Belt Or Harness Rides On Seat Connected Slide Patents (Class 297/473)
  • Patent number: 6935701
    Abstract: An adjustable turning loop for a vehicle comprises a rail and a slide for a web guide. The slide is slideably received on the rail. A lock maintains a slide at a position on the rail. The lock has a locked condition limiting movement of the slide on the rail and an unlocked condition allowing movement of the slide on the rail. The lock comprises a first member and a second member. The first member and the second member pivot relative to the rail. The first member and the second member engage the rail in the locked condition and disengage from the rail in the unlocked condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Arnold, Richard Boelstler, Robert J. Desmarais
  • Patent number: 6824167
    Abstract: A seat belt system which does not interfere with the ingress and egress of rear seat passengers, and can detect the presence of an occupant without being influenced by the seat belt tension to provide the accurate weight detection. In one embodiment, the seat belt system comprises a retractor disposed in the rear door, an anchor of the seat belt webbing, and a rail member that allows the anchor of the seat belt webbing to slide in the vehicular longitudinal direction. The front end of the rail member is attached substantially on the seat side above a weight detecting device. The weight detecting device is disposed between the front seat and the floor panel, while the buckle capable of engaging the tongue of the seat belt webbing is disposed on the seat above the weight detecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yousuke Nishimoto, Takayuki Seto, Kenji Muramatsu, Hiroaki Nakao
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6779842
    Abstract: This invention provides a child safety seat with an integral seat belt tensioner for properly securing the seat to the passenger seat of an automotive vehicle by taking up the slack in the seat belt after it has been fastened through the child seat. The tensioner pulls or pushes the seat belt so that the few inches of slack that usually exist are eliminated by the tensioner. The safety seat is adapted to have internal space, either in its back and/or below the seat, to accommodate the tensioner and the belt movement so that the controls, tensioner, and/or other moving parts are out of the reach of the a child in the seat. A preferred version of the tensioner includes motor and gearing to move a belt holder up and down generally along the rear of the safety seat, for tightening and loosening the belt, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: James R. McNeff
  • 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.
  • Patent number: 6726287
    Abstract: A belt deflector on a seat, with a sheet-metal element connected with a seat sub-structure of the seat, which has a belt path surface structured as a saddle. The saddle has a ridge region that is rounded off in the belt path direction, and ears molded onto it in the crosswise direction, on the side, which are formed in sickle shape as lateral belt path restrictors, and are structured with rounded belt guidance surfaces in the belt path direction. The free ends of the sickle-shaped, formed ears extend over at least the border regions of the belt path surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Norbert Janz
  • Patent number: 6722737
    Abstract: A structure of revolving seat including a revolving frame and a pedestal fixed at the side of a floor of vehicle. An anchor unit is provided between the revolving frame and pedestal to prevent breakage of the revolving seat and its associated revolving mechanism. The anchor unit comprises a first anchor element of generally “J” shape including a hole and a projection and a second anchor element of generally “inverted J” shape including a hole and an a projection. When a great load is applied to the revolving seat, the projection of first anchor element is quickly brought to engagement in the hole of second anchor element, while simultaneously, the projection of second element is brought to engagement in the hole of first anchor element. Thus, the great load is immediately transmitted and escaped through the mutually engaged first and second anchor elements to the floor of vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Kanai
  • Patent number: 6666520
    Abstract: A compartmentalized occupant restraint system and kit for restraining an occupant in a seating arrangement comprising a vehicle seat with a seat frame, a seat bottom, and a seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventors: Gary H. Murphy, George E. Temple, IV, Keith A. Gudeman
  • Patent number: 6588850
    Abstract: The present invention provides a slide rail construction for an automobile seat, which can realize an increase in strength. An automobile seat has a seat back for mainly supporting the upper body of a passenger and a seat cushion for supporting the legs of the passenger. Slide rails consisting of an outer rail and an inner rail are disposed between the seat cushion and a vehicle floor. An automobile seat is slidable with respect to the vehicle floor due to the slide rails. An upper rail of the inner rail is provided with a side part attaching bracket extending upward in a substantially vertical direction and a lower part attaching bracket extending in a substantially horizontal direction. A cushion frame of the seat cushion is attached by means of both of the brackets. In front of and near the side part attaching bracket, a buckle is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 6550867
