Inertia Responsive Locking Or Tightening Of Belt Or Harness Patents (Class 280/806)
  • Patent number: 9539981
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor 100 includes stop state detecting means 118 which detects that a driving signal is not inputted to power generation means 110 and drawing-direction rotation detecting means 119 which detects that the power generation means 110 is rotating in a drawing-direction of a webbing 302. Here, a control means 200 controls the power generation means 110 to rotate in the drawing direction of the webbing 302, when the stop state detecting means 118 detects that the driving signal is not inputted to the power generation means 110 and the drawing-direction rotation detecting means 119 detects that the power generation means 110 is rotating in the drawing direction of the webbing 302.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventor: Yukinori Midorikawa
  • Patent number: 9533646
    Abstract: A safety restraint system for a vehicle seat having a seat back, a seat cushion and a frame includes an inflatable pelvis restraint device having a flexible member extending laterally across the seat cushion and having a first end and a second end. The flexible member includes at least a portion that is inflatable for increasing a height of the seat proximate a forward edge of the seat. In one embodiment, both the first and second ends are attached to the frame. In another embodiment, the safety restraint system includes a continuous webbing that defines a pelvis restraint portion, a lap belt portion and a shoulder belt portion. The lap belt portion, the shoulder belt portion, or both may be additionally inflatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventor: David W. Schneider
  • Patent number: 9478375
    Abstract: A stationary contact for a rotary switch is provided. The stationary contact includes a connection portion for connecting to a conductor and a first portion being a contact portion for connecting the stationary contact to a rotary contact. The stationary contact also includes a second portion being a support portion for supporting the stationary contact to a switch body. The contact portion and support portion extend in the same angle from the connection portion. A method of mounting a rotary switch is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Oy
    Inventors: Oskari Uitto, Aki Suutarinen, Rainer Kolmonen
  • Patent number: 9365184
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle structure comprising a seatbelt device, in which diffusion of a hot gas produced in a pretensioner is easily minimized by a simple configuration. In the vehicle structure comprising a seatbelt device, the pretensioner is provided on a rear inner side panel, and an interior material covering the pretensioner is provided on the side facing the vehicle interior. The interior material has a dividing wall provided on the rear surface, the dividing wall protruding toward the rear inner side panel. The dividing wall encloses the pretensioner and partitions the gap between the rear inner side panel and the interior material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Isayama, Taku Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9333944
    Abstract: An anchor pretensioner for a vehicle may include a bracket installed at a vehicle body side or a seat side, a cylinder installed on a lower end portion of the bracket, and in which a microgas generator (MGG) for generating explosive pressure is embedded, a rack installed in the cylinder, and moved upward by the explosive pressure, a rotator rotatably installed on an upper end portion of the bracket, engaged with the rack through a gear portion at a lower end of the rotator, and rotated when the rack is moved upward, and a lower anchor plate coupled to an upper end of the rotator, and connected to a webbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Taeg Young Ahn, Beom Jung Kim, Eung Joo Kim
  • Patent number: 9327678
    Abstract: A vehicular seat belt assembly includes a pair of lateral webbing strips that extend laterally across the passenger's lap, proximal ends being manually connectable and dis-connectable from each other. A vertically extending webbing strip includes a pair of upper body strips that are configured to contact opposite sides of a front of the passenger's upper body. A sensor is configured to provide data indicative of whether the proximal ends of the pair of lateral webbing strips are connected together. A harness assembly includes a harness webbing that is attached to one of the pair of lateral webbing strips, and a wire harness that is connectable to the sensor, the wire harness extending along the harness webbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kevin Stockmeier, Michael Griffin, Noriyuki Muto
  • Patent number: 9260077
