Abstract: An automatically closing safety belt system for providing increased automobile safety. Safety belts are inside curved semi-rigid plastic sleeves, which hold safety belts out in front of the occupant. First configuration has lanyards attached to the middle of the safety belts. The other end goes into reels in dashboard. They pull the safety belts well out in front of the occupants until the belts' ends go operative. When the safety belts start going inoperative, the lanyards pull the safety belts and hold them near the dashboard for occupant easy egress and ingress. Second configuration is a gradual curve inward of the track. Third configuration is to put a hinge in the curved sleeve with a strong folding spring attachment, to be released by a switch. The reel between the seats can easily pull the lap belt into place.

Abstract: A clamp for relieving the tension in a seatbelt. An air operated actuator is activated by the passenger at a location remote from the clamp to lock the clamp to the seatbelt. The clamp is slidable on a track with a first endstop and an opposite second endstop. The clamp can be initially secured to the seatbelt at the first endstop. Subsequent movement by the passenger results in the clamp moving along the track. Upon reseating by the passenger, the clamp will be supported at a support position intermediate of the first and second endstops, resulting in increased slack in the shoulder portion of the seatbelt, reduced tension in the shoulder portion, and increased comfort for the passenger.

Abstract: A height adjuster adapted to remain latched during a side-on collision includes a guide rail having a U-shaped cross section, an adjusting part displaceable in the guide rail, an arresting mechanism for the adjusting part moveable in a longitudinal direction, a blocking part, for arresting the adjusting part and penetrating latch openings of the guide rail and an elastic member which biases the blocking part into the latch openings of the guide rail.

Abstract: A system for alerting a vehicle occupant that an anti-whiplash system has been activated includes a wire disposed within an anti-whiplash system integrated into a vehicle seat. The wire is partially encased in a plastic plug which is easily inserted into a hole in the anti-whiplash system. At one end of the wire, a current generator is attached to provide a current therethrough. Also attached to the wire, at a location downstream of the anti-whiplash system, is a sensor that is configured to detect a change in the current flow through the wire. When the anti-whiplash system is activated, the moving parts shear the plastic plug and the wire contained inside, thus breaking the electrical circuit. The current sensor detects this change in current and then activates a warning signal indicator which provides notice to a vehicle occupant that the anti-whiplash system has been activated.

Abstract: A clamp for relieving the tension in a seatbelt. The clamp is moveable along a track between first and second endstops. The clamp includes a movable button which can be pushed by the passenger to lock the clamp to the seatbelt. The clamp can be secured to the seatbelt at the first endstop. Subsequent movement by the passenger results in the clamp moving along the track. Upon reseating by the passenger, the clamp will be supported at a support position intermediate of the first and second endstops, resulting in increased slack in the shoulder portion of the seatbelt, reduced tension in the shoulder portion, and increased comfort for the passenger.

Abstract: A restraint belt presenter assembly includes a restraint belt positioning member carried by a slidable member that is selectively driven by a track drive mechanism to move a restraint belt buckle assembly forward from its unused, storage position to a presentation position for easy grasping by a vehicle seat occupant. The slidable member is connected to a track that may optionally be pivotally mounted to elevate the restraint belt positioning member into the presentation position. Alternatively, the track member may include an inclined distal end, such that the slidable member moves upwardly into the presentation position. Another embodiment includes a pivoting shaft member that pivots the restraint belt buckle assembly forward for a starting position to the presentation position as the slidable member travel upwardly on an inclined track.

Abstract: A restraint belt presenter assembly includes a restraint belt engaging member that is selectively driven by a track drive mechanism to catch and pull a restraint belt from its unused position to a presentation position for grasping by a vehicle occupant. The restraint belt engaging member includes a housing having an L-shaped slot that receives a finger assembly wherein the finger assembly has a rotary offset with locking movement for maintaining the finger assembly in an actuating position.

Abstract: An air bag device that includes an inflatable shoulder belt 16 having an end in which a gas generator 30 is arranged. A retainer 32 holds the gas generator 30 and the shoulder belt 16 integrally. The gas generator 30 is movable along a guide rail 34. One end of the shoulder belt 16 is connected to a webbing 18, while the other end is connected to the lap belt 22. A retractor 20 retracts the webbing 18, while a retractor 24 retracts the lap belt 22. The tongue 26 is fastened to the buckle 28.

