Electrically Operated Patents (Class 297/477)
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Patent number: 12043208Abstract: A system includes a seatbelt retractor having a spool and a braking claw selectively engageable with the spool. The system includes an actuator designed to inhibit engagement of the braking claw with the spool. The system includes a processor and a memory storing program instructions executable by the processor to actuate the actuator to inhibit engagement of the braking claw with the spool for a threshold amount of time after detecting an impact of a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2021Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq
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Patent number: 8783725Abstract: When releasing a connection between a motor and a spool, the value of a drive voltage is increased at start-up of the motor. After the rotating shaft of the motor starts rotating, the value of the drive voltage is set to a minimum value necessary to maintain the rotation of the rotating shaft. By this means, it is possible to prevent the number of revolutions of the rotating shaft of the motor from increasing unnecessarily and reduce the sound produced from the motor.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Takata CorporationInventor: Hideyuki Tombe
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Patent number: 8783724Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gas exhaust device of a retractor pretensioner for a vehicle, including a pinion connected to a belt weaving spool in a retractor body; a rack linearly transferred when engaged with the pinion; a rack transfer path formed between a pretensioner body and the retractor body, configured to guide the rack linearly toward the pinion; and a micro-gas generator (MGG) mounted on a side of a lower end of the pretensioner body to elevate the rack toward the pinion using gas generated by the MGG, wherein a gas moving aperture is formed to allow communication between an upper portion and a lower portion of the rack transfer path in a longitudinal direction in the rack, to elevate the rack using the gas generated from the MGG and simultaneously, move the rack toward the upper portion of the rack transfer path through the gas moving aperture.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2013Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Hyun Mo Yang
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Patent number: 8632131Abstract: Tensioning apparatuses for occupant restraint systems and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, an occupant restraint system for a vehicle can include a flexible web configured to extend across at least a portion of an occupant seated in the vehicle and an electrically actuated web retractor operably coupled to a proximal end portion of the web. The web retractor is configured to automatically wind and unwind the web. The system also includes an acceleration sensor operably coupled to the electrically actuated web retractor. The acceleration sensor is configured to send an electrical signal to the web retractor in response to a vehicle acceleration above a preset magnitude. In response to the signal, the web retractor is configured to (a) retract the web, and/or (b) at least temporarily prevent the web from moving inwardly or outwardly.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2012Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.Inventor: Todd J. Humbert
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Patent number: 8579066Abstract: This seat belt device of a vehicle includes a webbing, a belt reel, a motor, a clutch, detection unit, brake control unit and motor control unit. The motor control unit includes a waiting current control unit configured to conduct a current that can maintain the clutch to be in the connection state in the motor when the brake control unit outputs the operation signal and variable current control unit configured to proceed from current control performed by the waiting current control unit when a change in the movement state of the vehicle is detected by the detection unit during the current control performed by the waiting current control unit and adjusts the amount of conduction in the motor based on the movement state of the vehicle that is detected by the detection unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shotaro Odate, Takeshi Kojima, Yo Ito
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Patent number: 8528938Abstract: The motor drive current has a value increased for a time necessary for the clutch operation to mechanically connect the motor and spool and, after the clutch operation, the drive current has a value necessary only for preventing the rotation of the spool due to the belt tension. In this way, the power necessary only for restraining the occupant is consumed after the operation of the clutch is ensured. Then, it is possible to reduce the motor power consumption and suppress heat generation of the motor.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2012Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Takata CorporationInventor: Hideyuki Tombe
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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: 8457845Abstract: A seatbelt control apparatus includes seatbelt control means that controls a motor for retracting a seatbelt; and motor current detecting means that detects a current of the motor. The seatbelt control apparatus further includes jamming determination means, indicator detecting means, and threshold value setting means. The jamming determination means determines whether or not the seatbelt is jammed during take-up operation on the basis of whether or not the motor current detected by the motor current detecting means exceeds a threshold value for jamming determination. The indicator detecting means detects an indicator of a current versus load characteristic of the motor. The threshold value setting means sets the threshold value for jamming determination on the basis of the indicator detected by the indicator detecting means.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2009Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Takata CorporationInventors: Masato Takao, Daisuke Murakami
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Publication number: 20130127229Abstract: Tensioning apparatuses for occupant restraint systems and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, an occupant restraint system for a vehicle can include a flexible web configured to extend across at least a portion of an occupant seated in the vehicle and an electrically actuated web retractor operably coupled to a proximal end portion of the web. The web retractor is configured to automatically wind and unwind the web. The system also includes an acceleration sensor operably coupled to the electrically actuated web retractor. The acceleration sensor is configured to send an electrical signal to the web retractor in response to a vehicle acceleration above a preset magnitude. In response to the signal, the web retractor is configured to (a) retract the web, and/or (b) at least temporarily prevent the web from moving inwardly or outwardly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2012Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: AmSafe, Inc.Inventor: AmSafe, Inc.
