Safety Belt Or Harness (e.g., Lap Belt Or Shoulder Harness) Patents (Class 280/801.1)
  • Patent number: 7753158
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor, which is capable of winding and unwinding a seat belt for occupant restraint by mechanism of an electric motor, removes slack of the seat belt and controls the restraining feeling on a vehicle occupant to be as little as possible. A seat belt retractor of a seat belt apparatus to be installed in a vehicle is adapted to control a motor to perform an action of increasing seat belt tension to wind up a seat belt which is excessively unwound from the spool when a vehicle occupant wears the seat belt and to be driven according to such a setting that, at the initial stage of the action of increasing the seat belt tension, the tension increasing rate until the seat belt tension reaches a target tension is lower than a predetermined rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Takao, Koji Tanaka, Koji Inuzuka
  • Publication number: 20100156133
    Abstract: A carrier assembly of a seat assembly for use in a motor vehicle allows for the efficient installation of the carrier assembly and several seat assembly accessories. The seat assembly has a seat back, a locking frame and a seat cushion. The carrier assembly includes an elongated base member extending along a longitudinal axis. A pair of outer hinge brackets are attached to the ends of the elongated base member. The seat back is pivotally mounted to the outer hinge brackets about a pivot axis that is spaced apart and parallel to said longitudinal axis of the elongated base member. A pair of floor brackets attached to the ends of the elongated base member secures the elongated base member to the floor of the motor vehicle. The carrier assembly is independent of the locking frame and the seat cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: VIKAS BHATIA, Gregory Todd Donovan, John Fredrik Runske
  • Patent number: 7735920
    Abstract: A child seat and a method for monitoring installation of the child seat are provided. The child seat includes a child seat frame configured to receive a child occupant. The child seat frame is configured to receive a seat belt webbing for securing the child seat frame to a vehicle seat. The child seat further includes a first bladder configured to contact the seat belt webbing. The first bladder has a fluid therein. The child seat further includes a first pressure sensor fluidly communicating with the fluid in the first bladder. The first pressure sensor is configured to output a first signal indicative of an amount of pressure in the first bladder. The child seat further includes a controller coupled to the child seat frame configured to receive the first signal and to compute a first tension value based on the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee R. Hinze, Hugh R. Hunkeler
  • Patent number: 7731236
    Abstract: A rotating joint is provided having a washer with a through-hole, a base, and a shoulder; a rotatable member having a primary hole circumscribing the center hole and sandwiched between the shoulder and base; and a fastener having a shaft that is insertable into the through-hole and connected with a mating threaded receptacle for applying a clamping force on the washer for preventing axial movement of the member while allowing the member to rotate. The shoulder is rolled, and the fastener is non-shouldered and does not use a load distribution washer. The rotatable member includes an opening for connecting a seat belt when the joint is used as a seat belt anchor. The shoulder has a lip overhanging the base, and the rotatable member is positioned therebetween. A method is also provided wherein the joint is captured by the washer separately from the application of the clamping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Richter, George J. Strnad
  • Patent number: 7731296
    Abstract: A buckle holding structure for holding a buckle unit on a seat cushion, the buckle unit having: a belt of which one end is fixed to a vehicle body; and a buckle fixed to the other end of the belt, the buckle holding structure including: a band that has elasticity, has a predetermined width, and is folded in a U shape to form a folded portion, wherein both ends of the band are fixed to a rear end of the seat cushion so as to be disposed on the same plane in a width direction of the band; the belt of the buckle unit is inserted into a gap formed between both ends of the band, which is fixed to the rear end of the seat cushion, and the folded portion; and the buckle is caught by the folded portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Tsuda, Takahiro Ito
  • Patent number: 7726693
    Abstract: When the worn state of the webbing is lifted, current of a current value I0 corresponding to the appropriate storing speed of the webbing is supplied to the motor, whereby a take-up shaft rotates and the webbing is taken up. At a point in time when the webbing has been taken up to the extent that the webbing does not hinder the exiting of a vehicle by a passenger, the size of the supply current to the motor is reduced from the initial current value I1 to a current value I1. A reference current value IL of a stall current for determining whether to stop the motor when a foreign object or the like has become entangled between the webbing and an in-vehicle part can also be set to be small in correspondence to the reduced current value I1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Teruhiko Koide
  • Publication number: 20100127488