    Abstract: A pretensioner comprising a gas generating unit; a pretensioner body to whose inside the gas is supplied; a spool driving member disposed inside the pretensioner body and causing a spool to rotate to retract webbing onto the spool; a gas flow rate adjusting portion disposed in the spool driving member and whose inner peripheral shape is set in accordance with a flow rate of the gas to be passed through the gas flow rate adjusting portion; and a filter unit having a vent portion that is communicated with a space between the gas generating unit and the spool driving member and is also communicated with the gas flow rate adjusting portion. The open shape of the gas flow rate adjusting portion has a portion that does not coincide in a plan view with the open shape of the vent portion, and the overall open area of the vent portion is set larger than the open area of the gas flow rate adjusting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Tomonori Nagata, Shinichi Okubo, Masaru Ukita, Katsuki Asagiri, Yasutaka Watanabe, Keiichi Kato, Yusuke Hirokawa, Hiroaki Yamazoe
  • Patent number: 9221424
    Abstract: A safety belt strap is proposed for arrangement on a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle, with a belt tensioning section. The safety belt strap is able to be shortened via the belt tensioning section. The belt tensioning section has two marginal regions and a central region, which connects the two marginal regions, with a pyrotechnic tensioning device. The pyrotechnic tensioning device is in operative connection with the belt tensioning section such that after triggering of the pyrotechnic tensioning device the two marginal regions of the belt tensioning section are moved to one another independently of the central region, in order to shorten the safety belt strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Jenny
  • Patent number: 9187059
    Abstract: The object to provide a child safety seat with which the user is able to restrain and fasten a child in a child safety seat in a optimal way is solved by the child safety seat with the five point harness according to the invention comprises a two tongue buckle, whereby the two tongue buckle comprises guiding means through which webbing is guided and the webbing comprises stopping means to allow a predetermined length of webbing to run through the guiding means and retracting means operatively connected to at least one part of the webbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: BRITAX RÖMER KINDERSICHERHEIT GMBH
    Inventors: Iain Powell, David Shaun Carine
  • Patent number: 9185282
    Abstract: There is provided a system including a housing configured to be grasped by a hand, a determination unit configured to determine whether an object point is present in a vicinity of an electronic apparatus, a recognition unit configured to recognize a relative relationship between the object point and a position of the electronic apparatus when the determination unit has determined that the object point is present in the vicinity, and a stimulation control unit configured to perform control in a manner that a stimulus is provided to a hand in accordance with the recognized relative relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoichiro Sako, Takatoshi Nakamura, Akira Tange, Ichiro Mayama
  • Patent number: 9162647
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to reduce the weight of a pretensioner by reducing the length of a piston and a wire of the pretensioner. A pretensioner (1) is used in a seat belt device and pulls a seat belt. Due to gas supplied into a cylinder (10) from a gas generator (4), a piston (20) is moved in the cylinder (10). A wire (60) is connected to the piston (20) and the seat belt and pulls the seat belt when the piston (20) moves. The wire (60) has both ends that are connected to the seat belt and has a folded portion (63) that is connected to the piston (20) via connecting means (51). The connecting means (51) has a connecting hole (24) that is formed in the piston (20) and through which the folded portion (63) passes and has a detachment preventing member (52) that is positioned between the folded portion (63) and the piston (20) to prevent the folded portion (63) from being detached from the connecting hole (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Inagawa, Hiroyuki Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 9139160
    Abstract: Provided is an active seat belt apparatus, including: a motor which is driven to fasten or unfasten an active seat belt; a motor driving unit which includes the motor and drives the motor; a current measuring unit which measures a value of a current of the motor driving unit in order to determine whether to perform or stop a belt parking function when the active seat belt is unfastened; and a control unit which sends a signal for performing the belt parking function to the motor when the value of the current measured by the current measuring unit is smaller than a limit current value and sends a signal for stopping the belt parking function to the motor when the value of the current measured by the current measuring unit is larger than the limit current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young Joon Kwon, Myoung Hun Kuem
  • Patent number: 9115959