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Patent number: 8350615Abstract: If a power supply is provided to a circuit necessary to control a switch for switching a path after wakeup, or if a buckle switch is switched while a microcomputer is asleep, an electrical current necessary for reliable operation of the buckle switch cannot be supplied during sleep, so that the buckle switch will not operate normally. This creates the possibility that wakeup cannot be performed. To permit the electrical current necessary for reliable operation of the buckle switch to be secured if the buckle switch is switched while the microcomputer is asleep, an FET capable of being kept ON or OFF by a power supply acting during sleep, a resistor connected with the FET, and a resistor of large resistance for blocking excessive dark current if the buckle switch is connected are arranged in parallel. The combined resistance of the parallel combination of these elements is used as a pull-up resistance at the input of a control unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroto Nagoshi, Masashi Saito
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Patent number: 8303043Abstract: Tensioning apparatuses for occupant restraint systems and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, an occupant restraint system for a vehicle can include a flexible web configured to extend across at least a portion of an occupant seated in the vehicle and an electrically actuated web retractor operably coupled to a proximal end portion of the web. The web retractor is configured to automatically wind and unwind the web. The system also includes an acceleration sensor operably coupled to the electrically actuated web retractor. The acceleration sensor is configured to send an electrical signal to the web retractor in response to a vehicle acceleration above a preset magnitude. In response to the signal, the web retractor is configured to (a) retract the web, and/or (b) at least temporarily prevent the web from moving inwardly or outwardly.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: AmSafe, Inc. (Phoenix Group)Inventor: Todd Humbert
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Publication number: 20120019042Abstract: A safety belt for a vehicle which can be worn in a manner of wearing suspenders to prevent a concentration of pressure to a part of the body of a seat occupant, and to uniformly distribute impact to thereby safely protect the seat occupant even upon the occurrence of an emergency during travel. To accomplish the above-described object, the safety belt for a vehicle according to the present invention comprises a pair of belts spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction on the front surface of a seatback and a connection unit for interconnecting the pair of belts.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2010Publication date: January 26, 2012Inventor: Nam-Young Park
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Patent number: 8091821Abstract: A method for controlling an electric belt retractor (16) which has an electric motor (20) which can drive a belt spool (18) in a belt band retraction direction and/or in a belt band withdrawal direction, and a blocking catch which is able to be guided into blocking teeth in order to block a rotation of the belt spool (18) in the belt band withdrawal direction, comprises the following steps: Operating the electric motor (20) in belt band retraction direction for tensioning the belt band (26); Detecting a possible belt band withdrawal; Determining a stable vehicle state; and Re-operating the electric motor (20) in belt band retraction direction only when a belt band withdrawal is detected.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2006Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbHInventors: Rainer Burkart, Thomas Busch
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Publication number: 20110140504Abstract: 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: December 2, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: Todd BOLTON, Fred MOMBLANCO, Susan Yi SONG, Jeff BENNETT, Mohannad MURAD
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Patent number: 7922254Abstract: A prisoner seat security device includes a retractable strap which attaches to a prisoner, preferably by a restraint device on the prisoner, such as hand-cuffs. As the prisoner sits in the seat, the strap retracts. The officer can then lock the retraction mechanism so that the strap will not extend and the prisoner is held in place. When it is desired for the prisoner to get out of the chair, the lock is released, allowing the prisoner to stand and the strap to be disconnected.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Inventors: Keith D. Squires, Omar L. Issa
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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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Publication number: 20100213753Abstract: Tensioning apparatuses for occupant restraint systems and associated systems and methods. In one embodiment, an occupant restraint system for a vehicle can include a flexible web configured to extend across at least a portion of an occupant seated in the vehicle and an electrically actuated web retractor operably coupled to a proximal end portion of the web. The web retractor is configured to automatically wind and unwind the web. The system also includes an acceleration sensor operably coupled to the electrically actuated web retractor. The acceleration sensor is configured to send an electrical signal to the web retractor in response to a vehicle acceleration above a preset magnitude. In response to the signal, the web retractor is configured to (a) retract the web, and/or (b) at least temporarily prevent the web from moving inwardly or outwardly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2009Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: AmSafe, Inc.Inventor: Todd Humbert