Abstract: Provided is a seatbelt device comprising a passenger detector not easily affected by the sitting position or posture of the passenger. This seatbelt device comprises a buckle (17) freely connectable with a tongue plate (16) mounted on a webbing (15), a buckle supporter (18) for supporting the buckle (17) provided at the side of the seat (12) to be in a position at the side of the passenger, and a detector (17b) provided inside the buckle (17) for detecting the existence of the passenger.

Abstract: A clamp for adjusting the length of a seatbelt. The clamp is moveable along a track between first and second endstops. The clamp includes a slider coupled to the track and a housing that is slidable relative to the slider. Sliding the housing to the locked position results in the clamping of the seatbelt between a groove of the slider and the edge of a pivotal locking bar. The clamp is secured to the seatbelt at the first endstop. Subsequent movement by the passenger results in the clamp moving along the track. Upon reseating by the passenger, the clamp will be supported at a support position intermediate of the first and second endstops, resulting in increased slack in-the shoulder portion of the seatbelt, reduced tension in the shoulder portion, and increased comfort for the passenger.

Abstract: A seat belt system (20) for use with a seat (22) movable fore and aft and including a frame member. The system includes: a retractor (42) fixedly mounted to a support member of a vehicle and lockable during an accident, and webbing (44) extending therefrom in dependence with the movement of the seat. A buckle (50) is secured to an end of the webbing for locking engaging with a tongue (52). A holder (54) is attached to the webbing at a predetermined distance from the buckle and also attaches the webbing to the frame member of the seat.

Abstract: Safety belt system for seats of a motor vehicle displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the belt system comprising a belt (25) which can be unwound from a reel, an upper deflection fitting or attachment fitting for the belt (25) and a lower attachment fitting (2) for the end of the belt (25) remote from the reel arranged at the side relative to the associated seat, with the lower attachment fitting being secured to the vehicle so that it is capable of displacement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, wherein, in order to ensure a comfortable grasping position of the safety belt (25) in each position of the vehicle seat, the displacement position of the lower attachment fitting (2) is controlled from the associated vehicle seat in dependence on its longitudinal position.

Abstract: Motorized shoulder and lap belts are moved to restraining positions by a drive belt along a track around a doorway of a vehicle. A catch in a slot in the drive belt engages the shoulder belt to move with the lap belt which is attached to the drive belt. An adjustable height stop in the track stops and disengages the shoulder belt in the shoulder belt restraining position from the catch while the lap belt continues to move and stops in the lap belt restraining position. A persons weight in a seat of the vehicle and closing the vehicle door, if the vehicle ignition is turned on, activates a switch which moves the shoulder and lap belts into their restraining positions. With the person seated, the shoulder and lap belts are retracted by turning the vehicle ignition off, or by activating a switch located in the vehicle door handle, door post, or elsewhere in the vehicle. Sleeves located near where the shoulder and lap belts enter retractors are disposed around ends of the shoulder and lap belts.

Abstract: A positive restraint safety system consists of an automatic lap belt and shoulder belt assembly which move simultaneously within two tracks and a rotatable belt position guide, an extendable belt position guide or a trackable belt position guide to restrain or to release a seated occupant in a vehicle. The simultaneous movements of the lap belt, shoulder belt and belt position guide are predetermined by the movements of vehicle wheel, door and engine, and the independent manual switch operation. When the lap belt and shoulder belt simultaneously move from restrained position to released and stand-by position, they move away from the body and above the lap of the seated occupant to a most desired position, therefore all belts are unobtsructing for a driver or passenger to exit from or to enter into a vehicle seat.

Abstract: A seat belt is disclosed including a first belt having ends each fixed to a different position of a door, the first belt having a stop between the ends; a second belt returnably wound; a retractor fixed to the inner surface of a seat; and coupling means for connecting an intermediate portion of the first belt to the second belt, wherein, when the door is opened, a motor allows a wire to pull the top of the first belt to a hinge of the door so that the second belt wound into the retractor with the stop interrupted by the coupling means becomes loose, and when the door is closed, the belt is wound into the retractor with the stop interrupted by the coupling means, thereby winding a passenger's body and belly at the same time.

