With Auxiliary Force Rewinding Patents (Class 242/374)
  • Patent number: 11975681
    Abstract: A seatbelt retractor includes a frame and a spool having a first end and a second end each rotatably supported by the frame. The spool is elongated on an axis from the first end to the second end. The seatbelt retractor includes a plurality of torsion posts fixed to the frame. The seatbelt retractor includes a locking device operatively coupled between the spool and the plurality of torsion posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: 11933372
    Abstract: An engagement and disengagement device used in a seat belt retractor including a first rotating member capable of being driven to rotate about a rotation axis thereof, a second rotating member provided coaxially with the first rotating member and connected to a reel of the seat belt retractor in an anti-torsion manner, and a transmission member provided between the first and second rotating member. The first rotating member is capable of transmitting torque to the second rotating member by means of the transmission member. The transmission member includes a holder and a transmission element in the holder. A first elastic component elastically holds the transmission element by radially exerting a force that enables the transmission element to be located away from the first or the second rotating member, and the first elastic component is integrated on the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Liang Ge, Licheng Yu
  • Patent number: 11926280
    Abstract: A seat belt pretensioner for a seat belt device in a vehicle, the pretensioner including a frame, a ball housing attached to the frame and a drive wheel located within the ball housing. A spool is connected to the drive wheel and is fixed to one end of a seat belt webbing so that the webbing may be wound around the spool. The pretensioner further includes a pipe connected to the ball housing and a gas generator connected to the pipe. At least one power transmission element is carried in the pipe and is driven by gas provided from the gas generator to contact the drive wheel and rotate the spool to retract the seat belt. A seal member is located between the at least one power transmission element and the gas generator. The seal member is sized to plug the pipe at an inlet to the ball housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC
    Inventor: Mark Gray
  • Patent number: 11691593
    Abstract: An engagement and disengagement device used in a seat belt retractor includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member configured to be coaxial, and a transmission member disposed between the first and second rotating members. The first rotating member defines an engagement portion on a radial inner surface thereof, and the distance from the engagement portion to an axis of rotation gradually increases in a first direction of rotation. The transmission member can rotate between an engagement position and a non-engagement position relative to the first rotating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Liang Ge, Weijing Liu, Jie Wang
  • Patent number: 11628800
    Abstract: The invention relates, inter alia, to a tensioner drive (11) for a seatbelt installation, having a tube (30), at least one piston (25) which within the tube (30) is displaceable along a propulsion direction (P2), and a gas generator (40) for generating a propulsion gas (G) and a propulsion pressure on a pressure-facing side of the piston (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Walter Krauss
  • Patent number: 11603075
    Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner system for use in a seatbelt retractor assembly having a spindle and a frame includes a housing adapted for being mounted to the frame and having an interior cavity, a pretensioner tube including a body portion and an exit portion, and having a first tube end in fluid communication with a gas generator and a second tube end in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the housing, a pinion being rotatably mounted in the housing and fixedly coupled to the spindle adapted for taking up seatbelt webbing during pretensioning, a pretensioner rod disposed inside the pretensioner tube, and a stopper disposed between the gas generator and the pretensioner rod. Further, the exit portion of the tube is formed to neck down such that the exit portion is configured to prevent the stopper from passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Jon E. Burrow, Daniel Robert Murphy
  • Patent number: 11491906
