Material Responsive (e.g., Automatic Lock) Patents (Class 242/382.1)
  • Patent number: 11849814
    Abstract: Provided is a cam buckle including a body having at least one slot, and a cam arm movably coupled to and pivotable relative to the body. The cam arm has teeth for engaging a webbing and at least one boss for engaging the at least one slot. The cam arm is biased in an unlocked position where the teeth are configured to engage the webbing, and the cam arm is movable to a locked position where the teeth are configured to be disengaged from the webbing and the at least one boss is held in the at least one slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Winston Products LLC
    Inventor: Troy Hatcher
  • Patent number: 11209095
    Abstract: Provided is a valve drive device including a power transmission switching unit capable of reducing noise and suppressing a tilting of a pivot shaft to perform smooth power transmission switching. In the valve drive device including a valve element drive mechanism, the valve element drive mechanism includes a motor, a driving gear, a driven gear, and a power transmission switching unit configured to switch between a power transmission state and a power non-transmission state. The power transmission switching unit includes at least one convex unit formed on the driving gear, and a rotation restriction unit that is pivotably mounted on the driven gear with respect to the driven gear and engageable with the at least one convex unit. The rotation restriction unit includes a pivot shaft, a lever unit, and a foot unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoru Yokoe
  • Patent number: 10829085
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor including a spool and a measurement mechanism for determining a measure of the amount of seat belt webbing unwound from the spool. The measurement mechanism includes cycloidal gear transmission. A sensor is provided for detecting movement of a magnet mounted on a sensing gear and a controller may be provided for determining a measure indicating the amount of rotation of the spool and the amount of webbing withdrawal based on the movement of the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Alejandro Romero Elizondo, Juan Carols Veloz Soto, Rogelio Adrian Garcia Pacheco
  • Patent number: 10343646
    Abstract: A reinforcing member (36) for a belt shaft (10) comprises an elongate central portion (46) and two hooking portions (48) provided at the ends of the central portion (46) adapted to be hung into a hooking slit of a belt shaft body (28) of a belt shaft (10), wherein the central portion (46) includes a retaining portion (50) adapted to be encompassed by the webbing (26) and a supporting portion (58) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) substantially over the entire central portion (46) and being offset relative to a plane (M) which is defined by the retaining portion (50), and wherein retaining lands (60) defining a passage window (62) for the webbing (26) extend between the supporting portion (58) and the retaining portion (50). The invention further provides a belt shaft (10) comprising a belt shaft body (28) as well as an end fitting tensioner (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Betz, Dominik Seitzer, Michal Kacprzak
  • Patent number: 10328894
    Abstract: A switchable retractor system includes a retractor with a spool. The spool is rotatable in an extension direction for extending a web and in a retraction direction for retracting the web. A first clutch has an engaged state where the first clutch inhibits rotation of the spool in the extension direction and a disengaged state where the first clutch allows rotation of the spool in the extension direction. A release actuator actuates the first clutch into the disengaged state when actuated by a user to allow extension of the web. A second clutch has a locked state where the second clutch inhibits rotation of the spool in the retraction direction and an unlocked state where the second clutch allows rotation of the spool in the retraction direction. A tension actuator actuates the second clutch into the unlocked state when actuated to allow retraction of the web into the retractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Geist, Guy R. Dingman
  • Patent number: 10220729
    Abstract: An occupant support for a vehicle includes a vehicle seat and a foundation. The vehicle seat is configured to support an occupant of the vehicle above a floor of the vehicle. The foundation is configured to interconnect the vehicle seat to the floor to permit movement of the vehicle seat relative to the floor along a linear path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Dale J. Frye, Jeffery T. Bonk, Victoria Urban, Brendan Laiben, Christian Teske, Jake Sternberg, John Gettermeyer
  • Patent number: 10150445