Abstract: A seat belt restraint system for use by a child and an adult comprising: a three-point seat belt restraint system (20) having an additional web guide (50) to lower one of the restraint points to permit a shoulder belt to extend across the upper torso of a child.

Abstract: A passive passenger restraint system adapted for use with aerial, cable-supported chairlifts includes a passive restraint that is driven by the motion of the chairlift. A seatbelt automatically deploys across the laps of the passengers. The seatbelt restrains the passengers until the end of the trip and then releases the restraint just before unloading the passengers. After unloading, the restraint system automatically resets for the next passengers and the next deployment cycle. A similar passenger restraint system for use in vehicles restrains passengers individually using a shoulder belt and a lap belt.

Abstract: Motorized bi-level safety belts having a lap belt and a shoulder belt with a base end of each anchored to a separate retractor at an inside portion of a vehicle seat. Moveable ends of the lap belt and shoulder belt are attachable to a moveable base that is separable into a shoulder level and a seat level. The moveable base travels in a rail from a body-release mode in a position at a front of a vehicle door to a body-restraint mode in which the moveable base is separable into a shoulder level and a seat level at the back of the door. The rail is attached to a frame of the door. Curved accurately shaped, rigid areas of the belts are provided to prevent contact of a lap belt and a shoulder belt with a body of an individual on a vehicle seat and to prevent contact of the safety belts with a steering wheel of a car in transit between body-release and body-restraint modes.

Abstract: An automatic seat belt device for motor vehicles includes a retracting member for slidably moving in a C-shaped channel, a webbing connected to the retracting member at one end thereof, and a two-way motor for rotating a capstan pulley in the counter-clockwise or clockwise direction so as to move forward or return the retracting member within the channel, whereby the webbing can be effectively fitted to or easily released from the occupant seated within the vehicle as the two-way motor rotates in two directions.

Abstract: A mechanism connects seat belt webbing to a track of a passive seat belt system of a vehicle. The mechanism comprises a slider slidably engageable with the track. A webbing anchor link includes a first flat portion pivotally connected to the slider and a second flat portion having an opening through which the belt webbing extends. The slider and the first flat portion of the anchor link are pivotally connected in a manner to enable the anchor link to pivot about mutually perpendicular intersecting axes relative to the slider. The first flat portion lies in a first plane and has a first longitudinal axis lying in the first plane. The second flat portion lies in a second plane and has a second longitudinal axis lying in the second plane. The first and second longitudinal axes extend parallel with each other. The first and second planes form between them a predetermined angle. Preferably, the predetermined angle is an angle of 45.degree..

Abstract: A seat belt buckle for securing a tongue of a seat belt comprises an insertion passage for inserting the tongue, a latch device for preventing the tongue from being pulled out from the insertion passage, and a magnetic biasing device for biasing magnetically the tongue in the direction of insertion.

Abstract: A passive seat belt system for restraining a vehicle occupant comprises a movable slider member connected to a seat belt, an elongate track along which the slider member moves, and a limit switch mechanism which cooperates with the slider member to stop movement of the slider member. A bracket supports the limit switch mechanism in the vehicle. A spring clip releasably locks the bracket to the track.

Abstract: A pretensioner for a vehicle seat belt system comprises a casing, a drive mechanism including a spring having an operating end and an output member coupled to the operating end, a trigger mechanism for restraining the drive mechanism in a preloaded state and including a toggle linkage engaged between the casing and the drive mechanism, and a sensor mechanism having a output member for releasing the trigger mechanism upon acceleration in excess of a predetermined value by causing articulation of the toggle linkage about a pivot axis such that it ceases to be engaged between the drive mechanism and the casing and thereby releases the drive mechanism from the preloaded state.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic seat belt system. A guide rail is mounted on a vehicle body, and a driving tape is disposed along the length of the guide rail. A drive means is energized to move a slider to either one of two positions where a webbing restrains an occupant or releases the occupant therefrom. One end of the webbing used for restraining the occupant is supported to the slider which is maintained in engagement with each of the openings defined in the tape. In addition, the slider is movable in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail, and disposed movably with respect to the guide rail. A stopper is maintained in engagement with the slider in the webbing-restraining position so as to prevent the slider from being moved in the direction to which the webbing is pulled.