    Abstract: An improved seatbelt clip is defined by a retractable tether anchored at the buckle intersection of a seatbelt. The retractable tether is connected at its end to a clipping device that accommodates a folded section of seatbelt. A user folds the shoulder strap of a seatbelt in half longitudinally and inserts the folded strap into the clip which holds it in a position to fit between the breasts of a user. In the event of an accident, the tether causes the clip to dislodge and pulls the clip down and away from the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: Suzanne Benoit
  • Patent number: 7722105
    Abstract: An article includes a cover member, which can reversibly slide between an open orientation and a closed orientation. The article includes at least one track member disposed on one or opposing sides of the cover member. The article includes at least one support structure adapted to be received by the at least one track member in a sliding relation. The article includes at least one vertical support structure disposed in a fixed position relative to the cover member and adapted to mate with a bottom surface of the cover member in a vertically supporting relation. The article includes at least one mechanical stop limiting the range of motion of the cover member in an opening direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Alex Shellhammer
  • Patent number: 7722081
    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 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Conax Florida Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Van Druff, John Churilla, Eric Kawabata
  • Patent number: 7717216
    Abstract: This patent discloses a system to release a seatbelt in a vehicle automatically. The system may include a seatbelt sensor, mishap sensors, a controller, and a guillotine unit. The controller may communicate signals with the seatbelt sensor and mishap sensors and the guillotine unit may receive signals from the controller. The guillotine unit may include a webbing guide, a gas chamber having a supply of pressurized gas, and a gas supply line connected between the webbing guide and the gas chamber. The webbing guide may include spring biased piston and a blade attached to the piston at a positioned above a seatbelt webbing of the seatbelt. On receiving a cut signal from the controller, pressurized gas from the gas chamber may be released to cause the piston to move the blade through the seatbelt webbing to slice through seatbelt webbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Roelof Van Rooyen
  • Patent number: 7716795
    Abstract: An anti-rattle tongue plate assembly for a seat belt and the method of making the same are provided with a cover member of a hard material that is a distinct component and has soft material on the cover member to reduce noise. The cover member may be a cinch member slidably mounted on the tongue plate. The soft material may be mechanically joined and bonded to the hard material of the cinch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Versellie, Mark L. Wilsey
  • Publication number: 20100115737
    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: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Nick Foubert
  • Patent number: 7712785
    Abstract: A webbing guide mechanism includes an upper webbing guide (58) and a lower webbing guide (60) that are disposed on the side portion of a seat back (30) of a front seat (24) that is a tumbling seat. A webbing (50) is wound in a looped manner on these guides (58, 60). The webbing (50) is pulled forward and a loading/unloading space (78) is easily enlarged by sequentially changing the seat back (30) from a standard state to an inclined state and then to a tumbled state. According to the invention, a webbing guide mechanism is provided which can easily secure, without troubling a passenger, loading/unloading space behind the front seat (24) when the passenger climbs into or out of the space or when the passenger loads items into or unloads items from the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Ajisaka
  • Patent number: 7708314
    Abstract: The invention relates to an emergency cutting device (1) for vehicle safety belts, characterised in that it comprises locking means (6,7), acting on a safety belt (3) so as to put the same under tension; means (8) for cutting said safety belt (3); and operation means (12, 13), operatively connected with said locking means (6, 7) and with said cutting means (8); said operation means (9, 10) activating in succession said locking means (6, 7) and said cutting means (8), so as to cut said safety belt (3), and then deactivating said locking means (6, 7) thus freeing said safety belt (3) and then the user of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Gianluca Chiappa
  • Patent number: 7703806
    Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system has seat belt webbing that is attached to a tongue adapted to be located in a buckle mechanism fixed to a load-bearing part of the vehicle. A generally vertically extending strap is adapted to be located in a position against a seat back. An adjustable webbing guide connects the generally vertically extending strap to the seat belt webbing; and there is a device for positively locking the webbing guide to the generally vertically extending strap at any one of a plurality of selectable locations on the generally vertically extending strap. A load limiter is operative for a child seat occupant but not operative for an adult seat occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Bell, Martyn Palliser, Ian Hannah
  • Publication number: 20100095787
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining seat belt tension in a seat belt system. The apparatus includes webbing and a motor coupled to the webbing for retracting the webbing and generating a seat belt tension. When the seat belt apparatus is deployed to restrain an occupant, the tension on the seatbelt is monitored by applying a voltage to the motor to retract the webbing, measuring an electrical current during the application of the voltage, determining a maximum value of the electrical current and determining the seat belt tension based upon the maximum value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Morgan D. Murphy, Kevin J. Hawes
