Having Adjustable Anchor Means Patents (Class 280/801.2)
  • Patent number: 11938893
    Abstract: An embodiment seat belt mounting structure includes a front seat disposed towards a front of a vehicle body, a rear seat disposed towards a rear of the vehicle body, a center pillar part, a rear pillar part disposed behind the center pillar part, a side reinforcement connecting the center pillar part and the rear pillar part, and a rear seat retractor coupled to the side reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Won Ki Song
  • Patent number: 11865824
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the transfer of a transfer layer from a substrate, in particular from a growth substrate, to a carrier substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: EV Group E. Thallner GmbH
    Inventors: Venkata Raghavendra Subrahmanya Sarma Mokkapati, Boris Povazay, Thomas Uhrmann
  • Patent number: 11827175
    Abstract: Various implementations include a system for adjusting the position of a seatbelt in a vehicle. The system includes a shoulder anchor, at least one sensor, and a processor. The shoulder anchor is for receiving a seatbelt. The shoulder anchor is movable relative to a seat disposed within the vehicle. The processor is in electrical communication with the sensor and a memory. The processor executes computer-readable instructions stored on the memory. The instructions cause the processor to receive sensor data from the sensor, determine whether the seatbelt is within an expected area on a person in the seat based on the received sensor data, and cause the shoulder anchor to move relative to the seat in response to the seatbelt being outside of the expected area on the person in the seat such that the seatbelt is moved into the expected area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC
    Inventors: Steve Reed, Len Cech
  • Patent number: 11613192
    Abstract: A height-adjustable headrest may have a base support element and a supporting element. The supporting element may be arranged in the base support element. The supporting element may be guidable in a longitudinally displaceable manner in an X direction. In order to form a guide, the basic supporting element may have a number of openings and the supporting element may have a number of guide parts. A shape of the number of openings may correspond to a shape of the number of guide parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Adient US LLC
    Inventors: Philippe Morilhat, Felix Manduzio, Christophe Moriniere
  • Patent number: 11584332
    Abstract: In the present invention, a seatbelt device is provided with: a seat state determination unit that determines the state of a seat; a movable support section that supports a seatbelt within a range of possible movement on a seat back; a movement mechanism that, with a motor, moves the movable support section within the range of possible movement; and a motor control unit that controls the motor in accordance with the usage state of the seat determined by the seat state determination unit. Due to this configuration, the position of the seatbelt is made optimal for an occupant, and the comfort of the occupant is thus improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Sugamata, Naotoshi Takemura, Kazuo Imura, Yusuke Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11505159
    Abstract: A seatbelt height adjuster includes a track elongated along an axis and including a plurality of holes spaced from each other along the axis, a slider slideably coupled to the track, a D-ring supported by the slider, a pin supported by the slider and releasably engageable with one respective hole, and a pyrotechnic actuator supported by the slider and engaged with the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Huipeng Chen, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Zhenyan Gao, Robert William McCoy
  • Patent number: 11377067
    Abstract: Entanglement of bush main bodies is suppressed. At a bush, a shaft portion of a bush main body, which extends in a circumferential direction of a mounting hole of an outer anchor, covers a peripheral surface of the mounting hole. A first flange portion and a second flange portion of the bush main body are placed on an front and back sides of the outer anchor, respectively. Moreover, a connection portion connects both circumferential direction sides of the bush main body. The connection portion allows elastic deformation of a diameter of the bush main body, and the second flange portion can pass-through the mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Kaoru Yuasa, Giko Makino
  • Patent number: 11364818
    Abstract: Provided are a seat adjustment method, apparatus, and system. The seat adjustment method includes: acquiring position information of a RFID tag, and acquiring seat arrangement information stored in the RFID tag; adjusting a seat corresponding to the RFID tag according to the position information of the RFID tag and the seat arrangement information stored in the RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: ZTE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Xiang Gao
  • Patent number: 11142163
    Abstract: In one aspect, a guide assembly for seat belt webbing in a vehicle includes a support member and a locking member extending through the support member. The support member engages the locking member when a predetermined force is exerted by the seat belt webbing onto the support member. The locking member prevents the support member from pivoting relative to the vehicle when the support member engages the locking member. In another aspect, a guide assembly for seat belt webbing in a vehicle includes a support member having a first locking projection, a locking member having a second locking projection, and a bushing positioned radially between the locking member and the support member. The first locking projection penetrates into and/or through the bushing to engage the second locking projection when a predetermined force is exerted by the seat belt webbing onto the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.