    Abstract: A tie down ratchet and strap includes, a ratchet shaft rotatably mounted in a ratchet body having a slot for receiving a wind-up strap therethough, a pair of ratchet wheels mounted on the ratchet shaft, a ratchet handle with a pawl engaging the ratchet wheels to rotate the ratchet shaft, a locking bar securing the ratchet wheels and ratchet shaft in position when the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet wheels, an anchor strap with a connector for securing the ratchet assembly to a first anchor point, and a wind-up strap including a non-metallic fabric strap with a braided metal outer cover extending continuously over the length of the non-metallic fabric strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: FRIEND SUCCESS INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Christie
  • Patent number: 11465584
    Abstract: In a webbing take-up device, a moving member is moved while being guided along a cylinder in order to rotate a spool in a take-up direction. A urging plate of a guide member urges a flange at an axial direction leading end portion of the cylinder toward a restricting direction side, and a leg plate of a frame restricts rotation of the flange toward the restricting direction side. This enables rattling of the axial direction leading end portion of the cylinder about the axial direction of the cylinder to be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Wataru Yanagawa, Shigeki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11457906
    Abstract: A tissue retractor having a central body, a posterior housing slidably coupled to the central body via a first two way overrunning clutch, a posterior arm slidably coupled to the posterior housing via a second two way overrunning clutch, a right arm rotatably coupled to the central body via a hinge pin and third two way overrunning clutch and a left arm rotatably coupled to the central body via a hinge pin and fourth two way overrunning clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: ASTURA MEDICAL INC
    Inventor: Keith Klausman
  • Patent number: 11440501
    Abstract: The invention relates to an active restraint system (1), comprising a seat belt retractor (3), having a frame (2) and a belt reel (4) with a belt webbing (10) wound thereon and rotatable supported by the frame (2) for allowing winding and unwinding the belt webbing (10). An electric disc motor (28) comprising a rotor (30) and a stator (32) is attached to the belt reel (4). The rotor (30) is directly attached by an attachment (31) to the belt reel (4). The restraint system further comprises a control unit (40) connected to the disc motor (28) and adapted to control the disc motor (28) to drive the belt reel (4) in accordance with a determined belt motion profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Martin Specht
  • Patent number: 11370390
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt tightener (1) with a mass body drive for a seat belt of a motor vehicle with a force-limiting device with—a belt shaft (3) mounted rotatably in at least one opening (15) of a housing (14) that can be fastened fixedly to the vehicle, it being possible to wind up the seat belt on said shaft, —a tightener drive wheel (24) connected non-rotatably to the belt shaft (3) and having recesses (14) distributed at regular intervals over the circumference, —a chain forming the mass body drive made of loose mass bodies (19), which are guided in a tightener tube (10) and can be driven by pressure application of the tightener tube (10), wherein—the belt shaft (3) can be driven in the winding direction of the seat belt by engagement of the driven mass bodies (19) in the recesses (14) of the tightener drive wheel (24), wherein—the mounting of the belt shaft (3) in the opening (15) of the housing (14) is designed to be flexible in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Christian Fischer, Martin Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11338767
    Abstract: A spool 20 and a locking base 40 are connected through a torsion bar 70. A stop gear 82 and a positioning member 86 are engaged through threads with the male thread 42c of a locking base 40 so as to be separated from each other a predetermined distance. The locking base 40 and the torsion bar 70 are mounted to the spool 20 while the distance of separation between the stop gear 82 and the positioning member 86 is accurately set to a specified distance. When the tension of webbing increases due to the movement of a vehicle occupant in a vehicle collision and provides the torsion bar 70 with EA rotation while twisting the torsion bar 70, the stop gear 82 advances toward the positioning member 86 and comes into contact therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN K.K.
