Safety Belt Or Harness (e.g., Lap Belt Or Shoulder Harness) Patents (Class 280/801.1)
  • Patent number: 8672356
    Abstract: An engagement fixture of a shoulder belt is connected to and supported by an engagement buckle disposed in a vehicle interior. When a platform is positioned in a getting in/out position in a vehicle exterior, the engagement fixture of the shoulder belt can be temporarily connected to a temporary fastening fixture provided to the platform. To the contrary, when the platform is positioned in a loading position in a vehicle interior, a connection condition of the engagement fixture of the shoulder belt can be changed from a temporary connection of the fastening fixture to a securely supportable connection of an engagement buckle in the vehicle interior. Thus, it is possible to simplify a belt attaching operation after a wheelchair is loaded in a vehicle while a columnar support member used in the conventional platform is abolished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukio Inaguma, Kenji Horiguchi, Akira Ishii, Fumiaki Katou, Masaaki Yamane
  • Patent number: 8650721
    Abstract: A buckle device 10 for a seat belt includes: an anchor plate 11 that can be attached to a vehicle body side; a buckle 20 to which a tongue of the seat belt can be detachably attached; and a woven fabric 30 that is passed through hole portions 14, 26 formed respectively in the anchor plate 11 and the buckle 20, the woven fabric 30 being folded back so as to overlap at least triply and being sewn together in the overlapping part. A tip end portion 31a of the woven fabric 30 tucked into the inner side contacts the opposing buckle 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Ogawa, Goushu Kataoka, Katsuyasu Ono, Yuji Sakata, Hitoshi Futaki, Masanao Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8636304
    Abstract: Provided are a webbing-threading member and a seatbelt device that can prevent deviation of webbing (a so-called jamming phenomenon) by preventing rotation of the webbing-threading member. A webbing-threading member 1 of the present invention includes a body 2 rotatably mounted on the side of a vehicle, a threading hole 3 formed in the body 2 for guiding the webbing W, and a guide piece 4 placed on a surface of the threading hole 3 and forming a sliding surface 41 over which the webbing W slides. The guide piece 4 has, on the sliding surface 41, engaging grooves 42 that cause a pressing force to act in such a direction as to rotate the body 2 toward a vehicle front side at the time of withdrawing the webbing W, and that cause a pressing force to act in such a direction as to rotate the body 2 toward a vehicle rear side at the time of retracting the webbing W.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Yuuki Tabata, Hideaki Nakagawa, Ryoichi Imai
  • Patent number: 8613470
    Abstract: A seat belt system configured for use in a vehicle includes a seat belt buckle assembly that is configured to determine the both the latch condition of the seat belt buckle assembly with the seat belt tongue, and the tension applied to the seat belt webbing in a seat belt system. The seat belt buckle assembly includes a latch configured to receive and engage the seat belt tongue, a magnet, and a magnetic sensor configured to determine relative displacement of the magnet. The seat belt buckle assembly is configured to cause a first displacement between the magnet and the magnetic sensor in response to engagement of the seat belt tongue with the latch and cause a second displacement between the magnet and the magnetic sensor in response to tension on the seat belt webbing via the seat belt tongue. The first displacement is distinct from the second displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Sickon, Gary M. Sobek
  • Publication number: 20130334802
    Abstract: A personnel restraint seat belt having an elongated flexible web with a front surface, a rear surface, and two side edges. A distinguishing feature, such as a raised bump, color strip, or edge cut outs are provided adjacent at least one of the side edges of the web. The distinguishing feature allows for rapid identification of the restraint seat belt during emergency situations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: U.S. GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECREATARY OF THE ARMY
    Inventor: JIM A. FAUGHN
  • Patent number: 8590934
    Abstract: A three-point automatic belt has an offering arm, which is rotatably mounted by means of a drive, for a seat in a vehicle. A rotatably mounted offering arm is designed as a belt strap part, which is stiffened in one plane, of a belt strap, and can be deflected by means of an electromotive drive. The deflectable, stiffened belt strap part can be deflected into a forward end position, in which the belt strap is offered to a vehicle occupant, into an intermediate or boarding position and into a rearward end position in which access to a storage compartment and/or a rear space and/or a rear seat is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Frank Fruehauf, Rolf Pemsel, Thomas Siegel
  • Patent number: 8556324
    Abstract: A utility vehicle according to the present invention includes a front seat, a rear seat, a cargo bed, a screen, and seat belt systems, the cargo bed is changeable between an expanded state and a non-expanded state, the screen has a movable mount in a lower end, the screen is movable between a first position and a second position, each of the seat belt systems has a three-point seat belt structure, a bottom anchor, a retractor, and a buckle are provided in the movable mount, and a top anchor is provided in the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruaki Yamamoto, Itsuo Takegami
  • Patent number: 8556020
    Abstract: This object is attained by the combination of a motor-vehicle safety belt formed as a flexible longitudinally extending band and formed with a longitudinally extending and laterally substantially closed passage with an insert fittable into the passage and comprised of a flexible and elongated support strip and at least one electrical or electronic element usable by a motor-vehicle passenger employing the belt secured to the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: paragon AG
