Abstract: A tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a sensor plate adapted to be fixed relative to vehicle structure and a movable anchor plate adapted to be connected to belt webbing and movable relative to the sensor plate. The tension sensing assembly also includes a housing mounted to the sensor plate and a movable actuator disposed in the housing. The tension sensing assembly includes at least one spring disposed between the housing and the actuator. The tension sensing assembly further includes at least one magnet and a Hall effect sensor mounted to either one of the housing and the actuator. The anchor plate has a tab portion extending through the housing and cooperable with the actuator to move the actuator to deflect the at least one spring.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing occupant injury during accident has various features to ensure safety. A sensor (70), detecting seat belt engagement is provided. In addition, there is a means for varying the tension of a seatbelt (17), depending upon the weight of the occupant (110) and the speed of the vehicle carrying the occupant (110). When said occupant (110) seats on any of the seats (17), the load cell switch (18) will close, allowing the load cell output energy to energize the control module (25). The control module (25), after receiving signal communication from any of the said load cells (15), enables the counter (50) to count the number of closed load cell switches (18) before enabling the optoisolator switch (70), to then energize the latching relay (80) to check for the seat belt latching of the occupied seats (10) with closed load cell switches (18) to assure occupants safety.

Abstract: A restraint system is provided for a mobile machine (1), in particular an industrial truck, with a driver's seat (2) and a safety belt (3). The restraint system has a variable-length mechanical connection (6) between a front part (4) of the roof that covers the driver's seat or the driver's cab and the safety belt (3). The variable-length mechanical connection (6) makes it easier for the operator to attach the safety belt (3). The operator will also attach the safety belt (3) because otherwise it will be difficult or impossible to use the control elements (5). The variable-length mechanical connection (6) simultaneously prevents bypassing of a device to detect whether the safety belt (3) is closed.

Abstract: The harness belt (1) comprises a dual pelvis belt (3), two shoulder belts (2) and two crotch belts (4). The belt segments (5) of the pelvis belts (3) as well as the shoulder belts (2) can be joined by means of belt tongue (9, 8) to a belt buckle (7) wherein the crotch belts (4), by means of the buckle proximate loops (15) surround the belt tongues (9) of belt segments (5) of pelvis belt (3), and are secured in circumferential direction against movement relative to the belt buckle (7) and wherein belt tongues (9) are configured with recesses (11) adapted for the belt tongues (9) in belt buckle (7). The loops (15) are connected to the buckle proximate ends (20) of the crotch belts (4) at an obtuse angle.

Abstract: A through anchor includes: a through anchor body that includes a through hole, through which the webbing belt passes, and a support, which is molded using a metal mold and forms part of an inner peripheral surface of the through hole, with a parting line produced during molding being formed on or near the support in the inner periphery of the through hole; and a low-friction member that passes through the through hole and is adhered onto the support, the low-friction member including modified portions and first and second ends in the direction in which the low-friction member passes through the through hole. By aligning the modified portions with the parting line when the low-friction member is passed through the through hole and adhered to the support, the length of the low-friction member at either side of the parting line is proportionally the same.

Abstract: A seat belt restraint system for a vehicle occupant (30) seated in a vehicle seat (32), more specifically for both an adult and a child or a person of small stature. The seat belt restraint system includes a conventional three-point seat belt restraint system (40) for an occupant of normal size and an adjusting mechanism (56) adapted to provide additional fixation points on seat belt webbing (46), more specifically on shoulder belt (54), and adapted to adjust the departure angle at which shoulder belt (54) extends across the body of a child or a person of small stature.

Abstract: A breakaway latch plate for use with the seat belt system is disclosed. The breakaway latch plate includes a latch plate body that may be selectively secured to a buckle. An orifice may be disposed within the latch plate body. Seat belt webbing passes through the orifice. A locking mechanism is coupled to the latch plate body. In a locked state, the locking mechanism prevents movement of the seat belt webbing relative to the latch plate body. When a predetermined load is applied to the seat belt webbing, the locking mechanism changes to an unlocked state, in which the seat belt webbing may move relative to the latch plate body.