Abstract: In an automatic seat belt apparatus, a first tape is connected to a drive source. A second tape is connected to a slider and transmits a driving force from the drive source to the slider via the first tape. When a webbing is applied, a slide piece abuts a stopper. The slide piece moves relatively with respect to a lock plate against an urging force of a compression coil spring. Along with movement of the slide piece, the maintenance of the tapes at a connected position of the lock plate is cancelled. The lock plate rotates due to the urging force of the compression coil spring, and a separated position, at which the first tape and the second tape are separated, is maintained.

Abstract: A passive safety seat belt system for an occupant on a seat of a motor vehicle having a frame and at least a door, comprises a first guide disposed on an outboard side of the seat secured to the frame below the door; a retractor adapted to move along the first guide between a first position behind the door and a second position in front of the door; a second guide disposed above the door; a buckle adapted to move along the second guide between a third position behind the door and a fourth position toward the front of the door; an anchor disposed inboard of the seat; a belt having a first end secured to the buckle, a second end operably secured to the retractor, and an intermediate portion operably secured to the anchor; a first drive operably associated with the retractor for positioning the retractor at the first and second positions; a second drive operably associated with the buckle for positioning the buckle at the third and fourth; whereby the belt secures the occupant to the seat when the retractor and

Abstract: A steel track for the driver's seat belt and shoulder belt including a substantially horizontal floor portion adjacent the door of the vehicle connected to a substantially vertical side portion forward of the seat and an additional substantially vertical side portion secured along the door post of the vehicle. The seat belt and shoulder belt have a first end which slides along the track using a pulley in response to a predetermined condition, such as opening of the vehicle door.

Abstract: An automatic seat belt device for motor vehicles, includes a retracting member installed on a vehicle door, and upper and lower webbings wherein each lower end thereof is unified into a composite structure for slidably locking with a seat belt lock and each upper end thereof is movably connected to the retracting member, whereby the upper and lower webbings can be fitted to or released from the seated occupant as the vehicle door is closed or opened.

Abstract: This is a door lock arrangement which is operated by a slide on a vehicle door, which slide is the actuator of a seat belt system for a seat next to the door. As the door is closed, the slide moves along the door to operate this door lock as well as to put the seat belt system in its operating position restraining a person who is sitting on this seat. The door lock includes a socketed keeper mounted on a door post behind the door, a holder mounted on the door, a lock bolt slidable in this holder and engageable in the socket of the keeper, and a spring biasing the lock bolt out of engagement with the keeper and into the path of movement of the slide as the door is closing.

Abstract: An automatic seat belt system in which a slider supported by a guide rail and adapted to be worn by a vehicle occupant is moved from a webbing-application canceling position to a webbing applying position so as to apply the webbing around the occupant. The automatic seat belt system includes a slider holding portion for retaining the slider at the webbing applying position and movable along the guide rail in the retaining state, and a lock pin for retaining the slider holding member onto a chassis by being inserted in a hole provided in the chassis and for setting the slider holding member in a movable state as the lock pin is pulled out of the hole. Also provided is a controller for moving the slider by a predetermined distance from the webbing applying position toward the webbing-application canceling position by reversely rotating the motor before the lock pin is pulled out of the hole.

Abstract: A limit switch unit suitable for use in a passive seat belt system of the type that a movable anchor with a webbing connected thereto is moved by a drive member such as a drive wire along a rail between an occupant-restraining position and an occupant-releasing position. The limit switch unit is composed of a guide for introducing the drive member into the rail and a limit switch for detecting the arrival of the movable anchor at the occupant-restraining position or the occupant-releasing position. The limit switch is integral with the guide, whereby the limit switch unit is formed. A passive seat belt system with the limit switch unit incorporated therein is also disclosed.

