back thereof and spaced apart from a top end of the seat back and configured to dampen forces applied thereto by at least one corresponding shoulder web of the rear occupant restraint system extending through the seat back and supported by the at least one web attenuator, and (ii) at least one elongated sleeve received on and at least partially about at least one respective shoulder web of the rear occupant restraint system, and at least one respective sleeve position adjuster coupled to the at least one sleeve and including at least one actuator normally engaging a portion of the at least one shoulder web to fix a position of the at least one sleeve relative to the at least one shoulder web and responsive to actuation thereof to disengage from the at least one shoulder web to allow the at least one sleeve to be moved along the at least one shoulder web.
16. The combination of claim 11, wherein the first and second occupant seats are mounted side-by-side within a first occupant area of the motor vehicle,
- and wherein the combination further comprises:
- a third occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components such in a second occupant area of the motor vehicle rearwardly of the first occupant area, and
- a fourth occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components in the second occupant area of the motor vehicle and with the third and fourth occupant seats mounted side-by-side within the second occupant area of the motor vehicle,
- and wherein at least one of the third and fourth occupant seats is pivotably mounted to the at least one of the plurality of frame components such that the at least one of the third and fourth occupant seat is pivotable between an at rest position to support an occupant and a forward tilted position to permit access to a portion of the motor vehicle reardwardly of the at least one of the third and fourth occupant seats,
- and wherein the combination further comprises means for selectively preventing pivoting of the at least one of the third and fourth occupant seats forwardly from the at rest position thereof.
17. A motor vehicle and occupant seat combination, comprising:
- a motor vehicle having a frame comprising a plurality of frame components,
- a first occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components, the first occupant seat having a first seat bottom and a first seat back extending upwardly away from the first seat bottom,
- a second occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components, the second occupant seat having a second seat bottom and a second seat back extending upwardly away from the second seat bottom, the first and second occupant seats mounted side-by-side within the motor vehicle,
- a first occupant restraint system mounted to the first occupant seat and configured to selectively restrain an occupant supported on the first occupant seat,
- a second occupant restraint system mounted to the second occupant seat and configured to selectively restrain an occupant supported in the second occupant seat,
- a first elongated sleeve received on and at least partially about a first shoulder web of the first occupant restraint system,
- a first sleeve position adjuster coupled to the first sleeve and including a first actuator normally engaging a portion of the first shoulder web to fix a position of the first sleeve relative to the first shoulder web and responsive to actuation thereof to disengage from the first shoulder web to allow the first sleeve to be moved along the first shoulder web,
- a second elongated sleeve received on and at least partially about a first shoulder web of the second occupant restraint system, and
- a second sleeve position adjuster coupled to the second sleeve and including a second actuator normally engaging a portion of the second shoulder web to fix a position of the second sleeve relative to the second shoulder web and responsive to actuation thereof to disengage from the second shoulder web to allow the second sleeve to be moved along the second shoulder web.
18. The combination of claim 17, further comprising:
- a third elongated sleeve received on and at least partially about a second shoulder web of the first occupant restraint system,
- a third sleeve position adjuster coupled to the third sleeve and including a third actuator normally engaging a portion of the second shoulder web of the first occupant restraint system to fix a position of the third sleeve relative to the second shoulder web of the first occupant restraint system and responsive to actuation thereof to disengage from the third shoulder web to allow the third sleeve to be moved along the second shoulder web of the first occupant restraint system,
- a fourth elongated sleeve received on and at least partially about a second shoulder web of the second occupant restraint system, and
- a fourth sleeve position adjuster coupled to the fourth sleeve and including a fourth actuator normally engaging a portion of the second shoulder web of the second occupant restraint system to fix a position of the fourth sleeve relative to the second shoulder web of the second occupant restraint system and responsive to actuation thereof to disengage from the fourth shoulder web to allow the fourth sleeve to be moved along the second shoulder web of the second occupant restraint system.
19. The combination of claim 17, wherein the first and second occupant seats are mounted side-by-side within a first occupant area of the motor vehicle,
- and wherein the combination further comprises:
- a third occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components such in a second occupant area of the motor vehicle rearwardly of the first occupant area, and
- a fourth occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components in the second occupant area of the motor vehicle and with the third and fourth occupant seats mounted side-by-side within the second occupant area of the motor vehicle,
- and further comprising a rear occupant restraint system mounted to at least one of the third and fourth occupant seats and configured to selectively restrain an occupant supported thereon,
- and wherein the at least one of the third and fourth occupant seats includes at least one of: (i) at least one web attenuator mounted to a seat back thereof and spaced apart from a top end of the seat back and configured to dampen forces applied thereto by at least one corresponding shoulder web of the rear occupant restraint system extending through the seat back and supported by the at least one web attenuator, and (ii) at least one elongated sleeve received on and at least partially about at least one respective shoulder web of the rear occupant restraint system, and at least one respective sleeve position adjuster coupled to the at least one sleeve and including at least one actuator normally engaging a portion of the at least one shoulder web to fix a position of the at least one sleeve relative to the at least one shoulder web and responsive to actuation thereof to disengage from the at least one shoulder web to allow the at least one sleeve to be moved along the at least one shoulder web.
20. The combination of claim 17, wherein the first and second occupant seats are mounted side-by-side within a first occupant area of the motor vehicle,
- and wherein the combination further comprises:
- a third occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components such in a second occupant area of the motor vehicle rearwardly of the first occupant area, and
- a fourth occupant seat mounted to at least one of the plurality of frame components in the second occupant area of the motor vehicle and with the third and fourth occupant seats mounted side-by-side within the second occupant area of the motor vehicle,
- and wherein at least one of the third and fourth occupant seats is pivotably mounted to the at least one of the plurality of frame components such that the at least one of the third and fourth occupant seat is pivotable between an at rest position to support an occupant and a forward tilted position to permit access to a portion of the motor vehicle reardwardly of the at least one of the third and fourth occupant seats,
- and wherein the combination further comprises means for selectively preventing pivoting of the at least one of the third and fourth occupant seats forwardly from the at rest position thereof.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 16, 2021
Publication Date: Dec 1, 2022
Patent Grant number: 11691591
Inventors: Douglas W. Bittner (Indianapolis, IN), Jeffrey A. King (Markelville, IN), Steven Gale (Colfax, IN)
Application Number: 17/176,236