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a quick release garment can be provided. The exemplary garment can include a plurality of co-operable garment panels, which when interconnected, can form a garment in a condition wrapped about an upper torso of a person, a plurality releasable mechanical latches, each latch having a first and a second portion and at least one latch element biased towards an engaged condition, releasably engageable to interconnect the garment panels, and a release arrangement operable in a single operation to release the latches. Further, the latches can be structured so that the single operation allows the garment to fall from the upper torso, and the garment can thereafter be rapidly restorable to the condition wrapped about the upper torso by re-engaging each of the latches by pushing the first and second portions together against the bias to re-engage the latch element(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: THF INNOVATION PTY LTD
    Inventor: Albert Hellweg
  • Patent number: 9096191
    Abstract: The invention relates a belt tensioner (10) for a seat belt system comprising a tensioner tube (42) for receiving and guiding a pressurizing element (44) as well as a separate generator housing (46) for receiving a gas generator (48), wherein a coupling element (50) tightly connecting the generator housing (46) to the tensioner tube (42) is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Betz, Dominik Seitzer, Karl Ruediger
  • Patent number: 9090221
    Abstract: A one-way locking assembly having an axially moveable member extending through a locking structure. The locking structure including an engagement member contacting an exterior surface of the axially moveable member and being movable relative to the exterior surface of the moveable member in a first direction while being substantially immovable along the outer surface of the moveable member in a direction opposite to the first direction. The engagement member further including a pair of lock arms extending radially inward from a circumferential frame and terminating in distal ends engaging the exterior surface of the moveable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathon Boughner, Robert E. Ver Hoven, Mark Gray
  • Patent number: 9079564
    Abstract: A tensioner (10) for a seat belt includes a cylinder tube (12), a piston (14) that is movably arranged in the cylinder tube (12), a tension transmission means (24) connected to the piston (14) at a connecting portion (26) for transmitting the movement of the piston (14) to the seat belt, as well as a drive (18) which is adapted to exert a driving force in a tensioning direction A on the piston (14) so as to tension the seat belt. The tensioner (10) moreover includes a return stop which counteracts a displacement of the piston (14) in a direction B opposite to the tensioning direction A. The connecting portion (26) is arranged in the tensioning direction A ahead of the return stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Betz
  • Publication number: 20150145238
    Abstract: A safety device for a set belt includes a retractor having a rack gear on a circumferential outer surface of which the seat belt is wound; a pretensioner operated upon a collision of a car and rotating the rack gear in a direction for winding the seat belt; a release unit installed adjacent to the pretensioner, operated after the pretensioner operates the rack gear, and rotating the rack gear in a direction for unwinding the seat belt; and a switch unit receiving a manipulation force for operating the release unit, generating electricity, transferring the electricity to the release unit, and operating the release unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hong Sik Park
  • Patent number: 9038935
    Abstract: A retractor includes a spool configured to selectively wind and unwind the webbing, a lock base configured to operate in a free position and a locked position, a first energy absorbing member coupled to the spool and the lock base, and a second energy absorbing member coupled to the spool and the lock base. When the lock base is in the free position, the spool and lock base freely rotate together when a force is applied on the spool through the webbing. When the lock base is in the locked position and a force is applied on the spool through the webbing, rotation of the spool is permitted while rotation of the lock base is prevented, such that the first energy absorbing member absorbs a first energy and the second energy absorbing member is configured to absorb a second energy after a predetermined rotation of the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Lee Stroik, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9027965
    Abstract: A gas generating system (24) is provided including a gas generant container (34) and an initiator (28). A gas generant composition (32) is placed within the container (34) in ignitable communication with the igniter (28). A molecular sieve (33) is positioned within the housing 17 combined within the gas generant composition (32), or external of the gas generant (32) but in reactive proximity or vapor communication therewith. A seatbelt device (150) and a vehicle occupant restraint system (180) incorporating a gas generating system as described herein are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Deborah L. Hordos
