Shoulder Belt Or Harness Patents (Class 280/808)
  • Patent number: 6899353
    Abstract: The seat belt incorporates a self-adjusting retractable shoulder belt and a continuous lap belt into an arrangement that is easy to use and provides increased safety in the case of front end collision or roll over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: Karl E. Volk
  • Patent number: 6896291
    Abstract: A personal restraint system includes a central mounting assembly that is couplable to an interior surface of a vehicle. The central mounting assembly has a base member. The central mounting assembly has a rotatable coupling portion that is rotatably coupled to the base member. An elongate member has a first and second end. The first end is operationally couplable to the rotatable coupling portion. A harness assembly is operationally couplable to the second end of the elongate member. The elongate member is providing vertical support for a user when the harness assembly is worn by the user and the harness assembly is coupled to the central mounting assembly via the elongate member. The harness member is for inhibiting unwanted movement of the user relative to the interior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: Beverly M. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6880893
    Abstract: An adjustable seat belt rerouter system includes a cord, a cord length adjustment mechanism, and a shoulder belt guide. The shoulder belt guide is slidingly connectable to the shoulder belt. The seat belt rerouter system includes a means for attaching a first end of the cord to the shoulder belt guide and a means for attaching a second end of the cord to a vehicle attachment point. When the cord first end is attached to the shoulder belt guide and the cord second end is attached to the vehicle attachment point, the cord length is adjustable with the cord length adjustment mechanism for rerouting and holding the shoulder belt away from a vehicle occupant's neck and face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: McMurray Fabrics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Curtis Scotton
  • Patent number: 6880857
    Abstract: A fastening device for a belt roller in a motor vehicle is inserted in a cutout of a vehicle body part and is connected on an edge side with the vehicle body part. In order to create a fastening device for a belt roller which permits improved fastening, the cutout can be constructed in the vehicle body part such that the cutout is closed in a surrounding manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hartmut Schwarz, Reza Shakory-Tabrizi
  • Patent number: 6874818
    Abstract: A seat belt anchorage has a tubular housing adapted to be mounted on support structure of a vehicle. The housing has a cylindrical wall. A nut is axially slidable along the inner surface of the cylindrical wall. The housing has a transverse wall at an inner end of the cylindrical wall. The transverse wall has a tapered surface. The transverse wall has an annular abutment ring inwardly of the tapered surface defining a central opening. The nut has a tapered side in contact with the tapered surface of said transverse wall and an end in contact with the abutment ring. A bolt has a shank extending through the opening and threaded into the nut. The bolt has a head exteriorly of the housing and a collar on the shank between the head and the abutment ring. A seat belt supporting plate is mounted on the collar. The bolt in normal use is tightened to draw the tapered side of the nut against the tapered surface of the transverse wall and to draw the collar against the abutment ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel E Crimmins, Steven F Snyder
  • Patent number: 6869105
    Abstract: A four-point seat belt system is provided which includes a seat mountable within the vehicle, the seat has upper and lower medial locations. A first seat belt is disclosed having a first end coupled to the lower medial location and a second end coupled to the upper medial location. The seat belt further has a first tongue disposed between the first and second ends. A second seat belt is provided which has a first end coupled to the lower medial location and a second end having a second tongue. A first track located on the vehicle's door is provided which has a first seat belt buckle and a first drive mechanism. A second track is provided on the vehicle's door frame which has a second seat belt buckle. The first drive mechanism is configured to move at least one of the first seat belt buckle or the second seat belt buckle from a first location to a second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Ching-Shan Cheng
  • Patent number: 6863308
    Abstract: An end of a seat belt is connected to an actuator that can selectively remove a slack from the seat belt. The actuator includes a main actuator unit, a flywheel which provides a maximum inertia effect for a given space, and a cushioning member for decelerating a movement of the moveable end of the seat belt following a certain initial travel of the moveable end. The main actuator unit produces an early rise in the vehicle occupant deceleration, and the cushioning member smoothly connects the time history of the vehicle occupant deceleration to a ride-down condition whereby the deceleration acting on the vehicle occupant is favorably spread over time, and the maximum level of the deceleration can be minimized. The flywheel contributes to a favorable shaping of the time history of the vehicle occupant deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuki Motozawa