Abstract: A seat belt restraint system for a vehicle occupant (18) seated in a vehicle seat (20), more specifically for a pregnant woman or a person who dislikes a lap belt (36) running right across his/her abdominal area. The seat belt restraint system includes a conventional three-point seat belt restraint system (28) and an attachment (43) adapted to provide one additional point of fixation on the seat belt webbing (34) and adapted to pull the middle portion of the lap belt (36) away from the occupant's abdominal area to the front portion of the vehicle seat (20).

Abstract: Thanks to a chain of tamperproof evidence of the unbelted passengers, delivered by a device, car-, aeroplane manufacturers or the airlines are acquitted of compensatory damages and medical expenses. Accident data, impact-identity elements of seat belts, warning lights, fuses and time periods of multiple crashes or turbulence-related vibrations are several pieces of evidence to gather arguments for the users and the non-users of the seat belts. The device registers the number of seat-belt uses, belt protractions and blockings. In excess of the predetermined life the warning light flashes and/or requests appear on the multi-info display to replace the worn-out seat belts, belt retractors and/or locking mechanisms.

Abstract: An attaching structure for a seatbelt apparatus of a vehicle equipped with a seat, which is supported by a vehicle body through a weight sensor. The seatbelt apparatus includes a buckle, a seatbelt, and a tang. The buckle is fixed to one side of the seat of the vehicle. One end of the seatbelt is fixed at the vehicle so that it allows a length adjustment of the seatbelt, and the other end of the seatbelt is connected to an anchor that is fixed to the other side of the seat. The tang is provided at the seatbelt and is engaged with the buckle so as to hold an occupant to the seat. Here, the anchor and the buckle are fixed at the position higher than the weight sensor.

Abstract: An air belt that includes a bag-shaped mesh webbing, a bag inserted into the mesh webbing, and a tube shaped mesh cover which covers the mesh webbing. The mesh cover includes warp yarn, weft yarn, and an connected part formed by connecting the weft yarn with an entanglement-thread at a hem. The entanglement-thread of the connected part breaks due the force of the bag expanding so that the bag and the mesh webbing expand further than the cover. The thickness of the cover is uniform across its width, resulting in a uniform bending strength of the mesh cover between the left and right hems and providing comfort to the wearer.

Abstract: Force-sensing unit for measuring a belt tensile force acting on a seatbelt lock, including a casing with an opening formed in a front side, and further including a moving anchor which is located in the casing and which protrudes through the opening and which has a stop that restricts the movement of the lug from the casing against an elastic support, and a sensor for registering the position of the moving anchor, whereby the casing can be attached between the seatbelt lock and an anchorage, characterized in that the elastic support is provided by a torsion spring supported on the anchor and on the casing on both sides of the anchor.

Abstract: A turning loop cover is disclosed that is configured to slidably engage a turning loop and a fastener of a seatbelt system. The turning loop cover is primarily formed of a housing that has an internal volume and a first surface wherein a plurality of ribs extend from the first surface into the internal volume. The ribs are configured to attenuate a force acting upon the first surface of the housing.

Abstract: An airbelt is provided that passes smoothly through an anchor and winds around a retractor. The airbelt includes a non-inflating section and a flat hollow-cylindrical inflating section. A bag is arranged only within the inflating section. An end of the bag as well as an end of the belt is connected to a tongue. The non-inflating section is inserted into a through-anchor and is connected to a retractor so as to enable to be wound up around and pulled out of the retractor. The belt is consecutively and integrally made by knitting or weaving all the parts extending from the non-inflating section toward the inflating section. A weft thread, which is lined up with a fusion thread such as a thread having a core-sheath structure, is inserted into the non-inflating section so as to be processed with heat.

Abstract: A design template includes a torso section being one of a group of a large male, medium male and small female having each being one of a group of an ERECT posture, a NEUTRAL posture and a SLUMPED posture.

