Abstract: A seat belt system for adults and children has a strap (55) that extends vertically along the front surface of a seat back or a structural pillar at the side of a vehicle. Seat belt webbing (19) is configured to provide a three-point seat belt system. The seat belt webbing passes through a stationary seat belt webbing guide (50) located higher than the shoulder of an adult seat occupant and attached to the same component of the vehicle as the vertically extending strap (55). A movable seat belt webbing guide (65) is movable along the strap (55). The stationary seat belt webbing guide (50) has a stationary seat belt webbing passageway (53) through which the seat belt webbing (19) passes and the movable seat belt webbing guide (65) has a seat belt webbing passageway (67) through which the seat belt webbing (19) passes.

Abstract: The disclosed air belt can protect a vehicle occupant in the event of an emergency. The disclosed air belt may include a folded back body formed by folding back a bag-shaped belt into a belt like shape and an extendable cover covering the folded back body. An inner surface of the cover can be bonded to an outer surface of the folded back body with a bonding agent. The bonding agent can be bonded in a scattered point-like manner.

Abstract: An occupant restraining apparatus includes a seat belt with an inflatable portion that can be placed at a high position on a lateral side of an occupant's head without using a large-capacity inflator. A push-up device with first and second levers for pushing up a shoulder belt section is provided on an upper side of a seatback. When the shoulder belt section is inflated, upper arm portions arranged on an upper side of the shoulder belt section are pressed upward, and the respective levers rotate upward about pivotably supporting portions. At this time, lower arm portions of the respective levers arranged on a lower side of the shoulder belt section rise and rotate, and a hanging member is tensed between the lower arm portions. Consequently, the inflated shoulder belt section is pushed upward, and is placed at a high position on the lateral side of the occupant's head.

Abstract: Buckle assemblies and associated connectors for use with child seats and other personal restraint systems are disclosed herein. A restraint system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes shoulder/lap webs which are slideably received in corresponding web connectors. Each of the web connectors includes a tongue portion that is configured to releasably interlock with the other tongue portion before the interlocking tongue portions are simultaneously inserted into the buckle assembly as a unit. The buckle assembly is configured to receive and engage the interlocking tongue portions only when the tongue portions have been properly mated together prior to insertion into the buckle assembly.

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.

Abstract: A child safety seat arrangement is disclosed wherein the child is secured to the safety seat by a harness. The harness is then secured with respect to the vehicle by a mounting arrangement that is independent of any seat shell. Preferably, there is also a seat shell that is itself secured with respect to the vehicle. Also disclosed is a child safety seat arrangement having a seat shell with apertures through which a harness can be passed. The harness preferably includes a main harness strap which is looped behind the seat shell, through a pair of apertures therein, to provide two shoulder straps to extend over a child's shoulders. The disclosure includes multiple pairs of apertures to allow for adjustment of the height of the shoulder straps.

Abstract: In controlling a seatbelt retracting device having a mechanism for retracting a seatbelt with a motor, a current flowing to the motor is detected, and a rate of increase in the current is calculated. The motor is stopped when the rate of increase in the electricity exceeds a predetermined rate and when the electricity exceeds a predetermined value, respectively.

Abstract: A seat belt anchor device and method are provided for anchoring a seat belt to a stud. The device includes a plate member having a keyhole opening into which the stud is fit with the plate member pulled upwardly to bring the stud to the installed position relative to the plate member. A spring retainer member keeps the stud and plate member in their installed position. A stop is provided to limit pivoting of the spring retainer member relative to the plate member. In some forms, the spring retainer includes resilient clamping portions for clamping engagement with the stud head therebetween in the installed portion.

Abstract: A seatbelt adaptor and a method to be used to improve of the setup of a child safety seat in a vehicle, the seatbelt adaptor comprising a central lengthening device and two connectors disposed at both ends of the central lengthening device. The connectors are suited for the buckles of the vehicle's seatbelts, 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 a safety seat within a vehicle. The geometric shape of the safety seat conforms to the geometric shape of the seatbelt adaptor.