    Inventor: Robert L. Morgan
  • Patent number: 11084446
    Abstract: A ROPS (protective structure) (15) is obtained by coupling upper ends of a pair of leg portions (15a) with a coupling portion (15b) and forming an arc-shaped curved portion (15c) between each of the leg portions (15a) and the coupling portion (15b), and is arranged so as to straddle vehicle bodies (4 and 5) and fixed. A working light (17) is fixed to the left curved portion (15c) via a mounting bracket (19), and a rotary light (18) is detachably mounted by fixing a mounting bracket (20). A protect region (E) formed into an approximately triangular shape is formed by the curved portion (15c) of the ROPS (15), a lateral restriction line (L1) in which a left-side surface corresponding to a maximum width of the vehicle bodies (4 and 5) is extended upward and an upper restriction line (L2) in which a maximum height of the ROPS (15) is extended laterally. The working light (17) and the mounting brackets (19 and 20) are arranged in the protect region (E), thereby preventing an outward protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Suzuki, Masamichi Tanaka, Hiroshi Abe
  • Patent number: 11059442
    Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an airbag configured to be mounted to a seat back of a vehicle seat. The airbag is inflatable between the seat back and an adjacent side structure of the vehicle to one of a first deployed condition in which the airbag is configured for a non-reclined condition of the vehicle seat, and a second deployed condition in which the airbag is configured for a reclined condition of the vehicle seat. The airbag is configured to deploy to the first deployed condition in response to determining a non-reclined condition of the vehicle seat and to the second deployed condition in response to determining a reclined condition of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Angelo J. Adler
  • Patent number: 11014527
    Abstract: A webbing height adjustment device is applied to connect to a webbing of a seat belt system. The webbing height adjustment device has a top ring member, a locking assembly, and a positioning member. The locking assembly is moveably disposed outside the top ring member. The positioning member is disposed on the side surface of the top ring member, is clutched with the locking assembly, and has a positioning element and a combining portion. The positioning element is disposed on the top ring member. The combining portion is disposed on the positioning element and selectively holds the locking assembly for positioning. The webbing height adjustment device is easy to operate and automatically locks the webbing. The webbing height adjustment device can be adjusted continuously and occupies little space when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventor: Liang Hsiung Wang
  • Patent number: 10981537
    Abstract: A seatbelt height adjuster includes a track, a slider slidably coupled to the track, slots in one of the track and the slider and teeth on the other of the track and the slider. The teeth are selectively engageable with the slots. The seatbelt height adjuster includes a D-ring supported by the slider and leaf springs disposed on opposite sides of the slider. The leaf springs are each engaged with the track and biasing the slider in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Vincent Vega, Daniel Robert Taylor
  • Patent number: 10875433
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle seat comprising a seating portion, a backrest with a front face and which extends in a main direction Z and which has a hole for the upward exit of a seat belt from the backrest and a support which the seat belt bears against in order to descend along the front face of the backrest, and a headrest mounted on the backrest and slidable relative to the rest of the backrest along the main direction Z. The support is slidable relative to the rest of the backrest along the main direction Z, and the seat comprises a drive mechanism capable of simultaneously causing the headrest to slide along the main direction for a first amplitude A1 and the support for a second amplitude A2 different from the first amplitude A1, and an actuator able to actuate the drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: FAURECIA Sièges d'Automobile
    Inventors: Sémir Hammadi, Philippe Duhamel
  • Patent number: 10808811
    Abstract: At a lift-up buckle device, due to a motor being driven and an output shaft of the motor being rotated, a drive screw is rotated. Further, a supporting tube rotatably supports a rear end portion of the drive screw. Here, the output shaft rotatably supports a front end portion of the drive screw. Therefore, offset between a rotation central axis of the output shaft and a rotation central axis of the drive screw can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Makoto Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 10710547
    Abstract: A seat belt adjustment release mechanism includes a carrier and a guide piece that is vertically slidable on the carrier. The guide piece includes an aperture configured to receive a seat belt there through and a spring-loaded button anchored on a pivot. The spring-loaded button, when pressed, is rotatable about the pivot between a home position and a depressed position for actuating a seat belt guide release lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: NYX, INC.
