Retractable Patents (Class 297/474)
  • Patent number: 11772535
    Abstract: A system and method for determining whether a passenger is seated in a seating area and, based at least in part on detecting the passenger, engaging or disengaging a flap in a headrest. Such a headrest may span multiple seats so that a single headrest is used by multiple passengers. Each of one or more flaps in the single headrest may then be configured by the passenger to provide each passenger with their own privacy and comfort. By actively controlling the state of the flap, a uniform passenger experience may be created so that the flap is in the same state upon a passenger entering the vehicle. Further, examples of the headrest are designed and configured to couple directly, or indirectly, to a vehicle body, such that the headrest does not couple directly to a seat or passenger seating area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Nahuel Elias Battaglia, Anke Christine Bodack, Felix Jacob Lorsignol, Andrew Frank Raczkowski, Herman Francisco Delos Santos, Christopher John Stoffel, Bryan Scot Thompson, Timothy David Kentley-Klay
  • Patent number: 11001226
    Abstract: A webbing take-up device is provided with a spool that takes up a webbing, a lock base, and a cover plate that covers an outer periphery of the lock base. A tooth portion is formed at the outer periphery of the lock base. The lock base rotates the spool when a rack contacts the tooth portion. The webbing take-up device is further provided with a guide provided at the cover plate. The guide supports the lock base to be rotatable. Thus, contacting together of the ratchet teeth and the lock base is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Wataru Yanagawa, Shinichi Okubo, Shigeki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 10894491
    Abstract: An automatic harness system (1) for a child safety seat comprising one tensioning web (3); a retractor device (2) configured to allow tightening of the tensioning web (3), a locking mechanism, a release mechanism is connected to the retractor device (2). The release mechanism comprises an actuator, where a movement of the actuator from a first position to a second position alternates the release mechanism from the first state to the second state, and vice versa. The actuator's position allows a user to identify whether the release mechanism is in the first state or in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: HOLMBERGS SAFETY SYSTEM HOLDING AB
    Inventor: Jan-Erik Persson
  • Patent number: 10512309
    Abstract: A seat belt assembly including a seat belt webbing, a buckle, and a connector tongue assembly. The tongue assembly includes a body, a slot in the body for receiving a seat belt webbing, a locking mechanism located proximate the slot, and a spring biasing the locking mechanism towards the slot to frictionally engage the webbing to prevent freefall of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Lee, Joseph Cicchelli, Sone Sadakhom
  • Patent number: 10183647
    Abstract: A seatbelt buckle assembly and method for a vehicle includes a buckle housing moveable between a fixed presentation state wherein the buckle housing is presented in a fixed position for receipt of an associated seatbelt tongue member and a loose flexible state wherein the buckle housing is at least pivotable for moving laterally within the vehicle. The seatbelt buckle assembly further includes a seat cushion defining a buckle aperture through which the buckle housing is received. The buckle housing is slidable in a first direction into the buckle aperture to move the buckle housing into the fixed presentation state and slidable in a second direction outward away from the buckle aperture to move the buckle housing into the loose flexible state. The second direction is opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ishikawa, Jesus A. Diaz Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 9635804
    Abstract: A system for planting seeds having a metering system positioned before a belt lowering system that has a sensor to detect the position of a seed on the belt lowering system. The rotational speed of the metering system and the belt lowering system are determined by the speed and location of a planter and the position of the seed on the belt lowering system to correct seed positioning with relation to a pre-mapped or selected field starting location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: GARY W. CLEM, INC.