Abstract: A temporary hold mechanism for a seat belt sub-assembly is disclosed. The seat belt buckle sub-assembly includes a mounting bracket, at least one seat belt buckle receptacle that is selectively movable between a pre-installed position and an installed position, a biasing element that biases the seat belt buckle sub-assembly into the installed position, and a selectively removable retaining element that selectively maintains the seat belt buckle sub-assembly in the pre-installed position. A method for temporarily holding the seat belt buckle sub-assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle rotation angle restriction mechanism includes a shaft portion fixed to one of the seat support member and the buckle support member, a bearing portion provided at the other one of the seat support member and the buckle support member, the bearing portion accommodating the shaft portion in such a manner that the shaft portion is rotatable, at least two rotational side surfaces provided at one of outer contact surfaces of the shaft portion and inner contact surfaces of the bearing portion, the two rotational side surfaces being symmetric about a rotational center of the buckle support member, and at least two block side surfaces provided at the other one of the outer contact surfaces and the inner contact surfaces, the two block side surfaces being symmetric about the rotational center, each block side surface forming a predetermined angle with each rotational side surface.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a safe-driving promotion system for obliging a driver to wear a seat belt and effectively preventing drunk driving and/or drug driving. The safe-driving promotion system includes attachment sensing means 100 for sensing that a male part 11 of the seat belt of an automobile 1 has been attached to a female part 12, and for outputting a first start permission signal ?; start controlling means 200 for receiving the first start permission signal ? and putting a motor 20 of the automobile 1 into a startable state; breath component concentration determining means 300 for detecting alcohol contained in the breath of the driver of the automobile 1 and performing concentration determination of the alcohol; and attachment preventing means 400 for preventing the attachment between the male part 11 and the female part 12 of the seat belt.

Abstract: A vehicle seat arrangement provides location and fixing points on the vehicle seat that will take crash loads and can be used to position a webbing path adapter to serve as a guide for placing a standard seat belt in a suitable position for when a child is occupying the seat. A vehicle seat arrangement includes a seat backrest having an upholstered part overlying a load-bearing plate. A first plurality of holes pass through the upholstered part and a second, aligned, plurality of holes pass through the load-bearing plate. A webbing path adapter has a passageway for receiving seat belt webbing. A pin connects the webbing path adapter in a removable manner to any one of a plurality of holes on the load-bearing plate through the corresponding holes in the upholstered part of the seat backrest.

Abstract: A pretensioner for restraining an occupant with a seat belt by withdrawing a seat belt buckle upon occurrence of an impact on a vehicle. The pretensioner includes a wire. One end portion of the wire is connected to the seat belt buckle and the other end portion of the wire is connected to a piston. The pretensioner further includes a cylinder slidably accommodating the piston and a gas generator supplying gas into the cylinder. The pretentioner further includes a guiding member, having a bent passage portion, that bends the wire toward the direction of the cylinder. On an inner wall surface of the bent passage portion of the guiding member, convex portions are formed in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the wire. The convex portions prevent the wire from being pushed in along the direction of the cylinder.

Abstract: A buckle pretensioner system includes a substantially L-shaped rail for guiding a buckle body of a buckle from a position where the buckle body engages with a tongue plate to a position corresponding to a lumbar region of a vehicle occupant. When a vehicle disposed with the buckle pretensioner system undergoes a sudden deceleration, a piston inside a cylinder is moved in a frontward direction of the vehicle by gas generated by the actuation of a gas generator, a buckle stay is pulled by a wire coupled to the piston, and the buckle stay is moved along the shape of the rail. As a result, the buckle body supported by the buckle stay pivots from the position where the buckle body engages with the tongue plate to a vehicle occupant restraining position of a webbing belt, and then is pulled to the lumbar region-corresponding position.

Abstract: A seatbelt assembly is provided with buckle device having a holder located therein to segregate overlapping sections of the structural wire and/or signal cables.