  • Patent number: 9004536
    Abstract: A seatbelt tension adjustment device includes an elongated upper body having a downward facing protrusion that is pivotally secured to a lower body having a box-like shape. The lower body including an upper surface for receiving the protrusion and an internal cavity for positioning a rotatable drum therein. The rotatable drum working in unison with the downward facing protrusion to engage a seatbelt in an adjustable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Leroy Heath
  • Patent number: 8979129
    Abstract: A retractor including a rotatable spool configured to be connected to a webbing, a locking member configured to selectively lock the spool and prevent the spool from rotating in the webbing extraction direction, a sensor, and a cover for the sensor and locking member. When the locking member is in a locked position, the spool is prohibited from rotating in the webbing extraction direction. The sensor is configured to move in a first direction in response to the vehicle having a threshold acceleration. Movement of the sensor in the first direction causes a corresponding movement of the locking member to a locked position. The sensor is located in a cavity in the cover and an insert member is disposed between the cover and the sensor to limit the travel of the sensor in a second direction transverse to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: John Pasquale Puzzonia, Michael Zdravkoski
  • Patent number: 8960724
    Abstract: The seatbelt pretensioner, which is designed for reducing slack in seatbelt webbing upon deployment in response to a triggering event, comprises an igniter that generates gas in response to the triggering event, an elongate body defining a chamber for receiving and the confining gas generated by the igniter, a piston movable within the elongate body by the gas generated, a slack-reducing assembly that responds to movement of the piston and is connected to at least a portion of seatbelt webbing, movement of the piston causes the slack-reducing assembly to move the seat belt webbing reducing slack in the seatbelt webbing; and a controlled pressure release that enables gas to escape from the elongate body after deployment, relieving gas pressure within the pretensioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon E. Burrow, Bin Wang, Kurt W. Schulz
  • Publication number: 20150048609
    Abstract: The present invention is a resettable load-limiting adaptive seatbelt apparatus having the means to readily allow release or disengagement of the seatbelt apparatus at a predetermined load in response to a first situation, and having the means to prevent release or disengagement of the seatbelt apparatus at the predetermined load in response to a second situation, and yet having the means to allow limited non-disengagement load-limiting payout of the seatbelt apparatus at a variable predetermined load in response to a third situation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Michael R. Schramm
  • Patent number: 8931851
    Abstract: The present invention provides a seat belt adjuster applicable to seat belts in vehicles, comprising: a pair of supporting swing rods composed of a first swing rod and a second swing rod, with the adjacent ends of the first and second swing rods hinged together and forming an included angle between the swing rods, either non-adjacent end of the first and second swing rods fixed in stationary state, and the other non-adjacent end of the first and second swing rods movable as the included angle between the swing rods changes; and an actuator, which changes the included angle between the swing rods by exerting force to the first swing rod and/or the second swing rod and/or the hinge point of the swing rods, and thereby directly applies variable force on the strap of the seat strap via the other non-adjacent end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: Yingui Sun
  • Patent number: 8888137
    Abstract: A serviceable seatbelt buckle mounted belt tensioner for use with a vehicle seat having a seat frame includes a bracket fixed to the seat frame and a pre-tensioning assembly releasably attached to the bracket, the pre-tensioning assembly includes a housing, a seatbelt attachment portion such as a seatbelt buckle, a cylindrical container and a cable connecting the seatbelt buckle and the cylindrical container, the cable passing through the housing. Both the bracket and the housing include attachment interfaces in the forms of flanges, tabs, pins, and slots. A fastener such as a screw or a clip is used to prevent movement of the housing relative to the bracket once the components are fitted together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Curtis David Kalina, Richard Edward Ruthinowski, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Patent number: 8864173
