Inertia-responsive Locking Or Tightening Of Belt Or Harness Patents (Class 297/480)
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Patent number: 12162427Abstract: A system for improving safety of an occupant by a vehicle seat belt, which can provide adaptive protection for an occupant in different seat positions and different sitting postures is provided. A method for improving safety of an occupant by a vehicle seat belt is also provided, along with a computer-readable medium. The a system for improving safety of an occupant by a vehicle seat belt includes an in-vehicle observation system, an active seat belt system, and an integrated safety domain control unit. The integrated safety domain control unit formulates a vehicle seat belt protection strategy based on received data from the in-vehicle observation system, and a slack state of an active retractor and a positional state of an active lift buckle in the active seat belt system, to implement selective tightening or loosening of the active retractor and/or selective lifting or lowering of the active lift buckle.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2021Date of Patent: December 10, 2024Assignee: ZF Automotive Technologies (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.Inventors: Zihong Xu, Sen Lin, Ting Chen, Yuanyi Cheng
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Patent number: 12151643Abstract: A restraining device for a motor vehicle occupant, having a seatbelt that is equipped with a belt pretensioner via which the tensile force on the seatbelt can be increased. A vehicle seat is equipped with a tubular receptacle as a seat cross tube that simultaneously accommodates the belt pretensioner in its interior. The belt pretensioner, which is designed as a linear pretensioner, has a coupling element for the seatbelt, which coupling element is translationally movable along an axis of motion in the tubular receptacle and is connected to a drive cylinder by a tensioner. For this purpose, the seatbelt is reduced to approximately half its width by rolling up opposite side edges by a guide element so that the belt pretensioner can be accommodated without any difficulty in a seat cross tube with a small inside diameter.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2023Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: Volkswagen AktiengesellschaftInventors: Sebastian Feig, Michael Przybyla, Joerg Parrer
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Patent number: 12139098Abstract: A fluid damper for modulating a retaining force of a seat belt is provided. The fluid damper includes an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. The inner cylinder encloses an inner space. The fluid damper includes a piston shiftable in the inner space. The fluid damper includes a duct. The duct conductively connects a front fluid chamber disposed in front of the piston to a rear fluid chamber disposed behind the piston and/or a reservoir for the damping fluid. The duct includes an outer duct portion and an inner duct portion. The inner cylinder is deflectable from a rest position by a force acting on the piston so that the deflection of the inner cylinder causes an adjustment of an overlap of the outer duct portion and the inner duct portion depending on the magnitude of the force.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2022Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: STABILUS GmbHInventors: Lars Löhken, Raphael Piroth, Markus Müller, Ulrich Probst, Christian Junghans
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Patent number: 12005852Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning an occupant restraint harness coupled to an occupant seat mountable in a motor vehicle, wherein the occupant restraint harness includes first and second lap webs securable about an occupant of the seat, may include a web tensioning device configured to be attached to a rear side of the occupant seat, the web tensioning device having an actuated state and an unactuated state, and a mechanical movement converter configured to be attached to the rear side of the occupant seat and having an input operatively coupled to the web tensioning device, a first output coupled to the first lap web and a second output coupled to the second lap web, the mechanical movement converter responsive to a transition of the web tensioning device from the unactuated state to the actuated state to simultaneously apply tension to the first and second lap webs.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2022Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: Chris P. Jessup
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Patent number: 11975680Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seatback and a seat portion supported by a frame assembly. The seat portion includes a carrier assembly and a displaceable platform pivotally coupled thereto for pivoting movement between a use position and a deployed position. A retraction mechanism includes a first bracket operably coupled to the frame assembly, and a second bracket operably coupled to the displaceable platform. The first and second brackets are operably coupled to one another by an actuator, and the second bracket is operable between first and second positions relative to the first bracket. A belt assembly includes a tether member and a belt member. The tether member is coupled between the first and second brackets, and the belt member is operable between a deployed position outside of the seatback, and a stowed position within an interior of the seatback.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Rachel Demerly, Raed EL-Jawahri, Robyne McBride, Benjamin Yilma, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Michael Pline, S. M. Akbar Berry
