Safety Belt Or Harness (e.g., Lap Belt Or Shoulder Harness) Patents (Class 280/801.1)
  • Patent number: 8090505
    Abstract: Vehicle seat belt apparatus includes: a motor for driving a belt reel having a belt wound thereon; a trigger section for detecting a change in a traveling state of a vehicle to output an activation signal that instructs or triggers activation of the motor; a lateral acceleration detection section for detecting lateral acceleration acting on the vehicle; a slip state detection section for detecting a slip state quantity of the vehicle; and a control section for, in response to receipt of the activation signal from the trigger section, controlling the amount of current supply for activating the motor on the basis of a signal of the lateral acceleration output by the lateral acceleration detection section and/or a signal of the slip state quantity output by the slip state detection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naotoshi Takemura
  • Patent number: 8083261
    Abstract: A positioning device has a deformable load-bearing element (10), a shaped part (12) coupled to the load-bearing element (10), and a holder (24). The load-bearing element (10) is adapted to be shifted from a first position in which the shaped part (12) is held in a first shape by the holder (24), into a second position in which the shaped part (12) is at least partially no longer held by the holder (24) and takes a second shape which is transmitted to the load-bearing element (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Grau, Wolfgang Holbein, Karsten Kortschack, Wolfgang Spindler, Alexander Seibold, Jonas Mueller
  • Publication number: 20110304110
    Abstract: In one aspect, the instant disclosure provides a cart including a push handle moveable from a first position to a second position; and a chair which further includes (i) a seat facing the push handle, the seat further comprising an abduction block; (ii) a safety belt; (iii) a backrest extending upwardly from the seat; and (iv) a foot rest and one or more wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: Drew Ann Long
  • Patent number: 8042866
    Abstract: A 4-point occupant restraint belt system for a vehicle seat having a seat bottom and a back rest. A one-piece belt is connected to the vehicle at upper and lower attachment points disposed adjacent a first side of the vehicle seat, and a buckle is disposed adjacent an opposite second side of the vehicle seat. A latch is slidingly mounted on the belt and engagable with the buckle to secure the belt around a seat occupant in a three-point configuration. A lifting arm has a lowered position wherein it is beneath the belt and adjacent the latch when the latch is engaged with the buckle, and the lifting arm is movable to a raised position wherein it raises a portion of the belt to a position adjacent the back rest above the buckle, thereby creating a 4th belt attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Anders Kling, Anders Axelson, Lars-Erik Andersson
  • Patent number: 8037581
    Abstract: An anti-rattle tongue plate is provided that includes two different materials for being operably connected to the body of the tongue plate. One of the materials is softer than the other to minimize noise when the tongue plate engages against interior components of the vehicle such as during rough ride conditions. One of the materials is made into a distinct component for being operably connected to the tongue plate body. In this manner, the tongue plate herein eliminates at least one of the insert molds needed for prior over molded latch plates, thus providing manufacturing and cost efficiencies thereover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark F. Gray, Timothy A. Gandee
  • Patent number: 8033595
    Abstract: A reinforcement member 30 integratedly includes a top surface 31, a rear surface 32, a first side 33, and a second side 34. The top surface 31 has an air deflector attaching portion 35. An air deflector arranged on top of a roof panel 2 is attachable to the air deflector attaching portion 35. The second side 34 includes a base 40 and a seatbelt anchor attaching portion 41. The base 40 is formed in approximately the same plane as the first side 33. The seatbelt anchor attaching portion 41 extends inward from the base 40 along the vehicle width and is in contact with a rear pillar inner section. A seatbelt anchor arranged on the inner side of the rear pillar inner section is attachable to the air deflector attaching portion 41.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Taku Orii
  • Publication number: 20110233911
    Abstract: A Supplemental Automotive Restraint System for Pregnant Women has a protective shell structure with integral “Pelvic Yoke and Crotch Post”, “Breast Plate”, structural “Abdominal Bridge/Shell” over the abdomen between the “Pelvic Yoke” and the “Breast Plate”, “Shoulder Belt Retainer”, and appropriate padding and fill material, all of which work in conjunction with the standard automotive Type II lap and shoulder belt restraint system as required to be installed in all new passenger cars manufactured for sale in the United States by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 (FMVSS 208). The purpose of the “Supplemental Automotive Restraint System for Pregnant Women” is to reduce the likelihood of injury to a pregnant mother and her unborn child during maneuvering, crash, or other non-impact event of a motor vehicle while the mother is driving or riding in the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: JAMES RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT LTD.