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor is provided that realizes the proper meshing between a plurality of internal teeth and external teeth with a simple movement of a spool. In the case of an emergency, external teeth of a pawl provided at a spool right side end mesh with internal teeth provided on a frame, and, with load acting on a seat belt, a spool left side end contacts a spool guide. Since the spool left side end tends to move further in the direction of seat belt load, the spool guide brings one external tooth at the spool left side end into contact with one target internal tooth provided on the frame. Hence, some of the spool external teeth are made to mesh properly with the respective internal teeth. Thus, some of the spool external teeth effectively mesh with the respective frame internal teeth with simple movement of the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Yoshioka, Kenji Osada, Takashi Sesaki
  • Patent number: 8857854
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system that includes a clutch mechanism, an electric actuator, a spindle and a power transmission mechanism that transmits motive power from the actuator to the clutch mechanism. The transmission mechanism has a low reduction transmission path that reduces rotation of the actuator at a low reduction ratio, a high reduction transmission path that reduces rotation of the electric actuator at a high reduction ratio, and switching means. When a possible collision is detected, the actuator is positively rotated and rotation is transmitted to the clutch mechanism at a high speed and low torque via the low reduction transmission path, until coupling of the clutch mechanism is complete. Subsequently, the transmission mechanism is switched to the high reduction transmission path and rotation is transmitted to the clutch mechanism, at a low speed and high torque, to wind the seatbelt around the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Yukinori Midorikawa
  • Publication number: 20140265289
    Abstract: The seatbelt pretensioner, which is designed for reducing slack in seatbelt webbing upon deployment in response to a triggering event, comprises an igniter that generates gas in response to the triggering event, an elongate body defining a chamber for receiving and the confining gas generated by the igniter, a piston movable within the elongate body by the gas generated, a slack-reducing assembly that responds to movement of the piston and is connected to at least a portion of seatbelt webbing, movement of the piston causes the slack-reducing assembly to move the seat belt webbing reducing slack in the seatbelt webbing; and a controlled pressure release that enables gas to escape from the elongate body after deployment, relieving gas pressure within the pretensioner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Jon E. Burrow, Bin Wang, Kurt W. Schulz
  • Publication number: 20140265290
    Abstract: A guide that can be included as part of a pretensioner for a motor vehicle belt restraint system. The pretensioner includes a frame having walls that define an interior compartment. Located within the interior compartment is a piston assembly having a gas generator in communication with a piston. The gas generator creates an expanding gas that causes movement of the piston and applies tension to a seatbelt of the belt restraint system. The guide includes an opening through which the seatbelt passes and that causes the seatbelt to form a reduced width configuration upon exiting the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Ver Hoven, Timothy J. Cahill, Jon E. Burrow, Matthias Bäker
  • Publication number: 20140265288
    Abstract: A pretensioner for a motor vehicle belt restraint system mounted to a structure of the vehicle. The pretensioner is connected to a belt restraint component that is also connected to the belt restraint system. The pretensioner includes a conduit made of tubing and having first and second ends. At least a portion of the conduit defines an elongated piston bore with a piston slideably positioned therein. A cable is attached to the piston and extends through the conduit for connection to the belt restraint component. A micro-gas generator is also located within the conduit and positioned generally opposite of the piston. Upon activation of the micro-gas generator, a gas is generated in the piston bore and drives the piston such that the piston exerts tension on the cable and thereby on the belt restrain component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Kohlndorfer, Lawrence M. Refior
  • Publication number: 20140265291
    Abstract: A one-way locking assembly having an axially moveable member extending through a locking structure. The locking structure including an engagement member contacting an exterior surface of the axially moveable member and being movable relative to the exterior surface of the moveable member in a first direction while being substantially immovable along the outer surface of the moveable member in a direction opposite to the first direction. The engagement member further including a pair of lock arms extending radially inward from a circumferential frame and terminating in distal ends engaging the exterior surface of the moveable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Jonathon Boughner, Robert E. Ver Hoven, Mark Gray