Abstract: A seat belt device includes a joint, two west belts, a front belt, two shoulder belts and two rear belts. Each of the west belts includes a first end secured to a chassis of a vehicle and a second end for engagement with the joint. The front belt includes a first end secured to the chassis and a second end for engagement with the joint. Each of the shoulder belts includes a first end connected with the first end of the other one of the shoulder belts and a second end for engagement with the joint. Each of the rear belts includes a first end secured to the chassis and a second end connected with the second ends of the shoulder belts.

Abstract: A tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a housing and a movable mechanism disposed in the housing. The tension sensing assembly also includes at least one spring disposed in the housing and cooperable with the movable mechanism. The tension sensing assembly includes at least one magnet disposed in the housing and a Hall effect sensor disposed in the housing and cooperable with the at least one magnet. The tension sensing assembly further includes a cable extending through the housing and cooperable with the movable mechanism to move the movable mechanism to deflect the at least one spring. The movable mechanism moves the at least one magnet relative to the Hall effect sensor to change an output of the Hall effect sensor to indicate a tension level in the seat restraint system when the at least one spring is deflected.

Abstract: A linear pretensioning drive for tightening a vehicle seat belt has a guide tube. A piston is located inside of the guide tube and can be driven along a longitudinal axis of the guide tube. A reverse movement lock is formed by balls that are arranged on a ring around the longitudinal axis of the guide tube. In the drive direction in front of the reverse movement lock at least one support part is provided which lies against the inner wall of the guide tube in the locking position with in each case a greater supporting surface than each ball of the reverse movement lock.

Abstract: A tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a rigid frame of a seat restraint buckle of the seat restraint system. The tension sensing assembly also includes a movable member mounted on the rigid frame and adapted to be connected to vehicle structure. The movable member is movable relative to the rigid frame. The tension sensing assembly further includes a magnet mounted to the rigid frame and a Hall effect sensor mounted to the movable member and cooperable with the magnet to change an output of the Hall effect sensor to indicate a tension level in the seat restraint system.

Abstract: A prone positioning therapeutic bed comprises a base frame, a patient support platform rotatably mounted on the base frame for rotational movement about a longitudinal rotational axis, a drive system for rotating the patient support platform on the base frame, and an upright end ring at the head of the bed with a central opening for routing patient care lines and a removable upper section for improved access to a patient's head. The patient support platform preferably has pivotally mounted side rails that fold underneath the patient support platform and straps with strap connectors that indicate whether the straps are sufficiently tensioned. A direct, wired electrical connection between the patient support platform and the base frame allows full rotation of the patient support platform in either direction. A manually operable lever disengages the patient support platform from the drive system to allow manual rotation of the patient support platform.

Abstract: A system (20) comprising a buckle presenter (100) and/or a tongue presenter (200) and mechanism to activate and control each presenter. The buckle presenter and tongue presenter (200) are used to respectively move a seat belt buckle (26) and a corresponding tongue (24) from a stowed position to activated positions generally in front of the occupant to make the process of inserting the tongue into the buckle more convenient.

Abstract: An improved latch plate for a seat belt attached to a vehicle C-pillar. The latch plate is produced from a plated metal stamping that has a portion over molded with a hard polypropylene coating. This portion has a slot for pass through of the seat belt webbing that allows free travel of the latch plate in order for the seat occupant to fasten and wear the belt. A surround of soft Santoprene® 221-55 is over molded over the polypropylene coating for sound reduction.

Abstract: A rear end collision sensor is designed to detect the possibility of a rear end collision of a vehicle in advance. Upon detection, a controller drives a seat belt system to restrain the head of a seat occupant toward a headrest of the seat or to straighten the spine of the seat occupant to protect the neck against impending impact.