  • Patent number: 7699348
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for enabling a safe and secure environment for a pet traveling in a vehicle during a collision or sudden breaking of the vehicle by using a seat belt system to flexibly restrain the pet with a safety restrainer or a detachable safety belt. In one embodiment, a safety restrainer may secure a pet in a vehicle having a seat belt with a first seat belt prong that latches into a first seat belt buckle. The safety restrainer may comprise a restraint assembly including a restraint strap removably couplable to a body portion of the pet. The restraint assembly may be positionable about the body of the pet and the restrain strap positionable between a pair of fore legs and a pair of hind legs of the pet. The restraint strap may include a first strap end and a second strap end being releasably couplable to each other such that the restraint strap forms a loop having a hole when the first and second strap ends are releasably coupled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Sanjeev Kumar Singh
  • Patent number: 7698038
    Abstract: Vehicle seat belt apparatus includes: a belt reel; a motor for driving the belt reel to take up a belt; a rotation detection section for detecting rotation of the belt reel; and a failure determination section for determining, on the basis of a detection signal output from the rotation detection section, whether or not the rotation detection section is currently in a failed state. The rotation detection section includes Hall ICs for generating first and second pulse signals that have characteristics such that temporal relationship between the first and second pulse signals is reversed in accordance with the rotating direction of the belt reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shotaro Odate
  • Patent number: 7695019
    Abstract: A textile belt strap, especially for use in personnel safety devices in land vehicles, aircraft and watercraft. At least one seam is provided on the belt strap for representation of loading of the belt strap that occurs. The seam extends in a longitudinal direction of the belt strap over a portion thereof, and is comprised of an upper thread disposed on one side of the belt strap and a lower thread disposed on the other side of the belt strap. Respective transverse seams are fixedly connected with the belt strap for delimiting opposite ends of the seam. An interlocking of the upper thread and the louver thread is provided externally of the belt strap such that either the upper thread or the lower thread has a linear length or extension between the transverse seams that delimit the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG
    Inventor: Holger Hansen
  • Publication number: 20100084845
    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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventor: Luigi Luke Pisaniello
  • Patent number: 7686338
    Abstract: A seat-belt presenter for a motor vehicle includes a seat-belt capture unit for supplying a seatbelt, a guide device for supplying and retracting the seat-belt capture unit, a pivoting element and a pivoting unit which, together with the pivoting element, form the seat-belt capture unit. The pivoting unit contains a locking device which during the supply operation, locks the pivoting element in its expanded position in such a manner that it does not pivot inward under the dynamic effect of the seatbelt, permits the pivoting element to pivot inward with manual application of force while it is still locked, and automatically unlocks during retraction of the guide device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Claus Dallwig, Bern Freisleben
  • Publication number: 20100071483
    Abstract: A seat belt assembly includes a webbing, a resistive film attached to the webbing, and a connector. The connector further includes a first contact connected to first contact point on the resistive film and a second contact connected to a second contact point on the resistive film. The electrical resistance of the film between the first contact point and the second contact point is proportional to tension applied axially to the webbing. The first contact and the second contact are electrically connected to an electrical resistance measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Mark A. Koors, James F. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20100072736
    Abstract: An ignition element mounting capacitor having an ignition element mounted on a capacitor, includes therein a first capacitor section and a second capacitor section, and first external terminal electrodes electrically connected to the first capacitor section and second external terminal electrodes electrically connected to the second capacitor section. The first capacitor section has a capacity for igniting ignition powder, and the second capacitor section has a function for removing noise which affects external circuits. Further, provided on the surface of the capacitor are third external terminal electrodes electrically connected to the ignition element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicants: NIPPONKAYAKU KABUSHIKIKAISHA, MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., RYODEN TRADING COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Shigeru Maeda, Atsushi Ishida, Katsuki Nakanishi, Yoshihiro Koshido, Hajime Yamada, Naoko Aizawa, Yasuaki Matsumura, Toshiaki Furuya
  • Publication number: 20100066116
    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: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: CHARD SAFETY B.V.