    Inventor: James Edward Hofferberth
  • Publication number: 20110227324
    Abstract: A paratransit lift is provided with safety belts with separable components. The components are configured for attachment of the lift without any alteration of the lift structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: DALE BINKLEY, Ralph Mason
  • Patent number: 8020894
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system includes a seat belt webbing connected to a latch plate, wherein the latch plate is configured to be releasably connected to a buckle assembly in order to secure the webbing in a position capable of restraining the occupant. The buckle assembly includes a release button, a blocking component, a solenoid coupled to a connecting member positioned to engage the blocking component, and a solenoid actuator electrically connected to the solenoid. The blocking component is configured to engage the latch plate in order to connect the latch plate to the buckle assembly, and is configured to disengage from the latch plate in order to facilitate the release of the latch plate when the release button is depressed. When the solenoid actuator actuates the solenoid, the connecting member is configured to move to thereby change the position of the blocking component in order disengage the blocking component from the latch plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Brandon Scott Marriott
  • Patent number: 8016318
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint apparatus includes: a retracting device that retracts one end side of a webbing for restraining an occupant so that the webbing can be withdrawn; a webbing holding portion that holds the other end side of the webbing; and a fixing member to which the retracting device and the webbing holding portion are attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuya Nezaki
  • Patent number: 8005595
    Abstract: An occupant monitoring and restraint status system is provided. The system includes an occupant boarding and de-boarding system. The occupant boarding and de-boarding system detects boarding and de-boarding of occupants. The system also includes a bench type seat that has a plurality of seat locations. Each of these seat locations includes a seat belt system which has a status sensor to detect a state of the seat belt system. Each seat location also includes an occupant sensing system. The occupant sensing system detects the presence and identity of an occupant at the seat location. The system further includes a display which includes a seat status indicator for each of the plurality of seat locations. The seat status indicators include information regarding a presence of an occupant, an occupant identity, and a state of a seat belt system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Scott Marriott, Gary Stroik, Russ Carlton, Thomas Wayne Messner
  • Patent number: 7997657
    Abstract: An assembly to attach a belt buckle (12) to a vehicle, especially to a vehicle body part (16), has an attachment fitting (14) which is fixed in place directly at the belt buckle (12), is made in one piece, and is movable together with the belt buckle (12), the attachment fitting (14) being adapted to assume an initial position, an attachment member (22) and a spring member (28) which urges the attachment fitting (14) that is movable relative to the vehicle into the initial position. The attachment member (22) fixes the attachment fitting (14) in place directly at the vehicle body part (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Haas, Ralf Knoedl
  • Patent number: 7988196
    Abstract: A seatbelt assembly for motor vehicle occupant restraint applications of the three point type in which a lap belt section is formed of two layers of seatbelt webbing. The system may be implemented in connection with single or dual seatbelt retractors. A loop tongue is provided which is releasably affixed to a seatbelt buckle and has at least one slot which allows the free movement of webbing through the tongue between the use and storage conditions of the seatbelt system. An end of the webbing is also attached to the tongue. The system is operated by an occupant in a manner like a conventional three point restraint system using a single releasable attachment. Through the use of a pair of thicknesses of webbing in the lap belt section of the restraint system, control of reduced chest deflection and pelvic excursion may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Bin Wang
  • Patent number: 7987031
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining a tendency to tilt about the longitudinal axis and a tendency to turn about the vertical axis of a vehicle. The detection system is characterized by a lateral acceleration sensor producing a lateral acceleration signal, a yaw rate sensor producing a yaw rate signal, a steering angle sensor producing a steering angle signal, wheel speed sensors producing the rotation signals of the wheels, and which includes a controller which, in response to the steering angle, the steering velocity and the vehicle speed, determines a tendency to tilt about the longitudinal axis of a vehicle and which, in response to the lateral acceleration sensor, the yaw rate sensor, the steering angle sensor and the wheel speed sensors determines the tendency to turn about the vertical axis of the vehicle, and with the controller generating a triggering signal for at least one passenger protection means depending on the extent of these tendencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG 7 Co., OHG
