WO2013188614A1

WO2013188614A1 - Integral multi-point restraint system for vehicle seat

Info

Publication number: WO2013188614A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/045554
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chris P. Jessup
Original assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing Inc
Priority date: 2012-06-13
Filing date: 2013-06-13
Publication date: 2013-12-19

Abstract

In various embodiments, a multi-point harness includes webs that pass over a passenger's shoulders, over the passenger's thighs, and around the passenger's sides. The webs releasably connect in front of the passenger, collectively providing support against side impact. In some embodiments, no web passes between the person's legs. In some, additional webs pass around the sides of the passenger's torso. In some, retractors pull slack from a web. In some, a single length of web serves as two or more of the webs above by passing through (for example, a slot in) an anchor frame member that can be moved freely along at least a portion of the length of web.

Description

INTEGRAL MULTI-POINT RESTRAINT SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE SEAT

Chris P. Jessup

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Number 61/659,209, filed on June 13, 2012, and having the title Integral Multi-Point Restraint System for Vehicle Seat. The disclosure of that application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Various kinds of vehicles have included various kinds of restraints to substantially secure a passenger in the vehicle relative to a seat in the vehicle. While a variety of restraint devices have been made or used, it is believed that no one prior to the inventor(s) has made or used an invention as described herein.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, multiple pairs of webs attach to a harness mechanism and an attachment point that is substantially fixed relative to a vehicle seat and/or the frame of the vehicle. At least one pair passes over the passenger's leg, another passes over the passenger's shoulders, and a third passes around the passenger's side (such as at waist-level), all connecting to a central harness that detachably connects the left-side webs to the right-side webs. In some embodiments, at least one of the connections between a web and the harness comprise a pass-through connection that allows the harness to move along the web, and respective portions of a single pass-through web serves as at least two of the shoulder, side, and leg webs. Webs that pass between the passenger's legs and attach to the harness are present in some embodiments and absent in others.

In some embodiments, the webs each attach to a left or right frame member, and the left and right frame members are detachably connected, such as with a conventional latch. In other embodiments, at least some of the webs independently connect to a latch that comprises an individual and/or simultaneous release mechanism.

In some variations, a fourth pair of webs passes around the respective sides of the passenger's torso, for example, near the passenger's kidney level.

In various embodiments, thigh webs pass from the attachment point, around the outside of the passenger's thigh, and to the harness to contain the thigh in hard lateral maneuvers, roll-overs and side impacts when compared to conventional center single crotch straps. In various embodiments, the webs attach directly to termination points, attach to termination points through retractors, attach using a combination of the two techniques, or use another approach as will occur to those skilled in the relevant art.

As used herein, "passenger" refers to any person who travels in a vehicle, whether or not they are controlling or driving the vehicle.

As used herein, an "attachment point" is a place that is movably, removably, or permanently fixed relative to a vehicle seat, the vehicle frame, a part of the vehicle suspension, or the like, and to which a web is or can be directly or indirectly connected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same elements and in which: FIG. 1 depicts a front elevational view of a seat having an exemplary integral multipoint restraint system;

FIG. 2 depicts a side elevational view of the seat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts a rear elevational view of the seat of FIG. 1, with a rear panel removed from the seat; FIG. 4 depicts a partial view of the multi-point restraint system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 depicts a partial side elevational view of the seat of FIG. 1 with a passenger secured by the multi-point restraint system;

FIG. 6 depicts a partial perspective view of the seat of FIG. 1 with a passenger secured by the multi-point restraint system; FIG. 7 depicts another rear elevational view of the seat of FIG. 1, with a rear panel removed from the seat; and

FIG. 8 depicts a front elevational view of a pair of anchor frames and a latch of the multi-point restraint system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of a seat having an alternative integral multi-point restraint system. The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of certain examples of the invention should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

FIGS. 1-3 and 5-7 show an exemplary vehicle seat with an integral multi-point restraint system. With reference to FIG. 1, the seat of this example includes a seat back 102 with a headrest 104 and a bottom seat portion 106. Of course, headrest 104 may be an integral part of the seat, 100 and it may be omitted altogether. It should be understood that the seats and restraints of the present examples may be located in virtually any kind of vehicle, including but not limited to a passenger automobile, a commercial vehicle, a UTV, a bus, etc. It should also be understood that the seat of the present example may be provided as a child seat (e.g., one that may be removably secured within various kinds of vehicles) or other removable arrangement.

The restraint system of a first example comprises six webs, including two shoulder webs 110 and 112, two waist webs 114 and 116, and two lap webs 118 and 120. These webs may be formed of any suitable material(s). By way of example only, the webs may be constructed in accordance with conventional seatbelts or other vehicle restraints. Each web terminates in harness 150 at one end and in either a respective retractor (e.g., waist web retractors 130 and 135 or lap web retractors 140 and 145) or a fixed (non-retracting) attachment. In this embodiment, shoulder webs 110 and 112 pass through respective slots 170 and 175 near the top of seat back 102 to enable shoulder webs 110 and 112 to pass through to either the interior of seat 100 or the back of seat 100 for termination using one or more methods as will occur to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure.