    Inventor: Michel Coenen
  • Publication number: 20100025976
    Abstract: This invention relates to the field of load restraint systems, particularly occupant restraint systems that provide improved restraint by adopting more closely the contour of the occupant and particularly actively controlled restraint systems which respond to the external environment and hazardous situations. There is provided an articulated restraint which more closely adopts the profile of an occupant to provide a better and closer fitting restraint. Improving the fit of the restraint to the occupant provides better survivability in impact scenarios. The articulated restraint is formed from a series of elements which are joined by a connecting cord. When tension is applied to the cord the elements compress together and adopt the form of the occupant, further tension forces the elements to form a substantially rigid conformation which retains the occupant in a seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Philip G. Murtha, Leslie P. Neil
  • Patent number: 7654618
    Abstract: A webbing tack in a seat belt prevents overspooling in the seat belt webbing. The webbing tack is configured to be temporarily tacked. The webbing tack includes an elongated filament and first and second bars; each bar is attached to opposite ends of the filament. The filament extends through first and second layers of the webbing, the first bar is positioned adjacent the first layer and the second bar is positioned adjacent the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander P. Kotikovsky
  • Patent number: 7654572
    Abstract: An automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus for an automotive vehicle has a seatbelt and operates to restrain an occupant of the automotive vehicle by the seatbelt to protect the occupant. An electric retractor has a DC motor for retracting and protracting the seatbelt. An MPU applies voltage having a predetermined waveform to the DC motor, and then detects a waveform of current flowing to the DC motor. The MPU carries out fault diagnosis of the DC motor, based upon the detected waveform of current when the voltage having the predetermined waveform is applied to the DC motor. Thus, accurate fault diagnosis of the apparatus can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: NSK Autoliv Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukinori Midorikawa
  • Publication number: 20100019481
    Abstract: A guide loop assembly for a seat belt has a core body with spaced front and rear flanges and an arcuate bearing surface for the seat belt extending therebetween. An arcuate shell cover is provided and has a concave configuration relative to the arcuate bearing surface. The shell cover extends between the front and rear flanges thereof. The shell cover includes a bushing portion integrally connected by a flexible hinge to the concave core configuration portion. The integral hinge is connected to an impact cover as by threading a flexible portion of the hinge through a hinge portion such as a split pin on the impact cover. In a method assembly, the impact cover and shell cover are hinged together and mounted on the core. After the fastener is inserted through the assembly, the impact cover is pivoted about the hinge to cover a fastener for the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Gray
  • Patent number: 7651134
    Abstract: An apparatus (12) includes a primary housing (20) constructed from sheet metal by stamping, a primary inflation fluid source (100), a secondary housing (70) constructed from sheet metal by stamping, and a secondary inflation fluid source (200). The primary inflation fluid source (100) is located in the primary housing (20) and is actuatable to effect a primary flow of inflation fluid out of the primary housing to inflate the inflatable device (14). The secondary housing (70) is disposed within the primary housing (20). The secondary inflation fluid source (200) is located in the secondary housing (70) and is actuatable to affect a secondary flow of inflation fluid to supplement the primary flow of inflation fluid. The secondary housing (70) has a first portion (77) that moves at least partially out of engagement with a second portion (74) of the secondary housing (70) when the secondary inflation fluid source is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery Rosso
  • Patent number: 7648171
    Abstract: A seat belt buckle system includes a seat belt with a latch plate, and a seat belt buckle assembly. The seat belt buckle assembly includes a buckle head for receiving the latch plate, a scabbard covering a portion of the buckle head, and a buckle stalk connecting the buckle head to a vehicle body portion. The scabbard includes at least one tear seam located at an intersection of the first wall and the third wall. The scabbard is configured such that a separation force of the tear seam is less than a buckling load of the scabbard, such that when the buckle is impacted and undergoes a shock load during buckle pretensioning, the tear seam will separate and allow the buckle head to slide down the ramped surface preventing a shock load from a hard contact point that would cause the latch plate to delatch from the buckle head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon S. Marriott, David E. Sanders
