Key Safety Systems, Inc.

Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.

Methode Electronics, Incorporated

Richard A Boelstler

David R Arnold

Robert J Desmarais

Kenneth Herbert Kohlndorfer

Markell Seitzman

Susan A Richards

Wendell C Lane, Jr

Richard William Koning

Rudi Grzic

Eluid David Carter

Robert E Ver Hoven

Bayard C Temple

Daniel W Hodgman

Robert Verhoven

Marc A Jung

Habib I Baydoun

A control console assembly includes a diffusion layer and an electrode of a capacitive sensor. The diffusion layer has an outer surface and an inner surface substantially opposite the outer surface. The electrode of the capacitive sensor is mated to at least one of the inner surface or the outer surface of the diffusion layer.

Assembly for illuminating a control panel

A seatbelt retractor has a spool. An energy absorption mechanism absorbs energy from the spool during seatbelt protraction. The energy absorption mechanism has at least a first portion for a relatively high rate of energy absorption and preferably a second portion for a relatively low rate of energy absorption. The seatbelt retractor has an outer sheath cast, molded, coated or otherwise bonded to and encircling a portion of the external surface of the first portion or the second portion which upon a sufficient exposure to rotational energy breaks the bond between the first portion or the second portion and the outer sheath.

Seatbelt retractor with torsion bar

A seat belt retractor () having a rotationally mounted spool () with a seat belt windable thereon and a pretensioner () for winding the spool in a belt winding direction to rewind the seat belt upon the spool; the pretensioner comprising a rack and pinion mechanism () activated by a pyrotechnic element () for causing a clutch assembly () to change state from a disengaged mode to an engaged mode in which the clutch assembly drivingly engages the spool.

Retractor with rotary rack pretensioner

A pretensioner () for use with a seat belt system, the pretensioner comprising: a straight first tube () having a cylindrical wall (), a first end () and a second end (), at least one of the first end () or the second end () having an opening (); the first tube includes a first opening () in the wall () to receive a second tube (), the second tube () having a first end portion (), a second end portion () and a medial portion (), the medial portion configured to have a circular curvature of radius R; the second end portion is situated so that its center is collinear with a central axis () extending through the center of the first tube () and wherein an axis extending through the center of the first end portion is arranged at an acute angle relative to the central axis (); a pyrotechnic element () is provided at one end of the first tube to provide products of combustion to drive a piston () down the first tube, the motion of the piston moving a cable () in a direction to move a seat belt buckle to reduce belt slack about an occupant to be protected.

Seat belt pretensioner using preformed tubes

A quick connect anchorfor attachment to a cooperating fastenerthe anchor including: a plateconfigured to be placed over the fastener and configured to be moved in a first direction from a free position to a locked position; and a resilient blocking membermovable with the plate from a first position, in which the resilient member is free from the fastener, to an engaged position in engagement with a portion of the fastener, to resiliently connect the plate with the fastener when the plate is in its locked position.

Quick connect anchor

A belt retractor having ELR and ALR modes of operation is disclosed. The retractor comprises a sensor pawl movable between a released and a locked position with one or more teeth of a ratchet wheel rotatable with a spool of the retractor; the sensor pawl forming part of both ELR and ALR locking mechanisms. A spring biased first lever is rotatable to a first position and when in the first position urges the sensor pawl toward engagement with the ratchet wheel. The lever is movable to a second position, which permits the sensor pawl to move away from the ratchet wheel teeth thereby preventing the retractor from entering into its ALR mode of operation. The lever, when in its second position, biases the sensor pawl into engagement with a cooperating inertial mass that is part of a vehicle sensitive locking mechanism of the seat belt retractor. This bias force operative on the sensor pawl is effective to limit the motion of the inertial mass to lessen or eliminate vibrational movement of the inertial mass relative to the sensor pawl and movement relative to a support basket or support structure that holds the inertial mass thereby lessening acoustic and vibrational noise created by the movement and rattling of the sensor pawl and/or inertial mass.

Retractor with ALR mode of operation with vehicle sensor block-out

A vehicle safety restraint adjuster has a vehicle safety restraint support and a guide for the support. The support is moveable along the guide. The adjuster further has a lock which secures the safety restraint support at a position on the guide in the locked state and allows the support to move in the unlocked state. A magnetic actuator selectively places the lock in the locked state and the unlocked state.