    Inventors: Jürgen Diebold, Stefan Stölzl, Helmut Fennel, Michael Klug
  • Patent number: 7980590
    Abstract: Inflatable restraint systems for restraining an occupant in a vehicle are disclosed herein. An inflatable restraint system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes an airbag carried by a web. The web has an end portion coupled to a vehicle and is configured to extend around a portion of the occupant. The restraint system further includes a gas source that is also carried by the web. The gas source is operably coupled to the airbag to inflate the airbag in the event of a rapid deceleration or other dynamic event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Nick Foubert, Kevin Keeslar
  • Patent number: 7980635
    Abstract: An auxiliary mechanism for a seat belt apparatus includes a support portion and a guide portion. The support portion supports a webbing in a manner drawable to the front of a seat back. The support portion is movable between a storage position, which is near the seat back, and a projection position, which is spaced further apart from the seat back than the storage position to draw out the webbing toward the front of the seat back. The guide portion guides the movement of the support portion between the storage position and the projection position, and then continuously guides the movement of the support portion along a vertical direction of the seat back at the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukihiro Matsushita
  • Patent number: 7971907
    Abstract: A vehicle seat belt assembly comprises a vehicle seat configured to contain a seat occupant; a seat belt webbing mountable to the vehicle seat and connected to a latch plate, wherein the latch plate is configured to be releasably connected to a seat belt buckle in order to secure the webbing in a position capable of restraining the occupant; and a buckle strap mountable to a portion of the vehicle seat or vehicle structure and connected to the buckle, wherein the buckle strap includes a plurality of brackets configured to attach to a buckle component. Additionally, a vehicle seat belt assembly could comprise a buckle strap and buckle frame manufactured as a single component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Joe Kranz
  • Patent number: 7967339
    Abstract: A safety belt buckle presenter adapted for use with a translatable buckle includes an active material element operable to undergo a reversible change when exposed to an activation signal, wherein the element is drivenly coupled to the buckle, and configured to cause the buckle to translate between deployed and stowed positions as a result of the change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Patrick B. Usoro, Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Steven G Corrion, Xiujie Gao, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, Lawrence C. Maugh, Mark Kramarczyk
  • Patent number: 7964130
    Abstract: A guide anchor for a seat belt, and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The guide anchor comprises a guide plate having a latching hole and a slide guide hole formed therein, a guide piece engaged with a lower circumference of the slide guide hole, and a first molded part for coupling the guide plate and the guide piece. The guide piece comprises a cover, and a second molded part injected into a lower surface of the cover. The second molded part has a recess formed in a longitudinal direction at a lower surface. The cover has cover eaves extending from a lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Byoung-Gae You
  • Patent number: 7938447
    Abstract: A seat belt apparatus simplifying an operation of mounting tongues to left and right respective buckles is provided. In the seat belt apparatus, a second tongue is held by a second tongue containing portion provided at a first buckle, and a first tongue is held by a first tongue containing portion provided at a second buckle. When mounting a first and second shoulder belt, and a first and second lap belt, when both of the first buckle and the second buckle are pulled to a front side of an occupant and an inserting hole of the first buckle and an inserting piece of the first tongue are opposed to each other, an inserting piece of the second tongue and an inserting hole of the second buckle are opposed to each other. When the inserting piece of the first tongue is inserted to the inserting hole of the first buckle, the inserting piece of the second tongue is inserted to the inserting hole of the second buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Toshihito Miyagawa