    Inventors: Brian W. Carr, Scott A. Sporrer, Nick Merfeld, Andrew G. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 9539925
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a buckle arrangement for a seat for a vehicle or vessel. The buckle arrangement comprises a casing, an insertion slot for inserting a latch into the casing, a locking mechanism for locking the latch and a release element for releasing the locking mechanism, allowing releasing of the latch. The locking mechanism is enclosed in the casing and the insertion slot is adapted for guiding the latch to the locking mechanism. The buckle arrangement further comprises an insertion frame surrounding the insertion slot and a buckle frame surrounding the insertion frame and the release element, wherein the insertion frame is connectable to the casing in such a way that a portion of a skin of the seat is clampable between the insertion frame and the casing. The disclosure further relates to a seat for a vehicle or vessel comprising such a buckle arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joakim Brodd, Mats Brodin
  • Patent number: 9358946
    Abstract: A seat belt lift member in cooperation with seat belts in an automotive vehicle including a vehicle seat having a seat belt well formed therein, a seat belt including two pieces of strap with a buckle attached to one end of one piece, and the buckle positioned in the seat belt well, and a seat belt lift member positioned in the seat belt well in contact with the buckle so as to raise the buckle at least partially out of the seat belt well and into an accessible orientation. The seat belt lift member is one of a pliable body positioned in and conforming to the shape of the seatbelt well and a housing positioned in the seat belt well and mounting the buckle and a release button so as to be accessible from one surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: Edward Sucato
  • Patent number: 9283976
    Abstract: A restraining belt for children in a shopping cart is disposed in a housing. The housing is fastened on the shopping cart. A fastening element is provided by way of which a lattice bar of the shopping cart is enclosed in a U-shape. The fastening element has clip-like protrusions extending between the individual lattice bars and the clip-like protrusions have grooves and edges of the housing engage in the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventors: Franz Wieth, Horst Sonnendorfer
  • Patent number: 9280917
    Abstract: A medical simulant applicable to training personnel in the treatment of a traumatic injury is presented. The simulant replicates the appearance of a body part and is mechanically responsive to externally applied pressure so as to mimic the response of a vascular element when a tourniquet or the like is applied to the body part. The simulant includes a compressible body, a structure, a compressible tube, and a pair of plates. The compressible body replicates an arm, a leg, or another body region. The structure replicates an injury, either penetrating or non-penetrating, and is disposed along the compressible body. The compressible tube replicates a vascular element. The plates are separately disposed within the compressible body about the compressible tube. The plates are configured to deform the compressible tube so as to interrupt flow of a liquid simulating blood therein when a compressive force is applied onto the compressible body by a tourniquet or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Techline Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Parry, Jr., Daniel J. Parry, Meredith K. Fiedler, Jonathan A. Closeme, David W. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9126555
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Ver Hoven, Timothy J. Cahill, Jon E. Burrow, Matthias Bäker
  • Patent number: 9038980
    Abstract: A height adjustable platform and method include a ratchet platform having a platform upper assembly with a platform and a ratchet. The ratchet includes a platform riser tube and a ratchet rail secured to the platform riser tube. The ratchet platform also includes a platform lower assembly having a support column and a platform base. The support column is secured to the platform base. An end of the ratchet is proximate the platform and an opposing end of the ratchet is disposed within an interior of the support column. The platform upper assembly actuator includes a pedal sub assembly and an upper linkage. The upper linkage is attached to the pedal sub assembly. Actuation of the pedal sub assembly actuates the upper linkage. Actuation of the upper linkage actuates the ratchet to adjust the height of the ratchet platform. The ratchet platform also includes an energy attenuation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Black Mountain Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle L. Greenwood
  • Patent number: 8979059