    Abstract: A seat restraint buckle presenter assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a seat restraint buckle for receiving a latch plate of the seat restraint system. The seat restraint buckle presenter assembly also includes a buckle support connected to the seat restraint buckle and supporting the seat restraint buckle adjacent a seat of the vehicle. The seat restraint buckle presenter assembly further includes a drive mechanism cooperating with the buckle support for moving the buckle support and the seat restraint buckle longitudinally between a forward position and a rearward position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd Walker Rogers, Jr., Theodore J Lindsay, Armeta Carson
  • Patent number: 6547333
    Abstract: A safety system for a vehicle, having an adjustable headrest with a belt guide. The belt guide realigns the path of travel of a torso belt of a vehicle. The adjustable headrest provides head support to smaller sized passengers while also positioning the torso belt for the smaller sized passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chantal S. Parenteau, Madana Gopal, Allen Richard Starner, Minoo Jaswantlal Shah
  • Patent number: 6467849
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat has longitudinal adjustment tracks, a device for adjusting elevation and inclination, and a seatbelt buckle mounting, which has a first part that is coupled to an upper track of the longitudinal adjustment tracks and a second part that is coupled to the seat part so as to be capable of pivoting and that is guided on a longitudinal guiding surface of the first part so that its position may be freely shifted. The first part has a catch toothing, which is embodied so as to accept a catch projection provided on a second part, such that the coupling point of the second part and its catch projection are arranged on different sides of the first part. The guiding surface is provided on only one side of the first part, and the opposing surface of the second part, which works in concert with it, is held in contact with the guiding surface by a spring until a load limit of the seatbelt buckle mounting is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Bertrand Faure Sitztechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Deptolla
  • Patent number: 6447060
    Abstract: A small child and infant restraint device is disclosed which can be used with an existing seat of a transportation member such as an aircraft passenger seat. The restraint device includes a base member connected to a back panel by a hinge member. A seat pan provides a seating surface for the child or infant. A seat belt path is defined between the seat pan and the base member for disposal across the base member of a seat belt associated with the existing passenger seat, for attaching the restraint device to the existing passenger seat. The restraint device can be utilized in a forward facing configuration or in an aft facing configuration. The forward facing configuration is utilized with small children and toddlers, while the aft facing configuration is utilized with infants and small children without sufficient neck development. When the device is not in use, the back panel is folded down towards the base member to form a relatively thin stowable assembly where it can be properly stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: DME Corporation
    Inventors: Jose Franco Vila, Dean T. Brady, Michael J. Brookman
  • Publication number: 20020043872
    Abstract: A seat belt buckle receptacle presenter is disclosed that presents the seat belt buckle receptacle to a vehicle occupant in a convenient and visually accessible location. In a first preferred embodiment, the seat belt receptacle is pivotally mounted along a generally horizontal track to move from a storage position located in the rearward portion of a vehicle seat to a presenting position located adjacent a forward edge of the vehicle seat. An alternative second preferred embodiment includes an upwardly extending presenting arm that is connected to a conventional restraint belt receptacle. The presenting arm receives a seat belt buckle and delivers the belt buckle to the seat belt receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Applicant: Joalto Design Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Townsend, Mohamed El-Sayed, John E. Campbell, Paul J. DeLorean
  • Patent number: 6352312
    Abstract: A vehicle seat interlock mechanism includes a U-shaped channel member extending along a lower track of a seat and an interlock bracket mounted to a deformable mounting member at an upper track of the seat. The interlock bracket includes a seat belt anchor and a U-shaped channel at a lower end of the bracket. The interlock bracket is movable upwardly and forwardly in response to a seat belt force sufficient to deform the mounting member of the interlock bracket, whereby the two interlock channels engage to limit movement of the seat relative to the floor of the vehicle. The interlock bracket may include a portion extending forwardly over a gear box of a power drive system for the seat, such that the bracket is movable to compress the gear box to further retain the gear mechanism to a rack along the track assembly of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Excellence Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. A. Rees
  • Patent number: 6312056