  • Patent number: 6860671
    Abstract: A D-ring assembly comprising a D-ring and a load limiting device. The D-ring has a slot therethrough for receiving a seatbelt webbing and for guiding the webbing from the retractor to the torso of a vehicle occupant. The load limiting device functions by absorbing kinetic energy of the vehicle occupant during a crash to control the deceleration forces experienced by the vehicle occupant. The load limiting device has a deforming member partially embedded in a swivel ball. When a predetermined amount of force is applied on the D-ring assembly, the swivel ball rotates causing the deforming member to create a channel in the load-limiting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Schulz
  • Patent number: 6854767
    Abstract: A vehicle has a shoulder anchor mounting structure. In the shoulder anchor mounting structure, a side roof rail extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle at a roof side of the vehicle is constructed such that an inner member and an outer member thereof form a closed section. A first reinforcement that partitions the closed section is interposed between the inner member and the outer member, and a second reinforcement that has a peripheral edge thereof joined to the first reinforcement is interposed between the first reinforcement and the inner member. The second reinforcement has a bottom wall joined to an inner surface wall of the inner member, and a shoulder anchor member of a seat belt is mounted on an abutment part where the bottom wall and the inner member abut on each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yakata, Hideki Honjo
  • Patent number: 6846020
    Abstract: A seat belt restraint system for a vehicle occupant (30) seated in a vehicle seat (32), more specifically for both an adult and a child or a person of small stature. The seat belt restraint system includes a conventional three-point seat belt restraint system (40) for an occupant of normal size and an adjusting mechanism (56) adapted to provide additional fixation points on seat belt webbing (46), more specifically on shoulder belt (54), and adapted to adjust the departure angle at which shoulder belt (54) extends across the body of a child or a person of small stature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Inventor: Zhaoxia Xu
  • Publication number: 20040262905
    Abstract: A vehicle restraint system (30) comprises first and second lap belts (32 and 34), first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38), and a buckle assembly (90) for interconnecting the lap belts (32 and 34) and the shoulder belts (36 and 38). The vehicle restraint system (30) also comprises first and second lap belt retractors (46 and 104) for the first and second lap belts (32 and 34), respectively. A linking mechanism (218) connects the first and second lap belt retractors (46 and 104) and is adapted to transfer motion between the first and second lap belt retractors (46 and 104). As a result, the first and second lap belts (32 and 34) are retracted in unison and by equal amounts during retraction and are withdrawn in unison and by equal amounts during withdrawal from the first and second lap belt retractors (46 and 104).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold J. Herberg, Joseph J. Zwolinski
  • Publication number: 20040251676
    Abstract: There is provided a seat belt guiding construction capable of regulating the longitudinal and transverse movement of a seat belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichiro Maruo
  • Publication number: 20040239094
    Abstract: A safety belt arrangement for a motor vehicle. The arrangement includes a belt deflection device. The belt deflection device is arranged above the shoulder of the passenger to be held by the safety belt. The belt deflection device is mounted to a carrier attached to the vehicle body. The belt deflection device includes an upper reversal member, which deflects the belt downwards, and a deflection member arranged below the reversal member. The deflection member being vertically adjustably secured to a rail mounted to the carrier. The deflection member deflects the belt from an at least substantially vertical direction to a direction toward the shoulder of the passenger which deviates significantly from the vertical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Herrmann, Matthias Pleyer, Robert Kopetzky
  • Patent number: 6820903