    Inventor: Yuriy Tsalenko
  • Patent number: 10583017
    Abstract: A prosthetic hand structure including at least one mechanical finger having a metacarpal support and a proximal stiff link connected to the metacarpal support by a proximal cylindrical joint. The mechanical finger includes a transmission member connected to the proximal stiff link. The transmission member includes a worm screw integral to the proximal stiff link. The transmission member includes a flexible rack having a first end portion, pivotally connected to the metacarpal support, and a second end portion arranged to engage with the threaded profile of the worm screw at an engagement zone of the flexible rack. The structure also includes an actuator mounted to the mechanical finger and to actuate the worm screw, causing it to rotate about its rotation axis, in such a way that, when the actuator moves the worm screw, the mechanical finger extends or flexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Epica International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriele Donati, Michele Bacchereti, Luca Ferretti, Giampaolo Pellicci, Nadia Vitetta, Nicola Carbonaro, Alessandro Tognetti
  • Patent number: 10508851
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an ice maker assembly movably disposed in a storage space, and a refrigerator comprising the same are provided. An ice maker assembly disposed in a storage space of a refrigerator to form ice, the ice maker assembly includes an ice maker unit configured to form ice and a basket unit configured to store the ice formed in the ice maker unit, wherein the ice maker unit includes a frame mounted at the refrigerator, a tray mounted at the frame and having a space in which the ice is formed, a water tank tiltably mounted at the frame and configured to supply water to the tray, and water stored in the water tank is supplied to the tray when the water tank is tilted in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang Uo Hong, Kyoung Ki Park, Min Seob Yook, Byeong Soo Kim, Hyun-Il Lee, Sang Woon Jeon, Se Lim Yoon
  • Patent number: 10501038
    Abstract: A seatback for a seating assembly in a vehicle comprises: a vertical midline; and a guide for seatbelt webbing having a first position and a second position; wherein, the second position is closer to the vertical midline than the first position. The seatback further includes a frame and trim at least partially covering the frame. The guide can be operably coupled to the frame. The guide can be disposed at least partially above the trim. The seatback can further include an actuator with a piston to move the guide. The piston can be operably connected to the guide below the trim having a first position and a second position. When the piston is in the first position, the guide is in the first position. When the piston is in the second position, the guide is in the second position. The actuator can be a controller controlled pyrotechnic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: 10493949
    Abstract: An assembly includes a base defining a track and a hole. The assembly includes a plate slidably engaged with the track. The assembly includes a pin supported by the plate and movable between a first position engaged with the hole and a second position disengaged with the hole. The assembly includes an actuator designed to move the pin from the first position to the second position. The assembly includes a webbing guide supported by the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: 10486642
    Abstract: A seatbelt positioning assembly, includes a base member, an extensible member, a positioning mechanism and an electronic controller. The base member is configured to attach to a vehicle pillar structure of a vehicle adjacent to a vehicle seat assembly. The extensible member is coupled to the base member and has a D-ring of a seatbelt assembly fixed a distal end thereof. The positioning mechanism is connected to the extensible member and is supported to the base member. The position mechanism is configured to move the extensible member such that the D-ring is positioned and re-positioned between a stowed position adjacent the vehicle pillar structure and an extended position adjacent to the vehicle seat assembly. The electronic controller is connected to the positioning mechanism and configured to operate the positioning mechanism to move the extensible member positioning the D-ring between the stowed position and the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis Sharif
  • Patent number: 10399537
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a safety belt in a vehicle comprises at least one extendable belt guiding element which is provided for guiding a portion of the safety belt and at least one supporting element which is connected to the belt guiding element and which is able to be at least partially extended together with the belt guiding element. The belt guiding element is able to be extended from a resting position in a direction of extension in order to facilitate the grasping of the safety belt by a vehicle occupant when fastening the safety belt. The supporting element is flexible but in the extended state of the belt guiding element is sufficiently rigid at least in one portion transversely to the direction of extension such that the belt guiding element is held in an extended position via the now rigid portion of the supporting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Mario Stegerer, Michael Hoeppel, Markus Bauernfeind
  • Patent number: 10358111