  • Publication number: 20110089744
    Abstract: The invention relates to a guiding system for the safety belt securing the passengers of a vehicle to their seat, comprising two lower anchor points and deflection means preferably fixed to the seat for redirecting the webbing from one of the lower anchors towards the rear part of the seat, towards a point arranged above the level of the deflection means, in which the deflection means comprise a groove in which the webbing is inserted, the end sections of the groove being convex curved, with the concavity directed towards the rear part of the backrest of the seat, and the outer edge of the front wall of the groove being formed by a bearing surface with a rounded cross-section on which the webbing is borne and freely slides, all of it such that the exit direction of the webbing through the groove varies according to the deflection height, i.e., according to the position occupied by the webbing along the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: FABRICACION ASIENTOS VEHICULOS INDUSTRIALES, S.A.
    Inventor: Juan SINGLA CASASAYAS
  • Patent number: 7922195
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system includes left and right inflating belts which are formed long in the vertical direction of a seat and in a belt shape enabling an occupant to be restrained; a first slider which is supported on an outer end side in the seat width direction by a support portion of one of the inflating belts in a manner to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the one inflating belt, and which retains an engaging member on an inner end side in the seat width direction; and a second slider which is supported on an outer end side in the seat width direction by a support portion of the other inflating belt in a manner to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of the other inflating belt, and which retains an engageable member on an inner end side in the seat width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuya Nezaki
  • Patent number: 7922205
    Abstract: A seatbelt adaptor, a system, and a method for enabling a user to improve the buckling and unbuckling of a child in a child booster safety seat in a vehicle, for use in conjunction with a conventional seatbelt restraint system, the seatbelt adaptor comprising a central lengthening device, an adaptor latch plate, and an adaptor buckle and wherein the length of the seatbelt adaptor is suited to improve upon the latching of the buckle of the seatbelt that secures a child seated in the child booster safety seat within a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventors: Arnon David, Yair David, Doron David, Yael David
  • Patent number: 7914045
    Abstract: A support assembly is disclosed generally including a buckle component or components and a positioning member of flexible material that is arranged and configured to support the buckle component in a predetermined elevated position or predetermined positions for multiple components while also allowing for resilient shifting thereof. In the preferred form, the flexible material is belt webbing that has a plurality of fold portions folded and sewn together in a specific manner. Sew patterns are disclosed as well as methods and fixtures for forming the belt webbing positioning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Takata Seat Belts, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Messner, Richard Jodts, Steve Marzi, Marco Amaya, Juan Espinosa, Carlos Camarillo, Paul Smith
  • Publication number: 20110062690
    Abstract: An occupant restraining apparatus for a motorcycle which can release an occupant smoothly from a motorcycle body upon falling down. An occupant's seat includes a releasing mechanism which allows release thereof from a seat support member together with an occupant upon falling down of the motorcycle. When the motorcycle falls down, the occupant's seat can be released smoothly from the seat support member. Accordingly, an occupant restraining apparatus for a motorcycle which allows, upon falling down, the occupant to be released smoothly from the seat support member (motorcycle body) can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Tokujiro KIZAKI
  • Patent number: 7905514
    Abstract: A safety restraint system for selectively restraining an occupant of a motorized vehicle is provided. The safety restraint system includes a safety belt webbing that is operatively mounted inside the vehicle passenger compartment, proximate to a seat assembly. An inflatable airbag cushion is engaged with a first end portion of the belt webbing. The cushion is configured to selectively transition from a non-expanded state, in which the cushion is in a stowed condition, to an expanded state, in which the cushion is in an inflated condition. An inflation device, operable to release inflation fluid, is in fluid communication with the cushion. Activation of the inflation device operates to transition the cushion from the non-expanded state to the expanded state. Transitioning of the cushion from the non-expanded state to the expanded state operates to retract a predetermined length of the belt webbing, thereby increasing the tension of the belt webbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Scott D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7904997