    Abstract: A belt placer is provided for positioning the belt portion of a vehicle safety belt system and includes a drive apparatus and an engagement component that is drivably movable by the drive apparatus into engagement with a respective one of the belt and the closure tongue arranged on the belt. The engagement component positions the belt in a ready position relative to the vehicle occupant in which the belt is positioned for buckling and the engagement component being returned into its resting position in connection with buckling or unbuckling of the belt. The drive apparatus includes a feed roller and a flexible push- and pull-device in the form of a bending-resistant band which is brought from the flat disposition in which it is wound around the feed roller into an arched or cambered position around its longitudinal axis as it is unwound from the feed roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Geert-Helge Wittenberg
  • Patent number: 6820902
    Abstract: A supplemental restraint system that is easy to use in a vehicle is provided. The user of the system is prevented from the damaging effects of being restrained by a shoulder seat belt combination that provides inadequate support to most of the body and can produce injury at the point of contact with the body during an accident. Further, the supplemental restraint system of the present invention provides the user with a harness to better hold the user to the seat and restraint system of the vehicle. The present invention provides a means of dressing an adult or a child in a restraint harness that may be easily attached within a vehicle and provides the user with restraints that fit the user's height and weight requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Hyun S. Kim
  • Patent number: 6817629
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system (30) comprises first and second lap belts (32 and 34) and first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38). A buckle assembly (90) is provided for interconnecting the first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38) and the first and second lap belts (32 and 34). At least one lap belt retractor (50) is operatively connected to the first and second lap belts (32 and 34) and is electrically actuatable, in response to receiving a first electrical locking signal, for locking the at least one lap belt retractor (50) to prevent withdrawal of the first and second lap belts (32 and 34). An occupant actuatable mechanism (160) is operatively connected to the at least one lap belt retractor (50) and is responsive to actuation by the vehicle occupant for providing the first electrical locking signal to the at least one lap belt retractor (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold J. Herberg, Joseph J. Zwolinski, Alex G. Meduvsky
  • Patent number: 6811199
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bracket construction for a seat striker, which can firmly hold the seat striker at a position separated from the vehicle body side. A latch 18 having a pin 18a is provided in a folding type squab 10, and a slot 10b is formed in a back face 10a thereof. A bracket 1 is installed to a side panel 13 by bolting. The bracket 1 has a bracket body 2 and a seat striker 3 that is installed to the bracket body 2 so as to be capable of being engaged with the latch 18. The bracket body 2 has a shape such as to project toward the vehicle inside from an outside end 10c of the squab 10 and be long in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The bracket body 2 consists of an upper bracket 2a and a lower bracket 2b. The bracket body 2 has a seat belt guide portion 5, and further has an installation portion for a trim 4 which covers the bracket body 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Nozaki
  • Patent number: 6811186
    Abstract: A restraint apparatus for a vehicle seat includes a seat back for supporting an occupant. The seat back defines a generally vertical axis and a generally horizontal axis. The apparatus further includes a guide for directing a restraint which is adapted to pass over a shoulder of an occupant of the seat. The guide is movably mounted relative to the seat back such that the guide is movable to alter the distance from the shoulder of the occupant relative to both of the vertical and horizontal axes, thereby adjusting the position of the restraint relative to the shoulder of a seat occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory S. Fraley, Xiaoqin Xie
  • Publication number: 20040160051
    Abstract: A four-point seat belt system is provided which includes a seat mountable within the vehicle, the seat has upper and lower medial locations. A first seat belt is disclosed having a first end coupled to the lower medial location and a second end coupled to the upper medial location. The seat belt further has a first tongue disposed between the first and second ends. A second seat belt is provided which has a first end coupled to the lower medial location and a second end having a second tongue. A first track located on the vehicle's door is provided which has a first seat belt buckle and a first drive mechanism. A second track is provided on the vehicle's door frame which has a second seat belt buckle. The first drive mechanism is configured to move at least one of the first seat belt buckle or the second seat belt buckle from a first location to a second location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Ching-Shan Cheng