    Abstract: A frame (10) for a vehicle seat belt retractor comprises a back part (12), two side legs (16) extending in parallel to each other starting from the back part (12), with a retaining aperture (18) for a belt reel being provided in each side leg (16), and a mounting structure for mounting the frame (10) fixed to the vehicle, wherein the mounting structure includes a retaining bracket (22) having a mounting hole (36) for a retaining means (50) and at least one deformable deformation element (46). Furthermore, in accordance with the invention a vehicle structure for mounting a belt retractor in a vehicle is provided comprising a body part (52) and a frame (10) according to the invention. Moreover, a sheet metal blank for such frame is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Bohn, Thomas Kielwein, Beate Pfister
  • Patent number: 9914430
    Abstract: A webbing take-up device is obtained in which the number of rotations of a spool from the start of deformation of a first energy absorption member until the start of deformation of a second energy absorption member can exceed one rotation. In a webbing take-up device, a restricting tab is provided at an open side of the engagement recess portion. Although the leading end of the stopper pawl and the engagement recess portion face each other in the first rotation of the lock ring, a leading end of a stopper pawl is thereby unable to enter inside the engagement recess portion. The restricting tab is restricted from rotating when the leading end of the stopper pawl abuts an abutting portion of the restricting tab. When the lock ring accordingly rotates in a pull-out direction, the restricting tab moves relative to the open side of the engagement recess portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Ayaka Nakamura, Masanori Ukai, Wataru Yanagawa, Masaru Ukita
  • Patent number: 9409546
    Abstract: A device for retracting a seatbelt, having a shaft and main drive spring which prestresses the shaft in a retracting direction of the seatbelt, and a locking wheel rotatably arranged relative to the shaft, and a blocking device with a locking lever for blocking a rotational movement of the locking wheel in the retracting direction, and a compensating spring arranged such that when the locking wheel is blocked, said compensating spring transmits to the shaft a prestressing force counteracting the prestressing force of the main drive spring. The blocking device has a switching lever for activating the locking lever, the switching lever being arranged pivotably about an axis which is parallel to the axis of the shaft, and has a first engagement element and a second engagement element which is guided on a positive cam of a control disk which is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: HUGO KERN UND LIEBERS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Markus Benner
  • Patent number: 9212023
    Abstract: If a V-gear abruptly rotates in a pulled-out direction due to reaction generated by rotation in a take-up direction being stopped when rotating in a take-up direction, a restriction body restricts swinging of a W-pawl in operation direction, so that lock of pulling-out of a webbing from a spool is suppressed. An insertion portion of a frictional spring of the restriction body is caught by an abut portion and a catching portion of a support hole. At an opening-side portion of the support hole, an enlarged portion is formed such that a position other than a position of the catching portion at the opening-side portion is enlarged compared to that of the catching portion. Even if the minimum-diameter of the support hole is small, strength of a molding portion for the support hole in a mold for the V-gear can be improved and lifetime thereof can be longer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yamada, Akira Sumiyashiki
  • Publication number: 20150041579
    Abstract: A belt retractor (10) includes a frame (12) provided with locking teeth (36). A belt reel (14) is rotatably supported in the frame (12) and provided on at least one axial end with ratchet teeth (38) adapted to engage in the locking teeth (36), when the belt reel (14) is shifted from a home position into a locked position. A locking bearing (32) interacts with the belt reel (14) on the side where the ratchet teeth (38) are arranged and keeps the belt reel in the home position up to a first load threshold. A load bearing (34) interacts with the belt reel on the opposite side and keeps the latter in the home position up to a second load threshold. The first load threshold is lower than the second load threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Nizam Bedak, Thomas Kielwein, Frederic Michel, Juergen Rink, Demal Sehic
  • Publication number: 20140203132
    Abstract: In a webbing take-up device, an open portion is formed in the other side, in a direction about a rotational axis of a switch pawl, of a sensor holder. In a state where an engagement piece is positioned on the outside of the open portion, the switch pawl is rotated about a shaft to cause the engagement piece to enter in a window portion, so, a distal end of the engagement piece, bent in a hook shape, faces to a regulation wall in an axial direction of the shaft. It is not necessary to elastically deform the engagement piece when bringing the regulation wall and the engagement piece into facing. Therefore, the engagement allowance in the engagement piece with the regulation wall can be enlarged and the distal end of the engagement piece can be prevented from crossing over the regulation wall and moving toward the shaft side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Kazuhiro YAMADA, Akira SUMIYASHIKI
