Retractable Patents (Class 297/474)
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Patent number: 11772535Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 28, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 11001226Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 17, 2017Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHOInventors: Wataru Yanagawa, Shinichi Okubo, Shigeki Hashimoto
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Patent number: 10894491Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 22, 2017Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: HOLMBERGS SAFETY SYSTEM HOLDING ABInventor: Jan-Erik Persson
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Patent number: 10512309Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 11, 2018Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Michael Lee, Joseph Cicchelli, Sone Sadakhom
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Patent number: 10183647Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 14, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuya Ishikawa, Jesus A. Diaz Gonzalez
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Patent number: 9635804Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 18, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: GARY W. CLEM, INC.Inventors: Brian W. Carr, Scott A. Sporrer, Nick Merfeld, Andrew G. Jenkins
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Patent number: 9539925Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 18, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATIONInventors: Joakim Brodd, Mats Brodin
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Patent number: 9358946Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 19, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Inventor: Edward Sucato
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Patent number: 9283976Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 27, 2010Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Inventors: Franz Wieth, Horst Sonnendorfer
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Patent number: 9280917Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 25, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Techline Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David J. Parry, Jr., Daniel J. Parry, Meredith K. Fiedler, Jonathan A. Closeme, David W. Thompson
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Patent number: 9126555Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.Inventors: Robert E. Ver Hoven, Timothy J. Cahill, Jon E. Burrow, Matthias Bäker
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Patent number: 9038980Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 25, 2013Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Black Mountain Industries, Inc.Inventor: Kyle L. Greenwood
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Patent number: 8979059Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 9, 2014Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Black Mountain Industries, Inc.Inventors: Kyle L. Greenwood, Bobby D. Melvin
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Patent number: 8931806Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 16, 2012Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Takata CorporationInventors: Yuuki Tabata, Yoshihiko Kawai, Motonori Okano
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Patent number: 8925669Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 22, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Inventor: Marline Augustin Saint-Hilaire
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Patent number: 8899625Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 16, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Takata CorporationInventors: Yuuki Tabata, Yoshihiko Kawai, Motonori Okano
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Patent number: 8801038Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 7, 2012Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-SeisakushoInventor: Seiji Hori
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Publication number: 20140217804Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT ABInventors: Eiji Maemura, Tatsuya Harada
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Publication number: 20140070596Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Inventors: Yuuki Tabata, Yoshihiko Kawai, Motonori Okano
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Patent number: 8657247Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 29, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Black Mountain Industries, Inc.Inventors: Kyle L. Greenwood, Bobby D. Melvin
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Patent number: 8641097Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 16, 2012Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Takata CorporationInventors: Yuichiro Hodatsu, Hiroshi Tomita
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Patent number: 8636304Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 27, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Takata CorporationInventors: Yuuki Tabata, Hideaki Nakagawa, Ryoichi Imai
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Patent number: 8550500Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 28, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Teruaki Yamamoto, Itsuo Takegami
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Publication number: 20130249270Abstract: [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: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2011Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: Takata CorporationInventor: Yoshihiko Kawai
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Patent number: 8528985Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 30, 2011Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-SeisakushoInventors: Toshihito Miyagawa, Teruhiko Koide
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Patent number: 8521369Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 10, 2005Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Thomas Blaas, Walter Eberle, Martin Lanzerath, Jan Schroeder
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Patent number: 8511755Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 5, 2008Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Inventors: Horst Sonnendorfer, Franz Wieth
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Publication number: 20130154334Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2012Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: Takata CorporationInventor: Takata Corporation
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Publication number: 20130154335Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Inventors: Yuki Tabata, Yoshihiko Kawai
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Publication number: 20130127147Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Inventor: Ian Gordon Murray
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Patent number: 8414028Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 9, 2011Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Yoichi Miyajima, Hiroaki Takeshita
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Patent number: 8403424Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 13, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbHInventors: Karl Birk, Mark Mages
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Publication number: 20120193960Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Peter James Moegling, Todd Rupert Muck, Robert Joseph Hazlewood, Masroor Fahim
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Patent number: 8177303Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 24, 2011Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shun-Min Chen, Wen-Qu Hu
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Publication number: 20120091781Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2010Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: TAKATA CORPORATIONInventors: Yuuki Tabata, Hideaki Nakagawa, Ryoichi Imai
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Patent number: 8141950Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 6, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: IMMIInventor: Jason Boyer
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Patent number: 8132863Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 10, 2008Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Key Safety Systems, IncInventors: Matthew Surgeon, John Bell
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Patent number: 8118361Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 1, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Syntec Seating Solutions LLCInventors: Ronald C. Lamparter, Patrick M. Glance
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Patent number: 8052170Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20110241406Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaki Fukuzawa, Seiji Naito
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Publication number: 20110148176Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Todd BOLTON, Fred Momblanco, Susan Yi Song, Jeff Bennett, Mohannad Murad
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Publication number: 20110140501Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: Masahiro SHIOTANI, Yusuke IURA
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Patent number: 7896434Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 3, 2010Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Syntec Seating Solutions LLCInventors: Ronald C. Lamparter, Patrick M. Glance
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Patent number: 7887096Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 17, 2008Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Takata CorporationInventor: Shigeru Kohama
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Patent number: 7837275Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 22, 2008Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Evenflo Company, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Woellert, Guy Robert Dingman, William Cameron Forbes
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Patent number: 7828391Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 22, 2004Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Ganta Hibata, Mitsuhide Kobari
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Patent number: 7823679Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 23, 2008Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Takata CorporationInventors: Masato Takao, Koji Tanaka
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Patent number: 7798275Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 17, 2008Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Takata-Petri AGInventors: Michael Fehring, Dominic Reutter, Michael Bischoff, Thomas Schwer
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Publication number: 20100231024Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2008Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Phillip J. Davis, Brian Hood
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Patent number: 7794023Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 6, 2009Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kelly Michael Whalen, Hidetsugu Okazaki, Brent Moffitt, Hiroyuki Honda