  • Publication number: 20040155451
    Abstract: A seat-belt-restraint-system (40) for a vehicle occupant (30) seated in a vehicle seat (32). Seat-belt-restraint-system (40) includes two shoulder belts (42) and (46), a middle portion belt (52), a seat belt buckle (60), a seat belt latch (58), a connect mechanism (50), and a lap belt (54). The upper end of shoulder belt (42) is extendable and retractable to the upper portion of the vehicle adjacent the occupant's shoulder. The upper end of shoulder belt (46) is extendable and retractable to the upper portion of seatback (34) adjacent the occupant's shoulder. The lower ends of both shoulder belts (42) and (46) lead to connect mechanism (50). The first end of middle portion belt (52) leads to connect mechanism (50). The second end of middle portion belt (52) is connected to the first end of lap belt (54). The second end of lap belt (54) is anchored to the vehicle and disposed on the outboard side of occupant (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Zhaoxia Xu
  • Patent number: 6773048
    Abstract: A reinforced fastener assembly (18) for securing a vehicle seat (14, 16) to a vehicle sheet metal body structure (20) is provided. The reinforced fastener assembly (18) includes a mounting bracket (34) having a collar portion (36) for coupling to the vehicle sheet metal body structure (20) and distributing a load across a substantial portion of the vehicle sheet metal body structure (20). This mounting bracket (34) further includes an attachment portion (50) that has a vehicle seat fastener (52) extending therefrom. Finally, the reinforced fastener assembly (18) includes a tubular reinforcement member (78) that is coupled to and extends substantially across the collar portion (36) of the mounting bracket (34). This tubular reinforcement member (78) is intended to reinforce the collar portion (36) thereby allowing the collar portion (36) to distribute a load across a substantial portion of the vehicle sheet metal body structure (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael James Freeman
  • Publication number: 20040150211
    Abstract: An insert sheet for positioning a safety belt, which includes a main body in an arc shape having a thick part and a thin part; said insert sheet could be inserted into the hole of the hanging bracket to hang a stopping pad on the hole of the hanging bracket. When the safety belt is pulled out at a length, the present insert sheet is inserted into the hole to restrict the movement of the pulled safety belt thereby the safety belt pulled out could be controlled at an appropriate length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Ching-Tien Pi
  • Publication number: 20040150212
    Abstract: A detachable three point seat belt assembly is provided. The seat belt assembly may have a belt extending downward along a seat from a retractor. In an anchored configuration, the distal end of the belt is attached to a static attachment feature by an interlocking buckle. A movable attachment feature coupled to the belt is engaged within a static buckle to buckle a vehicle occupant into the seat. In a free configuration, the interlocking buckle is disengaged from the static attachment feature so that the belt can be retracted along the seat. The interlocking buckle contains a latching lever and a pair of ejectors that operate in such a manner that insertion of the movable attachment feature enables withdrawal of the static attachment feature, and vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Jeff A. Russell, Steven J. Combs, Kevin J. Dewey, David B. Figlioli
  • Publication number: 20040140660
    Abstract: A seat-belt-restraint-system for a vehicle occupant (30) seated in a vehicle seat (32), more specifically for an adult, or a child or an adult of small stature, or an infant in a car seat. The seat-belt-restraint-system includes a conventional three-point seat-belt-restraint-system (40) for an occupant of normal size and a lap-belt-adjustment-device (64) adapted to provide an additional fixation point on lap belt (52) to seat portion (36), such that the distance between the occupant's hip and the additional fixation point is minimized. In another embodiment, a bolster pad (82) is inserted in between seatback (34) and seat portion (36) at around the hinge of vehicle seat (32) to fill up the space between the occupant's hip and lap belt (52).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: Zhaoxia Xu
  • Patent number: 6758496
    Abstract: A shoulder belt retention device for keeping the shoulder strap portion of a vehicle seat belt system in place and away from the child's face, thus providing the child with maximum comfort and protection. The shoulder belt retention device includes a main loop portion that is positionable around a shoulder of a user. A shoulder belt retaining portion is designed for selectively securing a shoulder belt of a vehicle restraint system. The shoulder belt retaining portion maintains the shoulder belt in a substantially fixed spatial relationship with the shoulder of the user such that the shoulder belt does not rub a neck of the user during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: Wanda Coriz