    Abstract: An occupant restraint system for restraining an occupant in a seating arrangement comprising a vehicle seat wherein the vehicle seat has a seat frame, a seat bottom coupled to the frame, and a seat back coupled to the seat frame wherein the seat back has a first edge and a second edge, the occupant restraint system comprising a first anchoring assembly for being attached to the vehicle seat adjacent to the first edge of the seat back, a second anchoring assembly for being attached to the vehicle seat adjacent to the second edge of the seat back, a first elongate flexible member with a body portion extendibly and retractably retained on the first anchoring assembly, a mechanism for coupling a portion of the first elongate flexible member to the second anchoring assembly whereby the body portion of the first elongate flexible member traverses the seat back from the first edge to the second edge, a first buckle element coupled to the body portion of the first elongate flexible member, a first corresponding buckl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventors: Gary H. Murphy, George E. Temple, IV, Keith A. Gudeman
  • Patent number: 6305746
    Abstract: A seat sliding apparatus includes: a pair of right and left lower rails (20, 20) each having lock teeth (22, 22); a first and a second upper rails (30A, 30B); first and second lock plates (40A, 40B); lock springs (50, 50) provided at the first and second upper rails (30A, 30B) respectively; and an operation lever (70) attached to the first and second lock plates (40A, 40B). In the above construction, a first end portion (70a) of the operation lever (70) is attached to the neighborhood of the pivot portion (41) of the first lock plate (40A). Furthermore, an operation lever attachment member (45) for attaching a second end portion (70b) of the operation lever (70) to the neighborhood of the pivot portion (41) of the second lockplate (40B) is provided to be rotatable and freely up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Fujikiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Ikegaya, Yoshihiro Kanda, Tadashi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6299252
    Abstract: Motor vehicle seats with safety belts wherein the free end of the lap belt is attached to an outer rocker located on the vehicle exterior side. The arrangement provides an improved distribution of forces in the event of an accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Ernst-Reiner Frohnhaus, Burckhard Becker, Wilfried Beneker
  • Patent number: 6279954
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Joalto Design, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Townsend, Mohamed E. M. El-Sayed, Arthur L. Guertin, Paul J. Delorean, John E. Campbell, Michael P. Kaczmar
  • Patent number: 6257642
    Abstract: A seat unit for motor vehicles includes several seat elements such as elements for seat length adjustment, fixing and bearing elements, seat side parts, seat shell and/or gear housing. Preferably, at least two of the seat elements are formed in a one-piece cast part. More particularly, the rail units for longitudinally adjusting the seat are formed as a cast part and further seat elements are molded in one piece on this rail unit. The configuration of the individual parts of the seat unit are optimized to the anticipated load conditions, and the number of parts of the seat unit is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Peter Schumann, Werner Neuhauser
  • Patent number: 6244621
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Hikaru Kameyoshi, Yoji Suyama, Daisuke Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 6224130
    Abstract: A mechanism for mounting a seat belt of a center seating space of a vehicle seat which exhibits sufficient strength and reduces weight and production costs to the greatest degree is provided. Such a mechanism is provided by separating a seat into a right seating section and a left seating section at the center thereof such that each of the separated seating sections is independently slidable back and forth by means of a seat sliding rail formed of a pair of lower rails fixed to a floor side and a pair of upper rails fixed to the bottom of a seat. A base member bent at an intermediate bent portion defined by a belt mount plate portion and a rail mount connector portion is attached to a side surface of the inner upper rail at the rail connector plate portion such that the belt mount plate portion extends outward. An anchor for the seat belt of the center seating space of the seat is fixed to the top end of the belt mount plate portion of the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignees: Takashimaya Nippatsu Kogyo Co., LTD, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsuki Sasaki, Naoaki Hoshihara, Kenji Onodera, Masamichi Sugihara
  • Patent number: 6220662
    Abstract: A small child and infant restraint device is disclosed which can be used with an existing seat of a transportation member such as an aircraft passenger seat. The restraint device includes a base member connected to a back panel by a hinge member. A seat pan provides a seating surface for the child or infant. A seat belt path is defined between the seat pan and the base member for disposal across the base member of a seat belt associated with the existing passenger seat, for attaching the restraint device to the existing passenger seat. The restraint device can be utilized in a forward facing configuration or in an aft facing configuration. The forward facing configuration is utilized with small children and toddlers, while the aft facing configuration is utilized with infants and small children without sufficient neck development. When the device is not in use, the back panel is folded down towards the base member to form a relatively thin stowable assembly where it can be properly stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: DME Corporation