    Abstract: A ratchet platform is vertically adjustable and supports a soldier standing thereupon. The ratchet platform has a platform upper assembly having a platform and a ratchet. The ratchet has a platform riser tube and a ratchet rail. The ratchet platform also has a platform lower assembly having a support column and a platform base. An end of the ratchet is proximate the platform and an opposing end of the ratchet is disposed within an interior of the support column. The ratchet platform has a platform upper assembly actuator having a pedal sub-assembly and an upper linkage. Actuation of the upper linkage actuates the ratchet to adjust the height of the ratchet platform. The ratchet platform also has a base plate secured to the vehicle floor. The ratchet platform has a seat plate which provides support to the platform upper assembly, the platform lower assembly, and an energy attenuation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Black Mountain Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle L. Greenwood, Bobby D. Melvin
  • Patent number: 8931806
    Abstract: A tongue for a seat belt system. The tongue is configured to allow a seat belt to smoothly slide thereon at normal times and that is capable of preventing stretch of a lap belt in the event of emergency. The seat belt sliding unit includes a predetermined number of the protrusions disposed in the first and second concave portions and. The first protrusion has a flat or substantially flat end surface on the shoulder belt side, a flat or substantially flat end surface on the lap belt side, and an arc-like top end. An angle formed by the imaginary line between the topmost end of the protrusion and an arc center of an outer peripheral surface of the concave portions and the end surface on the shoulder belt side is less than an angle formed by the imaginary line and the end surface on the lap belt side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Yuuki Tabata, Yoshihiko Kawai, Motonori Okano
  • Patent number: 8925669
    Abstract: A motorcycle safety belt device secures a rider onto a motorcycle. The device includes a motorcycle having a main seat. A first strap has a first end and a second end. The first end of the first strap is coupled to the motorcycle proximate the main seat. The second end of the first strap is coupled to the motorcycle proximate the main seat such that the first strap is selectively positionable to extend over the main seat of the motorcycle. A buckle selectively couples a first section of the first strap to a second section of the first strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Marline Augustin Saint-Hilaire
  • Patent number: 8899625
    Abstract: A tongue for a seat belt system. The tongue is configured to allow a seat belt to smoothly slide thereon at normal times and that is capable of preventing stretch of a lap belt in the event of emergency. The seat belt sliding unit includes a predetermined number of the protrusions disposed in the first and second concave portions and. The first protrusion has a flat or substantially flat end surface on the shoulder belt side, a flat or substantially flat end surface on the lap belt side, and an arc-like top end. An angle formed by the imaginary line between the topmost end of the protrusion and an arc center of an outer peripheral surface of the concave portions and the end surface on the shoulder belt side is less than an angle formed by the imaginary line and the end surface on the lap belt side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Yuuki Tabata, Yoshihiko Kawai, Motonori Okano
  • Patent number: 8801038
    Abstract: A tongue for a seat belt device is provided with a tongue main body that is insertable within a buckle, and a train-around portion through which an intermediate portion of a webbing is inserted. The train-around portion includes a first shaft is fixedly mounted between a pair of opposing walls, and a second shaft that is movably mounted between the walls. The webbing is slidably bent 180° around the first fixed shaft. When tension of the webbing exceeds a predetermined magnitude or greater, the movable second shaft engages the webbing and increases a bending angle of the webbing around the first shaft to an angle greater than 180° thereby increasing frictional resistance between the webbing and the train-around portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Seiji Hori
  • Publication number: 20140217804
    Abstract: A seatbelt device for a vehicle. The seatbelt device includes a seatbelt connected at a first end to retractor and connected at a second end to a belt position changing member, which is movable between forward and rearward positions relative to the vehicle. The second end of the seatbelt is connected to the belt position changing member such that the position of the second end of the seatbelt changes relative to the belt position changing member, as the belt position changing member is moved from the rearward position to the forward position, thereby preventing the webbing of the seatbelt from twisting and inverting of the tongue plate upon activation of the belt position changing member, the latter which makes the tongue the plate difficult for an occupant to reach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Eiji Maemura, Tatsuya Harada
  • Publication number: 20140070596
    Abstract: A tongue for a seat belt system. The tongue is configured to allow a seat belt to smoothly slide thereon at normal times and that is capable of preventing stretch of a lap belt in the event of emergency. The seat belt sliding unit includes a predetermined number of the protrusions disposed in the first and second concave portions and. The first protrusion has a flat or substantially flat end surface on the shoulder belt side, a flat or substantially flat end surface on the lap belt side, and an arc-like top end. An angle formed by the imaginary line between the topmost end of the protrusion and an arc center of an outer peripheral surface of the concave portions and the end surface on the shoulder belt side is less than an angle formed by the imaginary line and the end surface on the lap belt side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Yuuki Tabata, Yoshihiko Kawai, Motonori Okano