    Inventor: Klaus Rodemer
  • Publication number: 20130249204
    Abstract: A restraint framework for supporting a passenger restraint and for facilitating restraint of a passenger within a vehicle. The restraint framework comprises a lateral support and an upright support. The upright support has a restraint coupling location that facilitates coupling with a passenger restraint. The restraint framework further comprises vehicle couplers to facilitate securing the upright and lateral supports to the vehicle at vehicle attachment points. The restraint framework also comprises a junction to secure the lateral support to the vehicle about a lower vehicle attachment point, and to couple the lateral support to the upright support. The lateral support and/or the junction includes a restraint coupling location that facilitates coupling with the passenger restraint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Erin A. Fink, Ryan Dark
  • Patent number: 8539862
    Abstract: A buckle release tool includes a housing element having a convex back surface ergonomically sized to conform to a human hand and a tool element. The housing element includes a rounded perimeter surface having several shallow slots. A tool element dome is provided on the front surface. The tool element dome includes a soft plastic tip surface. A seat belt cutter and a window hammer are housed in an embodiment of buckle release tool. A separate, storage element for the buckle release tool is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: MiiG Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Marlene G. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8540283
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a seat belt to a vehicle body, may include a wire integrally having on a first end thereof a belt insert ring, an end of the seat belt being inserted into the belt insert ring, a wire installing unit coupled to a second end of the wire and secured to the vehicle body, and a belt restraining unit coupled to the vehicle body while slidably receiving the seat belt so as to restrain movement of the seat belt which may be inserted into the belt insert ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Ji Yeoun Lee, Choong Sik Shin
  • Patent number: 8523229
    Abstract: A height adjuster assembly for motor vehicle belt restraint systems adapted to be mounted to a motor vehicle “B” pillar for affixing a D-ring belt anchorage. The height adjuster assembly can be moved to a plurality of vertical positions for optimally locating a seat belt and D-ring. The adjuster assembly includes a slider assembly movable along a rail preferably formed by a roll forming operation. A rotatable pawl within the slider assembly is biased into engagement with the rail teeth and is held in a normally locked position. A pushbutton can be actuated to rotate the lock pawl to a disengaged position allowing vertical adjustment. The system features few parts, low-cost construction, and provides high structural integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Kohlndorfer
  • Patent number: 8521369
    Abstract: A method and a device for control or regulation of a restraint system in a vehicle having a safety belt and at least one of an operation or convenience function. The operation and convenience functions of the restraint system adapt in a situation-related fashion and set the belt retraction force that acts on the safety belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Thomas Blaas, Walter Eberle, Martin Lanzerath, Jan Schroeder
  • Patent number: 8517424
    Abstract: A seat belt extender having a rigid non-flexible elongated flat strap with a male connector attached to a first end of the rigid non-flexible elongated flat strap for removably engaging a female connector attached to the floor of an automobile of a three point seat belt and shoulder strap restraint system, and a female connector attached to a second end of the rigid non-flexible elongated flat strap for removably engaging a male connector of the three point seat belt and shoulder strap restraint system. The rigid non-flexible elongated flat strip will stand upright when removably attached to the female connector and has a length that is between two and sixteen inches. The rigid elongated flat strip also has a bend that will locates the female connector of the seat belt extender sideways out away from the side of the seat by a distance of between one inch and four inches when removably attached to the female connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventor: Brian Matthew Brents
  • Publication number: 20130207371
    Abstract: A pretensioner includes a member having a through-hole, a tubular cover, and an actuator configured to pull the member to pull a belt folded back through the through-hole, wherein the tubular cover has a mounting portion that is fixedly positioned on the member upon being put on the member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Yoji SUYAMA, Hirokazu Naganuma
  • Publication number: 20130187372
    Abstract: A buckle assembly for a seat belt system includes a belt buckle, a transmission mechanism arranged to move the belt buckle from a first position to a second position, and an electric motor for driving the transmission mechanism. The motor includes a stator and a rotor rotatably mounted to the stator. The rotor includes a motor shaft, a commutator fixed to the motor shaft, a rotor core fixed to the motor shaft and rotor windings wound about teeth of the rotor core and electrically connected to segments of the commutator. The rotor windings include a plurality of winding units. Each winding unit includes at least two coils, the coils of each winding unit being wound about the same teeth and electrically connected to a same pair of segments, in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: JOHNSON ELECTRIC S.A.