  • Patent number: 7644952
    Abstract: A seat belt is secured to an anchor at one side of a seated person and extends across the seated person's body to a second anchor at an opposite side of the seated person to which the belt is also secured. A belt retention device is operable, when actuated in response to a sudden, rapid deceleration of the vehicle, to grip the belt between the anchors at a point of engagement adjacent to the one side of the seated person to cooperate with the second anchor in taking up any slack in a section of the belt between the point of engagement and the second anchor and also maintaining such section of the belt tightly engaged across the person's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group. LLC
    Inventors: Kimberlee D. Holtz, Thomas E. Drobot
  • Publication number: 20090309345
    Abstract: A kit for a device for restraining a vehicle occupant includes a prefabricated seat belt retractor (1) that has a winding shaft (2) mounted in a rotatable manner in a retractor frame (4) to wind up and unwind the seat belt. The kit further includes a similarly prefabricated drive module (30) having an electric motor (32), the drive module being connectable to the retractor frame (4) in a rotationally fixed manner. Force-transmission elements are provided on the drive module (30) and on the seat belt retractor (1) that are to be connected to each other to transmit the torque from the electric motor (32) to the winding shaft (2) when the seat belt retractor (1) and drive module (30) are assembled. An assembled device for restraining a vehicle occupant and having the components of the kit is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Martin Specht
  • Publication number: 20090309344
    Abstract: A safety restraint system to restrain a wheelchair-seated person in a vehicle includes a belt including a pelvic restraining portion connectable between a first side and an second side. The system also includes a structural system to maintain the pelvic restraining portion at a sufficient height when the pelvic restraining portion is connected between the first side and the second side of the vehicle to allow the wheelchair-seated person to move the wheelchair forward to be restrained by the pelvic restraining portion. The structural system can, for example, maintain the pelvic restraining portion above the each of knees of the wheelchair-seated person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Linda van Roosmalen, Ilona de Jongh, Patrick Girardin
  • Publication number: 20090302593
    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: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Hermann Grau, Wolfgang Holbein, Karsten Kortschack, Wolfgang Spindler, Alexander Seibold, Jonas Mueller
  • Publication number: 20090295138
    Abstract: A cover to envelop a plastic part of a seat belt tongue of a seat belt. The cover uses an elastically deformable body to allow it to be easily fitted and removed from the tongue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Graham Edward Cox, Ronald Sydney Cox
  • Patent number: 7625010
    Abstract: A seat belt device allows easy connection of a lap anchor fixed to one end of a seat belt relative to a vehicle body or the like even when a seat weight sensor is installed below a vehicle seat. The seat weight sensor and the vehicle seat are fixed to a vehicle body floor. A hitch member is attached to the seat weight sensor via a mounting bracket by a bolt. A lap anchor is locked to a hitch member by an engaging hook of the lap anchor. The hitch member is directly attached to a mounting bracket of the seat weight sensor. The mounting bracket is positioned between a seat rail and the seat weight sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Fujii, Shigeru Kohama
  • Publication number: 20090273172
    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: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Brandon Scott Marriott
  • Patent number: 7607697
    Abstract: A load control device comprises a frame defining a first anchor slot configured to receive a first restraint member, and a second anchor slot configured to receive a second restraint member. At least a portion of the frame yields under a load between the first and second anchor slots that is in excess of a predetermined load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Esler, Michael A. Wiseman, James R. Anthony, David D. Merrick, Guy R. Dingman
  • Patent number: 7607508
    Abstract: A safety restraint system (10) for a vehicle (12) includes a seat belt buckle (60) and a retractor (53) mounted approximately at or below a pelvic level of a vehicle occupant (98). A seat belt (52) extends over a side pelvic portion (97) of vehicle occupant (98) and directly prevents outward lateral displacement of the side pelvic portion (97) during a side collision event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David Zhao, Leonard A. Shaner, James C. Cheng
  • Publication number: 20090261565