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Patent number: 7717215Abstract: A seat belt apparatus to be installed in a vehicle is structured such that a motor for rotating a spool of a seat belt retractor is controlled to drive in the belt winding direction to apply a first tension on a seat belt before a vehicle collision and the motor is controlled to drive in the belt winding direction to apply a second tension on the seat belt during the vehicle collision.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2006Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Takata CorporationInventor: Koji Tanaka
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Publication number: 20090102271Abstract: A prisoner seat security device includes a retractable strap which attaches to a prisoner, preferably by a restraint device on the prisoner, such as hand-cuffs. As the prisoner sits in the seat, the strap retracts. The officer can then lock the retraction mechanism so that the strap will not extend and the prisoner is held in place. When it is desired for the prisoner to get out of the chair, the lock is released, allowing the prisoner to stand and the strap to be disconnected.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Inventors: Keith D. Squires, Omar L. Issa
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Patent number: 7517025Abstract: As an occupant releases the latching between a buckle and a tongue, a seat belt retractor winds up the seat belt at a winding-up speed S1 as a first high speed. Accordingly, the seat belt moves away from the occupant immediately. As a time period (T1-T0) elapses from the buckle release, the seat belt retractor winds up the seat belt at a winding-up speed S2 as a low speed. Accordingly, the seat belt is slowly wound up so that the tongue is less likely to strike and thus scratch an interior panel. As a time period (T2-T1) further elapses, the seat belt retractor winds up the seat belt at a winding-up speed S3 as a second high speed. Accordingly, the winding of the seat belt is promptly completed so that the seat belt is less likely to be caught by a door when the occupant gets out of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2005Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Takata CorporationInventors: Koji Tanaka, Masato Takao, Koji Inuzuka
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Patent number: 7506833Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a spring for rotating a reel in a belt winding direction to wind up a seat belt, and a motor for generating rotational power capable of rotating the reel in the belt winding direction to wind up the seat belt. A motor control unit controls the motor to generate the rotational power to wind up the seat belt with a desired winding force.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2005Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Takata CorporationInventor: Koji Tanaka
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Publication number: 20090026828Abstract: The invention relates to a seat belt apparatus for motor vehicles comprising a seat belt, a belt retractor and a drive, which preferably comprises an electric motor, for the retractor, wherein a unidirectionally effective blocking member is integrated into the powertrain between the drive and the retractor which, starting from a normal blocking state, amplifies the blocking effect with a force transmission starting from the belt and reverses it into a release state with a force transmission starting from the drive.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2008Publication date: January 29, 2009Inventors: Julius Adomeit, Steve Marshall
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Publication number: 20080246327Abstract: The patron restraint system for amusement rides includes a locking receiver with a locking assembly for engaging a restraining strap. The engagement of the restraining strap in the locking receiver can be verified by a ride operator by visual or physical inspection, or by a sensor system indicating the locked or unlocked state of the locking receiver. A latching ratchet mechanism may be provided in the receiver to restrict movement of the restraining strap until it is released by the ride operator. The sensor system includes an acoustic sensor that detects alignment of an aperture with a piezoelectric acoustic emitter and an acoustic detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2007Publication date: October 9, 2008Inventors: David L. Collins, Sirzat Sayin, David Althoff
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Patent number: 7240923Abstract: A seatbelt retractor for winding a seatbelt includes a spool for winding the seatbelt, a motor for generating rotational torque to rotate the spool, and a clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanism connects a power transmission path to transmit the rotational torque of the motor to the spool in a connected mode, and disconnects the power transmission path in a disconnected mode. A noise preventing device prevents noise when the clutch mechanism is in the disconnected mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2004Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Takata CorporationInventors: Koji Tanaka, Koji Inuzuka