    Inventor: JOHNSON ELECTRIC S.A.
  • Patent number: 8474873
    Abstract: A seat belt system in motor vehicles includes a seat belt disposed at a front seat and a shoulder-belt portion and a lap-belt portion, which at its outer anchorage point, is retained in the area of a door sill of the motor vehicle on a belt tensioner that is connected to the lap-belt portion via a connecting device. The connecting device is disposed out of view below a door-sill molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Carsten Moeker, Stefan Grutzeck
  • Patent number: 8469401
    Abstract: Various embodiments of seat harness pretensioning devices for use in land, air, and sea vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, a seat unit for use in a military land vehicle or helicopter includes a stroking device that enables the seat to move downwardly in response to sudden movement. The seat unit also includes a seat belt or harness that extends around the occupant in the seat. Sudden movement of the seat in response to an explosion or hard landing causes a tensioning system to automatically pretension the seat harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd J. Humbert, David T. Merrill
  • Patent number: 8469400
    Abstract: Various embodiments of seat harness pretensioning devices for use in land, air, and sea vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, a seat unit for use in a military land vehicle or helicopter includes a stroking device that enables the seat to move downwardly in response to an explosion or hard landing, respectively. The seat unit also includes a seat belt or harness that extends around the occupant in the seat. Downward movement of the seat in response to an explosion or hard landing causes a tensioning system to automatically pretension the seat harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc. (Phoenix Group)
    Inventors: David T. Merrill, Todd Humbert
  • Patent number: 8465055
    Abstract: A seatbelt relief device for a seatbelt having a shoulder harness utilized by a driver sitting on a seat in a motor vehicle behind a steering wheel. The device comprises a sleeve that fits over a chest portion of the shoulder harness of the seatbelt. A cord assembly extends from the sleeve. A mechanism is for releasably mounting the cord assembly centrally to the steering wheel in a pivotable manner, whereby the sleeve will pull the chest portion of the shoulder harness of the seatbelt slightly away from the chest of the driver to reduce pressure on the chest of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: N/A
    Inventor: Gary Hill
  • Patent number: 8419066
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a seat belt device which exhibits good smoothness even at a low temperature of about ?30° C., which exhibits a small reduction in smoothness even after repeated use for a long period of time, or after use at a high temperature (80° C.), and which has good webbing retracting performance. [Solution] A seat belt device includes a webbing 12 formed by applying a webbing treatment agent to a webbing base material, a retractor 11 for retracting the webbing 12, and an anchor member 13 through which the webbing 12 is slidably hung. The webbing treatment agent is characterized by containing as an essential component a hydrocarbon-based synthetic oil with a viscosity of 35 to 100,000 mPa·s at ?30° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Sadayuki Shimazaki, Itsuo Tabayashi
  • Patent number: 8408599
    Abstract: A guide loop for a vehicle seat belt system includes a first portion configured for attachment to a body of a vehicle in one plane and a second portion extending from the first portion at an angle and configured for attachment to the body in another plane. The guide loop is fixedly attachable to and not rotatable with respect to the body. In another embodiment, the guide loop includes a third portion extending from the second portion and substantially parallel to the first portion. The third portion is spaced apart from the first portion prior to attachment to the body so as to define a channel that is configured for receiving a seat belt webbing. A guide loop for a vehicle seat belt system including a height adjuster includes a loop portion and a stop portion, and is fixedly attachable to and not rotatable with respect to the height adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: George J. Strnad, Steven J. Richter
  • Publication number: 20130069356
