The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 10, 2018
Filed:
Mar. 14, 2012
Paul P. Thogersen, Brownsburg, IN (US);
Michael D. Pepe, Noblesville, IN (US);
James Casassa, Indianapolis, IN (US);
William E. Dickinson, Greenfield, IN (US);
Stuart B. Nightenhelser, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Paul P. Thogersen, Brownsburg, IN (US);
Michael D. Pepe, Noblesville, IN (US);
James Casassa, Indianapolis, IN (US);
William E. Dickinson, Greenfield, IN (US);
Stuart B. Nightenhelser, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Wolf Technical Services, Inc., Indianapolis, IN (US);
Abstract
A restraint system for a vehicle, includes a rotatable reel, a flexible tether, a first shaft and a conductor member. The flexible tether has a first end coupled to the reel and a second end. The tether is wound upon the rotatable reel and movable in both a winding direction and an unwinding direction. The first shaft is configured to be operably coupled to the rotatable reel, and includes a plurality of magnetic elements affixed thereto. The conductor member has a hollow interior. At least a portion of the first shaft and at least a portion of the plurality of magnetic elements are disposed within the hollow interior. Movement of the tether in the unwinding direction causes relative movement between the plurality of magnets and the conductor member. Eddy currents within the conduct member generate a retarding force on the first shaft.