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Patent number: 6848717Abstract: In a belt tensioner of a seat belt in a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, for the return movement of the belt, a return spring is provided which is able to be tensioned by a motor as a function of parameters. The motor may also be used for a reversible tightening of the belt.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Wilfried Bullinger, Walter Eberle, Christian Mayer, Markus Woldrich, Kai Wustlich
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Patent number: 6655743Abstract: The seat belt module is electronically controlled using magneto-rheological fluid. A CPU delivers a signal to an electromagnetic coil within the module at the beginning of a crash to cause the viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid to increase sufficient to lock the spool on which the seat belt is wound against rotation. Thereafter, a subsequent signal is delivered by the CPU to the coil to reduce the magnetic field and the viscosity of the magneto-rheological fluid allowing the spool to be unwound in a programmed manner so as to reduce the forces imposed on an occupant by the seat belt. The CPU may be pre-programmed in response to signals from sensors throughout the vehicle that deliver signals corresponding to the characteristics of the occupant and may be programmed in response to signals from these sensors and from an air bag to respond in real time.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2002Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Island Pyrochemical Industries Corp.Inventors: Amnon Parizat, Marek Tarczynski
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Patent number: 6550810Abstract: A seat belt retractor (12) comprises a frame (40), a seat belt webbing spool (42) rotatably mounted in the frame (40), and an actuator (70) for locking the seat belt webbing spool (42) against rotation in at least one direction (B) in the frame (40). The actuator (70) is mounted to the frame (40). An accelerometer (82) provides an electrical output signal indicative of vehicle deceleration. The accelerometer (82) is mounted on the frame (40). A controller (84) monitors the electrical output signal and causes the actuator (70) to lock the seat belt webbing spool (42) against rotation in the at least one direction (B) upon the occurrence of a predetermined amount of vehicle deceleration. The controller (84) is mounted on the frame (40).Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1998Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Barney J. Bauer, Roger H. Garrell
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Patent number: 6533321Abstract: The belt retractor of the occupant restraint system comprises a frame, a belt reel rotatably mounted in the frame, a locking mechanism for selectively blocking the belt reel and a vehicle-sensitive sensor. The locking mechanism is actuated by an actor. An electronic control unit is provided with an input interface and an output interface. The vehicle-sensitive sensor is connected to the input interface and the actor is connected to the output interface.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2000Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Uwe Class, Thomas Kielwein, Michael Lüders
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Patent number: 6448907Abstract: An airline passenger management system selectively and positively retains passengers within their seats, thereby eliminating potential airborne threats due to terrorists being able to move about the cabin of the aircraft. The system includes a seat belt latch assembly having a mechanism which selectively disables the latch release, thereby preventing the passenger from releasing his/her seat belt latch and restraining the passenger in his/her seat. The system further includes monitoring and control panels, with a monitoring panel in the passenger cabin and a control panel on the flight deck. These panels indicate the status of each passenger position, with the flight deck panel including a belt latch release control for each passenger position. The system provides for selective release of limited numbers of passengers at any one time during flight, and considers the risk level of each passenger according to statistics entered in a database prior to flight.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2002Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Inventor: Nicholas J. Naclerio
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Publication number: 20010030255Abstract: The belt retractor for an occupant restraint system has a frame, a belt spool having a pair of flanges and rotatably mounted in the frame and a locking mechanism for selective blocking of the belt spool. A wheel member provided with an external toothing is mounted on one flange of the belt spool. A locking pawl is biased by a spring that engages with the wheel member. During the normal operating state of the belt retractor, the locking pawl is held by means of an solenoid so that it is disengaged from the wheel member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2001Publication date: October 18, 2001Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Cornelius Peter
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Patent number: 6267430Abstract: A slide rail for a removable vehicle seat comprises a fixed section and a shuttle sliding on this section. The shuttle carries a connector connected to the seat, and this connector is connected to an electrical circuit belonging to the vehicle floor by means of a flexible electrical cabling which is arranged under a flange of the fixed section and which is held taut by a resilient return drum.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2000Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: Bertrand Faure Equipments SAInventor: Gilles Cresseaux