    Abstract: A seat belt apparatus for a vehicle including an anchor metal plate coupled with a vehicle body by a fastening bolt to extensively support a seat belt and upper and lower covers to receive the anchor metal plate. A contact rib is formed on at least one side portion of the inner surface of the upper cover, and a sidewall is formed on a side portion of the lower cover to make contact with the contact rib. An arc-type rib is formed on the bottom plate of the lower cover corresponding to an outer peripheral portion of at least one side portion of the base portion of the anchor metal plate, and a connection rib is formed between the arc-type rib and the sidewall. An arc-type slot is formed on the bottom plate of the lower cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Byoung-Gae YOU, Sung-Suk KO, Ho-Jin LEE
  • Patent number: 8375530
    Abstract: A buckle assembly for a vehicle includes a seat belt tongue and a seat belt buckle with a blocking mechanism and a manual release button. The blocking mechanism is configured to latch the tongue in the buckle. The buckle assembly further includes a remote buckle release mechanism, including a buckle release cable and a module operably connected to the cable. The module is configured to pull the cable to release the blocking mechanism to thereby release the seat belt tongue from the buckle. The buckle assembly is also configured to be actuated by an occupant via the manual release button on the buckle. The remote buckle release mechanism does not interfere with operation of the manual release button. The remote buckle release mechanism may also be configured to automatically release the buckles a predetermined time after an airbag deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Glenn Walega, Thomas Grzybowski, Brandon Scott Marriott, Nicklaus John Pelliccia
  • Patent number: 8371656
    Abstract: A portable safety belt for use on a motor coach passenger seat is provided. The portable safety belt is formed of a single strap routed to form a closed loop for encircling a seatback and an open loop terminating at either end of the strap with a male and female buckle. The open loop is adapted as a lap belt for holding a passenger. A locking member disposed at a side of the closed loop provides interrelated adjustment of the open and closed loops to tighten the closed loop around the seatback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventors: Blake J. McCauley, Charles H. Bedell
  • Patent number: 8353534
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicular frame, a utility bed, and a passenger restraint assembly. The utility bed is coupled with the vehicular frame and includes a bed floor, a side wall, and a rear scat. The passenger restraint assembly includes a securing member, a belt and a retractor. The securing member is coupled with the utility bed adjacent to the rear seat. The belt includes a first end; a second end, and a securing portion. The securing portion is configured for selective engagement with the securing member. The retractor is coupled with the side wall. The retractor includes a carrier that is coupled with the first end of the belt and is configured to facilitate selective dispensation of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: David W. Arnold, Craig Mitchell, Justin Michael Winter
  • Patent number: 8348306
    Abstract: An automotive passenger restraint system of the lapbelt/diagonal shoulder belt type wherein a sensor and lookup table are used to detect the onset of a collision and provide a programmed (a) relocation of the inboard seatbelt anchor point to increase pelvic area restraint and (b) asymmetric airbag deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Atsutaka Tamura
  • Patent number: 8336914
    Abstract: A belt anchor comprises an anchor portion which changes the extending direction of a belt body toward a vehicle front, a bolt which supports the anchor portion, and a nut which fastens the bolt. The belt anchor is fixed to a lift gate inner and a second reinforcement at a position which is located near a pivotal axis of a hinge. Accordingly, a seatbelt device of a vehicle which can ensure both the properly-large slant angle of the belt body and the support strength of the belt anchor, keeping appropriate flexibility of the vehicle layout, can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Ito, Hidetoshi Iwatani
  • Patent number: 8335614
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a reversible seat belt pretensioner in a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of detecting the speed and the steering angle of the vehicle, calculating an expected turning rate of the vehicle about its vertical axis from the speed and the steering angle and calculating an upper and a lower turning rate limiting value using the expected turning rate, detecting the actual turning rate of the vehicle about its vertical axis and activating the seat belt pretensioner of the vehicle if the actual turning rate of the vehicle is greater than the upper turning rate limiting value or is less than the lower turning rate limiting value. The present invention also relates to a safety arrangement for implementing the method according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Klaus Bauer, Simon Hesse, Horst Kettern-Kohler, Ulrich Rick