    Inventor: Atsushi Ichida
  • Patent number: 11292428
    Abstract: A webbing take-up device is provided with a spool on which a webbing to be applied to a vehicle occupant is taken up, due to the spool rotating in a take-up direction. The webbing take-up device is also provided with a lock base and a connecting member that are integrally rotatable with the spool. The lock base and connecting member are provided with a lock base-side flange portion and a connecting member-side flange portion, which are disposed opposite to one another in a rotation axis direction of the spool, and with lock base-side second engaging teeth and connecting member-side second engaging teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Wataru Yanagawa
  • Patent number: 11235732
    Abstract: A belt retractor for a motor vehicle seat belt device, with a rotatably mounted belt reel onto which a seat belt is wound, and a belt tensioner with a drive wheel (1), which drives the belt reel in the event of an activation. A positively controlled tensioner coupling transfers the drive movement from the drive wheel (1) onto the belt reel. At least one coupling pawl (2,3) mounted on the drive wheel (1) and which is moved into and out of engagement with a toothing (20) rotationally fixed in relation to the belt reel to establish and disconnect a rotational connection of the drive wheel (1) with the belt reel. A friction ring (4) has a control arm (11) coupled with the coupling pawl (2,3), wherein in the event of an activation of the belt tensioner, the friction ring (4) performs a relative movement to the drive wheel (1) by frictional forces and, controls via the control arm (11) the movement of the coupling pawl (2,3) into engagement and disengagement with the toothing (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Frank Matzen, Geert Wittenberg, Giuliano Begovic, David Winheim, Sven Krambeer
  • Patent number: 11230255
    Abstract: A pop-up hood apparatus includes a hood, a hood lock mechanism, a support mechanism of the hood lock mechanism, and an actuator that displaces the hood lock mechanism upward. The support mechanism includes a movable block that supports the hood lock mechanism and a base block and that supports the movable block such that the movable block is slidable upward and downward. The base block has a long hole that extends along a vertical direction. A protrusion part that is slidably inserted in the long hole is provided on the movable block. A resistance-applying part that comes into contact with the protrusion part and that applies a resistance to the protrusion part is provided in at least a higher region of the long hole than a required elevation position of the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazutada Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11059452
    Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a vehicle is provided. The pretensioning assembly includes a tube in fluid communication with a gas generator and a driving element disposed therein that travels in a first direction in response to actuation of the gas generator. The driving element includes a polymer rod. A stopper is coupled to an end portion of the polymer rod. In one example, a seal member disposed between the gas generator and the stopper includes a head section and a skirt section. In another example, the tube has an opening that is adjacent to an exit to facilitate venting gas from the gas generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher D. Hall
  • Patent number: 11014530
    Abstract: A safety belt retractor having a load limiting device is provided. The load limiting device comprises: a hollow spool (1) on which a webbing can be wound, a locking disk (2) having a flange (21) and a sleeve (22) attached thereto, and a torsion bar (3); the locking disk (2) can be mounted with the flange (21) on an end of the spool (1) and can extend with the sleeve (22) into a hollow chamber of the spool (1), and the spool (1) is rotatable in relation to the locking disk (2); the torsion bar (3) can be arranged in the hollow chamber of the spool (1) and is fixed on the spool (1) and on the locking disk (2) in a rotationally secured manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES (SHANGHAI) CO. LTD
    Inventor: Yong Han
  • Patent number: 11014529
    Abstract: A seatbelt retractor for a seat belt device in a vehicle. The retractor includes a frame and a spool configured to be fixed to one end of a seat belt webbing so that the webbing may be wound around the spool. The spool is rotatably mounted at both ends to the frame and configured to rotate in a webbing extraction direction and a webbing retraction direction. The retractor includes a staged torsion bar positioned end to end in the spool along an axis of rotation of the spool. The retractor also includes a shift assembly to shift between the stages of the staged torsion bar. The shift assembly includes a shift link locked by a shift collar and a shift ring meshed in a shift plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLC
    Inventor: Mark Gray
  • Patent number: 11007975