Abstract: A belt placer is provided for positioning the belt portion of a vehicle safety belt system and includes a drive apparatus and an engagement component that is drivably movable by the drive apparatus into engagement with a respective one of the belt and the closure tongue arranged on the belt. The engagement component positions the belt in a ready position relative to the vehicle occupant in which the belt is positioned for buckling and the engagement component being returned into its resting position in connection with buckling or unbuckling of the belt. The drive apparatus includes a feed roller and a flexible push- and pull-device in the form of a bending-resistant band which is brought from the flat disposition in which it is wound around the feed roller into an arched or cambered position around its longitudinal axis as it is unwound from the feed roller.

Abstract: A compact vehicle provided with a seat belt for constraining a rider to enhance impact absorption effect of an air bag, and releasing the seat belt when secondary motion is caused in relation to the vehicle body. The air bag constrains the rider on a seat from a forward direction when the air bag is inflated and extended. One end of a seat belt wound around the waist of the rider and is coupled to the vehicle body via a retractor provided with a locking function in emergency. A coupling means is provided in which coupling and uncoupling can be switched manually in a coupled state. In addition, coupling is automatically released after a predetermined period of time elapses subsequent to inflation of the air bag, thus releasing the other end of the seat belt from the vehicle body.

Abstract: A system and device for managing the restraints available for vehicle occupants that uses fluidic torque conversion to provide an adaptive variable load limiting for the primary occupant safety restraint. The fluidic torque conversion of this invention can be variably controlled through the use of an electro/mechanical flow control device. The flow control is preferably coupled to one or more sensors, including occupant weight, occupant position, seat position, low “g”, high “g”, and belt displacement/latching sensors. This invention is adapted to be responsive to the vehicles interior safety devices, including front air bags, side air bags, seat back pivots, head rests, collapsible steering wheel, and positioning of the dash board and/or vehicle instrumentation. This invention is a re-usable system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicular seat belt system which provides excellent assembling properties and good appearance. The configuration is such that in a vehicular seat belt system in which a takeout hole 9 for pulling a seat belt 8 out of a seat belt retractor 7 provided on a vehicle body 1 into the cabin side is formed in a cabin trim 5, the takeout hole 9 for the seat belt 8 is formed near a part mounting hole 16 formed in the cabin trim 5, and a slit 19 is formed so as to connect the part mounting hole 16 to the takeout hole 9 for the seat belt 8.

Abstract: An accessory device utilized to restrain access to a seat belt buckle, especially from children. The accessory device of the present invention comprises; a semi-rigid plastic shell having a front portion and a rear portion generally having a mirrored resemblance to each other, a hinge portion integrally attached to both front and rear portions so as to allow the joining of both front and rear portions thereby forming a shell-like casing surrounding the general area where a seat belt buckle may be located, a plurality of snap closures adapted to be relatively difficult for a child to separate yet separable by an adult thereby restraining access from a child to the containing buckle release button of a conventional seat belt.

Abstract: The method and device of this invention immobilizes a person in a secure, upright restraint system in a police vehicle. It can be easily and safely applied by public safety officers including police or other law enforcement personnel and medical personnel to secure a person against undesired movement while maintaining them in an upright, sitting position which leaves the diaphragm free for natural, unrestrained breathing movement. The asphyxia-preventing restraining device comprises an ALR/ELR retractor. The ALR/ELR retractor comprises a shoulder harness having a pair of seat belt buckles, which significantly reduce the possibilities of injuries to police officers.

Abstract: A method for the restraint of a vehicle occupant with the aid of a vehicle restraint system. The method includes measuring a belt force transferred from a safety belt to the vehicle occupant in the event of an accident and a slackening of the safety belt is controlled.

Abstract: A mini anchor with an improved upper structure comprises a lower part (1a) having a slot (2) for suspending the seatbelt and an upper part (1b) having a bolt-mounting sink (3) for directly mounting on a vehicle body. The bolt-mounting sink (3) has a cylindrical basin shape with predetermined depth. A bolt-hole (5) is formed on a bottom (4) center of bolt-mounting sink (3). The upper part of mini anchor is directly installed on the vehicle body with a proper clearance. This mini anchor is designed to delete a bushing being used in the conventional anchor assembly. Therefore, the overall assembly cost is remarkably reduced. Additionally, the workers are free from the worry of accidental omitting a bushing during the seatbelt assembly.