  • Patent number: 8657247
    Abstract: A height adjustable platform and method include a ratchet platform having a platform upper assembly having a platform and a ratchet. The ratchet includes a platform riser tube and a ratchet rail. The ratchet platform further includes a platform lower assembly having a support column and a platform base. A ratchet end is proximate the platform and an opposing end of the ratchet is disposed within an interior of the support column. The ratchet platform also includes a platform upper assembly actuator having a pedal sub assembly and an upper linkage. The upper linkage is attached to the pedal sub assembly. Actuation of the pedal sub assembly actuates the upper linkage. In addition, actuation of the upper linkage actuates the ratchet to adjust the height of the ratchet platform. The ratchet platform also includes a strap retractor and a strap. The strap retractor retracts the strap upon achieving a strap threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Black Mountain Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle L. Greenwood, Bobby D. Melvin
  • Patent number: 8641097
    Abstract: There is provided a pretensioner. The pretensioner includes: a pipe; a gas generator that generates a gas in the pipe in an emergency case; a gas generator mount on which the gas generator is mounted; a spool driving mechanism that rotates a spool in a direction to retract a seatbelt by the gas generated by the gas generator in the emergency case; a discharge hole formed in the pipe so as to allow communication between inside and outside of the pipe; and a blocking member configured to block the discharge hole from inside of the pipe, the blocking member being configured to open the discharge hole when the blocking member is pressed from outside of the pipe with a pressing force equal to or greater than a given pressing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichiro Hodatsu, Hiroshi Tomita
  • Patent number: 8636304
    Abstract: Provided are a webbing-threading member and a seatbelt device that can prevent deviation of webbing (a so-called jamming phenomenon) by preventing rotation of the webbing-threading member. A webbing-threading member 1 of the present invention includes a body 2 rotatably mounted on the side of a vehicle, a threading hole 3 formed in the body 2 for guiding the webbing W, and a guide piece 4 placed on a surface of the threading hole 3 and forming a sliding surface 41 over which the webbing W slides. The guide piece 4 has, on the sliding surface 41, engaging grooves 42 that cause a pressing force to act in such a direction as to rotate the body 2 toward a vehicle front side at the time of withdrawing the webbing W, and that cause a pressing force to act in such a direction as to rotate the body 2 toward a vehicle rear side at the time of retracting the webbing W.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Yuuki Tabata, Hideaki Nakagawa, Ryoichi Imai
  • Patent number: 8550500
    Abstract: A utility vehicle according to the present invention includes a ROPS, a front seat and a rear seat arranged in a riding space, a cargo bed changeable between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded forward into the riding space and a non-expanded state in which the cargo bed is not expanded in the riding space, and a plurality of seatbelt apparatuses for all passengers including a driver, wherein each of the seatbelt apparatuses is a three point seatbelt apparatus including a webbing, a bottom anchor, a top anchor, a lower buckle and a retractor, and in at least one of the three point seatbelt apparatuses, the top anchor is provided on a cross member of the ROPS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruaki Yamamoto, Itsuo Takegami
  • Publication number: 20130249270
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a buckle whose length in the tongue insertion direction can be further reduced. [Solution] A first ejector spring 16a is provided in a position in a buckle 7 out of an area ? of the path of movement of an engagement portion 6a of a tongue 6 and an imaginary extended area ? extended from the area ? in the direction of movement of the engagement portion 6a, and on the outer side (on the side opposite to a second side wall 8b) of a first side wall 8a of a base 8. A second ejector spring 16h is provided in a position out of at least one of the area ? and the imaginary extended area ?, and on the outer side (on the side opposite to the first side wall 8a) of the second side wall 8b of the base 8. Therefore, a bracket 18 for fixing the buckle 7 to the vehicle body can be provided closer to a tongue insertion hole 17, and therefore the length of the buckle 7 in the tongue insertion direction can be further reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Kawai
  • Patent number: 8528985