    Abstract: In a webbing retractor, due to a moving member being moved toward an axial direction distal end side, and first teeth and second teeth of a rotating member piercing the moving member, the rotating member is rotated in a take-up direction. Here, at the moving member, a sectional surface area, in a direction orthogonal to an axis, of a small diameter portion that is at an axial direction distal end side is made to be small as compared with a moving member main body that is at an axial direction proximal end side. Therefore, resistance to movement of the moving member can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Takahiro Tanaka, Wataru Yanagawa, Shinichi Okubo, Yuji Suga
  • Patent number: 10994696
    Abstract: A seatbelt retractor includes a retractor frame, a spool fixed for common rotation with a spool shaft, a seatbelt webbing wrapped around the spool, a reduction mechanism, and a sensor coupled to the reduction mechanism for sensing the movement of the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Mathew L. Nassoiy, Jason L. Hepner
  • Patent number: 10974691
    Abstract: A self-locking belt retractor for a seat belt device of a motor vehicle with a belt shaft body and a profile head, and a blocking device with a blocking catch mounted on the profile head. When activated, the blocking device engages in a blocked position with a vehicle-affixed interlock for the purpose of blocking the belt shaft in the belt extension direction. A force-limiting device is disposed in the force transmission path from the belt shaft body to the blocking catch. The profile head is made as two parts, with a carrier component and an insert component which are affixed together. The insert component exhibits a higher resistance to deformation than the carrier component and, when the belt shaft is blocked, forms part of the force transmission path between the blocking catch and the force-limiting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Michael Strutz, Stefan Suhr, Christopher Werner
  • Patent number: 10919487
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator (70) for releasing a load limiter (14) of a belt retractor for a vehicle seat belt, comprising a case (72) which is adapted to be attached to a frame (10) of the belt retractor and includes a seat (82) in which a pyrotechnical actor (80) is arranged, characterized in that a retaining clip (90) for locking the actor (80) within the seat (82) is attached to the case (72). The invention further relates to a belt retractor comprising a frame (10), a belt reel (12) rotatably supported in the frame, a load limiter (14) which is detachably connected to the belt reel (12) and an actuator (70) of the afore-mentioned type, characterized in that the retaining clip (90) bears on the frame (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Daeuber, Stefan Eisele, Martin Roehrle
  • Patent number: 10899312
    Abstract: A safety belt retractor, a vehicle safety belt with the safety belt retractor and a vehicle with the vehicle safety belt are provided. The safety belt retractor is provided, on an end segment thereof, with a pre-tensioning, force-limiting and decoupling device that comprises a safety belt reel (1), a driving element (2), a sleeve (3) and an energy absorbing disc (4). The safety belt reel (1) is provided with a first recess (10) and a second recess. A first helical surface (9) is arranged in the first recess (10), and the driving element (2) is provided with a first projection (21) having a second helical surface acting together with the first helical surface (9). The sleeve (3) is provided with a second projection (31) mounted in the second recess. Under a predetermined load, the second projection (31) is cut off, such that the energy absorbing disc (4) is plastically deformed due to squeezing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES (SHANGHAI) CO. LTD
    Inventor: Yong Han
  • Patent number: 10899313
    Abstract: A webbing take-up device is provided with (i) a spool and (ii) a rotor rotatable integrally with the spool having a base portion and radially-extending engaging teeth. A webbing to be applied to a vehicle occupant is wound around the spool. Each engaging tooth protrudes from the base portion in a rotation axis direction of the spool, and is tapered along the rotation axis direction such that a thickness dimension in a rotation circumference direction of the spool of a portion of the engaging tooth at the opposite side thereof from the base portion becomes smaller toward the base portion side thereof. The axially-tapered shape of the engaging teeth reduces stresses and improves transmission efficiency between the rotor teeth and the teeth of a moving member engaged thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Wataru Yanagawa, Shinichi Okubo
  • Patent number: 10882490
    Abstract: A control method for an electric seatbelt retractor and an electric seatbelt retractor including a spindle (2) and a seatbelt (3) wound thereon, and an electric motor (4) driving the spindle (2) via a rotor (3) in pull-in or in pull-out direction when activated, and a sensor device (10) detecting the movement of the spindle (2), wherein a spring (11) is provided, which is arranged between the spindle (2) and the rotor (3) enabling a relative movement of the spindle (2) to the rotor (3) or to a retractor-fixed part, wherein the electric motor (4) is controlled by a signal of the sensor device (10) generated by the relative movement of the spindle (2) to the rotor (3) or a retractor-fixed part with torsional tensioning or expanding the spring (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Saravana Shanmugam, Abhijeet Atwadkar, Vijay Shetty, Thouseef Aqeeb, Andreas Lucht, Geert Helge Wittenberg, Carstensen Holger, Patrick Süllau, Günter Clute