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Patent number: 11975841Abstract: According to various embodiments, a biomedically actuated occupant restraint system includes an occupant restraint system for a vehicle, the occupant restraint system having a locked position and an unlocked position. The biomedically actuated occupant restraint system further includes an occupant monitoring system operably connected to the occupant restraint system, the occupant monitoring system configured for monitoring a plurality of physiological conditions of an occupant of the vehicle. The occupant monitoring system includes a biometric sensor module including a plurality of physiological sensors configured for measuring a plurality of physiological conditions of the occupant and asserting a plurality of sensor signals, and a controller configured to receive the plurality of sensor signals and determine whether the occupant is incapacitated. The controller being configured to send a command to lock the occupant restraint system in response to determining the occupant is incapacitated.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.Inventors: Steve A. Holstine, Ken Mitchell
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Patent number: 11833995Abstract: A force transfer element for an apparatus for belt tightening is provided, wherein the force transfer element is a rod-shaped body that is essentially structured over its total length and/or is formed from at least a first and a second part.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2021Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: David Kühne, Christian Engel, Eyüp Aslan, Jose Luis Serrada
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Patent number: 11752971Abstract: Various implementations include a child restraint anchoring system. The system includes one or more anchors configured for coupling to a support frame of a vehicle seat. The one or more anchors are automatically movable from a retracted position to an extended position. The one or more anchors are closer to the support frame in the retracted position than in the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLCInventor: Len Cech
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Patent number: 11724665Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle includes a pillar elongated along an axis. A seatbelt guide is supported by the pillar. The seatbelt guide is moveable relative to the pillar along the axis. The vehicle includes a seatbelt retractor and a webbing. The webbing is retractably extendable from the retractor. The seatbelt retractor is below the seatbelt guide. The webbing extends upwardly from the retractor and around the seatbelt guide. The vehicle includes a load limiter. The load limiter has a lower end fixed to the pillar. The load limiter has an upper end. The upper end is between the seatbelt guide and the lower end. The load limiter is crushable relative to the seatbelt guide and the pillar.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq
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Patent number: 11639151Abstract: A seat belt positioning mechanism that has a vehicle seat and an elastic tensioning member. The vehicle seat has a frame structure, a cushion portion covering the frame structure and a cover material covering the cushion portion. The cushion portion defines a main seating section and an outboard side seat section extending laterally outboard from a corresponding side of the main seating section. The side seat section defines an opening extending through the cushion portion. The opening is dimensioned to receive a seat belt extending therethrough. The cover material has a cover extension extending into the opening. The elastic tensioning member has a first end fixed to the frame structure and extends under the cover extension into the opening. The elastic tensioning member is dimensioned and shaped to bias the cover extension in an outboard direction against a part of the seat belt located within the opening.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2020Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Niko Jovicevic
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Patent number: 11618352Abstract: A retainer apparatus including a first retainer portion, a second retainer portion, a wireless transceiver, and a sensor contained within at least one of the first retainer portion and the second retainer portion. The retainer apparatus includes the first retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a first harness strap and a second retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a second harness strap. The first retainer portion is removably attached to the second retainer portion. The sensor is configured to detect the first retainer portion being disconnected from the second retainer portion and generate a warning signal. The wireless transceiver is configured to wirelessly transmit the warning signal to a controller in a vehicle to activate an audible warning alert to warn a user in the vehicle of the first retainer portion being disconnected from the second retainer portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2022Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: FRIEDMAN IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventor: Mark J. Friedman
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Patent number: 11613367Abstract: An ejection system may comprise an ejection seat and a rail assembly. A plurality of sliders may be coupled to the ejection seat. The rail assembly may include a rail defining a channel and a rail insert located in the channel. The rail insert may define an insert channel configured to receive the plurality of sliders.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2021Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: AMI Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jackson Fulcher, Steve Holstine, Casey A. Stribrny, Nicholas K. Bharucha, John Hampton