    Inventors: Jose Franco-Vila, Dean T. Brady, Michael J. Brookman
  • Patent number: 6123391
    Abstract: A height adjuster for use with a seat belt comprising: a track mountable to a structural member of a vehicle in a vertical orientation, the member including a portion of a vehicle seat, the track including a plurality of adjustment holes located along its length, a carrier member, manually movable along the track relatively to the adjustment holes, the carrier member supporting a movable pin, having a top and a bottom. The pin is movable from a first position in which it is disengaged from a selected adjustment hole to a second position in which it is located within the selected adjustment hole. A spring biases the pin in a direction toward the back of the track, and an activating member, operatively connected to the pin, moves the pin out of the selected hole to the selected position. A web guide, adapted to receive the seat belt, is mounted to and movable with the slide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Boelstler, David R. Arnold
  • Patent number: 6116689
    Abstract: The device relates to a motor vehicle seat with an underframe, which can be adjusted in height, onto which a seat support is arranged and which comprises a back swiveling support, which is linked to the seat support at the swiveling joint and with a belt lock of a safety belt, which is allocated to the seat support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventors: Heinz Bauer, Burckhard Becker, Ernst-Reiner Frohnhaus
  • Patent number: 6065810
    Abstract: A vehicular seat assembly includes a seat bottom defining an occupant sitting area and a seat back defining an occupant back support and coupled to the seat bottom. A shoulder belt restraint is operatively connected to the seat back for restraining an occupant in the seat assembly. A telescoping tower is mounted to the seat back for selectively adjusting the shoulder belt restraint between a lower position immediately adjacent the seat back and a raised position spaced vertically from the seat back. A tower cover is fixedly secured to at least a portion of the tower and vertically movable therewith. The tower cover includes an expandable window portion coupled between the tower and the seat back for automatically expanding coverage of the tower upon movement of the tower between the lower position and the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk P. Koenig, Ricardo O. Quincoses, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5988758
    Abstract: A vehicle restraint system with a housing for a seat belt retractor, the housing having a rotatable escutcheon with an exit slot for the seat belt webbing. The escutcheon is preferably mounted to a bearing attached to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignees: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc., General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Heintzelman, Steven Richter, Michael Haldenwanger
  • Patent number: 5984419
    Abstract: An automotive seat back having a pair of spaced upright members with lower ends and upper ends interconnected by a cross member to define a substantially rectangular back frame. The upright members and the cross member also have a front surface and a rear surface. A shoulder belt housing extends upwardly between the upright members from below the cross member to an upper distal end disposed above the cross member. The shoulder belt housing also extends forward of the front surfaces of the upright members and the cross member. Specifically, the front surfaces define a frontal plane of the back frame and the distal end of the shoulder belt housing extends forwardly beyond the frontal plane of the back frame. The housing includes a coffin portion, defined by side walls and a bottom, and a cover disposed over and in sealing engagement with the side walls. A seat belt passes within the coffin portion and out through an opening in the cover to overlay a front surface of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Partington, Todd A. Mysliwiec, Rich Sanders, Stephen Lambrecht, Philip W. Leistra, III
  • Patent number: 5971490
    Abstract: A seat and seat belt assembly wherein a platform is slidable relative a first track and a second track, a belt guide is mounted on the seat back, and seat belt retractor is mounted on the slidable platform beneath the belt guide. Preferably, substantially all the seat belt is mounted external the first and second interior envelopes, and the web of the seat belt extends flat along the first side of the seat back between the retractor and the belt guide and the axis of rotation of the retractor extends generally parallel to the first track. Advantageously, the belt guide is mounted on a second member which is moveable with respect to a first member which is fixed to the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: I.A.P.M., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung L. Chang
  • Patent number: 5941604
    Abstract: A car seat is provided with fold-down seatbacks and an associated safety-belt system. The shoulder belt of the safety-belt system in the upper corner of the seatback from the direction of the outside of the car, exits through a slot-like opening of a covering on the seatback in the direction of the belt user, and a seatback release is arranged at a distance from the safety-belt deflector. So that the seatback release does not have to be configured and built individually for car seats of the most varied kinds, a unit which is mountable on the contour of the seatback and accommodates the belt deflector and the seatback release, is prefabricated as an assembly unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Futschik, Norbert Weber, Karl-Heinz Naegele