  • Patent number: 10864886
    Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a vehicle is provided. The seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly includes a housing adapted for being mounted to a frame and having an interior cavity, a pretensioner tube having an arcuate and curved shape, a sprocket rotatably mounted to the housing and fixedly coupled to a spindle, a polymer rod disposed within the tube and a guide plate having a guide portion and a rod guide. The polymer rod exits the tube along a perimeter of the sprocket, and toward an arcuate landing surface of the guide portion. In addition, the rod guide is configured for preventing the polymer rod from trapping before engaging with the sprocket or after pretensioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Hall, Bin Wang, Kenneth H. Kohlndorfer, Jon E. Burrow, Richard W. Koning
  • Patent number: 10836347
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor that includes a torsion bar is positioned in a spool. The second end of the torsion bar is engaged with a locking mechanism mounted to the frame. The torsion bar is configured to be locked at the second end while the first end rotates with the spool so that the torsion bar deforms to absorb force. The locking mechanism includes a lock base and a locking hub that is mounted to the second end of the torsion bar and is releasably connected to the lock base to prevent the second end of the torsion bar from rotating. The locking hub is configured to be released and rotate relative to the lock base to thereby permit rotation of the second end of the torsion bar with the first end of the torsion bar and the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLC
    Inventor: Mark Gray
  • Patent number: 10723311
    Abstract: In a vehicle emergency, rotation of a lock base in a pull-out direction opposite to a take-up direction is restricted. A first pinion-configuring portion formed at an outer circumferential portion of the lock base configures one width direction side of a pinion section that is rotated in the take-up direction by a rack that moves due to fluid pressure in a vehicle emergency. A coupling member disposed between the lock base and the torsion shaft is fixed to the lock base and to a torsion shaft. A second pinion-configuring portion that configures a width direction other side of the pinion section is formed alongside the first pinion-configuring portion at an outer circumferential portion of the coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Wataru Yanagawa, Shinichi Okubo
  • Patent number: 10690190
    Abstract: A torque transfer coupler for a roller blind. The torque transfer coupler has a central body securable to an electric motor and includes one or more torque transfer elements engaging the interior of the blind's roller tube. The coupler includes an anti-slip member having one or more resilient portions having a rest position and a deflected position. When, in their rest positions the resilient portions have a dimension larger than the cross sectional area of the roller tube. When in their deflected positions and received within the roller tube the resilient portions engage the interior surface of the roller tube resisting the withdrawal of the torque transfer coupler, and the electric motor secured thereto, from the interior of the roller tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: ZMC Metal Coating Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Ng
  • Patent number: 10549715
    Abstract: A pretensioner includes a drive wheel provided with a plurality of engaging teeth for rotating a spool, the spool for winding up a webbing for fastening a passenger; and an elongated resin component that transmits power to the drive wheel during an emergency, wherein the plurality of teeth is positioned such that, when one engaging tooth is caused to contact a tip of the elongated resin component in an approximately planer manner, another engaging tooth adjacent to the one engaging tooth in a direction opposite to a rotation direction can contact a side surface of the elongated resin component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN K.K.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 10518743
    Abstract: In a coupling (18) for a belt tensioner (10) in a vehicle comprising an input element (26), an output element (34), a coupling element (28) which is movably supported between an initial position and an activated position and in the activated position couples the input element (26) to the output element (34), and a control element (36) which upon movement of the input element (26) relative to the control element (36) moves the coupling element (28) between the initial position and the activated position, the control element (36) is coupled to an inertia mass (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Bernd Greiner