Abstract: This is a seat belt system for a motor vehicle which has a belt retractor behind the inboard rear corner of the seat, a belt guide next to the inboard side of the head rest, a slip ring on a slide in an upwardly and forwardly inclined guideway in the vehicle door next to that seat, and an anchor next to the inboard side of the seat in front of the belt retractor. The seat belt extends up from the retractor behind the back rest of the seat, slidable through the belt guide at the inboard side of the head rest, downward and laterally outward diagonally across the front of the back rest from the guide to the slide on the door, and slidably through the slip ring on that slide back across the seat to the anchor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic seat-belt applying system for motorcars, comprising a guide rail located laterally relative to a seat and disposed on the vehicle body of a motorcar to extend along a path of movement of a seat belt and a self-propelled anchor movable along the guide rail for holding the seat belt at one end, the self-propelled anchor including a motor for moving the anchor along the guide rail, whereby the seat belt can be automatically applied around a crew sitting on the seat.

Abstract: An automatic seat belt system, having; a guide rail disposed in a room of a vehicle, a slider engaged with one end of a webbing for restraining an occupant of the vehicle and guide by the guide rail in a manner capable of moving therealong between a webbing-application canceling position and a webbing applying position, and a slider retaining member which engages with the slider and retains thereof at the webbing applying position and which enables to alter the retaining position while retaining the slider.

Abstract: An automatic conveying system of a car safety belt that controls various alarm functions and directions of a motor for releasing and fastening of the belt with an electronic controller constituted in such that a control unit scans switch states according to key inputs, and drives an alarm lamp, an alarm buzzer, an alarm chime, a solenoid and a driving motor. The control method provides the users of a car safety belt with convenience, and also solves problems of the prior relay-type control system such as high cost, largely occupied space and difficulty in checking when in trouble.

Abstract: Lap seat belt and shoulder seat belt are automatically set to restrain a seated person. A first end of each belt is slidable in a guide rail diagonally disposed on the inner surface of the door. Second ends of the belts are fixed on the inner side of the bottom seat and on the inner portion of the seat back respectively. When the first ends of the seat belts are in the highest position of the guide rail, the seated person is in a free state. When the first ends are slided and set in the lowest position, the seat belts restrain the person.

Abstract: An emergency lock for a passive seat belt system restrains the seat belt anchor in a secured rear position in emergency situations. A pivotal lock bar which blocks movement of the anchor in a forward direction along a track member independently of a driven tape is mounted and contained entirely within the track member.

Abstract: A magnet-inclusive component is furnished for use in an occupant protecting system, such as a seat belt system, for a motor vehicle. The component includes a magnet and at least one member located adjacent the magnet. The magnet is molded or cast in situ in the adjcent member, preferably by integrally incorporating a magnetizable member in the adjacent member upon formation of the latter by molding or casting and then subjecting the magnetizable member to magnetization.

Abstract: A lip suitable for use in covering a rail of a passive seat belt system is coated with an abrasion-resistant material at a slide surface. The lip can be produced coating the slide surface of the lip with the abrasion-resistant material while using an integral flange as a coating flow limiter. Preferably, the flange is a burr formed upon molding of the lip.

Abstract: A passive restraint system includes a torso belt automatically securing a vehicle occupant by moving from a forward position along a track to a rearward position to secure the occupant. A belt carrier carries one end of the torso belt along the track while the other end of the torso belt is retained on a belt retractor. The system also includes a manual lap belt which is secured by the vehicle occupant around the hips. Movement of the torso belt from the rearward to the forward position is prevented, even upon opening of the vehicle door, as long as the manual lap belt is engaged.

Abstract: A passive restraint system includes a torso belt automatically securing a vehicle occupant by moving from a forward position along a track to a rearward position to secure the occupant. A belt carrier carries one end of the torso belt along the track while the other end of the torso belt is retained on a belt retractor. Inadvertent latching of the retractor latching mechanism during movement of the belt carrier to the rearward position may cause stalling of the belt carrier. A manual retrigger is provided whereby the vehicle occupant may reinitiate the movement of the belt carrier once the latched belt is released.

Abstract: A guide tube for a passive seat belt system is disclosed. The guide tube is adapted to be arranged along a vehicle body to guide a slider drive member. The guide tube is constructed of a first guide tube member for allowing the slider drive member to extent therethrough and a second guide tube member having higher flexural rigidity than at least the first guide tube member and adapted to be mounted on the vehicle body by means of at least one tube bracket. The first guide tube member is fitted within the second guide tube member.