Abstract: A seat-belt presenter for a motor vehicle is provided. Said seat-belt presenter comprises a seat-belt capture unit for supplying a seatbelt, a guide means for supplying and retracting the seat-belt capture unit, a pivoting element and a pivoting unit which, together with the pivoting element, forms 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 by means of manual application of force while it is still locked, and automatically unlocks during retraction of the guide means.

Abstract: A seat belt facilitator for use with a passenger restraint system having a belt webbing, a latch plate coupled to the belt webbing, and a buckle assembly adapted to be releasably coupled to the latch plate. The facilitator includes a latch plate receiving region adapted to releasably couple the facilitator to the latch plate. The facilitator further includes a web coupling region adjacent the latch plate receiving region and adapted to slidably couple the facilitator to the belt webbing. Additionally, the facilitator includes a handle region separated from the receiving region at least by the web coupling region. The facilitator is adapted to enable a user to couple the latch plate to the buckle assembly from a position remote from the buckle assembly.

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.

Abstract: A system for providing an indication indicative of whether or not a seat belt of a vehicle occupant is fastened includes a seat belt system including a seat belt and a visible marking provided on the seat belt, the marking being visible from outside the vehicle when the seat belt is fastened. Alternatively, the system includes a seat restraint system including a seat restraint system for a passenger including a seat restraint having a locked position for restraining the passenger in a seat, a sensor for sensing whether or not the seat restraint system is in the locked position, and an indicator responsive to the sensor, the indicator being accessible from outside the vehicle or at a location remote from the passenger, for displaying an indication indicative of whether or not the seat restraint system is in the locked position.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor mounting system for a vehicle seat includes a bracket having a first sidewall and a second sidewall. A generally planar plate is located generally parallel to and spaced apart from the first sidewall of the bracket. The plate is coupled to the second sidewall. In addition, at least one of the bracket and plate are secured to, and cooperate with, a seat cushion frame of the seat to surround and protect an emergency locking retractor mounted to the first sidewall. A method employs the system.

Abstract: A shoulder adjuster apparatus includes an adjusting base secured to a car body, a sliding base mounted on the adjusting base, and a garnish sliding together with the sliding base. The adjusting base 1 includes side walls formed by bending both edges, which are arranged in the width direction, at about 90 degrees with respect to a flat surface to be attached to the car body, and engaging portions formed by bending the ends of the side walls inwardly. The engaging portions and the side walls form acute angles. The sliding base is slidably inserted into a sliding part, which is defined by the side walls, the engaging portions, and the flat surface. According to the structure as described above, a shoulder adjuster apparatus having excellent shock absorbency, capable of preventing degradation of performance due to deformation and the like, and having excellent safety characteristics can be provided.

Abstract: A seatbelt buckle system is disclosed that allows rotation of the seatbelt buckle in a transverse direction with respect to the vehicle body. The system includes a buckle fixed to a buckle attachment plate. The buckle attachment plate has a through aperture that cooperates with a fastener for attaching the buckle attachment plate to a vehicle structure such as a vehicle seat. Additionally, a spring is disposed between the buckle attachment plate and the head of the fastener. Further, the through aperture in the buckle attachment plate is oversized such that the buckle attachment plate and attached buckle can rotate along a longitudinal axis of the fastener.

Abstract: A seatbelt buckle for use in vehicle comprises a base, an intermediate loop, a fixed disc, an elastic member, an upper cover, a fixed post, four movable posts, an actuation member, a biasing element and a pressing element, wherein the intermediate loop and the fixed disc are screwed onto the base, the elastic member is secured between the intermediate loop and the fixed disc, and a plurality of snap-on recesses form between the intermediate loop and the fixed disc for the insertion of engaging members of the seatbelt, the pressing element is constructed in the form of a sheet, and one end thereof extends outwardly and includes a wave-shaped abutting segment arranged thereon, thereby lowering the production cost and saving force during unbuckling the seatbelt.