In some other versions, one or more of the webs passes through the harness so that the web slides substantially freely (for example, through a slot) to facilitate adjustment of the position of the harness along the length of the web. For instance, each end of such a pass- through web may connect through a respective retractor that to an attachment point, or one or both ends may use a fixed (non-retracting) attachment to an attachment point.

When the multi-point restraint system is secured to a passenger 200 seated in the seat 201 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 5-6), the shoulder webs 210 are positioned over the passenger's shoulders, the lap belt webs 220 are positioned about the passenger's waist, and the thigh webs 230 pass outside and over the passenger's thighs. As shown in FIG. 7, shoulder webs 210 pass through slots 240 and down to shoulder web retractors 250, which are attached to seat bottom 260.

With reference again to FIG. 1, and with additional reference to FIG. 4, harness 150 includes a pair of optional molded members 152 and 154 secured over metal frame members that provide anchor points for the webs. Exemplary metal frame members 810 and 820 are shown in FIG. 8, which will be discussed in further detail. The metal frame members may be removably secured to each other by a latch 156, which in this embodiment includes a conventional tongue 158 and buckle 160 (e.g., similar to a latch in a conventional seatbelt or other restraint)m though alternative latches may be used as will occur to those skilled in the art. The molded members may be generally flexible. By way of example only, the molded members 152 and 154 may be formed of plastic and/or any other suitable material(s). The retractors of the present example comprise conventional seatbelt retractors. It should be understood that one or more of the seatbelt retractors may be anchored to the seat itself and/or to a frame or other structure that is beneath the seat or otherwise adjacent to the seat. In the present example, and as best seen in FIG. 2, the lap web retractors 140 are positioned near the forward region of the bottom seat portion 106. The waist web retractors 130 are positioned near the region where the seat back 102 meets the bottom seat portion 106, as also seen in FIG. 2. As best seen in FIG. 3, the shoulder web retractors 180 and 185 are positioned within the interior of the seat back 102. The shoulder webs 110 and 112 pass through respective slots 170 and 175 formed in the seat back 102 in order to reach the respective shoulder web retractors 180 and 185 in the present example. Of course, any other suitable arrangement may be used.

One or more of the retractors may be spring-loaded. For instance, the forward retractors (e.g., the waist web retractors 130 and 135 and/or the lap web retractors 140 and 145) may be spring-loaded in a way that provides sufficient counter-force to the upper torso retractors (e.g., the shoulder web retractors 180 and 185) to minimize upward travel of the center latch/buckle 156 and to maintain the lap belt portion in the passenger's pelvic area. Furthermore, the lower retractors on each side (e.g., the waist web retractors 130 and 135 and/or the lap web retractors 140 and 145) may work in conjunction to provide substantial lateral support to the passenger while still providing adequate lateral mobility to the passenger. The retractors of the present example are also independently locking, thereby enabling fine tuning of the system to ensure that one retractor or group of retractors locks prior to the other retractors or groups of retractors.

It should be understood from the foregoing that the multi-point restraint system of this first example brings a total of six restraints (webs) into a single connection point (the latch). It should also be understood that one or more of the retractors may be replaced with a fixed anchor (in some embodiments, with a manual adjustment feature). Other suitable variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates one exemplary embodiment 800 of harness 150. In this embodiment 800, metal frame members 810 and 820 each have a shoulder web anchor 830, waist web anchor 840, and lap web anchor 850, to which respective webs are attached. In some implementations, the webs pass and flow freely through the respective slots in these web anchors. In other embodiments, the webs are fixed to the web anchors by a sewn loop or other attachment means that will occur to those skilled in the art. In still other embodiments, a combination of attachments techniques are used. It may be observed that some embodiments using pass-through connections of webs at metal frame members 810 and 820 require fewer retractors than systems that use independent connections from the latch members to the respective attachment points of the corresponding web.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative seat and restraint system 300 that provides additional support for passenger 301 against lateral movement. In system 300, shoulder webs 310 and 312, waist webs 314 and 316, and lap webs 318 and 320 are supplemented by side webs 322 and 324. Side webs 322 and 324, like the other webs, extend from harness numbers 330 and 332, respectively, to a respective attachment point. In some embodiments, side webs 322 and 324 are part of respective pass-through webs, and in others one end is attached in a fixed position to the respective latch frame member. The attachment point, as described elsewhere herein, is fixed in some embodiments and uses a retractor in others.

In some embodiments, the harness includes a latch on one side to which a flange or tab on the other side removably attaches. The webs on one side connect to the latch, and the webs on the other side connect to the flange, so that connection and release of the latch and flange are effect to connect and release the webs.