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Patent number: 11597521Abstract: A modal restraint system for an occupant of a seat of an aircraft. The modal restraint system includes a strap feeder unit and a strap selectively retractable into and extendable from the strap feeder unit. The strap feeder unit is adapted to switch between a plurality of modes including an unfixed mode and a fixed mode. The strap is extendable from and retractable into the strap feeder unit in the unfixed mode. The strap is substantially unextendable from the strap feeder unit in the fixed mode. The strap feeder unit is in the unfixed mode by default. The strap feeder unit is operable to switch from the unfixed mode to the fixed mode in response to a precautionary event including detection of an operational parameter that is beyond a predetermined threshold, thereby reducing freedom of movement of the occupant relative to the seat.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Eric A. Sinusas, Olivier Andre Boisvert, Guillaume Noiseux-Boucher, Steve Loveland, Sebastien Duval
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Patent number: 11156482Abstract: A contactless sensor mounting system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a contactless sensor that is mounted in an interior component of the vehicle and having a first surface and a second surface opposing each other. A bracket is disposed around the contactless sensor and is fixed to the interior component. A first buffer member is interposed between the first surface of the contactless sensor and the interior component. A second buffer member is mounted on the second surface of the contactless sensor. Additionally, a leaf spring presses the second buffer member and the contactless sensor toward the interior component.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2019Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Dae Yun An, Sang Kyung Seo, Gyun Ha Kim, Eung Hwan Kim, Yoon Seok Choi
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Patent number: 11052866Abstract: A safety belt device for a vehicle, having a belt force limiting unit and a safety belt buckle that interacts therewith, through which buckle a wire cable loop is passed that transitions into wire cable segments that are passed out of the safety belt buckle and extend to a cable deflection element at which they are deflected about at least one deflection axis in the direction toward the belt force limiting unit, wherein the safety belt buckle is rotated about a safety belt buckle axis such that the wire cable loop passed through the safety belt buckle is oriented with its loop opening open in the axial direction with respect to the deflection axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Volkswagen AktiengesellschaftInventor: Carsten Moeker
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Patent number: 11034269Abstract: A seat control apparatus controls a seat of a vehicle in which an occupant of the vehicle sits. The seat control apparatus includes an occupant weight recognition unit; an occupant sitting state recognition unit configured to recognize an occupant sitting state including at least either of a grip force of the occupant and a load applied to the occupant; a lateral acceleration estimation unit configured to estimate a subsequent lateral acceleration of the vehicle; and a seat controller configured to control the seat. The seat has an occupant support adjustment portion including at least one of a first adjustment portion, a second adjustment portion, and a third adjustment portion. The seat controller calculates an adjustment amount of the occupant support adjustment portion and controls the occupant support adjustment portion in response to the calculated adjustment amount.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shintaro Saigo, Satoshi Inoue, Terumasa Endo
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Patent number: 10953849Abstract: A seatbelt device for a vehicle comprises a belt which restrains an occupant, a retractor which supports the belt so as to wind up one end of the belt, a frictional-force applier which is configured to apply a frictional force to the belt by contacting the belt, and an actuator to actuate the frictional-force applier so as to change the frictional force.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Teruhiko Hiruta, Yoichi Miyajima
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Patent number: 10752360Abstract: A modal restraint system for an occupant of a seat of an aircraft includes a strap feeder unit and a strap selectively retractable into and extendable from the strap feeder unit. The strap is positionable adjacent to the occupant so as to dispose the occupant between the strap and the seat. The strap feeder unit is adapted to switch between a plurality of modes including a fixed mode and an unfixed mode. The strap is substantially unextendable from the strap feeder unit in the fixed mode. The strap is extendable from and retractable into the strap feeder unit in the unfixed mode. The strap feeder unit is in the fixed mode by default. The strap feeder unit is operable to switch to the unfixed mode in response to a user input, thereby increasing freedom of movement of the occupant relative to the seat of the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2017Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.Inventors: Eric A. Sinusas, Olivier Andre Boisvert, Guillaume Noiseux-Boucher, Steve Loveland, Sebastien Duval
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Patent number: 10611333Abstract: A vehicle seat belt buckle attachment system includes an anchor bracket fixed to a vehicle, a pivot fixed to the anchor bracket, a buckle bracket defining a curved slot that receives the pivot, and a buckle connected to the buckle bracket.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2018Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Kevin J. Storck, Mohan Bhogineni