Abstract: A seat belt guide has a bearing axis for the pivotal mounting of a guide body on a vehicle structure. The guide body has a flexing bar around which the seat belt webbing is guided. A fixing plate can be fixed on the vehicle structure pivotally around the bearing axis with a fixing bolt. Two flexing bar carriers rigidly connect the flexing bar is to the fixing plate at its two ends. The guide body is deformable when a specific load originates from the seat belt webbing, the flexing bar bending substantially symmetrically with respect to the fixing bolt.

Abstract: An inflatable belt presenter for use with an occupant restraint belt of a motor vehicle has a stored condition wherein the presenter is deflated and allows the restraint belt to assume a stowed position, and a deployed condition wherein the presenter is inflated and urges the belt to a graspable position in which the occupant can more easily grasp the belt prior to fastening it. The presenter is inflated by a source of gas pressure carried on board the vehicle, such as a compressor, pressure vessel, or a seat-mounted bladder after an occupant has been seated in the seat and is ready to don the restraint belt. Inflation of the presenter preferably occurs upon activation by an electronic control system that receives inputs from one or more vehicle systems, such as a seat weight sensor, a door open/closed sensor, and/or an ignition switch. The inflated presenter is flexible and compliant enough that it will not cause any discomfort to the seat occupant if it should contact the occupant's body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided that classifies a seat occupant into one of several different weight classes based on an estimated value of the seat occupant weight. An occupant's measured weight varies when the occupant's seating position changes or when the vehicle travels over adverse road conditions. A plurality of weight sensors are used to measure the weight exerted by a seat occupant against a seat bottom and are used to determine center of gravity for the seat occupant. A seat belt force sensor is also used to assist in classifying the seat occupant. Compensation factors using the seat belt force and center of gravity information are used to generate an estimated weight value. The estimated value of the occupant weight is compared to a series of upper and lower weight thresholds assigned to each of the weight classes to generate an occupant weight sample class. Over a period of time, several estimated weight values are compared to the weight class thresholds.

Abstract: A portable seat belt assembly for school buses and the like which includes a belly pack with a seat belt secured thereto. A student wearing the belly pack approaching a school bus seat opens the belly pack, unwinds the seat belt wrapping it around the back of the seat, turns around, sits down and closes the seat belt buckle assembly. When leaving the bus, the student unbuckles the buckle assembly releasing the belt from the seat, folds the belt back into the belly pack and closes the belly pack. Another embodiment includes a seat belt arrangement carried in the belly pack including a pair of straps each having large hooks with spring clasps for attachment to the seat frame. The student must attach these hooks to the seat frame then sit down and close the buckle assembly. Other embodiments include retractors on the seat belt to assist the student in retrieving the belt after use and a camera case for housing the seat belt.

Abstract: A clamp for relieving the tension in a seatbelt. An air operated actuator is activated by the passenger at a location remote from the clamp to lock the clamp to the seatbelt. The clamp is slidable on a track with a first endstop and an opposite second endstop. The clamp can be initially secured to the seatbelt at the first endstop. Subsequent movement by the passenger results in the clamp moving along the track. Upon reseating by the passenger, the clamp will be supported at a support position intermediate of the first and second endstops, resulting in increased slack in the shoulder portion of the seatbelt, reduced tension in the shoulder portion, and increased comfort for the passenger.

Abstract: A seat belt configuration includes a shoulder belt, a lap belt, a belt lock, and belt retractors. A release mechanism is assigned to the shoulder belt and/or the lap belt so that the first belt retractor can be separated from the second belt retractor. The release mechanism includes web-shaped or bolt-holding elements for securing respective belt ends of the shoulder belt and the lap belt or respective belt ends of two sections of the shoulder belt or of the lap belt. At least one of the holding elements has a retaining structure and is releasable when the retaining structure is inactivated.