  • Patent number: 5927818
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventor: Donald A. Di Paola
  • Patent number: 5924773
    Abstract: A safety belt fastening arrangement for an adjustable vehicle seat includes a latching element which can be latched in a latching rail affixed to the vehicle and which has a retaining part to receive, for example, a belt buckle for the safety belt. In its normal position, a deformation element assures that the latching element is kept out of engagement with the latching rail. When a predetermined safety-belt force is exceeded, the deformation element yields to permit the latching element to engage the latching rail so that the safety belt forces are transmitted directly into the vehicle body. The latching element is arranged behind a pivot point for the latching element toward the rear of the vehicle seat, permitting extremely short lever arms and very small clearances during the controlled engagement of the latching element with the latching rail. The deformation element is elastic and is retained in a retaining pocket fixed to the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Heiko Kirchhoff, Erich Dilger, Karl-Dieter Lorenz, Jakob Schweissgut
  • Patent number: 5924772
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Takata (Europe) Vehicle Safety Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Pleyer, Wolfgang Schmid, Axel Botsch
  • Patent number: 5915787
    Abstract: A small child and infant restraint device is disclosed which can be used with an existing seat of a transportation member such as an aircraft passenger seat. The restraint device includes a base member connected to a back panel by a hinge member. A seat pan provides a seating surface for the child or infant. A seat belt path is defined between the seat pan and the base member for disposal across the base member of a seat belt associated with the existing passenger seat, for attaching the restraint device to the existing passenger seat. The restraint device can be utilized in a forward facing configuration or in an aft facing configuration. The forward facing configuration is utilized with small children and toddlers, while the aft facing configuration is utilized with infants and small children without sufficient neck development. When the device is not in use, the back panel is folded down towards the base member to form a relatively thin stowable assembly where it can be properly stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: DME Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Brookman
  • Patent number: 5860808
    Abstract: Disclosed is a simulator includes a substantially circular outer frame pivotally mounted on a base; an outer frame-driving tire which is pressed against an outer side of the outer frame by means of a spring disposed on the base and is adapted to drive the outer frame, an inner frase formed in a maneuvering seat and pivotally supported between opposing portions of an inner peripheral wall of the outer frame; and an inner frame-driving tire which is pressed against an inner side of the outer frame by means of a spring disposed within the inner frame and is adapted to drive the inner frame. Also disclosed is an occupant holding apparatus for use in the simulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Maso Yoshimoto, Nobushige Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 5845967
    Abstract: A molded booster seat has an upper back portion and a lower seat portion connected to an integral hinge. The upper and lower portions are pivoted about the integral hinge toward each other to form a rigid body, and cooperate to form a plurality of mortise and tenon joints. The upper and lower portions are locked in the rigid body configuration by a pair of side plates and a pair of locking rods extending through the seat between the side plates. The booster seat also includes an adjustable belt positioner that is configured to move between a plurality of different adjustments. The upper and lower positions are located to accommodate the fall range of sizes of children of a child sitting in the booster seat. The booster seat further includes indicia for indicating height limitations of a child sitting in the seat. The indicia can be labels attached to a seat cover disposed on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Fisher Price Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Kane, David M. Bapst, Douglas A. Soller
  • Patent number: 5785387
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly has first and second fore-and-aft extending lower track sub-assemblies for mounting to a vehicle, typically to the floor pan of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. First and second upper track sub-assemblies are carried by the lower track sub-assemblies. More specifically, the upper track sub-assemblies each include a track slidingly coupled with a corresponding lower track. One or both of the upper track sub-assemblies further includes a structurally robust J-hook which receives a downward flange of the corresponding lower track sub-assembly. The overlapping flange and J-hook arrangement limits vertical dislocation of the upper track sub-assembly, and, therefore, also limits vertical dislocation of the vehicle seat, relative the lower track sub-assembly. In the normal condition, the flange and J-hook arrangement permits free fore-and-aft travel. That is, the sliding tracks can be moved relative each other for adjustment of the fore-and-aft position of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruben Hernandez, John D. Lindman, Roger L. Brock