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Patent number: 10569731Abstract: A linear blocking apparatus has a linear device which is longitudinally displaceable along an axis and is guided in a housing. It is possible to switch back and forth, by means of a connectable or integrated switching device, between two motional states of the linear device. The linear device acts directly or indirectly on a rotary device. The rotary device, in dependence on the motional direction of the linear device, can be set in rotation in diverse rotational directions. A, in particular mechanical, blocking device is present, which is, or can be brought, directly or indirectly into operative connection with the rotary device. The blocking device is actuable by the switching device, whereby it is possible to switch back and forth between a first motional state and a second motional state of the linear device, and hence between the possible rotational directions of the rotary device.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2018Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Horst Thiele Maschinebau-Hydraulische Geräte GmbHInventor: Ewald Thiele
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Patent number: 9428147Abstract: A linear drive, especially for a belt tensioner, includes a housing (10) including a piston seat (12), a piston element (16) accommodated in the piston seat (12) and a pyrotechnical drive element adapted to supply gas for displacing the piston element (16). The inner wall of the piston seat (12) includes a groove (30) extending in the displacing direction (R) of the piston element (16) through which gas can flow off the piston seat (12).Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2012Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbHInventors: Simon Schreiber, Hermann Grau, Krzysztof Krukowski
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Patent number: 9027965Abstract: A gas generating system (24) is provided including a gas generant container (34) and an initiator (28). A gas generant composition (32) is placed within the container (34) in ignitable communication with the igniter (28). A molecular sieve (33) is positioned within the housing 17 combined within the gas generant composition (32), or external of the gas generant (32) but in reactive proximity or vapor communication therewith. A seatbelt device (150) and a vehicle occupant restraint system (180) incorporating a gas generating system as described herein are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2006Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventor: Deborah L. Hordos
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Patent number: 8979129Abstract: A retractor including a rotatable spool configured to be connected to a webbing, a locking member configured to selectively lock the spool and prevent the spool from rotating in the webbing extraction direction, a sensor, and a cover for the sensor and locking member. When the locking member is in a locked position, the spool is prohibited from rotating in the webbing extraction direction. The sensor is configured to move in a first direction in response to the vehicle having a threshold acceleration. Movement of the sensor in the first direction causes a corresponding movement of the locking member to a locked position. The sensor is located in a cavity in the cover and an insert member is disposed between the cover and the sensor to limit the travel of the sensor in a second direction transverse to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventors: John Pasquale Puzzonia, Michael Zdravkoski
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Patent number: 8960724Abstract: The seatbelt pretensioner, which is designed for reducing slack in seatbelt webbing upon deployment in response to a triggering event, comprises an igniter that generates gas in response to the triggering event, an elongate body defining a chamber for receiving and the confining gas generated by the igniter, a piston movable within the elongate body by the gas generated, a slack-reducing assembly that responds to movement of the piston and is connected to at least a portion of seatbelt webbing, movement of the piston causes the slack-reducing assembly to move the seat belt webbing reducing slack in the seatbelt webbing; and a controlled pressure release that enables gas to escape from the elongate body after deployment, relieving gas pressure within the pretensioner.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Jon E. Burrow, Bin Wang, Kurt W. Schulz
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Publication number: 20150028652Abstract: The invention relates a belt tensioner (10) for a seat belt system comprising a tensioner tube (42) for receiving and guiding a pressurizing element (44) as well as a separate generator housing (46) for receiving a gas generator (48), wherein a coupling element (50) tightly connecting the generator housing (46) to the tensioner tube (42) is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2012Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Hans-Peter Betz, Dominik Seitzer, Ruediger Karl
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Patent number: 8931851Abstract: The present invention provides a seat belt adjuster applicable to seat belts in vehicles, comprising: a pair of supporting swing rods composed of a first swing rod and a second swing rod, with the adjacent ends of the first and second swing rods hinged together and forming an included angle between the swing rods, either non-adjacent end of the first and second swing rods fixed in stationary state, and the other non-adjacent end of the first and second swing rods movable as the included angle between the swing rods changes; and an actuator, which changes the included angle between the swing rods by exerting force to the first swing rod and/or the second swing rod and/or the hinge point of the swing rods, and thereby directly applies variable force on the strap of the seat strap via the other non-adjacent end.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2011Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Inventor: Yingui Sun
