Abstract:
A multi-point seat belt safety apparatus and system and device that automatically moves, adjusts, or otherwise corrects itself around one or more webbing deflection points, and utilizes different components, to accommodate seat occupants with different sizes and ages. In particular, when an occupant extends the webbing across their torso towards an anchor point, generally disposed to the near the side of their waist, the webbing first contacts the torso/shoulder of the occupant at a particular distance above the seat, which is reflective of the occupant&#39;s height, causing the webbing to automatically move along a length of a deflection element, positioned at, above, or near the shoulder of the seat occupant, to an appropriate deflection point. At such, the webbing is kept at a proper location, away from the neck of the occupant.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Prior to 1968, vehicle safety belts were generally considered to be optional equipment, meaning that a consumer would either have to order a vehicle with safety belts installed or attempt to locate a vehicle at a dealership that included safety belts. However, on Jan. 1, 1968, United States federal law required that all vehicles (except buses) be fitted with safety belts in all designated seating positions (Title 49 of the United States Code, Chapter 301, Motor Vehicle Safety Standard). Since that date, most states have passed laws regarding required safety belt (alternately referred to throughout as a seat belt) usage for children and/or different size adults. Additionally, federal law now requires certain passenger buses to have seat belt assemblies whose lap belt assembly can be used to tightly secure a child restraint system. Since passage of these laws, prior methods and systems are still being utilized with the same essential components in essentially the same configuration, even though those configurations are not always functional, safe, and comfortable for seat occupants of varying size, height, and age. There currently does not exist a seat belt system that successfully and automatically secures people of varying ages and sizes. 
         [0002]    Prior methods and systems utilized in multi-point seat belt systems, e.g., 3-point seat belts, place a belt retractor in proximity to the seat, either fixed to the vehicle or to the seat at a point below the occupant or in the bottom of the seat. These methods and systems additionally utilize a fixed pillar loop or D-ring element near the seat occupant&#39;s shoulder as an anchor point for the seat belt (webbing) extending from the belt retractor. The belt additionally passes through a standard tongue shaped metal plate (“metal tongue”) (typically an element that moves freely along the webbing) and is fixed at its end to a point at or near the seat bottom, i.e., a first lower anchor point. To secure the occupant, the webbing diagonally passes across the upper torso of the occupant and across the lower portion of the occupant, with the metal tongue being inserted into a locking device that retains the metal tongue (until the occupant presses a release mechanism), creating a second lower anchor point. Due to the fixed nature and location of these anchor points, prior methods and systems do not allow for easy repositioning of the webbing/shoulder belt across the shoulder and upper torso of an occupant. In other words, the prior methods and systems often utilize the same webbing/belt positioning for both a larger adult and a small child. For those methods and systems that permit adjustment, those adjustments must be accomplished manually via height adjusters which are attaching to the vehicle or an edge of the seat. However, if a younger seat occupant (or a parent or caregiver of the younger seat occupant) fails to manually adjust the height properly, the seat belt may present a grave danger to the seat occupant in the event of a vehicle accident, as the belt may pass too close to their neck. 
         [0003]    In the prior 3-point systems, the D-ring are sometimes attached to a vertical height adjuster, which is fastened or otherwise secured to the vehicle at point far above an adult&#39;s shoulder. As noted above, this placement may prove fatal for children or smaller adults, e.g., the belt passes too close to their neck. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,367 utilizes a second D-ring/pillar loop/webbing guide connected to a height adjuster, below a first D-ring, allowing the repositioning of the shoulder belt across the upper torso of the occupant. Since the height of the second webbing guide has to be manually adjusted, which results in potential danger to smaller seat occupants as noted above. U.S. Pat. No. 6,846,020 describes two webbing deflection points, both fastened to the seat. Both deflection points are fixed within the seat, requiring them to be manually be adjusted or moved. As noted above, the manual nature of these adjustments presents a grave danger to smaller seat occupants. Additionally, the described configuration creates a substantial amount of friction on the webbing. 