  • Patent number: 6752466
    Abstract: A protective device is detachably attached to a shoulder harness of the automotive vehicle and is formed of a main body and a panel. The main body has a softness and is provided with the Velcro, device to facilitate the fastening and the unfastening of the protective device with the shoulder harness. The panel is attached to the outer surface of the main body and is provided with a light-emitting apparatus and an attention-drawing mark printed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Yet Chang Mobile Goods Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lien-Feng Liang
  • Publication number: 20040113411
    Abstract: When a head rest of a seat of a transport system is adjusted to a head of a belted passenger, its height-adjustable shoulder-belt-portion guiding deflector, loosely guiding a shoulder belt portion of a seat-belt, adapts itself to his body proportion. As a result, the shoulder belt portion downwardly extends over his shoulder and his upper body and the shoulder-belt-portion guiding deflector prevents neck-strangulation, intercepts and holds a released main latch plate, which is easily accessed by passenger, taking seat and wanting to use the seat-belt. A space-saving shoulder-belt-portion guiding deflector can be installed in any free region of the seat backrest of an head-rest integrated seat of, for example, Volvo, Porsche or Ferrari. A height-adjustable head rest can be equipped with a single, stiff shoulder-belt-portion guiding deflector, which, movable along a member of the seat-backrest frame, guided thereby and locked therein, is nonrotating about a longitudinal axis of thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Giok Djien
  • Publication number: 20040113410
    Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle comprising at least a seat, and a recess which is formed receding downwardly in a floor of the vehicle immediately behind the seat. A cross member extends across the vehicle width above the recess and is fixed to the vehicle body at its opposite ends. A buckle connecting member is connected with a buckle of the seat belt for the seat at one end and connected with the cross member at the other end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshimine Morino, Kenji Satani, Tatsuya Takahashi, Kazuhiro Matsuhashi, Hiroshi Okiyama
  • Publication number: 20040113413
    Abstract: Seat belts of a transport system are provided with anti-submarining seat-belt assemblies. A lap-belt portion of each assembly, restraining the lower part of the body of a belted passenger, is subdivided into two anti-submarining belt portions, which properly restrain the thighs when plug-in connecting at least one anti-submarining latch-plate to one of the anti-submarining buckle assemblies, all of which, equipped with energy absorbers, are arranged in a seat cushion. As a result, the energy-absorbing, anti-submarining seat-belt assembly substantially lowers great belt force in an accident, reduces the elongation of the seat belt and prevents submarining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Giok Djien Go
  • Publication number: 20040113412
    Abstract: A multi-point seat-belt includes two shoulder-belt portions, a lap-belt portion, master release-button, multi-attachment points and a belt-feeding device, which, when activated, moves the first shoulder-belt portion to extend across over the upper of the body of the passenger, when taking his seat. In conjunction with a main latch-plate plug-in connecting to a main buckle-assembly both shoulder-belt portions extend crosswise over the upper-part thereof in an X-shape and the lap-belt portion restrains the lower-part thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Giok Djien Go
  • Patent number: 6749150
    Abstract: A safety system including a web guide comprising: a load-bearing member; a roller rotationally supported in relation to the load-bearing member; a one-way clutch for permitting the roller to rotate in a first direction and for prohibiting the roller from rotating in an opposite second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Kohlndorfer, Lawrence M. Refior, Michael J. Moore, Richard W. Koning, Wendell C. Lane, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040108708
    Abstract: A webbing insertion member in which a webbing hardly shifts within an opening during the operation of a pretensioner mechanism. The insertion member includes a bearing portion and an opening through which the webbing passes. In order to prevent the shifting of the webbing in the longitudinal direction of the opening, the length of the opening is substantially the same or slightly greater than the width of the seat belt. As a result, the left and right sides of the webbing confront the ends of the opening to thereby prevent the webbing from shifting laterally in the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: TAKATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomohide Noda
  • Patent number: 6739625