    Abstract: Buckles for inflatable personal restraint systems and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, a buckle assembly can include a body and a latching mechanism carried by the body. The latching mechanism is configured to engage a corresponding tongue portion when the tongue is inserted into a front portion of the body. The buckle assembly also includes a cover operably coupled to the body and configured to pivotably move about an axis between a first position in which the latching mechanism engages the tongue and a second position in which the latching mechanism disengages the tongue. The buckle assembly further includes one or more counterweight components carried by the body and positioned such that the buckle assembly has a center of gravity (a) between the front portion of the body and a vertical plane extending through the axis, and (b) below a horizontal plane extending through the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Nick Foubert
  • Publication number: 20110042925
    Abstract: An auxiliary inflatable belt device is provided on a seat and includes an inflatable belt body, an inflating device and a fixing device. The interior of the inflatable belt device is formed with an air chamber and provided with at least one inflating port. The inflating device is communicated with the inflating port of the inflatable belt body. The fixing device is connected to the inflatable belt body. After the inflatable belt body is inflated completely, it forms a cubic body for allowing the body and head of a user to rest thereon and supporting the person who sleeps on the seat. Thus, the sleep quality can be enhanced. The present invention further provides an auxiliary supporting belt device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: PI-FEN LIN
  • Publication number: 20110031727
    Abstract: A baffle system is provided including a first end plate having at least one opening formed therein, and a second end plate having at least one opening formed therein. At least one baffle element extends between the first and second end plates. The at least one baffle element defines a chamber. The at least one first end plate opening and the at least one second end plate opening are blocked so as to prevent fluid flow from the chamber to an exterior of the chamber system through the at least one first end plate opening and through the at least one second end plate opening. In addition, the blockage of the end plate openings is such that fluid flow is enabled into the chamber from the exterior of the chamber through the at least one first end plate opening and through the at least one second end plate opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: David M. McCormick
  • Patent number: 7883106
    Abstract: A seat belt assembly for use in a seat belt system of a motor vehicle to restrain a vehicle occupant. The assembly includes a belt webbing extending from a first end to a second end and includes tubular webbing extending from the first end and configured to open at a tear seam. An airbag is disposed within the tubular webbing and configured to inflate and deploy through the tear seam. A gas generator is fluidly coupled to the airbag and configured to provide an expanding gas to inflate and deploy the airbag in response to a control signal. A first part of the airbag is configured to inflate above the tubular webbing such that the first part of the airbag is disposed between a side or door of the vehicle and the thorax of the vehicle occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Mical
  • Patent number: 7878547
    Abstract: A seatbelt anchor assembly for a motor vehicle seatbelt restraint system. The anchor assembly includes an anchor and a separate ferrule component. The anchor forms an engagement for the seatbelt and has an extending plate end. The ferrule component is adapted to be mounted to the vehicle through various means such as cable or direct mechanical fastener attachment. The ferrule forms a U-shaped cross-section which engages with the anchor and interlocks with it. In one embodiment, a retaining clip is provided enabling the anchor and ferrule components to be assembled without tools. A pair of holes is provided to enable final connection to be provided through a threaded fastener. Features are provided to prevent to make it apparent that the components are improperly assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Dusina, Heidi L. Penrod, Ronald F. Rucins
  • Patent number: 7878546