    Abstract: In a webbing guide structure, when a take-up stopper has made abutted to a contact face of a webbing guide due to take-up force acting on a webbing arising from a spiral spring of a webbing take-up device, a rigid portion of the webbing extends out from the webbing guide towards the vehicle front-side, and a portion of the rigid portion further towards an tip end than the take-up stopper projects out from the rear seat back to the vehicle front-side. Due to utilizing biasing force of the spiral spring to project the rigid portion out from the rear seat back to the vehicle front-side, the need to provide a separate mechanism to project the rigid portion out can accordingly be eliminated. A gap between the rear seat back and the webbing can thereby be provided by employing a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Toshihito Miyagawa, Teruhiko Koide
  • Patent number: 8521369
    Abstract: A method and a device for control or regulation of a restraint system in a vehicle having a safety belt and at least one of an operation or convenience function. The operation and convenience functions of the restraint system adapt in a situation-related fashion and set the belt retraction force that acts on the safety belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Thomas Blaas, Walter Eberle, Martin Lanzerath, Jan Schroeder
  • Patent number: 8511755
    Abstract: A flat housing (1) holds a belt (4) which can be extended against the force of a spring, the belt being blocked to further extension as soon as the belt clasp (3) is situated in the belt buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventors: Horst Sonnendorfer, Franz Wieth
  • Publication number: 20130154334
    Abstract: A seat belt locking buckle configured to allow a seat belt locking tongue to be stably and firmly latched and reduce the thickness of a seat belt locking buckle. When a tongue latch member is inserted into a seat belt locking buckle, an ejector is moved. Thus, a buckle latch member 13 becomes rotatable. Consequently, a slider moves along a plane that is parallel or substantially parallel to a plane of the motion of the tongue latch member and pushes a first latch guide portion of the buckle latch member. Thus, the buckle latch member is rotated from a non-latch position to a latch position. In this manner, the tongue latch member is latched by the buckle latch member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Takata Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130154335
    Abstract: Recess portions (15) and (16) are disposed in a seat-belt sliding face (14) of a seat-belt sliding member (13), and a predetermined number of projections (17) are provided independently of each other in a dotted state in the recess portions (15) and (16). In each of the projections (17), sliding resistance between a seat belt (4) and the seat-belt sliding member (13) in a normal time is small, and the sliding resistance between the seat belt (4) and the seat-belt sliding member (13) when the seat belt (4) slides to the lap belt (4c) side is larger than the sliding resistance between the seat belt (4) and the seat-belt sliding member (13) when the seat belt (4) slides to the shoulder belt (4b) side. By means of the dotted-state projections (17), extension of the lap belt (4c) in an emergency is suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Yuki Tabata, Yoshihiko Kawai
  • Publication number: 20130127147
    Abstract: A seat belt arrangement for a vehicle seat having a seat part and a back part and which is positioned substantially centrally between the nearside and offside of a vehicle. First and second anchorage points are provided on the vehicle structure on opposite sides of the seat part, the first anchorage point providing an anchorage for one end of the seat belt and the second anchorage point comprising a latching mechanism for receiving a latch carried by the seat belt. A third anchorage point comprising a retractor system is located on the vehicle structure behind the seat. The first, second and third anchorage points are each located at a relatively low position; and an upper mounting provided on the back part (towards an upper end thereof) is at a higher level than the first, second and third anchorage points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventor: Ian Gordon Murray
  • Patent number: 8414028
    Abstract: A seatbelt device comprises a seatbelt including a shoulder belt to restrain a passenger's upper body and a lap belt to restrain a passenger's waist portion, a tongue fixed to the seatbelt and parting the seatbelt into the shoulder belt and the lap belt, a first retractor fixed to a pillar and coupled to a tip of the shoulder belt, a second D ring attached to a position of an inner panel of a side sill below the pillar and supporting the lap belt so as to let the lap belt slide therein, and a second retractor fixed to another position of the inner panel of the side sill located in front of the second D ring and below a seat slide rail, the second retractor being coupled to a tip of the lap belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi Miyajima, Hiroaki Takeshita
  • Patent number: 8403424
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle part adjusting device (10), especially a belt buckle presenter or belt presenter, comprising a first elongated flexible push member (12), a second elongated flexible push member (14) and a connecting and separating means (16) for the push members (12, 14) which is designed so that it detachably connects the push members (12, 14) upon an adjusting movement of the push members (12, 14) in a first longitudinal direction (X1) to form a bending-resistant interconnected part (18) and separates them upon an adjusting movement of the push members (12, 14) in an opposed second longitudinal direction (X2), wherein the push members (12, 14) are connected and separated in a reversible manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Birk, Mark Mages