    Abstract: A seat-belt guide anchor for guiding a seat belt in a vehicle includes an elongated guide hole through which the seat belt slides and a sliding portion disposed adjacent to the guide hole contacting the seat belt. The seat belt extends with an angle relative to a direction perpendicular to a long axis of the guide hole. The sliding portion has a projection or a recess. An end portion of the projection or recess extends and is inclined with an angle larger than the seat belt extension angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tomita, Muneo Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 6737819
    Abstract: A motor retractor system includes a first winding device having a motor for driving a shoulder belt in a winding direction, and a second winding device having a tension-applying device for always applying a tension in a winding direction to a lap belt extending from the shoulder belt through a through-tongue. A control unit controls the motor to drive when the through-tongue coupled to the buckle is released from the buckle. Therefore, the shoulder belt can be smoothly pulled out. When the through-tongue is buckled up, an occupant can be restrained by the seat belt with a comfortable force and no slack. When the through-tongue is released from the buckle, the seat belt can be promptly withdrawn to the first winding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromasa Tanji
  • Patent number: 6733041
    Abstract: A height adjuster (100, 200, 400) for a seat belt system comprising a mounting bar (102, 202, 402), a carrier (120, 220,460, 460a) and a spring-loaded locking lever (170, 270,490). The mounting bar is preferably oval or rectangular in cross-section with at least one wall (side wall), which acts as an engagement or locking surface. The engagement surface can include a plurality of small teeth. The bar is adapted to be mounted to a support surface or structure. The carrier is slidably mounted on the bar and is movable to different positions. The carrier includes a main portion, which may be U-shaped in cross-section with a top, a bottom and a center wall. Each of the top and bottom walls includes a first opening through which the mounting bar extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Arnold, Richard A. Boelstler, Robert J. Desmarais, Markell Seitzman
  • Patent number: 6729643
    Abstract: For use in a high performance racing vehicle or the like in which the torso of a driver is restrained in a seat by a harness that includes shoulder straps extending over the driver's shoulder, and a helmet is worn by the driver, a neck support and head restraint device comprises an inflatable collar configured and dimensioned to surround the driver's neck at a location between the driver's helmet and shoulders. The collar is anchored to the shoulder straps of the restraining harness. At least one and preferably two tethers are strategically connected at opposite ends to the collar and the helmet. The collar is normally in a pliable collapsed state, with the tethers loosely extending between the helmet and collar to thereby accommodate relatively unimpeded head movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: David Clark Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Bassick, Edward A. DuBois, Daniel M. Barry
  • Publication number: 20040079575
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system (30) comprises first and second lap belts (32 and 34) and first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38). A buckle assembly (90) is provided for interconnecting the first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38) and the first and second lap belts (32 and 34). At least one lap belt retractor (50) is operatively connected to the first and second lap belts (32 and 34) and is electrically actuatable, in response to receiving a first electrical locking signal, for locking the at least one lap belt retractor (50) to prevent withdrawal of the first and second lap belts (32 and 34). An occupant actuatable mechanism (160) is operatively connected to the at least one lap belt retractor (50) and is responsive to actuation by the vehicle occupant for providing the first electrical locking signal to the at least one lap belt retractor (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold J. Herberg, Joseph J. Zwolinski, Alex G. Meduvsky
  • Publication number: 20040070191
    Abstract: A seat belt device includes a shoulder belt portion for restraining the front portion of the upper half of the body of a passenger seated in an associated seat, a lap belt portion for restraining the thighs of the passenger, and a thigh belt portion which extends across a seat cushion of the associated seat so as to be disposed under the thighs of the passenger in use, and which is provided for restraining the thighs of the passenger together with the lap belt portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Higuchi, Kenichi Saito, Nobuyuki Kawamura
  • Patent number: 6715793
