Energy absorbing devices for use with child seat restraint webs, seat belt webs, and other webs are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an energy absorbing device includes a body having first and second apertures that receive a portion of a web, such as a web of an occupant restraint system. When a load is applied to the web, such as in a vehicle crash, the body deflects under the load from a first shape to a second shape to absorb the energy transmitted by the web.
Web adjusters and other web connecting devices for use with restraint systems are described herein. In some embodiments, web adjusters, such as tilt-lock web adjusters, can include web gripping features on an edge portion of a web aperture to prevent a web that is joined to the web adjuster from sliding or otherwise moving to one side of the web aperture or the other when the web is pulled in a direction that is not perpendicular to the edge. In some embodiments, the web gripping features can include alternating recessed and raised edge portions.
A44B 11/06 - Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts frictionally engaging surface of straps with clamping devices
A44B 11/00 - Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts
A44B 11/02 - Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts frictionally engaging surface of straps
A44B 11/04 - Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts frictionally engaging surface of straps without movable parts
A44B 11/08 - Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts frictionally engaging surface of straps with clamping devices roller displaceable in wedge-shaped slot
A44B 11/10 - Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts frictionally engaging surface of straps with clamping devices sliding wedge
3.
BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USE WITH CHILD SEATS AND OTHER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
Buckle assemblies and associated systems and methods for use with child seats and other restraint systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a buckle assembly includes a housing having an opening shaped to receive a first tongue of a first web connector and a second tongue of a second web connector. The buckle assembly also includes a spring having a first ejector arm carrying a first magnet and a second ejector arm carrying a second magnet. A switch assembly is positioned within the housing, and insertion of the tongues into the housing to latch the buckle assembly moves the magnets toward the switch assembly to activate switches in the switch assembly and produce a signal confirming buckle engagement.
Buckle assemblies for personal restraint systems and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a buckle assembly includes a release actuator that can apply a first force and a second force to release a web connector. The release actuator is slidably coupled to a frame that includes a pair of opposing openings. A pawl is pivotally mounted to the frame via the opposing openings and includes a latch portion positioned to releasably engage the web connector. A biasing member is operably positioned between the release actuator and the pawl, and the release actuator is movable to compress the biasing member and exert the first force against the pawl. The release actuator is also movable to contact the pawl to exert the second force against the pawl. The first and second forces urge the pawl to rotate and disengage the latch portion from the web connector.
Sealed web retractors and associated systems and methods for retracting a web, such as seat belt web, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a web retractor includes a frame having a sidewall with a first opening, a locking assembly attached to the frame and having a housing with a second opening adjacent to the first opening, and a shaft coupler rotatably and sealably carried by the sidewall. The shaft coupler operably couples a spool shaft to the locking assembly through the first and second openings. At least one seal is operably positioned in the first opening between the shaft coupler and the sidewall.
Buckle assemblies having load indicating features and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a buckle assembly includes a tang having an opening that receives a web to secure the buckle assembly to a vehicle or a seat structure. The tang also includes an elongate aperture and one or more deformable protrusions along the edge of the aperture. The tang is operably coupled to a buckle frame via a coupling member that extends through the aperture. Upon the application of a sufficient load to the tang, the coupling member deforms the protrusion(s), allowing the tang to move relative to the frame. Movement of the tang relative to the frame can move a colored load indicating region to a position that is visible through a window in a housing of the buckle assembly.
A44B 11/00 - Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts
B60R 22/00 - Safety belts or body harnesses in vehicles
A62B 35/00 - Safety belts or body harnesses; Similar equipment for limiting displacement of the human body, especially in case of sudden changes of motion
Web connectors for use in occupant restraint systems in a vehicle are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, first and second web connectors include first and second web receiving portions, respectively. The first web receiving portion includes a first projection at a first side and a first recess adjacent a second side opposite the first side. The first recess includes a first surface feature. The second web receiving portion includes a second recess and a second projection having a second surface feature. In this embodiment, the second recess is configured to receive the first projection, the first recess is configured to receive the second projection, and the first surface feature is configured to engage the second surface feature to resist movement between the first and second connectors during use.
A prelock prevention device for use with a web retractor in a vehicle restraint system is described herein. The web retractor can include a sidewall adjacent a rotatable spool with a web wound thereon. A prelock prevention device configured in accordance with aspects of the present technology can include a base having a first flange portion spaced apart from a second flange portion to define a space therebetween. At least one of the first flange portion or the second flange portion is resiliently biased toward the other of the first flange portion or the second flange portion to grip an edge portion of the retractor sidewall sandwiched therebetween. The prelock prevention can further include an arm resiliently supported by the base and having a contact surface configured to compress the web against the spool during rotation thereof to reduce web retraction velocity.
Various embodiments of web adjusters are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a web adjuster includes a spring-loaded cam member having a bore through which a mounting shaft or pin extends for rotatably or pivotally mounting the cam member to a frame. The cam member can extend along a central axis and include a first engagement feature positioned at a first radial distance from the central axis, and a second engagement feature positioned at a second radial distance from the central axis, larger than the first radial distance. The cam member can be rotated to engage the web to restrict movement of the web. The web adjuster can also include a handle or cover portion and a strap attached to the handle for gripping by a user to adjust the web adjuster.
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