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Publication number: 20150008718Abstract: An object of the invention is to reduce the weight of a pretensioner by reducing the length of a piston and a wire of the pretensioner. A pretensioner (1) is used in a seat belt device and pulls a seat belt. Due to gas supplied into a cylinder (10) from a gas generator (4), a piston (20) is moved in the cylinder (10). A wire (60) is connected to the piston (20) and the seat belt and pulls the seat belt when the piston (20) moves. The wire (60) has both ends that are connected to the seat belt and has a folded portion (63) that is connected to the piston (20) via connecting means (51). The connecting means (51) has a connecting hole (24) that is formed in the piston (20) and through which the folded portion (63) passes and has a detachment preventing member (52) that is positioned between the folded portion (63) and the piston (20) to prevent the folded portion (63) from being detached from the connecting hole (24).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2013Publication date: January 8, 2015Applicant: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasuhiro Inagawa, Hiroyuki Miyoshi
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Patent number: 8888137Abstract: A serviceable seatbelt buckle mounted belt tensioner for use with a vehicle seat having a seat frame includes a bracket fixed to the seat frame and a pre-tensioning assembly releasably attached to the bracket, the pre-tensioning assembly includes a housing, a seatbelt attachment portion such as a seatbelt buckle, a cylindrical container and a cable connecting the seatbelt buckle and the cylindrical container, the cable passing through the housing. Both the bracket and the housing include attachment interfaces in the forms of flanges, tabs, pins, and slots. A fastener such as a screw or a clip is used to prevent movement of the housing relative to the bracket once the components are fitted together.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Manoharprasad K. Rao, Curtis David Kalina, Richard Edward Ruthinowski, Dean M. Jaradi
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Publication number: 20140265489Abstract: A harness tensioner for a child safety seat has a lower lever part pivotable about an axis and an upper lever part above the lower lever part and pivotable about a different axis. A lower portion of the upper lever part contacts with an upper portion of the lower lever part. Harness straps of a child safety seat are coupled to the upper lever part. Upon an impact event, the lower part is moved against a biasing force, which in turn moves the upper part to apply rearward tension to the harness straps.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventor: Matthew Alan Morgenstern
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Patent number: 8820789Abstract: Various embodiments of seat harness pretensioning devices for use in land, air, and sea vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, a seat unit for use in a military land vehicle or helicopter includes a stroking device that enables the seat to move downwardly in response to sudden movement. The seat unit also includes a seat belt or harness that extends around the occupant in the seat. Sudden movement of the seat in response to an explosion or hard landing causes a tensioning system to automatically pretension the seat harness.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.Inventors: David T. Merrill, Todd J. Humbert
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Patent number: 8789851Abstract: A seat belt system comprising a webbing configured to restrain an occupant, a pretensioner coupled to the webbing and configured to apply a tensile force to the webbing when a dynamic vehicle event is detected, and a connector assembly for connecting the webbing to the pretensioner. The connector assembly includes a first coupling member having a first end and a second end connected to the webbing, and a second coupling member having a first end and a second end connected to the pretensioner. The first end of the second coupling member is configured to be detachably coupled to the first end of the first coupling member. The first end of the first coupling member includes a cavity configured to receive the first end of the second coupling member, and the relative positions of the first and second coupling members are fixed when the first end of the second coupling member is inserted into the cavity and rotated relative to the first coupling member into a locked position.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventors: Joel David Alvarado, Nancy Abigail Perez
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Patent number: 8777268Abstract: The invention relates to a reversible belt tensioner (10) comprising a drive motor (12), a spindle (14) connected to the drive motor (12), a spindle nut (16) adapted to be displaced in axial direction (18) on the spindle (14), a catch (20) the one end of which is connected to the spindle nut (16) and a belt buckle (22) connected to the other end of the catch (20), wherein at least one of the following features prevents the spindle nut (16) from jamming during travel against block: a cylindrical guiding portion (50) inside the spindle nut (16) interacting with the outer geometry of the spindle (14); a freewheel mechanism (48) between the drive motor (12) and the spindle (14); a compression spring (70) between the belt buckle (22) and a stop.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Artur Klein, Nathalie Kramer, Martin Prokscha, Stefano Roehm
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Patent number: 8746803Abstract: [Object] To provide a retractor that is manufacturable at a much lower cost by making a pretensioner operate more effectively, by minimizing the length of a pipe so that a weight reduction is realized effectively, and by easing the restriction for the shape of a guide member. [Solution] A pipe 17 in which a plurality of balls as force transmitting members are provided includes an attaching portion 17c as a projection provided at one end portion 17a thereof. A guide member 18 having a guide surface 18c that guides the balls has attaching grooves 18 as recesses. The attaching portion 17c is fitted into the attaching grooves 18, whereby the pipe 17 is attached around the outer circumference thereof to the guide member 18 attached to a frame. Since the guide member 18 is provided on the outer circumference of the pipe 17, the pipe 17 can be shortened.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2010Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Takata CorporationInventors: Masahiro Shiotani, Yusuke Iura