  • Publication number: 20120193960
    Abstract: A reinforcement assembly for reinforcing a seat belt apparatus for use with a seat assembly is provided. The seat assembly includes a seat back frame having a pair of downwardly directed side frame members affixed to the vehicle floor. A top frame member traverses the pair of side frame members. A seat cushion frame is pivotally supported on the seat back frame. The reinforcement assembly includes a floor bracket and an elongated vertically aligned reinforcement member. The floor bracket includes a first side which faces the vehicle floor and an opposite second side. The reinforcement member is positioned between the pair of side frame members and includes a first end and an opposite second end. The first end is affixed to the top frame member of the seat back frame. The second end includes a mounting surface which contacts the second side of the floor bracket and in which the mounting surface is affixed to both the floor bracket and the vehicle floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter James Moegling, Todd Rupert Muck, Robert Joseph Hazlewood, Masroor Fahim
  • Patent number: 8177303
    Abstract: A seatbelt adjusting device includes: a guiding track provided with a plurality of first engaging members; a belt-connecting slider mounted on the guiding track and slidable on the guiding track; an actuator mounted movably on the belt-connecting slider, provided with a second engaging member, and operable to move relative to the belt-connecting slider between an engaging position, in which the second engaging member engages releasably an aligned one of the first engaging members, and a disengaging position, in which the second engaging member is disengaged from the first engaging members; and an urging member urging against the actuator for restoring the actuator from the disengaging position to the engaging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun-Min Chen, Wen-Qu Hu
  • Publication number: 20120091781
    Abstract: Provided are a webbing-threading member and a seatbelt device that can prevent deviation of webbing (a so-called jamming phenomenon) by preventing rotation of the webbing-threading member. A webbing-threading member 1 of the present invention includes a body 2 rotatably mounted on the side of a vehicle, a threading hole 3 formed in the body 2 for guiding the webbing W, and a guide piece 4 placed on a surface of the threading hole 3 and forming a sliding surface 41 over which the webbing W slides. The guide piece 4 has, on the sliding surface 41, engaging grooves 42 that cause a pressing force to act in such a direction as to rotate the body 2 toward a vehicle front side at the time of withdrawing the webbing W, and that cause a pressing force to act in such a direction as to rotate the body 2 toward a vehicle rear side at the time of retracting the webbing W.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: TAKATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuki Tabata, Hideaki Nakagawa, Ryoichi Imai
  • Patent number: 8141950
    Abstract: A lower anchor connection system for securing the child seat to vehicle anchor bites. A single retractor includes a web extendable therefrom connected to a strap having at its opposite ends couplings for lockingly engaging the anchor bights. A release button on the retractor when depressed allows the retractor web to be withdrawn holding the couplings adjacent the child seat in a stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: IMMI
    Inventor: Jason Boyer
  • Patent number: 8132863
    Abstract: A vehicle seat has a seat base and a seatback. The vehicle seat has as a permanent feature a pair of seat belt guides positioned such that when a lap portion of a seat belt webbing is received in both of the seat belt guides the lap portion of the seat belt webbing intersects the seat belt guides at a selected distance from a forward face of the seatback. Each of the seat belt guides restricts movement of the lap portion of the seat belt webbing away from the forward face of the seatback. The seat belt guides direct the lap portion of the seat belt webbing across the seat base along a path such that the lap portion of the seat belt webbing interacts with the lower body of a child when the vehicle seat is occupied by a child aged three to twelve years and under 150 cm in height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc
    Inventors: Matthew Surgeon, John Bell
  • Patent number: 8118361
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a seat bottom and a seatback. The seatback includes a seatback frame and is selectively rotatable relative to the seat bottom from an upright position to a forward position. A seatbelt assembly includes a retractor coupled to the seatback frame and a belt selectively extendable from and retractable to the retractor. A first end of the belt is disposed in the retractor. A guide is coupled to the seatback frame and defines an orifice with the belt slideably extending through the orifice. The retractor and the guide are fixed relative to the seatback frame and the second end of the belt is fixed to the seatback frame. The retractor, the guide, and both ends of the belt rotate from the upright position to the forward position in response to a force exerted on the seatback frame during rapid deceleration of the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Syntec Seating Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Ronald C. Lamparter, Patrick M. Glance