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Patent number: 5655619Abstract: A control system for controlling the locking and unlocking of a vehicle's seat belt retractors in response to detection of the state of the vehicle's doors and the state of the vehicle's ignition switch.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1994Date of Patent: August 12, 1997Assignee: Chrysler CorporationInventors: Michael J. Suran, Ronald E. Fassnacht
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Patent number: 5634664Abstract: A safety seat belt device for use in a motor vehicle has a seal belt for constraining an occupant of the motor vehicle. The seat belt includes a shoulder belt portion for extending across the thorax of the occupant and a lap belt portion for extending across the lower waist of the occupant. The safety seat belt device also includes a lock device for locking both the shoulder belt portion and the lap belt portion when the motor vehicle undergoes a forward or rearward collision, and locking only the lap belt portion when the motor vehicle undergoes a lateral collision. The lock device may include a lock mechanism for locking the shoulder belt portion upon a forward or rearward collision, and a lock mechanism for locking the lap belt portion immediately when the seat belt is fastened by the occupant regardless of whether the motor vehicle suffers a lateral collision or not.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 1996Date of Patent: June 3, 1997Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuhiro Seki, Yasuki Motozawa
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Patent number: 5611604Abstract: A safety restraint system in which the retractor for the shoulder webbing is pivotably mounted to a structural member associated with the back of the seat. The retractor is pivotable about a horizontal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The retractor has a shaft normal to the spool of the retractor and is pivotably locked in a sleeve of a mounting bracket attached to the structural member.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1995Date of Patent: March 18, 1997Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.Inventors: Rudy V. Thomas, Philip H. Goniea
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Patent number: 5568939Abstract: A vehicle seat belt retractor system (10) includes two seats (16, 18) each having its own integrated seat belt webbing retractor (60, 112). Each retractor (60, 112) includes a locking assembly (76, 80) for blocking belt withdrawal in response to an electrical signal. At a central location in the vehicle spaced from the seats (16, 18), a sensor (24) is disposed for sensing vehicle deceleration exceeding a predetermined deceleration and for providing a control signal indicative thereof. An RF transmitter (42) is electrically connected with the sensor (24) and is actuatable in response to the control signal to transmit an RF signal. An RF receiver (100, 114) on each vehicle seat (16, 18) receives the RF signal and provides an output signal to actuate the locking assembly (76, 80) of the two seat belt retractors (60, 112).Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1994Date of Patent: October 29, 1996Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Brian K. Blackburn, Louis R. Brown, Joseph E. Mazur, Scott B. Gentry
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Patent number: 5520263Abstract: A control system for controlling the locking and unlocking of the seat belt retractor used in a vehicle in response to the state of the vehicle's doors, the state of the vehicle's ignition switch, and the state of use of the vehicle's seat belts.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1994Date of Patent: May 28, 1996Assignee: Chrysler CorporationInventors: Michael J. Suran, Dennis J. Hachey
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Patent number: 5490575Abstract: Control system for controlling the locking and unlocking of seat belt retractors in response to the opened/closed state of the vehicle doors and also the on/off state of the ignition switch.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1994Date of Patent: February 13, 1996Assignee: Chrysler CorporationInventors: Michael J. Suran, Michel Trumbo
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Patent number: 4951966Abstract: Disclosed herein is a combination in a motor vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1989Date of Patent: August 28, 1990Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masao Nihei
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Patent number: 4936600Abstract: A passive seat belt system includes a timer and a control means. The timer is capable of reaching a time-up state upon an elapsed time of a predetermined interval of time after closure of an associated door and releasing the time-up state upon opening of the door. The control means allows a retractor to lock a webbing after the timer has reached the time-up state.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1989Date of Patent: June 26, 1990Assignee: Nippon Seiko Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Osamu Kawai, Asano Shuichi
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Patent number: 4767161Abstract: A safety belt arrangement, especially one having a lap belt as a constituent of the belt system. One end of the lap belt is connected to a part that is secured to the vehicle, and the other end of the lap belt is provided with a belt buckle part. An anchoring member is provided as a carrier for the other belt buckle part, with the ends of the lap belt, as well as the anchoring member, being connected with a tensioning mechanism that operates in opposite directions. This tensioning mechanism is disposed between the anchoring elements that act as guide elements for the lap belt portion and for the anchoring member, which includes a cable section. The tensioning mechanism is secured to the one end of the lap belt and to the anchoring member via connections that are freely movable in the direction toward the guide elements, and are also movable relative to one another.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1986Date of Patent: August 30, 1988Assignee: Autoflug GmbH & Co. FahrzeugtechnikInventors: Gerhard Sedlmayr, Jurgen Grassmuck