    Abstract: A height adjustment device for a belt deflector having a guide rail (10) which has a C-shaped cross section with a base (11) and two side limbs (13) which project in the same direction from the base (11), a carriage (20) which is guided in the guide rail (10) such that it can be displaced and fixed, and a return spring (70) which is fastened to the carriage (20) and is guided within the guide rail (10). At least one of the side limbs (13) having at least one spacer element (15) for spacing the return spring (70) away from the side limb (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Andres Rute, Larissa Melnikova, Pavel Morgunov
  • Patent number: 10322692
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a connector to attach an accessory member to a vehicle part. The connector includes a base including an assembling hole and a connecting hole positioned adjacent to a first end of the base to attach the accessory member, a first anchor positioned at a second end portion of the base opposite to the first end portion and a second anchor positioned adjacent to a side of the base between the first end portion and the second end portion. The assembling hole is used to receive a fastener to secure the connector to the vehicle part. The first anchor includes a first locking portion and a second anchor includes a second locking portion to facilitate alignment of the connector with the vehicle part during the assembling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Qingsong Ma, Sophie Yan, Bob Wang, Ivy Xu
  • Patent number: 10315614
    Abstract: A transport system and method for securely transporting subjects such as prisoners or persons that include a belt and a slideably engagable channel positioned across a part of a vehicle seat or bench for securing the belt and subject within the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SIRCHIE ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: John G Roby, Neil Smith, Jr., Dan Nichols
  • Patent number: 10315618
    Abstract: A belt pretensioner has a base member. The base member has an axial cavity within. An actuating member is hollow and fits within the axial cavity of the base member. The hollow actuating member telescopically slides within the axial cavity and an initiator fits within the hollow portion of the actuating member. In a critical situation such as a crash, the initiator is triggered and the expanding gasses move the actuating member. The actuating member is connected to seat belt webbing and this movement provides the necessary pretensioning of the seatbelt. In some embodiments, a locking means is used to prevent the belt pretensioner from loosening once triggered. One embodiment is provided for use with a child seat. A transversely mounted belt pretensioner embedment is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: Zhide David Feng
  • Patent number: 10279772
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a belt buckle feeder (10) for a seat belt system of a vehicle comprising at least one spindle (14), comprising at least one bearing element (24), the bearing element (24) being arranged on one end of the spindle (14), and comprising at least one bearing surface (13) to which the bearing element (24) is adjacent, wherein the bearing element (24) is resiliency mounted to the spindle (14) such that in the case of loads above a predefined threshold the end (16) of the spindle (14) may enter into contact with the bearing surface (13) or a housing wall of the belt buckle feeder (10). Furthermore the present invention relates to a seat belt system of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Artur Klein
  • Patent number: 10239485
    Abstract: A belt buckle device (1) for a seat belt including a belt buckle, a drive device (2) coupled or coupleable to the belt buckle, threaded sleeve (5) coupled or coupleable to the belt buckle, a guide part (12) attachable fixed with respect to the vehicle for guiding the threaded sleeve (5) and for supporting the threaded spindle (10), wherein a support plate (9) is provided on the threaded spindle (10) in the axial direction of the threaded spindle (10), which support plate (9) is not displaceable by a tensile force exerted by the belt buckle, via which support plate (9) the threaded spindle (10) is supported in the axial direction on a first thrust support (6) of the guide part (12) to take up tensile forces exerted by the belt buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Aidu Ots, Larissa Melnikova
  • Patent number: 10207674
    Abstract: A method for setting a safety belt in a vehicle is provided. For the adjustment of the safety belt an adjusting apparatus is provided, the position of a deflection point for the safety belt being able to be set thereby and the safety belt extending therefrom in the direction of the shoulder of a vehicle occupant fastened-in by the safety belt, and the position of the deflection point is automatically set by means of at least one sensor device in order to adapt the path of the safety belt to the fastened-in vehicle occupant. Via the sensor device an angle is evaluated which is present between a belt portion which extends from the deflection point in the direction of the shoulder of the fastened-in vehicle occupant and a further belt portion and/or a part fixed to the bodywork or seat part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Hubert Panejko, Christian Herrmann, Wolfgang Uebel, Mario Stegerer, Stefan Baetz, Maik Rienecker
  • Patent number: 10093274