  • Patent number: 8052170
    Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle may include a tongue configured to slidably engage a seat belt; a retractor coupled to a portion of the vehicle, the retractor configured to receive the seat belt; and a height adjuster. The height adjuster may include a guide webbing configured to be secured to a portion of the vehicle; a frame supporting a locking mechanism; and a supporting surface to support the seat belt as the seat belt changes direction. The position of the frame relative to the guide webbing is adjustable. The locking mechanism is configured to lock the frame in a position relative to the guide webbing by clamping the guide webbing without input from the user and stays in position during a crash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Nick John Pelliccia, Christopher Joe Kranz, Thomas Grzybowski, Brandon Scott Marriott, Paul Michael Smith, David Sanders, April Lee Lampkowski, Lyle William Dunham
  • Publication number: 20110241406
    Abstract: A vehicle seat belt apparatus includes: a webbing; a lap anchor to which one end portion of the webbing is fixed and that is pivotable in a vehicle longitudinal direction; and a position retaining member that allows the webbing to be slidably inserted therethrough, and that is rigid in the vehicle longitudinal direction and is flexible and elastic in a vehicle transverse direction. In a seat belt retracted state, the position retaining member extends obliquely forward and upward from a lower end portion, and an upper end portion is located ahead of a side support of a seat back and above a seat shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Fukuzawa, Seiji Naito
  • Publication number: 20110148176
    Abstract: A system is provided for utilizing belt movement information in a motorized seat belt (MSB) control system algorithm to achieve better levels of comfort and safety. The MSB control system algorithm controls execution of multiple modes including a no friction mode, a stowage mode, a slack reduction mode, an out of position warning mode, a medium pull-back mode, and a high pull-back mode. The MSB control system algorithm also controls execution of a low power mode initiated after the other vehicle modules are put to sleep to provide the ability to stow the seat belt after the vehicle has been turned off for some period of time. The MSB control system algorithm also controls belt monitoring functions defined based on a buckle switch state that indicates the buckled or unbuckled state of the seat belt. Belt monitoring consists of belt movement being converted to counts based on a resolution provided by a belt movement sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Todd BOLTON, Fred Momblanco, Susan Yi Song, Jeff Bennett, Mohannad Murad
  • Publication number: 20110140501
    Abstract: To allow a seat belt retractor to be easily assembled and to be made compact while effectively operating a pretensioner and an energy absorbing mechanism. A plurality of balls 20 rotate a ring gear 25 by gas generated in the event of an emergency. Since internal teeth 25a are meshed with external teeth 26a, a pinion 26 is rotated by the rotation of the ring gear 25, and a spool retracts a seat belt. After pressing the ring gear 25, the balls 20 separate from the ring gear 25 and are stored in an arc-shaped passage 33. Since the seat belt is then withdrawn, the pinion 26 and the ring gear 25 rotate in a seat-belt withdrawing direction. In this case, some of the balls 20 in contact with the ring gear 25 are returned by the ring gear 25. Therefore, the ring gear 25 more smoothly rotates because the influence of the balls 20 is suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Masahiro SHIOTANI, Yusuke IURA
  • Patent number: 7896434
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a seat bottom and a seatback. The seatback includes a seatback frame and is selectively rotatable relative to the seat bottom from an upright position to a forward position. A seatbelt assembly includes a retractor coupled to the seatback frame and a belt selectively extendable from and retractable to the retractor. A first end of the belt is disposed in the retractor. A guide is coupled to the seatback frame and defines an orifice with the belt slideably extending through the orifice. The retractor and the guide are fixed relative to the seatback frame and the second end of the belt is fixed to the seatback frame. The retractor, the guide, and both ends of the belt rotate from the upright position to the forward position in response to a force exerted on the seatback frame during rapid deceleration of the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Syntec Seating Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Ronald C. Lamparter, Patrick M. Glance
  • Patent number: 7887096