In some other embodiments, multiple webs each have a flange that connects to a latch that receives the flanges. For example, the right-side webs might be attached to a latch, while a pass-through web serves as the left shoulder and left torso web, and another pass-through web serves as the left waist and left leg web, and each of the pass-through webs has a flange that is received by the latch to releasably connect all of the webs.

In some embodiments, the latch includes a flap that, when pulled to lift one end of the flap away from the mechanism, releases the flange(s) that had previously been received. In others, the latch has a knob that, when rotated, releases the previously received flanges. Further alternatives will occur to those skilled in the art.

Having shown and described various embodiments of the present invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, the examples, embodiments, geometries, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like discussed above are illustrative and are not required. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of any claims that may be presented and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure and operation shown and described in the specification and drawings.

Claims

0606614 WO 2013/188614 PCT/US2013/045554 What is claimed is:

1. A restraint system for use in a vehicle with a seat, the system comprising:

a left anchor frame and a right anchor frame, each configured to releasably connect with the other; and

a plurality of webs, comprising:

a left shoulder web connecting a first termination point to the left anchor frame such that the left shoulder web passes over the left shoulder of a passenger;

a right shoulder web connecting a second termination point to the right anchor frame such that the right shoulder web passes over the right shoulder of the passenger;

a left waist web connecting a third termination point to the left anchor frame such that the left waist web passes around the left waist of the passenger;

a right waist web connecting a fourth termination point to the right anchor frame such that the right waist web passes around the right waist of the passenger;

a left thigh web connecting a fifth termination point to the left anchor frame such that the left thigh web passes over the outside of the left thigh of the passenger; and

a right thigh web connecting a sixth termination point to the right anchor frame such that the right thigh web passes over the outside of the right thigh of the passenger;

wherein no web passes between the passenger's legs to connect either anchor frame to a termination point. 0606614

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2. The restraint system of claim 1, further comprising a retractor connecting at least one of the webs to the corresponding termination point.

3. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein a flow-through web has a first end and a second end, and between the ends passes through an opening in the respective anchor frame member so that

a first portion of the flow-through web is a first one of the plurality of webs, and a second portion of the flow-through web is a second one of the plurality of webs.

4. The restraint system of claim 3, further comprising a retractor connecting at least an end of the flow-through web to the corresponding termination point.

5. The restraint system of claim 1 ,

the plurality of webs further comprising

a left side support web connecting a seventh termination point to the left anchor frame such that the left side support web passes around the left side of the passenger's torso; and

a right side support web connecting an eighth termination point to the right anchor frame such that the right side support web passes around the right side of the passenger's torso.

6. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the termination points is fixed relative to the seat.

7. The restraint system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle has a frame, and at least one of the termination points is fixed relative to the frame. 0606614

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8. A restraint system for use in a vehicle with a seat, the system comprising:

an attachment device comprising a passenger-releasable latch; and

a plurality of webs, comprising:

a left shoulder web connecting a first termination point to the attachment device such that the left shoulder web passes over the left shoulder of a passenger;

a right shoulder web connecting a second termination point to the attachment device such that the right shoulder web passes over the right shoulder of the passenger;

a left waist web connecting a third termination point to the attachment device such that the left waist web passes around the left waist of the passenger;

a right waist web connecting a fourth termination point to the attachment device such that the right waist web passes around the right waist of the passenger;

a left thigh web connecting a fifth termination point to the attachment device such that the left thigh web passes over the outside of the left thigh of the passenger; and

a right thigh web connecting a sixth termination point to the attachment device such that the right thigh web passes over the outside of the right thigh of the passenger.

9. The restraint system of claim 8, further comprising a center web that passes between the passenger's legs to connect the attachment device to a termination point. 0606614

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10. The restraint system of claim 8, further comprising a retractor through which at least one of the webs connects to the corresponding termination point.

11. The restraint system of claim 8, wherein

a flow-through web has a first end and a second end,

between the ends the flow-through web passes through an opening in the attachment device so that

12. The restraint system of claim 11, further comprising a retractor connecting at least the first end of the flow-through web to the corresponding termination point.

13. The restraint system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the termination points is fixed relative to the seat.

14. The restraint system of claim 8, wherein the vehicle has a frame, and at least one of the termination points is fixed relative to the frame.

15. The restraint system of claim 8, wherein:

the attachment device comprises a left anchor frame and a right anchor frame, the left anchor frame and right anchor frame comprising complementary portions of a latch;

the left shoulder web connects the first termination point to the left anchor frame;

the right shoulder web connects the second termination point to the right anchor frame; the left waist web connects the third termination point to the left anchor frame;

the right waist web connects the fourth termination point to the right anchor frame; 0606614

WO 2013/188614 PCT/US2013/045554 the left thigh web connects the fifth termination point to the left anchor frame; and the right thigh web connects the sixth termination point to the right anchor frame.

16. The restraint system of claim 8, wherein the attachment device comprises a rotationally releasable latch with a release member, the latch being configured such that all webs connected to the attachment device are released by applying rotational movement to the release member.