    Abstract: A sliding mechanism includes a first part and a second part adapted for sliding translation within the first part. A bracket attached to the first part includes a bracket guide rib structure for constraining a lateral motion of the second part, including a rib defining an unbroken interface surface for the second part. The bracket guide rib structure may include a continuous rib member defining a continuous a continuous planar slider interface surface, a sinusoidal wave pattern, or a trapezoidal wave pattern. The sinusoidal wave pattern and the trapezoidal wave pattern may include a plurality of waves having a same or a different wave frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Pablo Isaac Villalva Sanchez, Diego Fabricio Villacres Mesias
  • Patent number: 10035434
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a driving portion capable of changing a position of a seat, a rear-seat airbag that is fixed to the seat and deploys between a seatback portion of the seat and an occupant seating space of a rear seat behind the seat, and a control portion configured to change the position of the seat with the driving portion, and adjust a deployment region of the rear-seat airbag, when a collision of a vehicle is predicted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Ohno, Osamu Fukawatase
  • Patent number: 9809193
    Abstract: Shock absorbing seatbelt height adjusters for use with vehicle occupant restraint systems, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shock absorbing height adjuster includes a D-loop assembly slidably coupled to a rail, and a stop assembly and a pre-loader slidably coupled to the rail on opposite sides of the D-loop assembly. The stop assembly and the pre-loader can be releasably lockable at a plurality of positions along the rail. A biasing member can be compressed between the pre-loader and the D-loop assembly to urge the D-loop assembly toward the stop assembly and allow motion of the D-loop assembly toward the pre-loader under load. The position of the pre-loader can be adjusted to vary the compression in the biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Shield Restraint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Scott Marriott, Alexander John Szewczyk
  • Patent number: 9738248
    Abstract: A web position and attenuation apparatus includes an elastically deformable body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, one of the first and second ends configured to be affixed to a frame of a movable vehicle, a web coupling member received on the elastically deformable body, the web coupling member movable relative to, and positionable along, the elastically deformable body, the web coupling member defining a web slot, and a flexible web extending through the web slot, the flexible web part of a restraint system to restrain an occupant of a vehicle seat mounted within the vehicle. The elastically deformable body is responsive to dynamic loads applied by the occupant through the flexible web to the web coupling member to absorb energy and attenuate tension in the flexible web via elastic deformation of the elastically deformable body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy R. Dingman, Jeffrey A. King, James T. Anthony
  • Patent number: 9630587
    Abstract: A belt buckle feeder (10) comprises a belt buckle (18), a stationary base member (12) to be mounted fixedly on the vehicle and a motor-driven slide (16) movably supported on the base member (12) to which the belt buckle (18) is coupled, wherein the slide (16) encloses the base member (12) at least in portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Jens Klaassen
  • Patent number: 9561777
    Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system (20) has a seat belt webbing (22) which is attached to a tongue (30) that fastens into a buckle mechanism (6) fixed to a load bearing part of the vehicle. The belt system (20) has a seat belt retractor (40), a seat belt webbing (22) with a lap belt portion (23) appropriately anchored and shoulder harness portion (25), a self-adjustable webbing guide (65) and a vertical strap webbing (55). The self-adjusting webbing guide (65) includes a pivoting guide (66) connected to a locking mechanism (70) activated by a forward movement of the occupant (1, 100) extending the shoulder webbing (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John Bell
  • Patent number: 9559618
    Abstract: A control (18) for a seat belt positioning device (10) includes a motor (12) for positioning a seat belt component (16). A locking tongue sensor (20) generates a locking tongue signal (S) depending on whether a locking tongue is inserted in a belt buckle (16). A trigger circuit (22) connected to the locking tongue sensor (20) generates a trigger signal (TR, TR1, TR2, VT, TM) in response to the locking tongue signal (S) A timer (32) or a motor load circuit (33) connected to the trigger circuit (22) generates a motor signal (M) having a predetermined period or depending on a motor load in response to the trigger signal (TR, TR1, TR2, VT, TM). A motor control circuit (34) connected to the timer (32) and the trigger circuit (22) turns the motor on and off in response to the motor signal (M). The direction of motion of the motor (12) is selected depending on the trigger signal (TR, TR1, TR2, VT, TM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Prokscha, Wolfgang Holbein
  • Patent number: 9499121