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Patent number: 8684413Abstract: A pretensioning device (10) for a safety belt, of a motor vehicle, having a gas generator (17), a piston (21) guided in a tube (16), which closes a pressure area (20) in the tube (16) that is pressurized by the gas generator (17) whereupon the piston (21) is able to move in a pretensioning movement which is able to be conveyed to the safety belt by means of an inertia body (19a) resting on a front face (9) of the piston (21). The piston (21) forms a pass-through opening (1) releasable upon exceeding of a predetermined pressure and a recess (26) is provided in the front face (9) with an inertia body (19a) resting thereon, so that a flow connection is created from the pass-through opening (1) to the area (25) located behind the piston (21) in the direction of the pretensioning movement (S).Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Thomas Schmidt, Martin Schmidt, Christian Fischer, Michael Pech, Matthias Steinberg, Tobias Voss
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Patent number: 8678510Abstract: An anchor plate (12) and an inner lap anchor (14) disposed at left and right sides of a vehicle seat are connected to an inner side cable (20A) and an outer side cable (20B), respectively. The anchor plate (12) and the inner lap anchor (14) are pulled substantially at the same time by a pretensioner device (21) when acceleration of a predetermined degree or more is applied to a seat (1). A support device (40) is provided between the inner lap anchor (14) and the inner side cable (20A) so as to support load applied to the inner lap anchor (14) in a distributed manner.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2009Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eiji Masutani
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Patent number: 8678509Abstract: To effectively operate a pretensioner using a plurality of balls and an energy absorption mechanism, to simplify the structure of an exhaust passage in the pretensioner, and to facilitate the working process of the exhaust passage. A pretensioner 15 includes a plurality of balls 20 serving as force transmission members and a piston 21 in a pipe 17. A piston body 21a of the piston 21 includes a shaft portion 21c and a substantially hemispherical head portion 21d. The piston body 21a is provided with an exhaust hole 21e extending in the axial direction and exhaust grooves 21f communicating with the exhaust hole 21e that define an exhaust passage. The exhaust grooves 21f prevent the exhaust hole 21e from being closed even if the head portion 21d of the piston 21 contacts the ball 20. Since the exhaust hole 21e and the exhaust grooves 21f are simply provided in the piston body 21a formed as a single member, the structure of the exhaust passage is simple, and working of the exhaust passage is easy.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2010Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Takata CorporationInventors: Masahiro Shiotani, Yusuke Iura
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Patent number: 8662582Abstract: An inertial lock system for use with an anchorage system for at least one vehicle child seat, the inertial lock system. The inertial lock system includes a retainer; an anchor movably connected to the retainer; at least one energy managing component connected between the retainer and the anchor biasing the anchor in a first direction capable of managing energy transmitted between the anchor and the retainer when the anchor is displaced in the direction opposite the first direction; a retention switch component selectively engageable with the anchor to limit the movement of the anchor in the first direction; and an inertial switch selectively operable in response to a predetermined deceleration of the retainer in the first direction to selectively release the retention switch and to thereby permit the at least one energy managing device to be displaced in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ian Brewster Hall, Brian Robert Spahn, Richard Ruthinowski, Parakrama V. Weerappuli, Kevin Siasoco
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Patent number: 8628114Abstract: A releasable tether retention system includes a housing having a slot extending therealong and a projection extending into the slot. The projection is coupled to the housing so as to be movable along the housing between a first position along the slot and a second position along the slot. Rotation of the projection is prevented when the projection is in the first position, and rotation of the projection is enabled when the projection is in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2011Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.Inventor: Eduardo L. Quioc
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Patent number: 8585090Abstract: A linear pretensioner device for motor vehicle belt restraint systems of the type mountable to a motor vehicle structure and coupled with a belt restraint system component. In one form, the linear pretensioner includes a stroking housing forming a bore and a cable coupled with the stroking housing and to the belt restraint component. A main housing adapted to be fixed to the motor vehicle structure is positioned within the bore of the stroking housing, with the stroking housing telescopically overfitting the main housing. The main housing and the stroking housing form an expanding chamber that enlarges when pressurized by a gas generator. Upon activation, the gas generator drives the stroking housing along the main housing to exert tension on the cable. In another form, the pretensioner has an inner housing positioned within a bore of an outer housing, and the cable is coupled with the inner housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2010Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventor: Wendell Chenney Lane, Jr.