Magnetic adjustable turning loop

A vehicle restraint adjuster has a guide and a support for a vehicle restraint. The support is moveable along the guide. A securing member is provided to secure the guide to a vehicle body. The securing member is selectively actuable between a first position interfering with movement of the support past a predetermined point on the guide and a second position permitting movement of the support through the predetermined point.

Retention feature for an adjustable turning loop

An adjustable turning loop for a vehicle comprises a rail and a slide for a web guide. The slide is slideably received on the rail. A lock maintains a slide at a position on the rail. The lock has a locked condition limiting movement of the slide on the rail and an unlocked condition allowing movement of the slide on the rail. The lock comprises a first member and a second member. The first member and the second member pivot relative to the rail. The first member and the second member engage the rail in the locked condition and disengage from the rail in the unlocked condition.

Articulating lock adjustable turning loop

A height adjuster ( ) for a seat belt system comprising a mounting bar ( ), a carrier ( ) and a spring-loaded locking lever ( ). The mounting bar is preferably oval or rectangular in cross-section with at least one wall (side wall), which acts as an engagement or locking surface. The engagement surface can include a plurality of small teeth. The bar is adapted to be mounted to a support surface or structure. The carrier is slidably mounted on the bar and is movable to different positions. The carrier includes a main portion, which may be U-shaped in cross-section with a top, a bottom and a center wall. Each of the top and bottom walls includes a first opening through which the mounting bar extends.

Height adjuster or adjustable turning loop

A seat belt retractor ( ) characterized by low mass and low operating noise, resistant to dust, moisture, and corrosion comprising: an integrally formed, quadrilaterally shaped main body portion ( ). In the preferred embodiment of the invention the frame is injection molded using 50% or greater long glass fiber plastic or die cast or injection molded metal. A spring housing wall and wall of a mechanism cover are also integrally formed in the sides of the retractor. Positioned within the spring housing wall is a spring coil guide, as well as an integrally formed anchor, which is used to hold the outer end of a rewind spring. The mechanism side of the frame further includes an integrally formed post or pin to pivotally support a locking pawl.

Seat belt retractor with integrally formed frame

An energy absorbing web guide assembly comprising: a web guide for slidingly supporting a section of a seat belt; and a pair of mounting fasteners for mounting the web guide to a mounting surface and for permitting the web guide to resiliently move, in response to forces input thereto, between a first position to a second position.

Energy-absorbing anchor, D-ring, turning loop or web guide

A seat belt retractor ( ) characterized by low mass and low operating noise, resistant to dust, moisture, and corrosion comprising: an integrally formed, quadrilaterally shaped main body portion ( ). In the preferred embodiment, the frame is injection molded using 50% or greater long glass fiber plastic or die cast or injection molded metal. A spring housing wall and wall of a mechanism cover are also integrally formed in the sides of the retractor. Positioned within the spring housing wall is a spring coil guide, as well as an integrally formed anchor, which is used to hold the outer end of a rewind spring. The mechanism side of the frame further includes an integrally formed post or pin to pivotally support a locking pawl.

An anchor mechanism (200, 200a) has a load bearing plate (202) having a first opening (210). The plate coated by a coating material (214) at least in the vicinity of the first opening. The coating material (214) proximate opening (210a) being formed into a breakaway retaining ring (220) which functions to retaining a fastening bolt (82,82a) to the coated plate prior to installation and which breaks away during installation of the anchor mechanism to a cooperating part (102).

Anchor for seat belt component

A height adjuster for use with a seat belt comprising: a track mountable to a structural member of a vehicle in a vertical orientation, the member including a portion of a vehicle seat, the track including a plurality of adjustment holes located along its length, a carrier member, manually movable along the track relatively to the adjustment holes, the carrier member supporting a movable pin, having a top and a bottom. The pin is movable from a first position in which it is disengaged from a selected adjustment hole to a second position in which it is located within the selected adjustment hole. A spring biases the pin in a direction toward the back of the track, and an activating member, operatively connected to the pin, moves the pin out of the selected hole to the selected position. A web guide, adapted to receive the seat belt, is mounted to and movable with the slide member. A thin rib of energy absorbing material is secured to and extends radially about part of the body of the pin and is located in the vicinity of the top and the bottom of the pin and localized portion of the cylindrical length, to prevent the pin from contacting an adjacent portion of the track proximate an adjustment hole.

Growing community of inventors

Lake Orion, MI, United States of America

Richard A Boelstler