         [0004]    In the prior 3-point systems, a standard metal tongue is used that moves freely along the webbing, which is then inserted into a locking device. A 3-point seat belt system with this metal tongue does not allow for the lap belt section of a prior seat belt assembly to tightly secure a child restraint system, which is now required by federal law for certain newly manufactured passenger buses. New seat belt systems have been designed to satisfy this law, but these systems utilize a unique retractor that is not only more expensive, but also larger and therefore hard to fit in the seat back without making the seat back wider, which often reduces the number of seat rows that fit in the bus. These retractors switch to a locking mode by pulling all of the webbing out of the retractor, which is not always understood by occupants. Additionally, due to their larger size, they must be placed in the bottom of the seat or outside of the seat, creating a longer webbing path and adding significant friction to the seat belt system. This significant friction makes the seat belt tough to use, and requires a stronger spring in the retractor to overcome the friction, creating higher retraction forces and therefore significant pressure on the occupant&#39;s chest and discouraging the use of the seat belt due to discomfort. When oversized adults use the prior 3-point systems, often there is not enough webbing in the retractor to secure them. Even high capacity retractors designed to hold more webbing for larger adults are larger and often do not fit in the seat back, especially in the top part of the seat back where it is most desired to have a narrow profile. Placing the large retractor at the bottom of the seat or below the occupant, adds significant friction, making the seat belt tough to use, and requires a stronger spring in the retractor to overcome the friction, creating higher retraction forces and therefore significant pressure on the occupant&#39;s chest and discouraging the use of the seat belt due to discomfort. 
         [0005]    Despite advances in technology and regulations, current 3-point seat belt safety systems still fail to properly fit and protect variously-sized seat occupants automatically. For smaller seat occupants, including children, at best, modern technology introduced additional, manual steps that, if not followed every time, presents a greater danger to the seat occupant. For younger children requiring child safety restraints, prior 3-point safety belt designs cannot properly secure child safety restraints in buses, and existing 3-point seat belts cannot reasonably be adapted to do so. For very large adults, current safety belts often do not have enough webbing capacity, even with high-capacity retractors. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description provided below. 
         [0007]    Aspects of the present invention increase the safety and comfort of different sized occupants by, among other things, self-adjusting the relative positioning of the shoulder belt to lay across the upper torso for different size occupants (e.g., adult vs. child) and reducing friction in the seat belt system by reducing the length of webbing travel and strategically positioning the retractor and two deflection points. 
         [0008]    Aspects of the present invention include an exemplary safety system for an occupant in a seat, with the seat having a seat back, with the seat back having a front side and a rear side, and the seat having at least two lower anchor points, each of the at least two anchor points being located on opposite sides of the seat from the other. The system includes, among other things, a webbing operative for extending longitudinally across a torso of the occupant of the seat and a retractor operative for supplying the webbing, maintaining tension on the webbing, and retracting the webbing. The system further includes a first deflection element for deflecting the webbing from the retractor at a first deflection point, a second deflection element for the webbing deflected from the first deflection element, with the second deflection element having a length along which the webbing deflects at a second deflection point towards the front side of the seat back and towards one of the at least two anchor points. According to aspects of the present invention, the second deflection point occurs at a variable position along the length of the second deflection element, such that the second deflection point reflects a height of the occupant. 
         [0009]    According to other aspects, elements of a safety system an occupant in a seat are described, with the seat having a seat back, with the seat back having a front side and a rear side, and the seat having at least two lower anchor points, each of the at least two anchor points being located on opposite sides of the seat from the other. The system includes, among other things, a webbing operative for extending longitudinally across a torso of the occupant of the seat, a retractor operative for supplying the webbing, maintaining tension on the webbing, and retracting the webbing. The system further includes, among other things, a first tongue-shaped metal plate that is inserted into a locking device at the lower anchor point on the side of the seat opposite a deflection element, and a lap belt section that can be lockable in order to secure a child restraint system. 
         [0010]    According to other aspects, elements of a safety system an occupant in a seat are described, with the seat having a seat back, with the seat back having a front side and a rear side, and the seat having at least two lower anchor points, each of the at least two anchor points being located on opposite sides of the seat from the other. The system includes, among other things, a webbing operative for extending longitudinally across a torso of the occupant of the seat, with the webbing having a first end and a second end and a first retractor and a second retractor, with the first retractor and the second retractor being operative for supplying the webbing, maintaining tension on the webbing, and retracting the webbing. According to aspects of the present invention, the first retractor is positioned at the first end of the webbing and the second retractor is positioned at the second end of the webbing. 