  • Patent number: 5782537
    Abstract: An automotive seat back (34) which comprises a pair of spaced upright members (40) each having lower ends rotatably supported on pivot pins (38) and interconnected by a cross member (42) extending between the upper ends. A shoulder belt housing (44) extends upwardly between the upright members (40) from below the cross member (42) to a distal end (46) disposed above and outside the cross member (42). Crisscrossing truss elements (52) interconnect the upright members (40) and the housing (44) to suspend the housing (44) within the periphery of the seat back as defined by the upright members (40) and the cross member (42). The upright members (40) and the cross member (42) and the truss elements (52) and the housing (44) are all integrally die cast of magnesium. The housing (44) includes a coffin portion, defined by side walls (54) and a bottom (56), and a cover (58) disposed over and in sealing engagement with the side walls (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Leistra, James Masters, Andrew Massara, Rich Sanders, Steve Lambrecht
  • Patent number: 5775780
    Abstract: A floor mounted auxiliary support rail of rail for a wide, bench type seat, provides extra load support intermediate the conventional, outboard seat adjuster tracks, as well as providing dynamic anchoring for the seat back and for a traveling seat belt support. A traveling seat belt support is slidably mounted to an auxiliary support rail by a pair of side by side rollers. Beneath the rollers, a pair of locking pins rest below a series of teeth in a rail slot. The rear locking pin is fixed to the seat belt support, while the front locking pin is fixed to an inboard seat back bracket support. The seat back bracket support is pivoted to the head of the forward roller, and the weight of the seat back continually holds the seat back bracket support, as well as the forward roller, down against the upper rail edge, and also holds both pins away from the teeth. A spring pulls the seat belt support back relative to the seat back bracket support, so that the rear roller is held down on the rail edge, as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Karl Andrew Murphy, James Peter Nini, Kreg S. Bell
  • Patent number: 5730499
    Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle seat is provided. In one embodiment, the seat belt system includes a shoulder strap, a retractor for tensioning the shoulder strap at one end thereof, a seat belt buckle for securing the shoulder strap at the opposite end thereof, and an adjustable guide assembly for directing the shoulder strap across an occupant of the seat. The guide assembly includes a guide body having a webbing opening through which the shoulder strap extends and a push-button mechanism capable of positioning the guide body in any one of a plurality of rotational positions relative to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy S. Salisbury, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5722731
    Abstract: A seat and seat belt assembly wherein a platform is slidable relative a first track and a second track, a belt guide is mounted on the seat back, and seat belt retractor is mounted on the slidable platform beneath the belt guide. Preferably, substantially all the seat belt is mounted external the first and second interior envelopes, and the web of the seat belt extends flat along the first side of the seat back between the retractor and the belt guide and the axis of rotation of the retractor extends generally parallel to the first track. Advantageously, the belt guide is mounted on a second member which is moveable with respect to a first member which is fixed to the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Inventor: Chung L. Chang
  • Patent number: 5658048
    Abstract: A seat with seat belt including a headrest and a seat back, in which both a headrest and a seat belt ingress/egress portion are adjustable in height at the same time, to accommodate an occupant on the seat. A stationary rail member is provided on a seat back frame in a manner erecting therefrom, and a movable rail member is slidably fitted in the stationary rail. Connected to the movable rail member are a headrest stay member fixed to the headrest and a guide member defining the seat belt ingress/egress portion, on which the seat belt is turned from the inside of seat back towards the outside of same. Thus, the movable rail member may be moved vertically along the stationary rail member so as to enable upward and downward motion of both headrest stay member and guide member to adjust both heights of the headrest and seat belt ingress/egress portion at one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Nemoto
  • Patent number: 5653506
    Abstract: An automotive seat assembly including a recliner interlock reducing the likelihood that the recliner will break away from the remainder of the seat assembly in a collision. The seat assembly includes a base having a pedestal and a rail mechanism, a seat frame including a seat pan and a seat back interconnected by the recliner, and a recliner interlock for mechanically securing the recliner to the seat base. The interlock includes a J-shaped retainer secured to the recliner and an inverted J-shaped track secured to the pedestal. The retainer and track slidably interfit with one another to allow the recliner retainer to move along the pedestal track when the seat is moved forward and backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Track Corp.