Abstract: A seatbelt device for a vehicle provided with: a webbing that restrains a passenger seated on a seat; a belt reel on which the webbing is wound; a motor that rotation-drives the belt reel; a motor control device that controls the motor; an input determination device that determines whether or not an input signal from a seatbelt operation section including the webbing is an artificial input signal; and a command output device that outputs a setting change command to the motor control device according to a determination result from the input determination device.

Abstract: A component of a vehicle occupant restraint system, the vehicle occupant restraint system having a webbing with a lap belt portion and a shoulder belt portion contiguous with the lap belt portion, the component including a web engaging device adapted to toggle between an open and an engaged condition, wherein in the open condition the webbing is moveable relative to the web engaging device in two directions along the webbing, wherein in the engaged condition the webbing is moveable relative to the web engaging device in only one direction along the webbing, and wherein the web engaging device is lockable in the open condition. A vehicle occupant restraint system including a webbing with lap and shoulder belt portions, a component having a web engaging device adapted to toggle between an open and an engaged condition, and a tensioner configured to respond to at least one of the open and engaged conditions.

Abstract: An improved ergonomic seatbelt and method of forming a seatbelt is provided that performs as a safer and more comfortable seatbelt by eliminating the rough edges of conventional seatbelts that are likely to cause discomfort due to friction and cut into a seatbelt user during a high speed crash. Further, the improved ergonomic seatbelt does not require multiple components or inflation, thereby reducing cost and simplifying the manufacturing process. The inventive seatbelt may include a longitudinal belt with a longitudinal axis and first and second longitudinal ends on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis. The first and second longitudinal ends comprise folded sections without an edge for providing improved comfort and safety to a user of the seatbelt.

Abstract: The system algorithm defines the apparatuses and methods for the operation of any vehicle that travels the streets, roads and highways that will provide a safe incentive for the operator to insure that all occupied seats have seat belts properly fastened. The system provides that improperly fastened or altered seat belt will cause the operator to experience a denial of engine start or reduction of speed to safe control speed.

Abstract: A system for signaling that a person is in an vehicle is provided and includes a power source, a processing unit including a counter, a state monitoring unit configured to monitor an internal temperature of the vehicle and to monitor whether the vehicle is in an off state and a door monitoring unit configured to monitor whether any of the vehicle doors are open or closed, a first buckle receiver, including a first signal issuing unit, a first buckle to be removably inserted into the buckle receiver and to thereby cause the first signal issuing unit to issue an installation signal to the processing unit, a second buckle receiver, including a second signal issuing unit, a second buckle to be removably inserted into the second buckle receiver and to thereby cause the second signal issuing unit to issue an occupation signal to the processing unit, and an alarm unit.

Abstract: A technology for a stretchable webbing is provided including a long inflatable belt for restraining a vehicle occupant, which is effective in ensuring the webbing rigidity and achieving the reduced product width of the webbing. In one embodiment, the stretchable webbing includes a long inflatable belt for restraining a vehicle occupant, a weft yarn of the stretchable webbing having a first filament element and a second filament element which extend adjacent to and in parallel with one another, where the first filament element and second filament element have different heat-shrinkage ratios.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring operation of a ratchet-based locking mechanism. The apparatus includes a ratchet and a pawl with a protrusion for engaging the ratchet during contact between the pawl and the ratchet teeth. The apparatus includes an elongated member or amplification arm extending from the pawl. The elongated member includes a base linked to the pawl and a tip spaced apart from the base. The elongated member is linked to the pawl to move when the pawl is displaced relative to the ratchet. The apparatus includes a sensor sensing displacement of the tip of the elongated member, which is greater than the pawl displacement, and the apparatus includes a processor monitoring displacement of the elongated member to indirectly monitor movement of the pawl protrusion during forward motion of the ratchet to verify the locking mechanism is working properly and the pawl will engage the ratchet to block reverse motion.