         [0011]    Aspects of the present invention may advantageously utilize two retractors within an exemplary seat belt system, offering significantly more webbing than a single high-capacity retractor, thereby providing proper securement for very large adults. Using two retractors, one at each end of the webbing (e.g., one mounted in the seat back and one mounted below the occupant), an exemplary system offers almost twice the webbing capacity. By using two retractors to gain additional webbing, each individual retractor placed in the seat back may be shorter and smaller, allowing for a narrower seat back profile. Additionally, placing a smaller retractor in the upper half of the seat back shortens the webbing path, which allows for a low-friction solution and a better performing seat belt system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    A more complete understanding of aspects of the present invention and the advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description in consideration of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a diagram of a front view of an exemplary seat belt safety system, with the webbing shown in two exemplary positions, according to various aspects described herein. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate rear views of a seat of an exemplary seat belt safety system, demonstrating exemplary positioning of webbing for an exemplary “adult setting” and “child setting”, respectively, and exemplary relative positioning of various elements according to various aspects described herein. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate rear views of a seat of an exemplary seat belt safety system, demonstrating exemplary positioning of webbing for an exemplary “adult setting” and “child setting”, respectively, and exemplary relative positioning of various elements according to various aspects described herein. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate rear views of a seat of an exemplary seat belt safety system, demonstrating exemplary positioning of webbing for an exemplary “adult setting” and “child setting”, respectively, and exemplary relative positioning of various elements according to various aspects described herein. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an exemplary system utilizing an exemplary adjustable metal tongue along the exemplary webbing, while  FIG. 5B  illustrates an exemplary system utilizing two exemplary metal tongues at exemplary points along a webbing. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    In the following description of the various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which features may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made. 
         [0019]    Aspects of the present invention provide, among other things, a seat belt safety system, apparatuses, and devices, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 1 , an exemplary front view of a seat  2  is shown with a webbing  4  positioned transversely across a lower portion of the seat  2 , extending from a first lower anchor point  8  to a second lower anchor point  10 . The webbing  4  then proceeds diagonally upwards toward deflection element  12 . As demonstrated in  FIG. 1 , the webbing  4  may contact deflection element  12  towards the upper end of its length (as illustrated at  6 A) or towards the bottom end of its length (as illustrated at  6 B), or at any appropriate portion along its length. As noted below, the portion of the length of the deflection element  12  contacted by the webbing  4  is determined based on the relative positioning of elements and the height or size of a seat occupant, as described below with respect to the exemplary rear views demonstrated in  FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B . By way of demonstration and not limitation, deflection element  12  may comprise or otherwise include an opening in or on the seat through which the webbing  4  may pass without undue friction. According to aspects of the present invention, deflection element  12  acts as an entry slide and provides entry angles that are generally oriented to allow easy travel of webbing  4  and provides sufficient clearance to allow movement of the webbing  4  without unnecessary friction between the opening and the webbing  4 . For example, deflection element  12  may include, among other things, a plastic form with a void or slot which permits webbing  4  to pass through the seat  2  with little friction and at different heights while being redirected around the occupant&#39;s upper torso. Element  12  may optionally utilize, by way of demonstration and not limitation, a metal or plastic rod, rotating or otherwise, with a suitable radius and smooth surface to redirect the webbing. Any suitable radius and/or smooth surface may be utilized that reduces the friction around deflection element  12 , which not only increases comfort of the occupant but also increases the safety of the occupant by better distributing forces experienced during deceleration events. 
         [0020]    By way of demonstration and not limitation,  FIG. 2A  illustrates an exemplary rear view of seat  2  with webbing  4  in position  6 A, with webbing  4  contacting deflection element  12  at deflection point  14 , referred to herein as an “adult setting”. While referred to as an “adult setting”, it should be understood that this setting is generally reflective of a taller seat occupant (not shown), as compared to an average height of a toddler or a child of elementary school age. As such, an adult of shorter stature may need a webbing position closer to that of  6 B, or at some other position along the length of deflection element  12 . In the example shown in  FIG. 2A , a retractor  16  is located on the upper part of the seat  2 . Retractor  16  may be attached in any manner or means that furthers the objective of the various aspects of the present invention. For example, retractor  16  may be fixed into position by appropriate fasteners, adhesive, or may otherwise be constructed into the seat. According