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Patent number: 8585091Abstract: An occupant protection device including a pyrotechnical gas generator and a safety valve operating in a temperature-dependent manner and leading to the outside is connected to the gas generator. A sealing element of the safety valve is formed by a pin that includes a pin head, which is inserted from inside into a hole in a wall of a supply element such that the pin head bears against the inner face of the wall. A pin end, which is located on the outer face of the wall and protrudes outwardly through the hole, is plastically reshaped, so that the cross section of the pin end is larger than the cross section of the hole thereby forming a sealing portion which is larger in cross section than the cross section of the hole.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Takata AGInventors: Jochen Benz, Lars Mast, Jochen Lang, Christoph Pechhold, Robert Fleischmann
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Patent number: 8585139Abstract: A seat bottom of a vehicle seat includes a base portion, a movable frame configured to be movable in a front-rear direction relative to the base portion, a tension generator and a tension transmission member. The tension transmission member connected at one end of its first portion with the tension generator is bifurcated at another end of a first portion into a second portion connected with a seat belt anchor or a seat belt buckle and a third portion connected with the movable frame. Upon activation of the tension generator, the third portion pulls the movable frame rearward and at the same time the second portion pulls the seat belt anchor or the seat belt buckle.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eiji Masutani
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Patent number: 8579371Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a reclinable seatback (2), a seat bottom (3) movable in a front-and-rear direction, a pretensioner (41) for moving the seat bottom (3) rearward, and brackets (21, 21) attached to a vehicle body. The seat bottom is attached to the brackets so as to move in the front-and-rear direction, the seatback is rotatably attached to the brackets, and the pretensioner moves the seat bottom relatively rearward with respect to the brackets. When the seat bottom is moved rearward by the pretensioner, a front portion of the seat bottom is moved upward.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2008Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Inventor: Eiji Masutani
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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: 8550566Abstract: A seat belt includes: a lap strap stretchable around the waist of an operator, in other words, laterally stretchable across a seat surface; an AL retractor that is configured to wind the lap strap; a shoulder strap stretchable from the shoulder to the waist of the operator, in other words, stretchable from an upper portion on one side of the backrest to a lower portion on the other side thereof; and an EL retractor that is configured to wind the shoulder strap.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventor: Hirofumi Wada
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Patent number: 8528986Abstract: A seatbelt mechanism (S) comprises a chip anchor (12) disposed to one of right and left sides of a seat bottom (3) of the vehicle seat (1) and coupled to a tip end of the seatbelt (10), and a tongue anchor (14) disposed to the other of the right and left sides of the seat bottom (3) and engaged with a tongue plate (13) disposed to an intermediate portion of the seatbelt (10). A pretensioner mechanism (21) moves both the chip anchor (12) and the tongue anchor (14) substantially at the same time to actively tenses the seatbelt (10) when the vehicle collision occurs. A moving distance of the chip anchor (12) is substantially equal to a moving distance of the tongue anchor (14).Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2008Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eiji Masutani