  • Patent number: 8820789
    Abstract: Various embodiments of seat harness pretensioning devices for use in land, air, and sea vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, a seat unit for use in a military land vehicle or helicopter includes a stroking device that enables the seat to move downwardly in response to sudden movement. The seat unit also includes a seat belt or harness that extends around the occupant in the seat. Sudden movement of the seat in response to an explosion or hard landing causes a tensioning system to automatically pretension the seat harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Merrill, Todd J. Humbert
  • Patent number: 8820462
    Abstract: An occupant restraint system of the present invention includes a curtain airbag (2), a side airbag (4), a seat belt (6) with a built-in pretensioner, and a rollover detection device (11) configured to detect or predict rollover of a vehicle (1). The occupant restraint system further includes a control device (11) configured to perform control of deploying the side airbag when the rollover of the vehicle is detected or predicted by the rollover detection device, activating the pretensioner (19) after a predetermined time elapses from the deployment of the side airbag, and then deploying the curtain airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Togawa, Kouichi Oota
  • Patent number: 8820788
    Abstract: A tongue assembly for use in an occupant restraint system also having a buckle mechanism and a webbing. The tongue assembly includes a tongue member configured to selectively engage the buckle mechanism, a body formed over a portion of the tongue member, a cam, and a biasing member configured to rotationally bias the cam. The body includes a contact surface. The cam includes a cam surface and is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation between a first locking position and a second free position. When the cam is positioned in the second free position the tongue assembly is free to slide along the length of the webbing, and when the cam is positioned in the first locking position a portion of the webbing is clamped between the cam surface and the contact surface thereby preventing the tongue assembly from sliding along the length of the webbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Darren W. Goudeau, Jonathon M. Boughner
  • Patent number: 8818643
    Abstract: In this seatbelt device, when a lock release determining device determines that a lock has been released, and a command for driving a motor is output while a wind-up operation is performed by the motor to release the lock, and a priority of the command is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, a control device controls the motor so as to apply tension to a webbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shotaro Odate
  • Patent number: 8814211
    Abstract: A pretensioner for a motor vehicle belt restraint system mounted to a structure of the vehicle. The pretensioner is connected to a belt restraint component that is also connected to the belt restraint system. The pretensioner includes a conduit made of tubing and having first and second ends. At least a portion of the conduit defines an elongated piston bore with a piston slideably positioned therein. A cable is attached to the piston and extends through the conduit for connection to the belt restraint component. A micro-gas generator is also located within the conduit and positioned generally opposite of the piston. Upon activation of the micro-gas generator, a gas is generated in the piston bore and drives the piston such that the piston exerts tension on the cable and thereby on the belt restrain component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Kohlndorfer, Lawrence M. Refior
  • Patent number: 8794672
    Abstract: A method of downscaling the travel-time-function of a reference body of mass mt in a spring-mass system with a spring providing a spring force when the spring-mass system is exposed to an acceleration field with an acceleration which moves the reference body against the spring force according to the travel-time-function is provided. In this method, the downscaling is done by coupling the reference body of mass mt to additional masses mr which are kinematically linked together in such a way that they do not react to acceleration field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Thomas Dramlitsch
  • Patent number: 8789851
    Abstract: A seat belt system comprising a webbing configured to restrain an occupant, a pretensioner coupled to the webbing and configured to apply a tensile force to the webbing when a dynamic vehicle event is detected, and a connector assembly for connecting the webbing to the pretensioner. The connector assembly includes a first coupling member having a first end and a second end connected to the webbing, and a second coupling member having a first end and a second end connected to the pretensioner. The first end of the second coupling member is configured to be detachably coupled to the first end of the first coupling member. The first end of the first coupling member includes a cavity configured to receive the first end of the second coupling member, and the relative positions of the first and second coupling members are fixed when the first end of the second coupling member is inserted into the cavity and rotated relative to the first coupling member into a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Joel David Alvarado, Nancy Abigail Perez