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Patent number: 4723793Abstract: A construction of a door glass guide in a motor vehicle includes a door frame in a door of the motor vehicle; a buckle assist secured to the door frame and detachably connected to a tongue plate of a seat belt; a door glass run provided in a guide portion of the door frame, with a main body of the door glass run facing an end edge of a door glass and with lips extending from the main body of the door glass run and being in slidable contact with glass surfaces at the end edge of the door glass, for guiding the door glass in a direction of opening or closing the door glass; and a wire harness disposed in the guide portion in the longitudinal direction of the door glass run and connected to a device for providing a signal when the tongue plate and the buckle assist are unlatched. A wire harness holding portion for holding the wire harness is provided on a surface of the main body of the door glass run which is opposed to the guide portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1986Date of Patent: February 9, 1988Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuyoshi Kato, Motonobu Sugiura
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Patent number: 4703949Abstract: The drive means of the passive safety belt is provided with a coupling which is disposed between the takeoff side of the worm gearing and a cable drum (28) and which is formed by a toothed slider (20) and two internally toothed rings (29, 30) at the inner face of the cable drum (28). Said coupling is controlled by an inertia disk (25) in whose radial grooves (23, 24) guide studs (21, 22) of the toothed slider (20) are guided slidingly. The coupling is not engaged until an adequately high drive speed is reached, said engagement being effected in that the toothed slider (20) is moved radially outwardly and with one of its coupling teeth (31, 32) comes into engagement with the corresponding internally toothed ring (29, 30). When the coupling is disengaged the end fitting of the safety belt can be easily displaced by hand.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1986Date of Patent: November 3, 1987Assignee: TRW Repa GmbHInventor: Artur Fohl
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Patent number: 4700974Abstract: A triggering arrangement is described for restraint systems in motor vehicles, in which, in a joint, metallic electromagnetically shielding housing arranged directly at the restraint system, all elements of the triggering arrangement are integrated, including a separate power supply unit. Outside said housing, no electrical leads are required, resulting in an extensive shielding from electromagnetic interference signals and a high saving of costs. Contemplated usage includes with are airbags, belt tighteners, etc., in the case of seats that are firmly anchored to the vehicle, and also in the case of removable seats and seats for children.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1986Date of Patent: October 20, 1987Assignee: Daimler-Benz AGInventors: Rudolf Andres, Heinz Knoll, Volker Petri, Harald Pfistner
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Patent number: 4688825Abstract: There is provided an improvement in a seat belt retractor mechanism of the type having a seat belt reel rotatably mounted in a support frame adapted to be assembled on a movable door of a vehicle, wherein the reel has at least on one end a generally circular ratchet plate for engaging a locking element movably mounted on the support frame between a first position allowing the reel to payout the belt freely and a second position engaging the ratchet plate to hold the reel against rotation to payout the seat belt. An inertia sensing element carried by the support frame shifts this locking element into the locked position upon being moved by inertia forces caused by rapid acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle to which the mechanism is mounted. In addition, an electromagnet is employed for increasing the amount of inertia force needed to move the inertia sensor element during such rapid changes in speed of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1986Date of Patent: August 25, 1987Assignee: Wickes Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Thomas P. Arbogast, Ben J. Charboneau, Robert A. Hair
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Patent number: 4572543Abstract: A retractable safety belt system for restraining a vehicle occupant in a seat comprising a seat belt secured at one end to a reel of an electric-motor driven retractor. The retractor motor is controlled by control means (9) having a drive circuit (92G) and a reverse rotation or protraction rotation detection circuit (94A) which senses the reverse rotation of the motor as the seat belt is protracted and energizes the motor to retract the seat belt, thereby removing any slack in the seat belt. Preferably, the control means includes an increasing voltage circuit (94C) for gradually increasing the voltage applied to the motor, thereby reducing the motor torque at the initial stage of retraction. Also, the control means preferably includes a load sensing circuit (94B) which de-energizes the motor as the load on the motor and, hence, the tension in the seat belt reaches a predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1984Date of Patent: February 25, 1986Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Nippondenso Co., Ltd.Inventors: Noboru Tsuge, Satosi Kuwakado, Masahiro Taguchi, Toshio Yasui