  • Patent number: 10513421
    Abstract: The present disclosure presents a webbing take-up device, which comprises: a spool; a lock section that is restricted from rotating at a time of a vehicle emergency so as to limit rotation of the spool in the pull-out direction; a force limiter mechanism that permits rotation of the spool in the pull-out direction at a force limiter load or greater when rotation of the spool in the pull-out direction with respect to the lock section is being limited; a switching member that switches a load value of the force limiter load by switching between a rotation-restricted state and a rotation-enabled state; and a mounting member that includes a switching member mounting section at which the switching member is disposed, and a restriction section that is engaged with the switching member so as to restrict displacement of the switching member disposed at the switching member mounting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Ushiyama, Masaru Ukita, Kaoru Yuasa, Kosuke Miida
  • Patent number: 10471929
    Abstract: A webbing take-up device includes a spool on which a webbing worn by an occupant is taken up, and a motor that includes a rotation shaft and a first boss portion disposed coaxially with the rotation shaft. The webbing take-up device further includes an A-gear that is fixed to the rotation shaft, and a B-gear that meshes together with the A-gear and that is rotated by the A-gear being rotated such that the spool is rotated. The webbing take-up device further includes a gear housing that includes a B-gear support portion on which the B-gear is supported, and an engaged hole engaged by the first boss portion so as to have tightening margin therebetween, and to which the motor is fixed in a state in which the first boss portion has engaged with the engaged hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Tomonari Umakoshi, Takuhiro Saito, Yuya Nagata, Takahiro Osaki
  • Patent number: 10399679
    Abstract: An inertia reel interface for stowable seats is provided. The inertia reel interface may allow for simple access and replacement of inertia reels during maintenance. The inertia reel interface may comprise an inertia reel beam, a payout tube, and one or more inertia reels coupled to the inertia reel beam. The inertia reel beam may deploy a shoulder harness webbing over the payout tube. The payout tube may pivot to a first access position or a second access position to allow for maintenance of the inertia reel interface components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: AMI Industries, Inc
    Inventors: Ryan Porter, Dominic J. Maglia
  • Patent number: 10351095
    Abstract: A lift-up buckle device has a buckle with which is engaged a tongue through which a webbing, which is applied to a vehicle occupant, is inserted; wires that are made of metal, and whose longitudinal direction one end portions are fixed to the buckle, and that move together with the buckle; a driving portion that is connected to longitudinal direction other end portions of the wires, and that move the wires in a longitudinal direction; a wire guide that is made of metal and holds the wires in a curved state; a guide groove that is formed in the wire guide and in which the wires are inserted; and a resin member that is provided at an interior of the guide groove and abuts the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Tatsuhiro Murasaki, Takuhiro Saito, Yasunori Hata, Yusuke Watada
  • Patent number: 10309461
    Abstract: A torque transfer coupler for a roller blind. The torque transfer coupler has a central body securable to an electric motor and includes one or more torque transfer elements engaging the interior of the blind's roller tube. The coupler includes an anti-slip member having one or more resilient portions having a rest position and a deflected position. When, in their rest positions the resilient portions have a dimension larger than the cross sectional area of the roller tube. When in their deflected positions and received within the roller tube the resilient portions engage the interior surface of the roller tube resisting the withdrawal of the torque transfer coupler, and the electric motor secured thereto, from the interior of the roller tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: ZMC METAL COATING INC.
    Inventor: Philip Ng
  • Patent number: 10300883
    Abstract: Provided are a pretensioner, a retractor, and a seat belt device that can effectively reduce kinetic energy of an injected power transmission member. A power transmission unit includes a power transmission member that is engageable with external teeth of the ring gear, a pipe that contains the power transmission member, a gas generator that is disposed at an end of the pipe, a piston that receives gas generated from the gas generator to press the power transmission member, a first stopper that is disposed on an upstream side of the power transmission member, a second stopper that is disposed between the power transmission member and the piston, and a pretensioner cover that defines a passage for the power transmission member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN K.K.