Abstract: A passive seat belt system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a guide rail, a slider, a device for adjusting the restraining position of the slider, a trim covering a rear end portion of the guide rail and the adjusting device, and an openable/closable door formed in the trim at a position corresponding to the position of the adjusting device. The slider carries an occupant-restraining webbing, and is arranged movably along the guide rail between the occupant restraining position and an occupant releasing position. The restraining and releasing positions are on the side of the rear end portion of the guide rail and on the side of a front end portion of the guide rail, respectively. The rear end portion of the guide rail extends vertically along a center pillar of the vehicle. The adjusting device is provided on the side of the rear end portion of the guide rail for adjusting the restraining position of said slider.

Abstract: A passive seat belt system is constructed of a guide rail longitudinally defining a first channel and a second channel, a slider movable along the second channel of the guide rail, a webbing fastened to the slider and movable between an occupant-restraining position and an occupant-releasing position, a drive member for driving the slider, said drive member being received in the first channel of the guide rail, and a spacer provided between the slider and the drive member to prevent the slider from directly contacting an inner wall portion of the second channel, said inner wall portion being on a side closer to the first channel.

Abstract: A passive seat belt system for an automotive vehicle has a webbing which takes a passenger restraining position or a passenger releasing position. Impact detecting means is provided to detect impact applied to the vehicle. Door state change detecting means is provided to detect change in closing and opening states of a vehicle door. When the change is detected, signal output regulating means selectively outputs closing and opening signals for a predetermined time. Additionally, the signal output regulating means is adapted to prohibit the closing and opening signals from being output when the impact signal is output from the impact detecting means. Webbing driving means is provided to move the webbing to the passenger restraining and releasing positions respectively in response to the closing and opening signals output from the signal output regulating means. The system allows vehicle escape in an emergency, if the door is opened.

Abstract: An automotive seat assembly has a mounting arrangement for seat belt componentry which allows the fore and aft movement of the componentry with the seat and effects load transfer from the seat belt to the automotive vehicle body in a manner suitable for mounting a seat belt retractor in the longitudinally movable environment.

Abstract: A seat comprising a first eyelet secured to the top of the seatback, on one side of the same, and inside which a first belt slides; a winding device for the first belt, secured to the rear surface of the seat; a carriage traveling substantially longitudinally and to which is secured one end of the first belt; a second eyelet secured to the seat portion of the seat and inside which a second belt slides; a second winding device secured underneath the seat for winding the second belt; and means for retaining one end of the second belt, which means are secured to the seat for enabling the connection of connecting means to which the end of the second belt is secured.

Abstract: The locking means for the drive member of a passive safety-belt system includes a pivotally mounted ratchet hook which secures the drive member in its end position corresponding to the belt fastening position. The ratchet hook is arranged on the side of the drive member to which the tensile force occurring at the drive member is directed under accident load. The nose of the ratchet hook dips into a recess at the upper edge of the drive member. Even after high accident stress due to a head-on collision, in which deformation of the loaded parts occurs, the ratchet hook remains reliably in engagement with the drive member.

Abstract: A webbing guiding structure suitable for use in an automobile seat belt system includes a slide rail and a movable runner displaceable along the slide rail. The slide rail defines a slide surface for allowing the movable runner to run on the slide surface. The movable runner is provided with a slidable shoe at a position where the movable runner is brought into contact with the slide rail. A contact surface of the slidable shoe, which is brought into contact with the slide surface of the slide rail, and the slide surface are arranged at an angle relative to each other as viewed in a direction transverse to the slide rail.

Abstract: A passive safety harness for use in a vehicle comprises a safety belt portion one end of which is attached to a retractor reel and the other end of which is attached to a carriage movable along a rail formed in the door of the vehicle. The carriage carries a tongue which is received in a latching or locking element secured to the vehicle so as to ensure that in an accident situation the end of the belt attached to the carriage is securely retained in the desired position. The locking mechanism comprises a safety belt buckle which is pivotally mounted in position, but which normally occupies a position in which the plane of the buckle is parallel with the plane of the rail to enable the tongue to be easily inserted into the buckle. However, the arrangement is such that in the event that an accident arises the buckle can pivot so that the force applied to the buckle by the safety belt is axial of the buckle, the buckle being designed primarily to withstand forces in this particular direction.