    Abstract: A belt guide anchor is provided to improve handling operability of a seat belt even when a belt opening angle between a portion of the seat belt adjacent to a retractor and that adjacent to an occupant is increased. A belt guide anchor has a belt insertion hole into which a seat belt is fitted so as to be slidable and expanded portions formed on surfaces of the belt guide anchor facing the interior and exterior, respectively, of the vehicle adjacent to the belt insertion hole. In one form, a thin portion is formed in the expanded portion on the surface facing the interior of the vehicle at a position adjoining a part of the belt insertion hole facing the front side of the vehicle, and a thin part is formed in the expanded portion on the surface facing the exterior of the vehicle at a position adjoining a part of the belt insertion hole facing the rear side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Tabata, Tadashi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7874581
    Abstract: A vehicle-occupant restraint system includes a base attached to a vehicle part, an anchor attached to the base swingably in a front-back direction of a vehicle, an inflator attached to the base or anchor, and a lap belt attached to the anchor at one end thereof and including an inflatable part connected to the inflator. A first cover is attached to the vehicle part and has an upper opening through which the lap belt passes to be connected to the anchor. A second cover covers the upper opening and a part of the lap belt. The second cover has an upper flange and a lower flange to define a space therebetween so that a marginal part of the upper opening is interposed therebetween. The space increases toward a front side of the second cover so that the second cover is swingable in the front-back direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuo Itoga
  • Patent number: 7862081
    Abstract: A safety restraint system for selectively restraining an occupant of a motorized vehicle is provided. The safety restraint system includes a cylinder defining an elongate channel therein. A piston is disposed inside the channel, and selectively translates from an undeployed position to a deployed position. A linking member operatively connects the safety belt webbing to the piston such that translation of the piston increases the tension of the belt webbing. The safety restraint system also includes an inflatable cushion operatively attached to the cylinder, and configured to selectively transition from a non-expanded state to an expanded state. An inflation device operable to release inflation fluid is in fluid communication with both the inflatable cushion and the cylinder. Activation of the inflation device operates to transition the cushion from the non-expanded state to the expanded state, and translate the piston from the undeployed position to the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7862086
    Abstract: In a tongue storage device according to the present invention, a pickup portion (4c) is picked up and an anchor tongue (5) is then rotated, which causes the anchor tongue (5) to abut on an occupant restraint tongue (6). The tongue (6) is then rotated together with the tongue (5) clockwise with a pivot rib (12f) as a pivot. The rotation of the two tongues (5), (6) is stopped when the tongue (6) abuts on a tongue support portion (12h). Under this condition, a lock tab (5a) of the tongue (5) is inserted through a tongue insertion hole (12g) and locked in tongue lock-and-hold means (13), thereby storing the tongue (5). At this time, the other tongue (6) is stored by being clamped between a seat belt (4) and the pivot rib (12f), and between the tongue (5) and the tongue support portion (12h). A single action for storing the tongue (5) allows both tongues (5), (6) to be stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Gomi, Hideki Tomioka, Jae Yoon Jung
  • Patent number: 7857350
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle includes a first seat, a second seat, and a seatbelt mechanism provided at the second seat. A first frame member for supporting the second seat and a first seat slide mechanism for slidably moving the second seat are arranged to be vertically coplanar with the shoulder belt guide member and the belt anchor of the seatbelt mechanism. A first lock member is provided at a second frame member disposed adjacently to the first seat for supporting the second seat. A second lock member is provided at a supporting member for supporting the first seat. The first and second lock members allow a movement of the second frame member in a forward and backward direction of the vehicle and engage with each other for locking the second frame member relative to the vehicle floor when an excess load is received from the seatbelt mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Naoki Goto
  • Patent number: 7850205
    Abstract: Part of a seat belt, anchored at the top of the seat, adopts a conventional sash/belt arrangement (2a, 2c). The other end of the belt, however, passes under the seat base and protrudes up on the opposite side of the seat base to the above anchorage point. This other end carries a buckle to receive a conventional tongue which slides along the belt. Thus, in use, the belt encircles user's thighs (22) and the seat squab. In an accident a pretensioner activates which tightens the belt, somewhat raising and curling seat squab and user's legs (22), so preventing “submarining” (ie sliding of the user out from under the belt). Alternatively an existing lap/sash belt may be augmented by an extra belt passing from the seat top, across the chest, and around one thigh of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Lifebelt Pty Limited