    Inventor: Tadayuki Asako
  • Patent number: 10266147
    Abstract: Provided are a pretensioner, a retractor, and a seat belt device that can achieve weight reduction of a device by improving slidability of a power transmission member used for the pretensioner. A pretensioner includes a drive wheel for rotating the spool, and a power transmission unit for transmitting power to the drive wheel in an emergency. The power transmission unit includes a power transmission member for rotating the drive wheel, a pipe that contains the power transmission member, a gas generator for supplying a working gas into the pipe, and a housing that defines a passage for the power transmission member on an outer periphery of the drive wheel. The housing has a sliding member that is disposed at an outlet part of the pipe and that reduces frictional force between the housing and the power transmission member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN K.K.
    Inventors: Yoshiteru Sakaguchi, Masahiro Shiotani, Kunihiro Kamei
  • Patent number: 10259426
    Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a passenger vehicle is provided. The pretensioning assembly includes a tube in fluid communication with a gas generator and a driving element disposed therein that travels in a first direction in response to actuation of the gas generator. The driving element includes a polymer rod. A stopper is coupled to a proximal end portion of the polymer rod. A piston-safety valve member is disposed between the gas generator and the stopper and is configured to allow gas from the gas generator to pass therethrough when the gas is at or above a predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Herbert Kohlndorfer, Christopher D. Hall, Richard William Koning, Bin Wang
  • Patent number: 10232819
    Abstract: A seatbelt webbing retractor and a method of assembling a seatbelt webbing retractor including a unitary bobbin having a mounting portion, a first and second annular wall extending perpendicularly from a first and second end of the mounting portion, respectively. The mounting portion of the unitary bobbin defines a plurality of slots through which the seatbelt webbing is passed. The seatbelt webbing retractor also includes a spindle extending through the mounting portion of the unitary bobbin and a retractor frame to which the spindle is mounted. The unitary bobbin is rotatable with respect to the retractor frame and an outer surface of the unitary bobbin is configured to be wrapped with the seatbelt webbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Jon E. Burrow, Jonathon Boughner
  • Patent number: 10173622
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus has a strap configured to extend across the front of a body of an occupant sitting on a seat of a vehicle, a pre-tensioner configured to retract the strap, a vehicle orientation sensor configured to detect either one of a change in the orientation of the vehicle and an operation for changing the orientation, and a controller configured to cause the pre-tensioner to start retracting the strap prior to a collision or when a collision occurs. After the retracting of the strap starts, the controller temporarily stops or eases the retracting of the strap in accordance with the change in the orientation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Isamu Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 10040420
    Abstract: A motorized seat belt system includes: a spindle around which webbing is wound; an output gear connected to the spindle through a power transmission shaft; a torsion portion provided on the power transmission shaft or the output gear; a motor which transmits rotational power to the spindle; first and second reduction gears which are connected to an output shaft of the motor and transmit rotational power of the motor to the output gear; a first rotation amount detecting sensor that measures a rotation angle and a rotation direction of the power transmission shaft; a second rotation amount detecting sensor that measures a rotation angle and a rotation direction with respect to a rim portion of the first reduction gear; and a controller which controls output of the motor based on detection signals from the first rotation amount detecting sensor and the second rotation amount detecting sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Ock Son, Soo Chul Lee
  • Patent number: 10029682
    Abstract: A host vehicle can be configured to monitor an external environment of the host vehicle using a sensor system. The host vehicle can detect an object in the external environment of the host vehicle. The object can be classified as a surrounding vehicle. The host vehicle can determine a driving behavior of the surrounding vehicle. The driving behavior can be based on any one of a predetermined vehicle characteristics and current driving characteristics of the surrounding vehicle. The predetermined vehicle characteristics can be based on a type of the surrounding vehicle. The current driving characteristics can be based on observations obtained by the sensor system. The host vehicle can predict a trajectory of the surrounding vehicle based on the determined driving behavior. The host vehicle can follow a safe path based on the predicted trajectory responsive to detecting one or more sensors in a failed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Pujitha Gunaratne
  • Patent number: 9953498