  • Patent number: 8330609
    Abstract: A passenger detection system includes a satellite sensor circuit; and a master determination unit. The satellite sensor circuit includes an antenna electrode which is provided in at least one of a seating face or a back face of a seat; and an electric field generation unit which generates an electric field around the antenna electrode, and generates a current signal based on the electric field. The master determination unit includes a current detection unit which detects a variation of the current signal; and a control unit which determines a sitting situation of a passenger by comparing signal data with threshold data, the signal data being related to a current signal which flows based on the electric field which is obtained from the current detection unit and which is generated at the antenna electrode, the threshold data being related to the sitting situation of the passenger. The satellite sensor circuit and the master determination unit are connected via a power supply line and a ground line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Elesys Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Miyamori, Satoshi Baba, Shinji Kato, Shinya Deguchi, Shusuke Hayashida
  • Patent number: 8317224
    Abstract: A head restraint device (10) provides sideways restraint for a vehicle occupant's head (41) with restraint members (28) The restraint members (28) are movable between and operative position in which they extend on either side of the head (41) and a retracted position in which they are no longer positioned to the side of the head, so not impinging sideways motion of the head and/or access into or out of the vehicle. The restraint members (28) pivot between the two positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Richard Gale Scarf
  • Publication number: 20120286501
    Abstract: A tongue assembly for use in an occupant restraint system also having a buckle mechanism and a webbing. The tongue assembly includes a tongue member configured to selectively engage the buckle mechanism, a body formed over a portion of the tongue member, a cam, and a biasing member configured to rotationally bias the cam. The body includes a contact surface. The cam includes a cam surface and is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation between a first locking position and a second free position. When the cam is positioned in the second free position the tongue assembly is free to slide along the length of the webbing, and when the cam is positioned in the first locking position a portion of the webbing is clamped between the cam surface and the contact surface thereby preventing the tongue assembly from sliding along the length of the webbing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Darren W. GOUDEAU, Jonathon M. BOUGHNER
  • Patent number: 8302994
    Abstract: A shield cover assembly for a vehicle, may include a shield cover main body, on which a slot is formed thereon in one direction and another direction of the vehicle, and a sliding cover disposed on a bottom surface of the shield cover main body such that the slot is not exposed outside the shield cover main body, wherein the sliding cover has a penetration portion formed in a hollow shape thereon and an anchorage pretensioner member is fixed to a cushion frame through the penetration portion, and wherein the sliding cover is slidable along the bottom surface in the one direction and the another direction in accordance with a movement of the shield cover main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyun Ko
  • Publication number: 20120274056
    Abstract: A safety seatbelt system for pregnant women comprising: a ballistic nylon webbing restraint harness having a profile providing an open abdominal area for accommodating a developing fetus within the pregnant passenger; an attachment strap having a female end that wraps around the posterior region of a seat in a vehicle; a chest and thigh engaging portion, such that a chest of the pregnant passenger is suitably restrained from forward movement in the event of a collision; at least two threadable clips to provide side adjustment; and a back strap. The restraint harness has a top female end and bottom male end along with several additional male ends. The restrain harness provides attachment points on both bottom sides of the restrain harness such that the restrain harness can be removably affixed to the OEM seatbelt assembly in the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: RICHARD DEAN FAN, PETE CALDERON, JR.