    Abstract: A through anchor includes: a through anchor body that includes a through hole, through which the webbing belt passes, and a support, which is molded using a metal mold and forms part of an inner peripheral surface of the through hole, with a parting line produced during molding being formed on or near the support in the inner periphery of the through hole; and a low-friction member that passes through the through hole and is adhered onto the support, the low-friction member including modified portions and first and second ends in the direction in which the low-friction member passes through the through hole. By aligning the modified portions with the parting line when the low-friction member is passed through the through hole and adhered to the support, the length of the low-friction member at either side of the parting line is proportionally the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Shinichi Okubo
  • Patent number: 6708380
    Abstract: A breakaway latch plate for use with the seat belt system is disclosed. The breakaway latch plate includes a latch plate body that may be selectively secured to a buckle. An orifice may be disposed within the latch plate body. Seat belt webbing passes through the orifice. A locking mechanism is coupled to the latch plate body. In a locked state, the locking mechanism prevents movement of the seat belt webbing relative to the latch plate body. When a predetermined load is applied to the seat belt webbing, the locking mechanism changes to an unlocked state, in which the seat belt webbing may move relative to the latch plate body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Schneider, Pontus Soderstrom
  • Patent number: 6705641
    Abstract: An inflatable seat belt system providing protection to its inflatable members is disclosed. The system may include inflatable shoulder belts and lap belts, which may or may not be inflatable. Each inflatable belt includes seat belt webbing having an interior cavity in which an inflatable member is placed. The seat belt webbing also includes a frangible seam that bursts upon inflation of the inflatable member. The inflatable seat belt system may also include one or more anti-submarining (crotch) belts that prevent an occupant from slipping underneath the protection of the lap and shoulder belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Schneider, Michael K. Hishon
  • Patent number: 6702327
    Abstract: A set of structural components for reversing elements of seat belt systems in motor vehicles. The set is comprised of a one-piece metal body produced from a steel sheet by cold forming; at least one plastic adapter and a set of profiled elements having differently shaped profiles. These profiles of the metal body are coupled by pairs by a plug connection. The metal body, as a standard component, has uniformly fixed dimensions which do not depend on the concrete installation of the of the reversing element. This design permits the installation of a metal body in the B-post of motor vehicles. These profiled elements comprise plastic profiles designed as sight shutters whose shape is adapted to the concrete installation in a motor vehicle. With covered or half-covered installation of the reversing element, the edge of an opening located in the covering side of the body of the vehicle for receiving the reversing element permits the pivotal movement to be engaged by the plastic profiles from behind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Norbert Janz
  • Patent number: 6698795
    Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle, for restraining an occupant in a seat disposed in a compartment of the vehicle. The vehicle comprises an opening formed on at least one side of the vehicular body, and a first door moving between a first state where the first door closes at least a part of the opening and a second state where the first door opens the opening. The seat belt system includes a belt webbing, a retractor disposed in the first door for retracting the proximal end of the belt webbing, and a sliding device fixed on a lower edge of the opening, to which the distal end of the belt webbing is attached. The sliding device permits the distal end of the belt webbing to slide along the lower edge of the opening between a forward position and a rearward position. The distal end of the belt webbing is located at the rearward position when the first door is in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Mazda Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Enomoto, Kouji Kishino, Takashi Mizuma
  • Patent number: 6688647
    Abstract: In a seat belt device for an automobile, according to a through anchor of the present invention, a groove provides the boundary part between a molded part and a resin piece. Thereby, the boundary between the molded part and the resin piece is disposed inside the groove without conspicuousness. Moreover, a projection part of a mold for forming the groove is disposed between the synthetic resin materials comprising the resin piece and the molded part when molding the molded part. Accordingly, the heat of the molten synthetic resin material comprising the molded part is not transmitted directly to the resin piece on the surface of the through anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Eiji Koketsu
  • Patent number: 6688642