  • Publication number: 20140166799
    Abstract: This invention modifies and redesigns a spring-loaded, retractable supply hose mechanisms used to pan out, retract, and store hoses used for gases (e.g., oxygen), treatments, or fluids, specifically this inventor's prior art, the Retractable Oxygen Supply Hose Mechanism, U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,490. This invention incorporates an “Adaptor Cap” or “Removable Cap” to prevent slippage of the Swivel connector, incorporates a “Removable Cap” into the upper disc or flange of the supply-hose reel and/or into the mechanism housing cover that acts as an “anti-rotational” device, and features bearing surfaces to prevent reel slippage. This internal ratchet system better prevents binding and kinking of the patient's supply, thereby facilitating the storage and the quick-controlled release of the desired amount of oxygen supply hose for patient's Medical Oxygen and other gases delivery, therapy, or treatments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: James Jack Davis, JR., Antonino F. Anzalone, Vincent F. Falcone, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140131501
    Abstract: A belt retractor (10) for a vehicle seat belt includes a frame (12) provided with plural blocking teeth (22), a belt reel (14) which is rotatably supported in the frame (12) and includes a blocking tooth system (24), and a control mechanism by which the belt reel (14) can be moved from a home position in which it can freely rotate in the frame (12) into a blocking position in which its blocking tooth system (24) engages in the blocking teeth (22) of the frame. The control mechanism includes a locking lever (80) adjustable between a release position and a locked position in which it locks rotation of the belt reel (14) relative to the control mechanism so that the belt reel (14) can be moved into the blocking position by a tensile force acting in the webbing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Frederic Michel, Pawel Patyk
  • Publication number: 20140042256
    Abstract: If a V-gear abruptly rotates in a pulled-out direction due to reaction generated by rotation in a take-up direction being stopped when rotating in a take-up direction, a restriction body restricts swinging of a W-pawl in operation direction, so that lock of pulling-out of a webbing from a spool is suppressed. An insertion portion of a frictional spring of the restriction body is caught by an abut portion and a catching portion of a support hole. At an opening-side portion of the support hole, an enlarged portion is formed such that a position other than a position of the catching portion at the opening-side portion is enlarged compared to that of the catching portion. Even if the minimum-diameter of the support hole is small, strength of a molding portion for the support hole in a mold for the V-gear can be improved and lifetime thereof can be longer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Kazuhiro YAMADA, Akira SUMIYASHIKI
  • Publication number: 20130277483
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor with a switchable load limiting device for a safety belt of a motor vehicle with a belt shaft and a locking device which upon actuation locks the belt shaft in the belt extraction direction. The load limiting device is located in the force flow between the belt shaft and the locking device between the load limiting levels. A switching device is used for switching the load limiting device. The switching device includes a gas generator for releasing a gas flow into a pressure chamber and an expandable hollow pot which can be driven by the gas flow. The expandable hollow pot is attached to the gas generator in a gas-proof manner and forms the pressure chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Günter Clute, Adrian Bud, Per Axblom, Lena Sandelius
  • Publication number: 20130146698
    Abstract: Disclosed is a retractor for a seat belt including a spool around which a webbing is wound, a frame rotatably coupled with the spool, a flywheel gear provided at a central portion thereof with a driving gear, having one-directional gear teeth formed along an outer circumferential surface thereof, and mounted on one end of the spool, a vehicle sensor locked with the one-directional gear teeth if the frame is inclined at a predetermined angle or more, a lever locked with the one-directional gear teeth if the webbing is withdrawn by a predetermined first length, and separated from the one-directional teeth if the webbing is introduced again so that the webbing is withdrawn by the second length, and an integrated plate including a driven gear, a first plate to adjust the lever according to a withdrawn length of the webbing, and a second plate integrated with the first plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Kyung Sang Lee, Doo Yong Kim, Kwang Mo Koo, Hyun Jin Yang
  • Publication number: 20130099043