Abstract: An occupant restraint assembly and for a motor vehicle operates to sense the tension forces on a seat belt to detect the presence of a human occupant or a child restraint seat. A sensor attached to the seat belt measures tension forces. The sensor is mounted in line with the seat belt. A strain gauge senses tension on the seat belt. An additional embodiment of the sensor includes three prongs attached to a common beam that allow the sensor to be slipped onto the seat belt without modification to the seat belt. A middle prong includes the strain gauge to sense movement relative to outside prongs. The seat belt threads over the outside prongs and under the middle prong such that tension on the seat belt forces the middle prong transversely to tension exerted on the seat belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for reversibly locking a lap belt portion of a belt webbing in a three-point, continuous loop seat belt system which includes a tongue assembly having the belt webbing routed therethrough, includes a cinch body adapted to mount to the tongue assembly, and a cam coupled to the cinch body and adapted to urge the belt webbing against the cinch body.

Abstract: There is provided a storage construction for a seat belt connecting member in a seat belt system in which a seat belt pulled out of a retractor provided on a vehicle body is pulled out in a slantwise downward direction via a sash guide mounted in a roof portion, a first connecting member mounted at the tip end of the seat belt is fixed to a first fixing member provided on the seat side, and a second connecting member provided in an intermediate portion of the seat belt is fixed to a second fixing member provided on the seat side, whereby a seat belt user is restrained by the seat belt set at three points. A connecting member attaching cover 12 is provided in a sash guide attaching portion in the roof portion 4, and the connecting member attaching cover 12 is provided with holding means 18 and 15 for holding the first and second connecting members 7 and 10 separately when the seat belt is not in use.

Abstract: An extensible tether is provided for tethering a juvenile vehicle seat to a tether anchor in a vehicle. The extensible tether includes a tether strap and a compliant member trapped in a space formed in the tether strap and configured to deform when a longitudinal tugging force is applied to the tether strap to lengthen the extensible tether during sudden vehicle stoppage or slowdown.

Abstract: A seatbelt device which prevents an occupant from hitting his face against an airbag deploying at the time of a vehicle collision. In order to take up any seatbelt slack before a collision and prevent the occupant from being displaced forward, the seatbelt device comprises a first tension modifier for winding the seatbelt and taking up the seatbelt slack when a collision is predicted, and a second tension modifier for further enhancing the tension of the seatbelt and securing the occupant to the seat at the time of such collision, thereby ensuring that the occupant does not exist in the airbag deployment zone when the airbag is activated.

Abstract: A webbing take-up device and a vehicle are provided in which different force limiter loads can be selected at arbitrary times with a simple structure. A wire is inserted into a spool. One end portion of the wire is fixed to a lock base. Thus, when rotation of the lock base is impeded, a twisting load of a torsion bar and a drawing-through load of the wire are applied to a webbing as force limiter load. Further, a cutting gear is disposed between the spool and the lock base. When the cutting gear is rotated at an arbitrary time, the wire is cut. In this way, the force limiter load is reduced to only the twisting load of the torsion bar. As a result, different force limiter loads can be selected at arbitrary times with a simple structure.

Abstract: A system for measuring seat belt forces is used to control deployment of vehicle airbags. The system includes a rigid plate member having one end attached to a portion of the seat belt and an opposite end mounted to a vehicle structure. The seat belt is used to secure passengers or an infant car seat to the vehicle seat. A sensor including a strain gage is mounted on the rigid plate between the ends and is used to measure the magnitude of forces exerted on the seat belt by the passenger or car seat. The strain gage generates a signal representative of the tension in the seat belt, which is used to control deployment of the airbag. The airbag is not deployed if the tension in the seat belt exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A system for positioning occupant restraints in a vehicle includes a pair of cooperative embodiments. A first embodiment comprises a clamp removably securable about an occupant restraint belt (preferably the shoulder strap, but the device may be applied to the lap belt, as well). The device includes a lateral slide bearing upon a pressure plate for applying clamping pressure to the belt. The clamp is particularly useful in securing to a shoulder harness, to preclude retraction of the strap through the “B” pillar guide for allowing some slack in the strap for occupant comfort. The second embodiment comprises two mating components hinged together at one end, with a series of mating slots therein. A shoulder harness slot and latch mechanism is provided opposite the hinge. The device is opened and secured about the support rods of an adjustable height headrest, with the shoulder strap passing through the shoulder strap guide.