  • Patent number: 8276942
    Abstract: A combat vehicle restraint system accommodates a wide range of soldiers, both with and without battle, arctic, or chemical gear. The restraint system includes lengthened belts and an adjustable buckle position. The belts include loops for locating and grasping the belts, and separate lap and shoulder belts with small narrowing ends to prevent catching on gear. The belts are extendable from Inertial reels which are calibrated for off-road operation. The buckle engages each belt separately and includes a single action release. The buckle position is easily adjusted using an oversized knob so that a soldier may easily find and adjust buckle length in the dark, wearing heavy gloves, or with muddy slippery fingers. The latch/unlatch mechanism and associated hardware is an open frame type to reduce or eliminate affects of mud, dust, water or other contaminants on operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Conax Florida Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Van Druff, John Churilla, Eric Kawabata
  • Publication number: 20120219395
    Abstract: An engagement fixture of a shoulder belt is connected to and supported by an engagement buckle disposed in a vehicle interior. When a platform is positioned in a getting in/out position in a vehicle exterior, the engagement fixture of the shoulder belt can be temporarily connected to a temporary fastening fixture provided to the platform. To the contrary, when the platform is positioned in a loading position in a vehicle interior, a connection condition of the engagement fixture of the shoulder belt can be changed from a temporary connection of the fastening fixture to a securely supportable connection of an engagement buckle in the vehicle interior. Thus, it is possible to simplify a belt attaching operation after a wheelchair is loaded in a vehicle while a columnar support member used in the conventional platform is abolished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA SHATAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukio Inaguma, Kenji Horiguchi, Akira Ishii, Fumiaki Katou, Masaaki Yamane
  • Patent number: 8246077
    Abstract: An occupant restraining device for a vehicle that can regulate a position of a seat belt, without occupying vehicle cabin space. An air belt device includes a retractor that is arranged to the rear, in a vehicle front-rear direction, with respect to a seat back, a seat belt that is pulled out from the retractor when applied to an occupant and that includes a shoulder belt portion for restraining an upper body of the occupant, and a belt insertion portion that is formed by indenting a portion, in a seat width direction, of an upper end of the seat back, and into which an upper side portion of the shoulder belt portion of the seat belt is made to enter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuya Nezaki
  • Patent number: 8240736
    Abstract: A deceleration responsive vehicle seat (20) for an occupant (9) of a vehicle, wherein the seat has a frame structure adapted to absorb the weight of the occupant and other forces exerted by said occupant on the seat. The frame structure includes a seat cushion frame assembly comprising a seat cushion frame (21), a seat cushion (22) being supported on said seat cushion frame, the frame structure further including a backrest frame assembly (25,27), a backrest cushion having an upper part (26) and a lower part (28), said backrest cushion being supported by said backrest frame assembly. The seat cushion and backrest cushion support the occupant in an upright sitting normal position. The seat further includes frame structure fixation means (2,3) adapted and arranged to fix said frame structure to the vehicle body. The seat further includes an integrated seat belt system (40,41,42,43) for said occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Chard Satety B.V.
    Inventor: Michel Coenen
  • Publication number: 20120193960
    Abstract: A reinforcement assembly for reinforcing a seat belt apparatus for use with a seat assembly is provided. The seat assembly includes a seat back frame having a pair of downwardly directed side frame members affixed to the vehicle floor. A top frame member traverses the pair of side frame members. A seat cushion frame is pivotally supported on the seat back frame. The reinforcement assembly includes a floor bracket and an elongated vertically aligned reinforcement member. The floor bracket includes a first side which faces the vehicle floor and an opposite second side. The reinforcement member is positioned between the pair of side frame members and includes a first end and an opposite second end. The first end is affixed to the top frame member of the seat back frame. The second end includes a mounting surface which contacts the second side of the floor bracket and in which the mounting surface is affixed to both the floor bracket and the vehicle floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter James Moegling, Todd Rupert Muck, Robert Joseph Hazlewood, Masroor Fahim
  • Publication number: 20120161428
    Abstract: A system for securing a person while in a vehicle is disclosed. A flexible strap member having at least a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to receive a wrist of a person and the second end is configured to receive a hand of the person. The flexible strap member is made of a slide resistant material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Dawn Thurman, Zikomo Thurman, Warren Waddell, LaTonya Waddell
  • Publication number: 20120161429
    Abstract: A vehicle seat mounting assembly is provided in which the seat mounts are attached to body cross-members that are, in turn, mechanically coupled to battery pack cross-members contained within a battery pack enclosure mounted under the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Dore Rawlinson, Alan Paul Clarke
  • Patent number: 8201850