    Abstract: A device for retracting a seatbelt, having a shaft and main drive spring which prestresses the shaft in a retracting direction of the seatbelt, and a locking wheel rotatably arranged relative to the shaft, and a blocking device with a locking lever for blocking a rotational movement of the locking wheel in the retracting direction, and a compensating spring arranged such that when the locking wheel is blocked, said compensating spring transmits to the shaft a prestressing force counteracting the prestressing force of the main drive spring. The blocking device has a switching lever for activating the locking lever, the switching lever being arranged pivotably about an axis which is parallel to the axis of the shaft, and has a first engagement element and a second engagement element which is guided on a positive cam of a control disk which is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: Markus Benner
  • Patent number: 8087269
    Abstract: A security device may include a spool, locking mechanism, button, plug, and latch. The spool is configured to either wind or unwind a cable for wrapping around an object. The locking mechanism is configured to partially lock the spool. The button may be used to move the locking mechanism between locked and unlocked positions. The button may be blocked by inserting a plug into a housing of the device such that the button can not be activated to unlock the spool. The plug may be secured to the housing through the latch that prevents the unauthorized removal of the plug. For an enhanced locking feature, the latch and the plug may be configured to require at least two forces to move the latch and free the plug. The spool, locking mechanism, and button may be stacked along a common axis to provide a more compacted design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian V. Conti, Ningsheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 7992817
    Abstract: A belt retractor for a safety belt system includes a frame, a belt reel rotatably mounted in the frame, a force limiter, a locking mechanism which couples the belt reel in a restraint case to the frame via the force limiter, and a belt webbing unwinding measuring means which includes a signal transmitter and at least one sensor. The sensor is associated with the signal transmitter and detects a change in a magnetic field. At least upon activation of the locking mechanism the signal transmitter is coupled to the belt reel such that it generates a signal upon rotation of the belt reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Artur Klein, Michael Stuetz
  • Patent number: 7980503
    Abstract: To obtain a webbing take-up device that can not only transmit to a take-up shaft only rotation from a motor by a clutch but is also simple and compact. A clutch of this webbing take-up device has a simply configuration where sliders 144 of a clutch body portion 114 are caused by frictional force to be retained in a case, whereby the sliders 144 and lock bars 154 are caused to relatively move and the lock bars 154 are caused by this relative movement to move to positions where they engage with or disengage from a ratchet 134. Consequently, the overall configuration of a clutch 100 can be made significantly compact (thinned) in comparison to a configuration that causes a pawl to move using an inertial disk that is large and has weight as in a conventional clutch. Thus, the overall configuration of a webbing take-up device 10 can be made compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Takuhiro Saito, Katsuki Asagiri, Shinji Mori
  • Publication number: 20110084157
    Abstract: A self-retracting lifeline includes a reserve lifeline portion and comprises a housing, a drum rotatably operatively connected to the housing, and a lifeline. A stop member is operatively connected to an intermediate portion a distance from a first end of the lifeline. A bumper portion is operatively connected to the housing and includes a bore through which the lifeline extends, the bore being smaller than the stop member to prevent passage of the stop member through the bore and out of the housing. At least a portion of the bumper portion disconnects from the housing when a predetermined force is exerted on the bumper portion to allow the stop member to exit the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Vincent G. Meillet
  • Patent number: 7891596
    Abstract: A belt retractor for a safety belt system has a belt spool and a belt webbing withdrawal measurement arrangement, which has a control disk, a magnetic sensor element and a magnetic cogwheel driven by the control disk and constructed as a separate part. In addition, a method is described to determine the belt webbing withdrawal in a belt retractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Michael Stuetz, Marc Arndt
  • Patent number: 7685850
    Abstract: A security device comprising a retaining member forming an adjustable loop, including a cable; a ratchet member connected to the cable, operable to narrow the loop and to prevent widening of the loop, including a first main part comprising a gear ring extending in a first plane with a saw tooth profile raised from the plane, a second main part, rotatable relative to the first main part, including a latch member biased towards the first plane to engage the gear ring, and a drum for winding up of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: MW Security AB
    Inventor: Thomas Nilsson
  • Patent number: 7681824