to aspects of the present invention, retractor  16  may be movable fixed at  18 , such that retractor  16  may rotate or otherwise swivel about or around  18 . Any appropriate means of attachment may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that different locations for element  16  may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. The webbing  4  then extends diagonally upwards from retractor  16 , passes through a first deflection element  20 , and extends towards, through, or around (or some combination thereof) deflection point  14 . Deflection element  20  is located in the middle top of the seat, at approximately the same level as the highest point of deflection element  12 . Deflection element  20  may comprise or otherwise include any appropriate structure that enables the “deflection” of webbing  4  from retractor  16  to deflection element  12 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , deflection element  20  may be movably fixed at or around  22  by any appropriate manner or means. Different locations for element  20  may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. In this example, along the vertical plane, and around an axis perpendicular to the seat back, retractor  16  is placed at an angle between 30 degrees to 90 degrees for a right-hand seat (webbing exits the seat on the right-hand side), or between 90 degrees and 150 degrees for a left-hand seat (webbing exits the seat on the left-hand side). These angles illustrated in this example advantageously allow the webbing (with the help of element  20 ) to self-adjust to a resting position at a lower point along element  12 , closer to that of  6 B. In this manner, the seat belt is ready to secure a child without any manual adjustment. When a larger or taller adult occupies the seat and wears the seat belt, these angles allow the webbing (with the help of element  20 ), to self-adjust to a higher position along element  12 , closer to that of  6 A. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2B  illustrates an exemplary rear view of seat  2  with webbing  4  in position  6 B, with webbing  4  contacting deflection element  12  at deflection point  24 , referred to herein as an “child setting”. While referred to as an “child setting”, it should be understood that this setting is generally reflective of a smaller seat occupant (not shown), as compared to an average height of an adult. As such, a child of a larger stature may need a webbing position closer to that of  6 A, or at some other position along the length of deflection element  12 . In operation, the relative configuration or placement of elements, such as those demonstrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , allow a seat occupant to quickly utilize the seat belt safety system in a manner suitable for their size. For example, when an occupant occupies seat  2  in  FIG. 1 , an occupant passes the belt  4  across their torso from their left to right, securing a deflection element (not shown) into lower anchor point  10 . The webbing generally moves into the appropriate position, e.g.,  6 A,  6 B, or other positions not illustrated, at the appropriate deflection point, e.g., deflection points  14 ,  24 , or other deflection points not illustrated, based on the height of the individual. This movement is generally accomplished based on contact with the upper torso/shoulder of the seat occupant when webbing  4  is pulled to engage the seat belt system, e.g., torso/shoulder contact at greater height when engaging the seat belt system results in the belt remaining at a higher position  6 A and deflection point  14 , and torso/shoulder contact at a lower height results in the belt settling into position  6 B and deflection point  24 , or at some other appropriate position along deflection element  12 . It should be noted that, while  FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate configurations whereby webbing  4  deflects to the front of seat  2  on the left side of seat  2 , these configurations may be oriented in a mirror-image fashion, such that the webbing  4  deflects to the front of seat  2  on the right side of seat  2 , without departing from the scope of the present invention. As should be evident, this also applies to  FIGS. 3A-4B , as described below. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3A  illustrates another example of relative positioning of seat belt elements according to aspects of the present invention. In the example in  FIG. 3A , retractor  16  is positioned above deflection element  20 , such that webbing  4  extends downward from retractor  16 , through deflection element  20 , and then contacting deflection element  12  at deflection point  26 , e.g., an “adult setting” similar to  6 A in  FIG. 1 . In this exemplary configuration, deflection element  20  is oriented such that the downward extending portion of webbing  4  remains substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the back of seat  2 . A “child setting” example (similar to  6 B in  FIG. 1 ) is illustrated in  FIG. 3B , where the webbing  4  extends downward from retractor  16 , through deflection element  20 , and then contacting deflection element  12  at deflection point  28 . Like the examples in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  above, other deflection points along the length of deflection element  12  are clearly within the scope of the present invention. As noted above, different locations for element  16  and element  20  may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. The webbing generally moves into the appropriate position and appropriate deflection point as described above with respect to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , such that deflection element  20  rotates to ensure proper deflection point and webbing placement based on the height of the seat occupant. The example in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  advantageously allows for an assembly cost reduction, as the same seat structure may be utilized for both left- and right-type seats. 