    Abstract: An airbag system for seatbelts including a housing and an elongated one-piece tubular inflatable structure disposed within the housing, where the housing and inflatable structure include a seatbelt passageway so that a seatbelt may pass therethrough unhindered and unaffected during normal seatbelt use, while the inflatable structure remains in an uninflated state. In a collision event, an inflator causes the inflatable structure to unfold, or preferably unroll, and extend from the housing along the seatbelt, so that the inflatable structure surrounds the seatbelt over an extended length thereof to provide a cushion between the seatbelt and an occupant. Such an arrangement may be easily applied to existing seatbelt systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventor: John A. Sollars, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6676162
    Abstract: An inflatable belt presenter for use with an occupant restraint belt of a motor vehicle has a stored condition wherein the presenter is deflated and allows the restraint belt to assume a stowed position, and a deployed condition wherein the presenter is inflated and urges the belt to a graspable position in which the occupant can more easily grasp the belt prior to fastening it. The presenter is inflated by a source of gas pressure carried on board the vehicle, such as a compressor, pressure vessel, or a seat-mounted bladder after an occupant has been seated in the seat and is ready to don the restraint belt. Inflation of the presenter preferably occurs upon activation by an electronic control system that receives inputs from one or more vehicle systems, such as a seat weight sensor, a door open/closed sensor, and/or an ignition switch. The inflated presenter is flexible and compliant enough that it will not cause any discomfort to the seat occupant if it should contact the occupant's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Per Gyllenspetz, Bjorn Lundell, Gunnar Nilsson, Henrik Wiberg, Per Ferdell
  • Patent number: 6669234
    Abstract: A system (20) comprising a buckle presenter (100) and/or a tongue presenter (200) and mechanism to activate and control each presenter. The buckle presenter and tongue presenter (200) are used to respectively move a seat belt buckle (26) and a corresponding tongue (24) from a stowed position to activated positions generally in front of the occupant to make the process of inserting the tongue into the buckle more convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Kohlndorfer, Mark F. Gray, Markell Seitzman, Mohannad F. Murad, Hossam Almasri, Randal Gosk
  • Publication number: 20030230885
    Abstract: A belt placer is provided for positioning the belt portion of a vehicle safety belt system and includes a drive apparatus and an engagement component that is drivably movable by the drive apparatus into engagement with a respective one of the belt and the closure tongue arranged on the belt. The engagement component positions the belt in a ready position relative to the vehicle occupant in which the belt is positioned for buckling and the engagement component being returned into its resting position in connection with buckling or unbuckling of the belt. The drive apparatus includes a feed roller and a flexible push- and pull-device in the form of a bending-resistant band which is brought from the flat disposition in which it is wound around the feed roller into an arched or cambered position around its longitudinal axis as it is unwound from the feed roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Geert-Helge Wittenberg
  • Patent number: 6659505
    Abstract: A system and device for managing the restraints available for vehicle occupants that uses fluidic torque conversion to provide an adaptive variable load limiting for the primary occupant safety restraint. The fluidic torque conversion of this invention can be variably controlled through the use of an electro/mechanical flow control device. The flow control is preferably coupled to one or more sensors, including occupant weight, occupant position, seat position, low “g”, high “g”, and belt displacement/latching sensors. This invention is adapted to be responsive to the vehicles interior safety devices, including front air bags, side air bags, seat back pivots, head rests, collapsible steering wheel, and positioning of the dash board and/or vehicle instrumentation. This invention is a re-usable system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Knox
  • Patent number: 6655718
    Abstract: The method and device of this invention immobilizes a person in a secure, upright restraint system in a police vehicle. It can be easily and safely applied by public safety officers including police or other law enforcement personnel and medical personnel to secure a person against undesired movement while maintaining them in an upright, sitting position which leaves the diaphragm free for natural, unrestrained breathing movement. The asphyxia-preventing restraining device comprises an ALR/ELR retractor. The ALR/ELR retractor comprises a shoulder harness having a pair of seat belt buckles, which significantly reduce the possibilities of injuries to police officers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: CEE Restraint Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher A. Eusebi