    Abstract: A webbing retracting device that may prevent entering of an end-lock state when a spool rotates in the pull out direction on rebound just after completion of taking up of the webbing belt. A restriction weight is provided on a V gear. The restriction weight moves in the pull out direction relative to the V gear by acceleration when the V gear is rotated in the take up direction, and furthermore, the restriction weight pivots about a support pin under centrifugal force due to rotation of the V gear and attains a contact position. In such a state, even if the inertial mass attempts to displace toward the lock activation direction, the restriction weight interferes with the inertial mass and restricts displacement of the inertial mass toward the lock activation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Shinji Mori
  • Patent number: 7458535
    Abstract: A belt retractor for a vehicle safety belt has a frame, a belt reel which is rotatably mounted in the frame, a locking mechanism which is adapted to block a rotation of the belt reel in an unwinding direction of the safety belt in a vehicle sensitive and/or seat belt sensitive manner and a pretensioning drive which is adapted to drive the belt reel in a wind up direction of the safety belt and in the unwinding direction. A locking means is provided which prevents a reverse rotation of the belt reel in the unwinding direction, after the pretensioning drive has driven the belt reel in the wind up direction and has thereby pretensioned the safety belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Martin Prokscha
  • Publication number: 20080079254
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a winding device for winding and unwinding a webbing by rotation and a winding state detection mechanism for detecting the winding state of said webbing onto the winding device. The winding state detecting mechanism includes a first gear which is connected to a rotary shaft of the winding device; a second gear which has a large-diameter gear portion meshing with the first gear and a small-diameter gear portion having a number of teeth smaller than that of the large-diameter gear portion; a ring cam which is provided with an internal gear portion, formed in the inner periphery thereof, meshing with the small-diameter gear portion of the second gear and is also provided with a cam portion formed in the outer periphery thereof; and a signal output device which receives a cam action of the ring cam to output a signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: TAKATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hayato Uchibori, Kazuyoshi Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 7083135
    Abstract: A belt retractor for a seat belt includes a belt reel, an eccentric disc connected to the belt reel, a cam disc driven by the eccentric disc, and a blocking pawl. The blocking pawl, in a blocking position, blocks a toothed ratchet wheel, and, in a release position, leaves the toothed ratchet wheel unaffected. The blocking pawl may be switched from the release position into the blocking position and conversely from the blocking position into the release position with the cam disc. For the belt retractor to be independent of tolerances, provision is made for the cam disc to have an engaging cam for engaging the blocking position of the blocking pawl and a disengaging cam for engaging the release position of the blocking pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Takata-Petri (ULM) GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Fleischmann, Jochen Benz, Oskar Scholler, Thomas Grasser, Stefan Lambrecht
  • Patent number: 7055774
    Abstract: A belt retractor for a vehicle safety belt comprises a belt spool (12) rotatably mounted in a frame (10) and a coupling disc (32) rotatably mounted relative to the belt spool. With a rotation relative to the belt spool, the coupling disc can bring about a locking of the rotation of the belt spool in unwinding direction of the safety belt. The belt spool has a first friction element (22) and the coupling disc has a second friction element (66). The first and second friction elements are positioned such that they are able to connect the belt spool and the coupling disc with each other with a friction fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Strobel
  • Patent number: 6685124
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle seat (14) comprises a seat belt (20) and a seat belt retractor (30) including a spool (60) supported for rotation about a spool axis (64) in a seat belt withdrawal direction (68) and an opposite seat belt retraction direction (66). An electric motor (110) is energizable to rotate the spool (60) in the seat belt retraction direction (66) and is de-energizable. The electric motor (110) is energizable to rotate the spool (60) in the seat belt retraction direction (66) to apply a predetermined amount of tension to the seat belt (20). An electrically actuatable brake (140) associated with the motor (110) is actuatable to maintain the predetermined amount of tension on the seat belt (20) after the motor applies the predetermined amount of tension to the seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew C. Frank