    Abstract: A merchandise security device configured for use with an electronic key for locking and/or unlocking a lock mechanism is provided. The merchandise security device may include a housing operably coupled with a cable, wherein the cable is configured to be extended and retracted relative to the housing and to at least partially surround an item of merchandise. The security device may also include a lock mechanism configured to releasably secure the cable relative to the housing for locking the cable about the item of merchandise. In addition, the lock mechanism is configured to receive electrical power for unlocking the lock mechanism so that the housing and the cable may be removed from the item of merchandise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: A. Reneau Van Landingham, Jr., James K. Sankey
  • Patent number: 9926949
    Abstract: A pyrotechnic device contains a housing having a first end and a second end. A structural component or piston is contained within the housing. A polymer is infused into and/or about the structural component thereby accommodating the immediate ignition of the same by a known initiator/igniter in a known manner, the initiator also contained within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy M. Henck, Deborah L. Hordos
  • Patent number: 9908505
    Abstract: A belt tensioner for a belt retractor having a load limiter includes a pivoted pinion (14) coupled to a belt reel, a drive unit and a load transmission element (20) moved by the drive unit. The load transmission element (20) engages in the pinion (14) so as to rotate the pinion in a tensioning direction A. The load transmission element (20) is designed so that in the rotational position adopted by the pinion (14) after being rotated by the load transmission element (20) a part (20b) of the load transmission element (20) engages in the pinion (14). A method of tensioning a seat belt by means of a belt tensioner and subsequent load limitation by means of a load limiter includes moving a load transmission element (20) by a drive unit in a first direction so that the load transmission element (20) engages in a pinion (14) coupled to a belt reel (12). The rotating the pinion (14) is rotated by the moved load transmission element (20) in a tensioning direction A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Gentner, Thomas Moedinger, Andreas Pregitzer
  • Patent number: 9889322
    Abstract: A centrifugal brake assembly comprises at least one pawl, at least one biasing member, and a rotor. The at least one pawl includes a base from which a circular portion and a triangular protrusion extend to form a notch. The rotor includes at least one receiving portion having a notched portion to receive the circular portion. One of the at least one pawl and the rotor has a slotted portion, and the at least one biasing member is seated within the slotted portion. Another of the at least one pawl and the rotor has a protrusion at least partially extending within the slotted portion. The notch engages a stop member and the base contacts the rotor when the at least one pawl is in an engaged position to reinforce engagement of the stop member by the at least one pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: D B Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Scott C. Casebolt
  • Patent number: 9834173
    Abstract: A coupling element (32) which is movable between a coupling position in which the coupling element couples the belt reel (12) to the damping means (22) and an idle position in which the coupling element (32) is disconnected from the belt reel (12) is provided on a belt retractor (10) comprising a belt reel (12) which is mounted in a housing (14) and onto which webbing of a seat belt can be wound and comprising a damping means (22) adapted to dampen the winding rotation of the belt reel (12) in a defined end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Frederic Michel, Thomas Kielwein
  • Patent number: 9796356
    Abstract: A belt retractor (10) for a seat belt comprising a belt reel (20), a belt tensioner (44) adapted to drive the belt reel (20) in a winding direction and an extension limiter (16) adapted to restrict the number of revolutions of the belt reel (20) in an unwinding direction in the activated state. The extension limiter (16) is communicated with the belt tensioner (44) so that the extension limiter (16) can only be activated after the belt tensioner (44) has been activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Beate Hertäg, Steffen Dambacher, Adrian Landbeck
  • Patent number: 9744940
    Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioning retractor assembly for use in a passenger vehicle is provided. The pretensioning assembly includes a tube in fluid communication with a gas generator and a driving element disposed therein that travels in a first direction in response to actuation of the gas generator. The driving element includes a plastically deformable polymer rod with a recessed portion. A stopper is coupled to an end portion of the plastically deformable polymer rod. A seal member is disposed between the gas generator and the stopper. The tube includes a projection extending within the tube adjacent to the exit to define a constriction portion. The constriction portion is sized to permit the recessed portion of the plastically deformable polymer rod to pass therethrough while preventing the stopper from passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Kohlndorfer, Christopher D. Hall, Richard Koning, Chris Koprowicz