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Patent number: 4519652Abstract: A strap retractor assembly of a vehicular seat belt arrangement including a retaining strap to be fitted to a vehicle occupant, comprising a reel shaft having the strap anchored thereto at one end of the strap, a spring urging the reel shaft to turn in a direction to have the strap re-wound on the reel shaft, a ratchet wheel rotatable with the reel shaft, a pawl member movable into and out of a position engaging the ratchet wheel and prohibiting the reel shaft from being turned in the aforesaid direction, a switch unit to produce first pulses in response to rotation of the reel shaft in one direction and second pulses in response to rotation of the reel shaft in the opposite direction, a pulse counter to count the first pulses forwardly and the second pulses backwardly, a comparator to compare the number of the pulses counted by the counter with a predetermined number of pulses and to produce a control signal when the former equals the latter, and a solenoid-operated actuator to drive the pawl member into theType: GrantFiled: January 11, 1983Date of Patent: May 28, 1985Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, LimitedInventor: Ken Kamijo
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Patent number: 4445604Abstract: A belt carriage is movable along a vehicle body mounted track to move an occupant restraint belt between an occupant restraint position and a stowed position permitting occupant ingress and egress. A plastic drive tape is attached to the carriage and has perforations which mesh with a toothed tape drive gear for driving the drive tape and carriage back and forth along the track. An electric motor and a speed reduction gear unit are connected to the tape drive gear by a clutch which couples with the drive gear only when the electric motor is energized so that whenever the electric motor is not energized the occupant may grip the belt carriage and manually move the belt carriage and the drive tape to move the restraint belt between the occupant restraint and stowed positions independently of the motor. The clutch is preferably a centrifugal clutch in which clutch pawls are thrown outwardly by centrifugal force to engage with the tape drive gear when the motor is energized.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1982Date of Patent: May 1, 1984Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Lloyd W. Rogers, Jr.
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Patent number: 4437684Abstract: An automatic seatbelt system in which a pair of sprocket wheels are driven by a single driving motor to move both shoulder and lap webbings in response to an occupant entering or leaving a vehicle. A flexible shoulder tape is connected to the shoulder webbing through a guide member slidable along a roof side of the vehicle, and extends along a vehicle body to mesh with one of the sprocket wheel. A flexible lap tape is connected to the lap webbing through a guide member slidable along an inner surface of a vehicle door, and extends along the vehicle door and body to mesh with the other of the sprocket wheel. When the sprocket wheels rotate, both shoulder and lap seatbelt webbings are simultaneously moved through the tapes toward either the front side of the vehicle to provide an enough space for the occupant to enter the vehicle, or the rear side of the vehicle to place the webbings over the occupant at a seat.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1981Date of Patent: March 20, 1984Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-SeisakushoInventors: Shigeru Moriya, Akio Yoshida, Muneharu Matsunami, Tatsushi Kubota, Hiroshi Tsuge, Yuji Nishimura
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Patent number: 4401320Abstract: A door for an automobile disclosed herein comprises a glass run rubber embraced in a door frame for guiding a window glass, the glass run rubber formed with a channel for receiving a wire harness extending from a buckle for releasing a seat belt in an emergency to a belt wearing alarm device for warning with a signal a driver of a disconnection of the seat belt to the buckle, thereby eliminating a notch formed in the door frame which would reduce the rigidity of the door, preventing the wire harness from being cut by an edge of a notch formed in the door frame and eliminating extra parts for retaining the wire harness in the channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1980Date of Patent: August 30, 1983Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroo Okuyama, Hideoki Matsuoka
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Patent number: 4280584Abstract: An emergency locking retractor comprises a lock member capable of assuming a position in which it engages an engaging portion integral with a webbing take-up shaft to lock the rotation of the shaft in webbing draw-out direction and a position in which it does not engage the engaging portion. A speed change sensing member is adapted, when it senses a greater speed change of a vehicle than a predetermined value, to shift from a first condition to a second condition and thereby move the lock member to the engaging position. The retractor also includes a switch-actuated electrical system for moving the lock member independently of the sensing member.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1979Date of Patent: July 28, 1981Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.Inventor: Yoshihiro Makishima