    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: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Arnon David, Yair David, Doron David, Yael David
  • Patent number: 7600786
    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: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Korea Corporation
    Inventor: Byoung-Gae You
  • Publication number: 20090250946
    Abstract: Latch assemblies for releasably engaging anchor members and other attachment points in vehicles are disclosed herein. A multi-pivot latch assembly configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a latch and an ejector movably coupled to a frame. In some embodiments, a biasing member holds the latch in a first or open position prior to attachment to an anchor member. When the anchor member presses against the ejector, the latch pivots from the first or open position to a second position about a first pivot point, and then from the second position to a third or fully closed position about a second pivot point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Buckingham, Mark E. Main
  • Patent number: 7597358
    Abstract: Provided is a belt bushing for safety belt, combined to a through-hole of a belt combiner and winding the safety belt. The belt bushing gets in contact and combined to all four-side inner circumference surfaces of the through-hole of the belt combiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Hankook Capability Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung Kook Kim
  • Publication number: 20090243273
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt tensioning drive which has an electric motor, a gear shaft and an output wheel. The electric motor drives the gear shaft via a first gear which is a worm gear. The gear shaft, for its part, uses a second gear to drive the output wheel which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the winding shaft of the seatbelt. This second gear is also a worm gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: Gerald Viernekes
  • Patent number: 7591512
    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: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Korea Corporation
    Inventor: Byoung-Gae You
  • Patent number: 7584998
    Abstract: An anchorage mechanism is provided for structurally coupling at least two components in series to withstand tensile loads. The anchorage mechanism includes a lower anchor and an upper anchor. The lower anchor has a first end that includes a substantially flat surface having flange portions, and an opposing second end configured for connecting the lower anchor to one of the at least two components. The upper anchor has a first end defining a receiving portion and a second end defining a first opening configured to secure the upper anchor to a second of the at least two components. The receiving portion is configured in a first manner to receive the flange portions of the lower anchor, and configured in a second manner to interlock the upper anchor with the lower anchor to withstand tensile loads. A method of installing a seat belt assembly with the disclosed anchorage mechanism is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Richter, George J. Strnad
  • Patent number: 7584997
    Abstract: A seatbelt lock includes a preventive tensioning device which moves a seatbelt lock from an operating position into a lowered safety position with respect to the operating position, an energy accumulator, and a drive unit. The seatbelt lock is maintained preloaded in an operating position by means of the energy accumulator, and the drive unit transfers the seatbelt lock from the safety position back into the operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Roland Bachmann, Karl-Heinz Baumann, Michael Fehring, Rainer Justen, Nadja Nilgen, Rodolfo Schoeneburg
  • Patent number: 7581758
    Abstract: A guide loop for a seat belt in motor vehicles, comprising a one-piece metal body a cladding part and a displacement body. The metal body includes a fixing eye and a belt guidance slit and a rounded running surface. The a cladding part is made of plastic and held onto the metal body, and the displacement body limits the slit height of the belt guidance slit, through which webbing of the seat belt runs. The cladding part is formed as a one piece body with edge areas that at least partially enclose the metal body is firmly secured to the metal body by means of tension applied by the edge areas onto the metal body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Michael Dürrer, Hans-Jörg Cord
  • Patent number: 7578525
    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: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Korea Corporation
    Inventor: Byoung-Gae You
  • Patent number: 7576642
    Abstract: A safety belt has an inner face turned toward the body of a user and an outer face turned away from the user. A plurality of sensor are mounted on the outer face, and the inner face is devoid of sensors. A selector connected to the sensors determines which sensor is best positioned for signal quality and for using the signal therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Paragon AG
    Inventor: Klaus Rodemer