    Abstract: A restraining belt comprising a webbing, and utilizing active material actuation for selectively modifying the tensile load strength of, stiffness of, or the tensioning applied to the webbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120146317
    Abstract: The invention relates, amongst other things, to an occupant protection device comprising a pyrotechnical gas generator (40). According to the invention it is provided that a safety valve (200) operating in a temperature-dependent manner and leading to the outside is connected to the gas generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Jochen Benz, Lars Mast, Jochen Lang, Christoph Pechhold, Robert Fleischmann
  • Patent number: 8196960
    Abstract: A three-point seat belt assembly for an occupant sitting in a seat of a motor vehicle is provided. The three-point seat belt assembly can include a seat belt web that has a shoulder harness portion and a knee portion. The shoulder harness portion extends across the occupant's torso and the knee portion extends across the occupant's knees. In addition, a guide member can be included that prevents the knee portion of the seat belt web from sliding up above the occupant's knees and sliding down towards the occupant's shins. A pretensioner can further be included and be attached to the seat belt web. The pretensioner can have a release force of between 5 and 6 kilonewtons which is an improvement over current limits of between 2 and 3 kilonewtons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Umesh N. Gandhi
  • Patent number: 8195365
    Abstract: An operator restraint system is provided. The operator restraint system includes a seatbelt payout sensor and a seatbelt buckle assembly. The seatbelt buckle assembly includes a housing and an alarm assembly. The alarm assembly includes at least one of a light source configured to generate a visible signal and an annunciator configured to generate an audible signal. A controller is associated with at least one of the seatbelt payout sensor and the alarm assembly. The controller is configured to receive from the seatbelt payout sensor a signal indicative of a length of a seatbelt that has been withdrawn, determine whether the length of the seatbelt that has been withdrawn is within a predetermined range, and control the alarm assembly to selectively generate at least one of the visible signal and the audible signal to remind an operator regarding employment of the seatbelt based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James Robert Bernhagen, Robert Quincy Elliott, John Martin Hadank, David James Edwards
  • Publication number: 20120098244
    Abstract: A method of autonomously preventing or reducing the affects of roof impact in automotive applications, including the steps of determining a vehicle condition indicative of an imminent roof impact, and modifying a vehicular seat or roof structure, or deploying a netting as a result thereof, wherein active material actuation is preferably utilized to effect the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Hanif Muhammad, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8157292
    Abstract: A seat belt device for a vehicle includes a buckle head mounted on a seat and designed to couple with a tongue and a carriage unit allowing the buckle head to be displaced in horizontal and vertical directions of the seat so that the buckle head and the tongue are easily coupled to or decoupled from each other when a belt is fastened or unfastened. The seat belt device facilitates fastening of a seat belt more conveniently by allowing for the horizontal and vertical displacement of a buckle head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Byoung-Gae You, Il Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 8146946
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for adjusting a restraining device. The method, system and apparatus can include a body foldably formed with a first segment, a second segment and a third segment. There may further be a first anchor and a second anchor disposed on an interior portion of the first segment, as well as a third anchor disposed on an interior portion of the second segment. Additionally, a backing material may be disposed on an interior portion of the third segment, on exterior portions of the first segment, the second segment and the third segment and extending beyond the exterior portion of the third segment and a coupling mechanism can be disposed on portions of the backing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Elizabeth A Emond
  • Patent number: 8136842
    Abstract: A deflector for a safety belt system of a motor vehicle with a metal core, which has a mounting aperture in the upper section (12) and a belt loop in the lower section, and a plastic element that encompasses at least some sections of the metal core. The plastic element having a first section (30), which is fixed on the metal core, and a second section (50) connected to the first section (30) by means of a film hinge (60), which in the fully assembled state covers at least the front side of the upper section (12) of the metal core and engages with the first section. In order to reliably prevent the second section (50) from becoming detached from the first section (30) in case an expanding curtain airbag makes impact on the second section, one of the two sections of the plastic element has a nose (40) with a first contact surface beside the film hinge, which in the fully assembled state is in contact with a second contact surface of the other section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Arno Kardel, Knut Janzen
  • Patent number: 8136210
    Abstract: A seat belt (2) for motor vehicles, has a restraining element (4) for a seat belt tongue (3). The restraining element protrudes from the seat belt (2), from only on one side thereof and the seat belt (2) may be configured as a multi-layer seat belt (2) forming a hollow space (5) between the seat belt layers (21, 22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Michael Strutz