    Inventors: Luigi Luke Pisaniello, Marcel Paul Stephan
  • Patent number: 7850204
    Abstract: A method for controlling a belt hand-over device during a delivery movement for taking up and delivering a seat belt into a presentation position ergonomically favorable for a user includes extending a belt finger taking up the seat belt into an extended position substantially oriented transversely to the moving path of the belt hand-over device, and during a return movement, retracting the belt finger into a retracted position substantially coinciding with the moving path and wherein the belt hand-over device is moved in a rest position. The extending and retraction of the belt finger during the delivery and return movements of the belt hand-over device are triggered at different positions in the moving path of the belt hand-over device between the rest position and the presentation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Bernd Freisleben, Alexander Dittrich
  • Patent number: 7845734
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle seatbelt capable of suppressing the reduction in the power holding of a buckle webbing, a vehicle seatbelt includes a buckle webbing and a buckle mounted at an end of the buckle webbing. The buckle webbing is provided with a webbing loop portion connected to the buckle. The vehicle seatbelt also includes an elastic holding band for holding the buckle webbing inside the seat by stretching the buckle webbing. In the webbing loop portion a band guide member is mounted. The elastic holding band passes through the band guide member and is routed to wrap around the webbing loop portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Gomi, Jung Jae Yoon
  • Patent number: 7832769
    Abstract: A one-piece stamped metal guide (128) for seatbelt webbing (112) in a vehicle (108) includes a mounting portion (242) for mounting the guide in the vehicle. The mounting portion (242) defines a mounting plane (352). A guiding portion (244) includes a guiding surface (256) having at least one guide element (258) stamped in the metal forming the guiding portion. A portion of the guiding surface (256) including the at least one guide element (258) is positioned outside the mounting plane (352). Laterally spaced side portions (246) connect the guiding portion (244) with the mounting portion (242). The mounting portion (242), guiding portion (244), and side portions (246) define a webbing slot (248) for receiving the seatbelt webbing (112) for sliding movement over the guiding surface (256).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Gleason, Jeffery Rosso, Devin Rewalt
  • Patent number: 7823923
    Abstract: A method of establishing belt pullout in an occupant restraint system for vehicles with a safety belt includes the steps: detecting the vehicle acceleration, and establishing the belt pullout in dependence on the detected vehicle acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Dramlitsch
  • Patent number: 7819429
    Abstract: A mounting structure of a seatbelt retractor is provided. In the mounting structure, the seatbelt retractor for winding up a seatbelt is mounted one end of a roof end member on the lateral side of a vehicle, on which a hinge reinforcement for reinforcing a hinge mounting portion for a backdoor is superimposed. The hinge reinforcement and the one end of the roof end member are formed with an opening. The seatbelt retractor is accommodated in the opening. The seatbelt retractor has a pair of mounting portions. The mounting portions of the seatbelt retractor are fastened on both sides of the opening by first fastening members, respectively, such that the seatbelt retractor is fixed to the roof end member and the hinge reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Amano
  • Patent number: 7806439
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat belt system having an active system for avoiding bunching of webbing in a D-ring during a rapid deceleration event. The system includes a controlled locking mechanism engageable with a rotatably mounted D-ring to restrict backward rotation of the D-ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Günter K. Clute
  • Publication number: 20100244423
    Abstract: A vehicle seat belt assembly comprises a vehicle seat configured to contain a seat occupant; a seat belt webbing mountable to the vehicle seat and connected to a latch plate, wherein the latch plate is configured to be releasably connected to a seat belt buckle in order to secure the webbing in a position capable of restraining the occupant; and a buckle strap mountable to a portion of the vehicle seat or vehicle structure and connected to the buckle, wherein the buckle strap includes a plurality of brackets configured to attach to a buckle component. Additionally, a vehicle seat belt assembly could comprise a buckle strap and buckle frame manufactured as a single component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher Joe Kranz