    Abstract: A pretensioner for restraining an occupant with a seat belt by withdrawing a seat belt buckle upon occurrence of an impact on a vehicle. The pretensioner includes a wire. One end portion of the wire is connected to the seat belt buckle and the other end portion of the wire is connected to a piston. The pretensioner further includes a cylinder slidably accommodating the piston and a gas generator supplying gas into the cylinder. The pretentioner further includes a guiding member, having a bent passage portion, that bends the wire toward the direction of the cylinder. On an inner wall surface of the bent passage portion of the guiding member, convex portions are formed in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the wire. The convex portions prevent the wire from being pushed in along the direction of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeru Kohama
  • Patent number: 7837275
    Abstract: A multi-mode belt retractor including an interlocked attachment mechanism. The belt retractor and attachment mechanism are physically integrated in a single unit. In one embodiment, the retractor is shifted between modes by the operation by the attachment mechanism such that securing the attachment mechanism to an anchor point shifts the belt retractor into a locked mode. Releasing the attachment mechanism from the anchor point shifts the belt retractor into a free-wheel mode. In one embodiment, only a single user-operable button is provided, thus minimizing the opportunity for improper operation. One embodiment of the attachment mechanism is symmetrical, making it operable by a user's left or right hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Evenflo Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Woellert, Guy Robert Dingman, William Cameron Forbes
  • Patent number: 7828391
    Abstract: The seat belt system includes a locking device for locking the retractor having a sensor-weight type acceleration sensor for activating the locking device, a posture controller for controlling a posture of a sensor weight of the sensor-weight type acceleration sensor, an angle detection device for detecting a rotation angle of a backrest, and an interlocking member for allowing the angle detection device to interlock with the posture controller. The angle detection device allows the interlocking member to rotate in accordance with the reclining angle of the backrest. The posture controller F is controlled by means of the rotation of the interlocking member 11 so as to keep the sensor-weight type acceleration sensor horizontal when the reclining angle is within a range where a passenger wears the seat belt and not to interlock with the angle detection device K when the reclining angle is outside of the range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Ganta Hibata, Mitsuhide Kobari
  • Patent number: 7823679
    Abstract: A method of controlling a motorized retractor includes a spool onto which a webbing belt for restraining an occupant is wound, a motor operated according to a predetermined signal, and a clutch mechanism enabling transmission of power from the motor to the spool. When cancelling power transmission of the clutch mechanism by the operation of the motor, the rotating speed or the driving time period of the motor is varied according to the load on the clutch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Takao, Koji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7798275
    Abstract: An arrangement for automatically supporting a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat when lateral dynamic forces are acting includes a restraint system for securing an upper body of the vehicle occupant in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle as a function of the lateral dynamics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Michael Fehring, Dominic Reutter, Michael Bischoff, Thomas Schwer
  • Publication number: 20100231024
    Abstract: A restraint system for a transportation vehicle may comprise a restraint member movably mounted to the vehicle. The restraint member may have a first leg and a second leg that travel together along opposite sides of a seat carried by the vehicle as the restraint member moves relative to the vehicle. A restraint harness may include a retractor that may be mounted to one of the first and second legs, and a lap web having one end mounted within the first retractor and an opposite end mounted to the other of the first and second legs. The lap web may be configured to restrain an occupant of the seat when the restraint member is moved to an occupant restraint position. At least one lock may be mounted to the vehicle and configured to secure the restraint member to the vehicle when the restraint member is in the occupant restraint position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Phillip J. Davis, Brian Hood
  • Patent number: 7794023
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor mounting system for a vehicle seat includes a bracket having a first sidewall and a second sidewall. A generally planar plate is located generally parallel to and spaced apart from the first sidewall of the bracket. The plate is coupled to the second sidewall. In addition, at least one of the bracket and plate are secured to, and cooperate with, a seat cushion frame of the seat to surround and protect an emergency locking retractor mounted to the first sidewall. A method employs the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kelly Michael Whalen, Hidetsugu Okazaki, Brent Moffitt, Hiroyuki Honda