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Patent number: 8528987Abstract: A linear seat belt pretensioner (10, 110, 210) has a frame (12; 112, 113; 212, 213) and an axial cavity (24, 60; 124, 160; 232) rigidly connected to the frame (12; 112, 113; 212, 213), a gas generator (20, 120, 220) in fluid communication with the axial cavity (24, 60; 124, 160, 232), and a piston (40, 140, 240) movably arranged in the axial cavity (24, 60; 124, 160; 232). An actuating profile (42, 142, 242) movable with the piston (40, 140) pulls a length of seat belt webbing (38, 238) into the frame (12; 112, 113; 212, 213) that corresponds to twice the piston stroke (D). The pretensioner device having a locking ramp arrangement (66, 70; 266, 290, 292) configured to form a one-way clutch allowing an increase and resisting a reduction of the length of belt webbing (38, 238) received by the pretensioner (10, 110, 210).Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2012Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Cahill, Jon E. Burrow
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Publication number: 20130214584Abstract: The present invention provides a seat belt adjuster applicable to seat belts in vehicles, comprising: a pair of supporting swing rods (2) composed of a first swing rod and a second swing rod, with the adjacent ends of the first and second swing rods hinged together and forming an included angle between the swing rods, either non-adjacent end of the first and second swing rods fixed in stationary state, and the other non-adjacent end of the first and second swing rods movable as the included angle between the swing rods changes; and an actuator (3, 6), which changes the included angle between the swing rods by exerting force to the first swing rod and/or the second swing rod and/or the hinge point of the swing rods, and thereby directly applies variable force on the belt of the seat belt via the other non-adjacent end.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2011Publication date: August 22, 2013Inventor: Yingui Sun
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Publication number: 20130193740Abstract: A linear seat belt pretensioner includes a housing with a sealed axial cavity and a piston (52, 152, 232, 352, 452) slidable in the cavity. A gas generator (76, 166, 156, 376, 476) deploys into the axial cavity, thereby propelling the piston outward. Because the axial cavity is well sealed, the arrangement retains the gas pressure upon deployment and is capable of a restart after a partial displacement if additional slack develops. The piston travels by a distance (X) corresponding to the piston travel and shortens the length of seat belt webbing available outside the pretensioner device by twice or thrice the distance (2X). The axial cavity can be sealed with a bladder element, such as a rolling sock (38). Alternatively, the seal may be established by a hollow piston (152) forming a ballistic seal with the wall of the cavity under pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2012Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, Inc.Inventors: Dario Brisighella, Christopher Fischer, Brent Parks
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Publication number: 20130193741Abstract: A linear seat belt pretensioner (10, 110, 210) has a frame (12; 112, 113; 212, 213) and an axial cavity (24, 60; 124, 160; 232) rigidly connected to the frame (12; 112, 113; 212, 213), a gas generator (20, 120, 220) in fluid communication with the axial cavity (24, 60; 124, 160, 232), and a piston (40, 140, 240) movably arranged in the axial cavity (24, 60; 124, 160; 232). An actuating profile (42, 142, 242) movable with the piston (40, 140) pulls a length of seat belt webbing (38, 238) into the frame (12; 112, 113; 212, 213) that corresponds to twice the piston stroke (D). The pretensioner device having a locking ramp arrangement (66, 70; 266, 290, 292) configured to form a one-way clutch allowing an increase and resisting a reduction of the length of belt webbing (38, 238) received by the pretensioner (10, 110, 210).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2012Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Cahill, Jon E. Burrow
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Patent number: 8496269Abstract: The invention relates to a belt buckle presenter for a seat belt system of a vehicle comprising a belt buckle which is coupled to a spindle drive (16) through force transmission means (14), the force transmission means (14) including a locking member (40) which in normal operation is movable along a threaded spindle (30) of the spindle drive (16) in axial direction and in the case of restraint can be deformed by a restraining force acting on the belt buckle (12) so as to adopt a locking position in which the locking member (40) positively engages in the threaded spindle (30).Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2011Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Holbein, Artur Klein, Nathalie Kramer, Martin Prokscha, Stefano Roehm