  • Patent number: 7798527
    Abstract: A portable seatbelt device for attachment to a seat to restrain a person to the seat includes a carrying case and a lap belt having a portion attached to the carrying case. The lap belt is operable to wrap around the person in the vicinity of the person's waist to thereby restrain the person to the device. An exit belt is included having a first portion, a length of which is attached to the carrying case, and a second portion extending from the carrying case with a buckle connector attached thereto. At least one retractable mechanism is attached to the first portion of the exit belt and contains at least one retractable belt. The retractable belt is operable to extend out from the retractable mechanism and around a portion of the seat and connect with the connector attached to the second portion of the exit belt to thereby wrap around the person in the vicinity of the person's shoulders to restrain the person to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignees: Sara's Wish Foundation, University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Clint Walton, Ronald Leung, Sundar Krishnamurty, Anne M. Schewe, Joshua Doolittle
  • Publication number: 20100213696
    Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] The present invention has been achieved to provide a seatbelt holding structure that can increase the openness of a seating space by holding the entire seatbelt, and that can prevent tampering of an attachment by an infant or loss of the attachment. [Means for Solving Problem] The seatbelt holding structure comprises a seat body 10 on which a seater is seated, a seatbelt 20 that restrains the seater seated on the seat body 10, and a belt cover 40 as a belt holding unit that holds the seatbelt 20 in a direction in which a seating space of the seat body 10 is open. According to the invention, the seating space S in front of the seat body 10 can be maintained open without interposition of the seatbelts 20, and it is possible to prevent the non-fastened seatbelts 20 from being obstacle against seating action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Combi Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Kawata, Shushi Hosoya
  • Publication number: 20100207373
    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: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Arno Kardel, Knut Janzen
  • Patent number: 7775558
    Abstract: A webbing holding device is proposed, which prevents or controls abrupt reduction in take-up speed when taking-up of webbing is completed. In the webbing holding device, when the webbing is released from being fitted over an occupant, the webbing is wound to a retractor by biasing force. Here, immediately before taking-up of the webbing is completed, a guide strap is stretched by movement of a leading end portion of the webbing toward the back side of a vehicle, and thus the guide strap applies biasing force to the leading end portion of the webbing, so that the take-up speed of the webbing is reduced. Therefore, when winding of the webbing is finished, take-up speed of the webbing being abruptly reduced may be prevented or controlled, and therefore extraction of the webbing from the retractor being locked by a lock mechanism of the retractor may be prevented or controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yoshida, Hiroshi Ogura, Shoji Tomita, Naoki Naito
  • Patent number: 7775557
    Abstract: A personal restraint system for a seat in a motor vehicle including a three-point belt system and a two-point belt system. The three-point belt system including a first belt retractor, and a first belt web having a first belt latch plate, and a first belt buckle. The two-point belt system including a second belt retractor, and a second belt web having a second belt latch plate, and a second belt buckle. The second belt retractor including a blocking device which engages a spool of the second belt retractor when both belt webs are wound up on their respective retractors to prevent engagement of the two-point belt system if the three-point belt system is not engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Ola Boström, Yngve Haland, Leif Ennerdahl, Thomas Blomberg
  • Publication number: 20100176581
    Abstract: A safety belt buckle presenter adapted for use with a translatable buckle includes an active material element operable to undergo a reversible change when exposed to an activation signal, wherein the element is drivenly coupled to the buckle, and configured to cause the buckle to translate between deployed and stowed positions as a result of the change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick B. Usoro, Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Steven G. Corrion, Xiujie Gao, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, Lawrence C. Maugh, Mark Kramarczyk