    Inventors: Donald W. Wisner, Erik J. Denslow
  • Patent number: 5609396
    Abstract: A seat belt positioning assembly (30) for seat belt webbing (16) includes a structure (50) that has an opening (52) through which the webbing (16) extends. The assembly (30) also includes a movable closure member (60) that blocks the opening (52) and a support assembly (70) for the closure member (60). The closure member (60) has a slot (62) through which the seat belt webbing (16) extends. The support assembly (70) supports the closure member (60) for simultaneous pivotal adjustment about a center (74) as well as for rotational adjustment about a central axis (72).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Loxton, Donald P. Czarnecki
  • Patent number: 5603552
    Abstract: The present invention includes high strength, high temperature and strain rate applications of a zinc-base alloy including about 83 to 94 weight percent zinc, about 4 to about 11 percent copper and about 2 to about 4 percent aluminum. The composition may also include minor components such as magnesium and impurities. The alloy is used to construct automotive components which are subject to an instantaneous load of between 40-500 MPa. The alloy is particularly suitable for constructing components which are subject to such loads under high temperatures. In fact, components constructed from the alloy become much stronger at higher temperatures under sudden stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Hanna, Moinuddin S. Rashid
  • Patent number: 5564785
    Abstract: A seat frame assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a seat frame and a seat back frame. The seat frame and seat back frame are adapted to have cushions mounted thereon. At least one of the vertical support portions is formed from a pair of telescoping tubular blanks including an elongated inner metal blank formed into an integrally formed vertical member extending from a lower portion of the seat back frame to an upper end of the seat back frame and a relatively shorter outer metal blank formed into a sleeve rigidly secured in surrounding relation to the lower portion of the vertical support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Atoma International Inc.
    Inventors: Fred B. Schultz, Philip W. Hadley, Paul W. McGlinnen, Frank Q. Liu
  • Patent number: 5544917
    Abstract: A seat belt webbing guide assembly (40) includes a closure member (90) which has a slot (164) and is rotatable about a first, generally horizontal, axis (92). The closure member (90) is housed within an inner support member (80) which is rotatable about a second, generally vertical, axis (94). Seat belt webbing extends through the slot (164). Tension in the seat belt webbing adjusts the position of the closure member (90) and slot (164).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Loxton, Donald P. Czarnecki
  • Patent number: 5524504
    Abstract: A device for longitudinally adjusting motor vehicle seats, of the type comprising a pair of fixed guides (10) rigid with the vehicle floor and a pair of mobile guides (12) rigid with the seat and slidable along the fixed guides. Between at least one fixed guide and the respective mobile guide there is interposed a spring (44) rigidly fixed to the mobile guide and configured such that under normal operating conditions it engages in toothing (48) on the fixed guide to lock the mobile guide in position. A manually operated lever (54) is provided which acts on the spring (44) to disengage it from the toothing (48) on the fixed guide and release the mobile guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Elcat S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luigi Brandoli, Damiano Siviero, Dorino Cariola, Claudio Rondonotti
  • Patent number: 5452918
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Bruce H. Carraway, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5443037
    Abstract: A flexible harness member has spaced first and second straps arranged for securement about an animal. The first and second straps have a central connecting web, and the central connecting web includes a central web strap. To the central web strap is mounted a third "D" ring member, that in turn is secured to a tether strap via a hook member, with the tether strap having a first "D" ring and a second "D" ring. The second "D" ring is secured to the hook member, and a first flexible web member is arranged for securement about a vehicle cushion member, with the first "D" ring slidably receiving the first flexible web therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Inventor: M. Cecilia Saleme