    Abstract: A web position and attenuation apparatus includes an elongated body extending in a longitudinal direction between opposite ends thereof, a bracket mounted to one of the opposite ends of the elongated body and configured to be affixed to a frame of a movable vehicle, a web coupling member slidably received on the elongated body and positionable along the elongated body. The web coupling member defines a first web slot, and a flexible web extends through the first web slot. The elongated body attenuates forces applied by the flexible web to the web coupling member in non-parallel directions relative to the longitudinal direction by elastically deforming in the non-parallel directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacutring, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy R. Dingman, Jeffrey A. King, James T. Anthony
  • Patent number: 9192242
    Abstract: A portable child safety restraint including a shoulder harness with a pair of adjustable shoulder straps joined to a bottom connector strap. A crotch strap having a bottom strap joined to a pair of top connector straps connects the shoulder harness by a pair of chest buckles in the front of a child and by a bottom buckle in the rear of the child. The adjustable shoulder straps are used to secure the child's upper body to an independent structure in a seated position. A waist belt secures the child's lower body to the structure and prevents standing. Each of the shoulder straps includes a shoulder pad to cushion the child's shoulder from the straps. A harness chest clip joins the shoulder straps in the front of the child in a proper position on the child's shoulders to further restrain the child and support the child in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Inventors: Pearlie Anderson, Kathy Walters, Sonja Walters
  • Patent number: 8998261
    Abstract: A mounting structure for mounting a support for a seat belt to a vehicle, arranged so that when mounted to a vehicle it will move relative to the vehicle in a first range of directions under application of a first force urging the mounting structure in one of the range of directions, but will not move relative to the vehicle in a direction outside the first range of directions when a second, greater, force is applied urging the mounting structure in such a direction. The structure may have a bracket (7) secured to a vehicle by bolts (18) passing through slots (15) in the bracket, allowing the bracket to move generally in the direction of the slots, but not otherwise. De-couplers, in which toothed flanges (20) on collars (19) through which the bolts extend bear against raised pads on u-shaped washer structures (23) may be disposed between the bolt heads and the bracket to limit the force applied to the bracket and enable the applied force at which the bracket will move relative to the vehicle to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Bentley Motors Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Downie, Alexander James Redman
  • Patent number: 8991866
    Abstract: A vehicle pillar trim assembly includes a trim panel, a first cover plate and a second cover plate. The trim panel has a first side surface, a second side surface and an aperture extending from the first side surface to the second side surface. The first cover plate is slidably arranged in an adjustment direction with respect to the trim panel in an overlapping manner with the first side surface and at least partially covering the aperture. The first cover plate has a first opening that is smaller than the aperture and at least partially aligned with the aperture. The second cover plate is slidably with respect to the trim panel in an overlapping manner with the first cover plate and at least partially covering the first opening. The second cover plate has a second opening smaller than the first opening and aligned with the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal Osterhout
  • Patent number: 8985632
    Abstract: A bracket has an elongate portion of a predetermined length. The elongate portion terminates in a clamp end that includes a downward sloping portion connected to a curved contact portion. The curved contact portion is configured to contact a tunable bead of a sheet metal portion of a vehicle body structure such as a pillar. The sheet metal portion comprises a generally planar mating surface, an opening in the depression, and a bead rising from the mating surface, wherein the height of the bead is configured for a top surface of the bead to contact a bottom portion of a clamp when the clamp is in a secured position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William George Heckman, Darrin Neil Wagner, Sone Sadakhom, Joshua Walters
  • Publication number: 20140375042
    Abstract: A positioning device (12), especially for a vehicle seat belt feeder, comprises a flexible load-bearing element (16) and a molded part (18) comprising a plurality of molded elements (20) each of which annularly surrounds the elastic load-bearing element (16) and includes axial bearing surfaces. The axial bearing surfaces of the molded elements (20) include a surface structure which is configured so that two neighboring molded elements (20) loaded against each other contact each other with their axial bearing surfaces, are in positive engagement and are orientated in the radial direction at a defined position relative to each other, A belt buckle device (10) comprises an afore-described positioning device (12) as well as a belt buckle (14) that is fastened to the load-bearing element (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Artur Klein
  • Publication number: 20140367946