Abstract: A device for protection of a vehicle occupant (14) in a motor vehicle (10) comprises a means for detecting a maloperation during use of a seat belt system by the vehicle occupant (14). The detection means includes means for characterizing the vehicle occupant (14) and individually checks operation of the seat belt system by taking into account the characterization. A method for protecting a vehicle occupant (14) in a motor vehicle (10) with a seat belt system comprises the following steps: characterization of the vehicle occupant (14), and individual check of operation of the seat belt system for a maloperation by taking into account the characterization.

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.

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.

Abstract: A child safety seat assembly for mounting on a vehicle seat includes: a seat body having two opposite lateral sides; and a buckle-positioning member that is provided on the seat body and that is operable to hold a buckle provided on the vehicle seat at one of the lateral sides of the seat body.

Abstract: A roller D-ring for a seat belt of a vehicle including a cylindrical roller, and a body having a folded structure to hold the roller by a folding portion of the body while allowing the roller to be rotatable. The folded structure is formed in a state in which the roller is seated on the folding portion of the body. The body defines, together with a peripheral surface of the roller, a gap, through which a webbing of the seat belt passes. Since the roller D-ring includes only two constituent elements, that is, the body and the roller, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing costs in accordance with a reduced number of constituent elements.

Abstract: A restraint system for use in a passenger seating area of a motor vehicle includes a seat belt assembly having a webbing extending between a lower anchor and a belt retractor positionable across the body of an occupant. A sensor is coupled with the belt retractor to sense a change in the condition of the seat belt assembly. An inboard anchor disposed opposite the seat belt assembly includes a buckle element adapted to engage and secure a latch element on the webbing. An adjustment mechanism connected to the inboard anchor is configured to move the inboard anchor between a stowed position and at least one deployed position. A controller monitors the sensor to detect change in the condition of the seat belt assembly and instructs the adjustment mechanism to position the inboard anchor between the stowed and at least one deployed positions.

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.

Abstract: A seat belt device allowing 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 fixed to one end of a seat belt. By locking the lap anchor to the hitch member, the seat belt is connected to the seat weight sensor. In this manner, the seat belt can be easily connected to the vehicle body just by locking the lap anchor to the hitch member.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a tension indicator (10) for a strap; the tension indicator comprising a first part (11) for receiving a length of the strap, a second part (12) movably mounted with respect to the first part between open and closed positions, the second part having strap engagement means (23) for engaging said length of strap. The strap engagement means is biased relative to the first part for pulling any slack in the strap into the first part, thereby allowing the second part to move to said open position.

Abstract: A gas generating system (24) is provided including a gas generant container (34) and an initiator (28). The initiator (28) is positioned exterior of the gas generant container (34) so as to enable fluid communication with the container (34) upon activation of the initiator (28). A gas generant composition (32) is positioned within the container (34). The gas generant container (34) may have sufficient rigidity to maintain a predetermined shape prior to positioning of the gas generant (32) therein, and is penetrable by combustion products resulting from activation of the initiator (28). A seatbelt device (150) and a vehicle occupant restraint system (180) incorporating a gas generating system as described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: A way of shaping anatomically the safety belts of cars, particularly for the use of women. The essence of this anatomical shaping of a safety belt consists in providing such a form of the belt that it looks like an elongated S, passing between the breasts as well as above and under the bust. The safety belt is provided with a shaping strip, which is a flat sleeve made of elastic plastic material in the form of an elongated S, with a rigid material lining, which can be opened and closed on the side by means of any kind of fastener, for example a zipper or Velcro. On the upper part of the strip there is a pad protecting the collar-bone and neck against pressure and rubbing. The strip is put on the safety belt, so that it takes the required shape without affecting the structure of the safety belt. The strip can be shifted along the safety belt, adapting it to the height of the passenger.