Abstract: A seat restraint tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a latch plate for connection to belt webbing of the seat restraint system. The seat restraint tension sensing assembly also includes a buckle assembly for receiving the latch plate. The seat restraint tension sensing assembly includes at least one magnet mounted to the latch plate and at least one Hall effect sensor associated with either one of the latch plate and the buckle assembly and cooperable with the at least one magnet. The seat restraint tension sensing assembly further includes a movable actuator mounted to the latch plate and cooperable with the belt webbing to move the at least one magnet relative to the at least one Hall effect sensor to change an output of the at least one Hall effect sensor to indicate a tension level in the seat restraint system.

Abstract: A belt lock (8) for receiving an attachment element (2) of a safety belt (1) has an insertion opening (10) for the attachment element (2). In the belt lock (8), a connection element (20) is provided, which penetrates a locking opening (3) on the attachment element (2). The connection element (20) is disposed on a flat spring-type carrier (17), via which an insertion movement (24) of the connection element (20) into the locking opening (3) of the attachment element (2) takes place, when the attachment element operates a locking lever (12) by its insertion movement. The insertion movement (24) of the connection element (20) is monitored via a magnetic circuit containing a magnetic field-sensing sensor (31). A component (11, 20) of the belt lock (8) that fixes the attachment element (2) of the safety belt (1) is associated with a measuring element (20), with which a force operating on the belt lock can be determined via the magnetic circuit (16, 31).

Abstract: A securement arrangement for a seat belt closure of a three-point seat belt system in a vehicle comprises an anchor piece secured to the vehicle, a closure body, and a generally U-shaped closure body retaining assembly for mounting the closure body on the anchor piece. A spring disposed between a pair of U-forming legs of the closure body retaining assembly biases the closure body into its home position. A contact element emits a signal to be processed by an onboard signal processing unit when the closure body, due to the application thereto of a load imposed by the seat belt, is displaced so as to overcome the biasing force of the spring. The contact element correspondingly moves out of contact and emits a signal in response to its movement out of contact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a buckle device in which usability and seating comfort of a vehicle occupant on a seat are improved, and which can correspond to seat movements. In the buckle device, due to a torsion coil spring applying urging force to a buckle member, the buckle member is disposed at a swiveling position at which the buckle member stands. In this way, when a tongue plate is inserted into a buckle, there is no need for a vehicle occupant to hold the buckle with his/her hand. Moreover, when a vehicle occupant sits down on a rear seat, the buckle is pushed downward against the urging force and is accommodated in the rear seat. Further, when a seat movement is carried out on the rear seat, the buckle member swivels against the urging force so as to be able to correspond to the seat movement.

Abstract: An apparatus (210) includes seat belt webbing (12), a parallelogram linkage (220), a sensor lever (370), and a sensor (379). The seat belt webbing (12) helps to protect the occupant (14) of the vehicle (18). The parallelogram linkage (220) includes a first beam (352) and a second beam (362) parallel to the first beam (352). The first and second beams (352, 362) each bend in response to at least part of a load applied by the seat belt webbing (12). The sensor lever (370) is interposed between the first and second beams (352). The sensor lever (370) has a connection with the first and second beams (352). The connection causes the sensor lever (370) to deflect upon bending of the first and second beams (352). The sensor (379) senses the deflection of the sensor lever (370) and provides an output signal indicative of the amount bending of the first and second beams (352, 362).