  • Patent number: 8783723
    Abstract: A belt winder for a safety belt system includes a belt reel for tightening or loosing the safety belt, and an electric motor for driving the belt reel. The motor includes a stator and a rotor rotatably mounted to the stator. The rotor includes an motor shaft, a commutator fixed to the motor shaft, a rotor core fixed to the motor shaft and rotor windings wound about teeth of the rotor core and electrically connected to segments of the commutator. The rotor windings include a plurality of winding units. Each winding unit includes at least two coils, the coils of each winding unit being wound about the same teeth and electrically connected to a same pair of segments in parallel. A safety belt system incorporating the belt winder is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventors: Hang Fung Chang, Hang Cheong Ma, Daniel Ming Hong Wong
  • Patent number: 8783724
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gas exhaust device of a retractor pretensioner for a vehicle, including a pinion connected to a belt weaving spool in a retractor body; a rack linearly transferred when engaged with the pinion; a rack transfer path formed between a pretensioner body and the retractor body, configured to guide the rack linearly toward the pinion; and a micro-gas generator (MGG) mounted on a side of a lower end of the pretensioner body to elevate the rack toward the pinion using gas generated by the MGG, wherein a gas moving aperture is formed to allow communication between an upper portion and a lower portion of the rack transfer path in a longitudinal direction in the rack, to elevate the rack using the gas generated from the MGG and simultaneously, move the rack toward the upper portion of the rack transfer path through the gas moving aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyun Mo Yang
  • Patent number: 8783722
    Abstract: The self-releasing vehicular harness is a harness designed to prevent a driver or rider of a motorcycle from flying over the handlebars during a head-on or upright collision. The self-releasing vehicular harness includes a tether that extends from the harness to a spring-loaded drum located in a housing positioned to the rear of the end user. The housing contains at least one tensioning means that releases the drum in order to enable the tether to unroll thereby releasing the end user from the vehicle in the event of a non-head-on collision or other parameter. An inclinometer detects the angle of the vehicle in order to determine whether to release or lock the spring-loaded drum. A kill switch and/or seat sensor may work in conjunction with the inclinometer to further define parameters for releasing or locking the tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventor: Gerald F. Gallo
  • Patent number: 8777268
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reversible belt tensioner (10) comprising a drive motor (12), a spindle (14) connected to the drive motor (12), a spindle nut (16) adapted to be displaced in axial direction (18) on the spindle (14), a catch (20) the one end of which is connected to the spindle nut (16) and a belt buckle (22) connected to the other end of the catch (20), wherein at least one of the following features prevents the spindle nut (16) from jamming during travel against block: a cylindrical guiding portion (50) inside the spindle nut (16) interacting with the outer geometry of the spindle (14); a freewheel mechanism (48) between the drive motor (12) and the spindle (14); a compression spring (70) between the belt buckle (22) and a stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Artur Klein, Nathalie Kramer, Martin Prokscha, Stefano Roehm
  • Publication number: 20140175781
    Abstract: A linear drive, especially for a belt tensioner, includes a housing (10) including a piston seat (12), a piston element (16) accommodated in the piston seat (12) and a pyrotechnical drive element adapted to supply gas for displacing the piston element (16). The inner wall of the piston seat (12) includes a groove (30) extending in the displacing direction (R) of the piston element (16) through which gas can flow off the piston seat (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Simon Schreiber, Hermann Grau, Krzysztof Krukowski
  • Patent number: 8746742
    Abstract: A seatbelt tension adjustment device includes an elongated upper body having a downward facing protrusion that is pivotally secured to a lower body having a box-like shape. The lower body including an upper surface for receiving the protrusion and an internal cavity for positioning a paddle drum therein. The paddle drum working in unison with the downward facing protrusion to engage a seatbelt in an adjustable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Leroy Heath
