Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Francis Joseph Wickenheiser

Rasik N Patel

A fastener bolt for an automobile seat belt anchor is provided with an annular energy-absorbing cushion on the front surface of the bolt head. In a crash situation, forcible movement of a vehicle occupant's head against the cushion will have a lessened tendency to cause human injury or pain. The annular cushion has a central access opening that registers with a non-circular cavity in the bolt head, such that the fastener bolt can be screwed into a hidden fastener nut while the cushion is in place on the bolt.

Head impact protection for an automobile seat belt anchor fastener

An energy absorbing sling assembly 22 is provided for a seat belt component which includes an energy absorbing member 46, 47 carried with a mounting bolt 32 for pivotally mounting the sling assembly 22 with the energy absorbing member 46 being retained between the mounting bolt head 38 and the sling 28 and providing an access aperture 63 for tool engagement with a drive pocket 64 in the bolt 32.

Energy absorbing sling assembly

An energy absorbing mounting fastener assembly is provided for a seat belt component particularly a seat belt sling assembly 22 which includes an energy absorbing member 46, 47 carried with a mounting bolt 32 for pivotally mounting the seat belt component with the energy absorbing member being retained between the mounting bolt head and the seat belt component and providing an access aperture 63 for tool engagement with the bolt 32 at a pocket 64.

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Monroe, MI, United States of America

Francis Joseph Wickenheiser