         [0023]      FIG. 4A  illustrates another example of relative positioning of seat belt elements according to aspects of the present invention. In the example in  FIG. 4A , retractor  16  is positioned below deflection element  30  and on the side of the seat  2  opposite of deflection element  12 , such that webbing  4  extends diagonally upwards from retractor  16 , around deflection element  30 , and then contacting deflection element  12  at deflection point  32 , e.g., an “adult setting” similar to  6 A in  FIG. 1 . While deflection element  30  is depicted as a cylindrical structure, such as a bar or rod, other appropriate structure(s) may be utilized that allows webbing  4  to pass, slide, move, or otherwise position itself along the length of the structure with minimal resistance. In this exemplary configuration, deflection element  30  is positioned with a first end towards the top of seat  2  and a second end positioned at a lower point towards a side of the seat  2 . Advantageously, this deflection element positioning allows webbing  4  to slide along and around deflection element  30  in a manner reflecting the height of the seat occupant, e.g., in  FIG. 4A , the exemplary “adult setting” permits webbing  4  to deflect around deflection element  30  at a point closer to the lower end, which tends to keep webbing  4  positioned higher on the front of seat  2 . A “child setting” example (similar to  6 B in  FIG. 1 ) is illustrated in  FIG. 4B , where the webbing  4  extends diagonally upwards from retractor  16 , around deflection element  30 , and then contacting deflection element  12  at deflection point  34 . Advantageously, the positioning of deflection element  30  allows webbing  4  to slide along and around deflection element  30  in a manner reflecting the height of the seat occupant, e.g., in  FIG. 4B , the exemplary “child setting” permits webbing  4  to deflect around deflection element  30  closer to the higher end of deflection element  30 , which tends to keep webbing  4  positioned lower on the front of seat  2 . Like the examples in  FIGS. 2A-3B  above, other deflection points along the length of deflection element  12  are clearly within the scope of the present invention. The webbing generally moves into an appropriate position and appropriate deflection point in a manner similar to that described above with respect to  FIGS. 2A-3B . 
         [0024]    While  FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a deflection element  30  with its first end positioned higher than its second end, it is within the scope of the present invention to position deflection element  30  in a substantially horizontal position without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0025]    Turning now to  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5A  illustrates an exemplary tongue-shaped metal plate  40  that may be inserted into or otherwise attached to lower anchor point  10 , with webbing  4  looping or otherwise passing in, around, or through the metal place  40  housing.  FIG. 5B  illustrates a similar tongue-shaped metal plate  40  and anchor point  10 , and further includes a second tongue-shaped metal plate  42 , e.g., an adjustable tongue. Using an adjustable tongue with sufficient strength, such as that shown in  FIG. 5B , advantageously allows the lap belt section of the assembly to tightly secure a child restraint system, while also allowing a smaller retractor to be used and placed in the seat back, offering a narrow seat back profile. Aspects of the present invention may utilize an adjustable tongue that may be manually adjusted so that the seat belt functions as a standard 3-point seat belt with the retractor (e.g., an emergency locking-type retractor placed in the upper seat back), while also allowing the lap belt section of the seat belt system to tightly secure a child restraint system. 
         [0026]    As should be apparent, the retractors described throughout may comprise, by way of demonstration and not limitation, emergency locking-type retractors which typically lock in response to the rapid deceleration of the vehicle, rapid spooling out of the webbing, or some combination thereof, or automatic locking-type retractors, which typically lock when the continuous motion of spooling the webbing out is stopped, e.g., once the needed webbing is removed from the retractor and placed around the occupant&#39;s lap, the retractor automatically locks to prevent further spooling out of webbing. 
         [0027]    According to aspects of the present invention, in some embodiments lower anchor point  8  may utilize a retractor, in addition to retractor utilized as described above. This configuration advantageously provides additional webbing to the safety system, since typical safety systems utilize a single retractor, which thereby limits the amount of webbing available for securing larger occupants, child seats, etc. 
         [0028]    According to aspects of the present invention, relative placement of seat belt safety system elements or types of deflection points utilized, such as those described throughout, or some combination thereof, advantageously reduces friction of the entire seat belt system and increases comfort and safety. For example, the placement of a retractor as described above reduces the required webbing length, thereby reducing cost and friction, while enabling an optimum webbing path that reduces interference from seat design, reducing the overall complexity of seat design. By placing the first deflection point (relative to the webbing exiting the retractor) close to the retractor and within the seat, overall friction is reduced and the overall appearance of the seat is improved. By positioning the second deflection element (e.g., deflection element  12 , above) in the manner described above, the overall friction of the system is again reduced and allows for the proper placement and position of the shoulder belt relative to the height of the current seat occupant. The relative placement of elements also reduces costs of seat frames by permitting one seat frame for both left- and right-type seats. 
         [0029]    While the examples given above may indicate individual elements, articles, apparatuses, devices, systems, or some combination thereof for the ease of description, combining, separating, adding, or omitting one or more of the forgoing (or some combination thereof) may be done without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may be utilized in any appropriate manner or context, such as but not limited to, vehicles (e.g., car, truck, bus, trains, etc.), airlines, shuttles, boats, non-vehicles (e.g., simulators, etc.), or some combination thereof, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0030]    Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter described throughout or defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing aspects of the invention.