  • Patent number: 8733795
    Abstract: An anchor pre-tensioner for seat belt of vehicle improves phenomenon in which a webbing of seat belt is caught in belly of passengers during collision by the vehicle. The anchor pre-tensioner may include: first second wires connected to a lower end of the webbing respectively; a driving cylinder having a piston coupled to ends of the first and second wires; a gas generator supplying a gas pressure for the forward movement of the piston; a first roller supporting the first wire to move in the direction oblique against the bottom of the vehicle during the forward movement of the piston; and a second roller supporting the second wire to move downward when the piston moves forward; wherein the forward movement of the piston pulls the webbing of the seat belt in the direction where the first wire moves and at the same time in the direction perpendicular thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Si Yeol Kim, Choong Sik Shin, Sung Jun Han
  • Patent number: 8733790
    Abstract: An active safety apparatus for vehicles and a method of controlling the apparatus, which can actively control the operation of a safety device, such as an airbag device or a seatbelt device installed in a vehicle for restraining a passenger behavior and protecting a passenger in a vehicle collision, based on the conditions of a vehicle collision and the passenger behavior which vary depending on the conditions of the vehicle collision, thereby optimally protecting the passenger for the conditions of the vehicle collision and improving passenger safety of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Sogang University
    Inventors: Jae Haeng Yoo, Dae Young Kwak, Hyun Yong Jeong, Won Min Choi
  • Patent number: 8727257
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor for a safety belt of a motor vehicle having a belt shaft (1) rotatably mounted in a frame, a profile head (2) lockable in relation to the frame, a load limiting device (20) located between the profile head (2) and the belt shaft (1) for enabling the belt shaft (1) to undergo a load limited rotation in the belt webbing extraction direction (A) with the profile head (2) being locked and a load limiting level predetermined by the load limiting device (20) being exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Bengt Dahlquist, Erik Arthur Rydsmo, Fredrik Wigström
  • Patent number: 8720950
    Abstract: A ring gear 15 of a pretensioner 8 includes a plurality of levers 17 and one arc-shaped stopper 16 to allow force transmission members to smoothly move in a pipe, to facilitate setting of a stopper for stopping rotation of a ring gear, and to reduce the cost with a simple structure. During operation of the pretensioner 8, the levers 17 are sequentially pressed by balls 12a to rotate a pinion 19 and a spool in a seatbelt retracting direction. When the ring gear 15 rotates by a predetermined rotation amount, an outer peripheral edge 16c of the stopper 16 contacts and presses the opposing ball 12a. Since the ball 12a is thereby clamped between the stopper 16 and an inner peripheral surface 10d1 of a pipe I0, the ring gear 15 is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tomita, Yuichiro Hodatsu
  • Patent number: 8714595
    Abstract: Seat belt systems and inflatable airbags can be used to mitigate the potential for injury to an occupant's neck. The seat belt systems provide for moderating the seat belt loads acting on the occupant to allow an improved synchronization of the occupant torso and head rebound timing, which in turn limits head and torso differential loading (frontal whiplash) and therefore occupant neck loads and neck, based on the position of the occupant, loads on the seatbelt, or a predetermined time in the crash event. Airbags are also provided with a sloped impact face. Additionally, airbags are also provided with a relatively flat top portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Edward Heasman, Bin Wang, Patrick Dee Jamison, Jeffrey D. Williams
  • Patent number: 8684413
    Abstract: A pretensioning device (10) for a safety belt, of a motor vehicle, having a gas generator (17), a piston (21) guided in a tube (16), which closes a pressure area (20) in the tube (16) that is pressurized by the gas generator (17) whereupon the piston (21) is able to move in a pretensioning movement which is able to be conveyed to the safety belt by means of an inertia body (19a) resting on a front face (9) of the piston (21). The piston (21) forms a pass-through opening (1) releasable upon exceeding of a predetermined pressure and a recess (26) is provided in the front face (9) with an inertia body (19a) resting thereon, so that a flow connection is created from the pass-through opening (1) to the area (25) located behind the piston (21) in the direction of the pretensioning movement (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Thomas Schmidt, Martin Schmidt, Christian Fischer, Michael Pech, Matthias Steinberg, Tobias Voss