    Abstract: A vehicle pillar trim assembly includes a trim panel, a first cover plate and a second cover plate. The trim panel has a first side surface, a second side surface and an aperture extending from the first side surface to the second side surface. The first cover plate is slidably arranged in an adjustment direction with respect to the trim panel in an overlapping manner with the first side surface and at least partially covering the aperture. The first cover plate has a first opening that is smaller than the aperture and at least partially aligned with the aperture. The second cover plate is slidably with respect to the trim panel in an overlapping manner with the first cover plate and at least partially covering the first opening. The second cover plate has a second opening smaller than the first opening and aligned with the first opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Neal OSTERHOUT
  • Patent number: 8899626
    Abstract: In an assembly comprising a belt height adjuster (104) and a belt feeder for feeding a belt webbing (110) the belt feeder includes an arm (112) which is adapted to be moved, especially pivoted from a home position into a feeding position by means of a drive. The arm (112) is arranged at the belt height adjuster (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Birk, Martin Seyffert
  • Patent number: 8864172
    Abstract: A telescoping seatbelt buckle design that improves seatbelt buckle accessibility and comfort by telescopingly adjusting the length of the seatbelt buckle assembly to maintain an optimal relationship between the seatbelt buckle position and the vehicle seat cushion position, wherein the telescoping seatbelt buckle assembly is adapted to maintain the optimal position of the seatbelt buckle relative to the vehicle seat cushion over a full range of seat height and seat track travels. Particularly, on a power seat, the telescoping seatbelt buckle assembly adjustment occurs passively as a vehicle occupant moves or adjusts the vehicle seat height or tilt using the seat controller switches, as the telescoping seatbelt buckle assembly is coupled to a motor used to adjust the vehicle seat position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin Yilma
  • Patent number: 8814210
    Abstract: A belt presenter for a seat belt system comprising a belt strap and deflection fittings (16) includes an arm (102) having a belt strap guide (104) and a mounting portion (106) by which the arm (102) is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle lining (10). The arm (102) is manually movable about an axis of rotation (108) into a plurality of locking positions. The axis of rotation (109) about which the arm (102) can be rotated is arranged, in the vehicle-mounted state, to be offset from a mounting point (18) of deflection fittings (16) of the seat belt system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Mario Zauder, Peter Goehringer, Markus Kees, Juergen Petzi
  • Publication number: 20140175780
    Abstract: In an assembly comprising a belt height adjuster (104) and a belt feeder for feeding a belt webbing (110) the belt feeder includes an arm (112) which is adapted to be moved, especially pivoted from a home position into a feeding position by means of a drive. The arm (112) is arranged at the belt height adjuster (104).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Birk, Martin Seyffert
  • Patent number: 8696050
    Abstract: In a side vehicle body structure of a vehicle, which is provided with a shoulder anchor part 2 for a seat belt, a shoulder reinforcement 9 of the shoulder anchor part 2 extends to the joint portion of a side body outer panel 7 and a quarter panel 8, and the shoulder reinforcement 9, the side body outer panel 7, and the quarter panel 8 are jointed together in the state in which the three elements are lapped together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hayato Nakamura, Junji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8684414
    Abstract: A multi-point seat restraint system configured to provide restraint for a passenger superposed a seat in a supine position. The multi-point seat restraint system includes a plurality of upper belts having a first end anchored behind the seat back of the associated seat. A junction bar is further included wherein the junction bar is configured to releasably secure the upper belts proximate the second end of the plurality of upper belts. The junction bar further includes a first belt portion and a second belt portion integrally secured thereto. The first belt portion and second belt portion and configured to be releasably secured to a first lower belt and a second lower belt. The first lower belt and second lower belt are retractably mounted to the floorboard of the vehicle. In an alternative embodiment of the second lower belt, the second lower belt includes a first portion and a second portion being angularly mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Terri McBride
  • Patent number: 8678438
    Abstract: A seat belt apparatus for a vehicle including an anchor metal plate coupled with a vehicle body by a fastening bolt to extensively support a seat belt and upper and lower covers to receive the anchor metal plate. A contact rib is formed on at least one side portion of the inner surface of the upper cover, and a sidewall is formed on a side portion of the lower cover to make contact with the contact rib. An arc-type rib is formed on the bottom plate of the lower cover corresponding to an outer peripheral portion of at least one side portion of the base portion of the anchor metal plate, and a connection rib is formed between the arc-type rib and the sidewall. An arc-type slot is formed on the bottom plate of the lower cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Byoung-Gae You, Sung-Suk Ko, Ho-Jin Lee