Simula, Inc.

Zodiac Automotive US Inc.

Bae Systems Aerospace & Defense Group Inc.

Gregory Brian Grace

Marvin K Richards

Gershon Yaniv

Gregory Alan Mowry

David J Romeo

Nathan R Butters

David M Shilliday

Curtis Phillip Parsons

Joseph W Coltman

Brent K Olson

Lih-Sheng Kang

John F Bartell

Paul G Apen

Todd Richard Hurley

Marvin Kent Richards

A vehicle seat that strokes during an energy absorption process is able to reset. The seat can therefore stroke again, in the same stroking volume, for example during a secondary ground impact after a mine blast. An energy absorber associated with the seat is operative to absorb energy once during the first stroke and is also operative to absorb energy a second time when the seat strokes a second time.

Resettable seat with energy absorber

Inflatable devices principally for vehicle occupant protection are addressed. Included among the devices are curtains or other cushions () with braided portions () along their lower edges () designed to form semi-rigid members when deployed. Unlike commercially-available vehicle curtains, inflation occurs from the bottom (where the semi-rigid member is formed) upward. The devices additionally optionally may include inflatable nodes () within the curtains () or otherwise extending from the cushions.

Inflatable cushioning device

A vehicle safety restraint system for a vehicle that allows transfer of tensile force from a transferor belt to a transferee belt. One end of the transferor belt is secured to the vehicle and the other end is attached to a transferor plate. One end of the transferee belt is secured to the vehicle and the other end is fed through a transferee plate and attached to a tension transfer latch plate. During normal use conditions, the transferee plate and the tension transfer latch plate are united, the transferor plate and the tension transfer latch plate are engaged using a quick release mechanism, and the transferee plate is engaged in a buckle that is secured to the vehicle. When the vehicle experiences a sudden deceleration that exerts a tensile force on the transferor belt, the tension transfer latch plate is separated from the transferee plate if the tensile force exceeds a design value. When the tension transfer latch plate is separated, the tensile force is transferred to the transferee belt.

Safety belt tension transfer system

An inflatable seat belt restraint system including a shoulder belt, an inflatable restraint, an inflation integrated inertia reel, and a shoulder belt anchor opposite to the inflation integrated inertial reel. The system can further include a lap belt and lap belt inertia reel. The inflation integrated inertia reel includes a webbing anchor, a drum having a pressure vessel, and a port for ducting inflation gas from the pressure vessel to the inflatable restraint. The inflation integrated inertia reel can further include an inflator in fluid communication with the pressure vessel. Upon deployment, gas flows from the inflator, into the pressure vessel, through the port, and into the inflatable restraint. The system can also include, a pressure-actuated locking mechanism locks the drum when the pressure vessel is pressurized. A corresponding method for deploying an inflatable restraint is also disclosed.

Inflatable seat restraint system using an inflation integrated inertia reel

A seat restraint system whose torso belt includes an inflatable structure that inflates upon impact to protect the occupants of a vehicle such as an automobile. The inflatable structure is linked to a gas generator and crash sensor. When an impact above a predetermined level of severity is detected, the gas generator is ignited, inflating the inflatable structure which contracts in length as it inflates. In a preferred embodiment, the inflatable structure is a braided tube. As the braided tube inflates, the diameter of the tube increases significantly and its length decreases significantly, due to the orientation of the fibers comprising the braided tube. The contraction in length pretensions the seat belt system by pulling any slack out of the seat belt systems. In a frontal impact, the inflated structure restricts the forward motion of an occupant and distributes crash loads over a larger occupant surface area to reduce both primary and secondary injuries. In a side impact, the inflated structure passes over the occupant's shoulder, restricts occupant motion, distributes crash loads and provides head and neck protection.

Inflatable tubular torso restraint system

An inflatable system which uses a fast-burning propellant material distributed within the inflatable component of the system to generate the gas inflating the system. The invention preferably includes a distributed fast-burning igniter material, which may be enhanced with additional gas-generating materials to increase the quantities of gas generated, an optional layer, coating, or sheath of supplemental gas-generating material, an environmentally-sealed sheath to protect the enclosed materials from contamination and to improve the burn rates and efficiencies of the propellant and ignition materials, and an electronic squib used to actuate the igniter material upon a signal from the electronic sensor.

Distributed charge inflator system

Growing community of inventors

Mesa, AZ, United States of America

Gregory Brian Grace