Abstract: A belt tensioner for a safety-belt restraint system in a vehicle, which can be triggered in the event of a collision or the threat of a collision, includes a device for tensioning a safety belt that is restraining an occupant, by displacing part of the safety-belt restraint system. The belt tensioner has a drive for the displacing the part, which drive comprises a repeatedly chargeable spring-energy store, as well as a spring-energy store charging device for repeatably charging of the spring-energy store once it has been discharged. The spring-energy store charging device transmits to the spring-energy store for the purpose of charging it, a tensile force that is applied to the safety belt to unwind it from a belt winding device in the course of a fastening operation by the occupant.

Abstract: A child seat mounting arrangement includes a frame member of a vehicle having an inner surface and an outer surface. A base plate has an engaging surface and an opposite surface. The engaging surface is fixedly secured to the frame member inner surface. A rigid rod is fixedly secured to the base plate opposite surface and extends beyond the frame member such that an engaging portion of the rigid rod is spaced apart from the frame member outer surface and is adapted to receive a tether of a child seat therearound.

Abstract: A tension indicator comprises a housing (1) mountable on a strap S which passes through mouths (5) and (6) of the housing. Within the housing, a barrel (11) is rotatably mounted upon a transverse axis (A). The barrel has a cross-passage (12) for strap (S). Towards its ends barrel (11) has discs (14), carrying slot (15) defining formations (16). The slots engage springs (21). The arrangement is such that in the relaxed state of the springs, barrel passage (12) is out of alignment with mouths (5) and (6), so that a strap (S) passing through the tension indictor is deflected to a lazy Z path. The housing has a window (23), through which barrel (11) can be seen. When springs (21) are relaxed, a “SLACK” portion (24) of barrel (11) can be seen through window (23). When strap (S) is tensioned it is straightened by abutting on ends (25) of passage (12). A different “TENSIONED” portion (26) of barrel (11) now becomes visible in window (23).

Abstract: A seat with a four point seat belt system includes first and second seatbelts, and first and second interlock mechanisms. The first seatbelt includes a shoulder portion and a lap portion. The second seatbelt includes a shoulder portion. A first interlock mechanism prevents latching of the second seatbelt into a buckle before latching of the first seatbelt into a buckle. A second interlock mechanism unlatches one of the first and second seatbelts from a buckle upon unlatching of the other of the first and second seatbelts from a buckle.

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.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle having a pivoted head rest and a pivoted seat back that follows a human head and torso forward during the accident of the vehicle, but prevent backwards motion. A U-shaped air bag, the head rest, and seat back prevent whip-lash and also side-impact-whip-lash by immobilizing the head and torso during a frontal or side impact crash.

Abstract: A vehicle structure is provided that includes a structural support member, a vehicle body panel and a child seat tether anchor. The structural support member is configured and arranged to be coupled to a vehicle body. The vehicle body panel is fixedly attached to the structural support member. The child seat tether anchor is fixedly attached to the structural support member. The child seat tether anchor includes a body panel supporting portion supporting a lower surface of the vehicle body panel and a child seat connecting portion projecting through a cutout in the vehicle body panel. Preferably, the vehicle structure is manufactured by fixedly attaching the child seat tether anchor to the structural support member, then positioning the vehicle body panel on the child seat tether anchor, and then fixedly attaching the vehicle body panel to the structural support member.

Abstract: An occupant safety restraint system (“OSR system”) (10) and method for fully deploying an airbag (20) before an occupant contacts the airbag (20). In one embodiment, the OSR system (10) includes a seatbelt restraint system (12), a variable-output airbag system (14), and a controller 18 coupled to the seatbelt restraint system (12) and the airbag system (14). The seatbelt restraint system (12) includes a seatbelt restraint (24) for restraining the occupant and a seatbelt-tension sensor (28) for detecting a load or tension in the seatbelt restraint (24). The controller 18 utilizes the seatbelt load for determining a current seatbelt-tension rate and actuating the airbag system (14) to deploy the airbag (20) at one or more output rates. In other words, the controller 18 can utilize the seatbelt restraint system (12) and the airbag system (14) in combination for regulating the output rate of the airbag system (14).