Seatbelt stowage assembly

• US 10,207,636 B1
• Filed: 10/18/2017
• Issued: 02/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2017
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Surman, James J., Gardner, Cornel Lewis, Yilma, Benjamin, Salter, Stuart C., Buttolo, Pietro
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Vip
• Application Number:
  US15/787,022
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/242 Safety belts; Body harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/57 Retractable or concealable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/82 Switches specially adapted for vehicle interior lighting, e.g. switching by tilting the lens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/021 Means for holding the tongue or buckle in a non-use position, e.g. for easy access by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/029 Belt storage; Devices or systems for controlling winding up of unused seat belt
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/02 Semi-passive restraint systems, e.g. systems applied or removed automatically but not both ; Manual restraint systems knee, leg or head belts B60R22/001; devices for releasing in an emergency, remote or automatic unbuckling devices B60R22/32
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/24 secured to the side, door, or roof of the vehicle

Abstract

A seatbelt stowage assembly comprises a housing including an outer rim and a cover and further defining a compartment. The housing is disposed within a headliner of a vehicle and is configured to house a seatbelt in a stowed position. The seatbelt stowage assembly also includes a light source disposed within the compartment.

Claims

1. A seatbelt stowage assembly comprising:

a housing including an outer rim and a cover and defining a compartment, wherein the housing is disposed within a headliner of a vehicle and configured to house a seatbelt in a stowed position; and

a light source disposed within the compartment.

2. The seatbelt stowage assembly of claim 1, wherein the stowage assembly is positioned above a rear seat.

3. The seatbelt stowage assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover is operably coupled to the compartment.

4. The seatbelt stowage assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a reflective icon.

5. The seatbelt stowage assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a pin spot and light emitted by the light source is transmitted therethrough.

6. The seatbelt stowage assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a light guide.

7. The seatbelt stowage assembly of claim 1, wherein the light source is controlled by a switch.

8. The seatbelt stowage assembly of claim 1, wherein the light source operates as ambient light.

9. The seatbelt stowage assembly of claim 1, wherein the light source may be automatically activated.

10. The seatbelt stowage assembly of claim 9, wherein the light source is be deactivated when the seatbelt is in a latched position.

11. The seatbelt stowage assembly of claim 1, wherein an intensity of excitation light emitted by the light source is variable.

12. A seatbelt stowage assembly comprising:

a housing defining a compartment disposed within a vehicle, wherein the compartment is configured to house a seatbelt in a stowed position;

a cover assembly operably coupled to the compartment; and

a light source disposed within the compartment and operable through a control switch.

13. The seatbelt stowage assembly of claim 12, wherein the seatbelt is deployed from the housing to a latched position.

14. The seatbelt stowage assembly of claim 13, wherein the light source is deactivated when the seatbelt is in the latched position.

15. The seatbelt stowage assembly of claim 12, wherein the cover assembly further includes:

a cover plate;

a reflective icon on the cover plate;

a pin spot defined by the cover plate; and

an interior light guide coupled with the cover plate.

16. The seatbelt stowage assembly of claim 12, wherein the control switch is automated.

17. A seatbelt stowage assembly comprising:

a housing defining a compartment disposed within a vehicle, the compartment configured to house a seatbelt in a stowed position;

a cover plate coupled to the compartment;

a light guide disposed around a periphery of the cover plate;

a light source disposed within the compartment; and

a control system configured to vary an intensity of excitation light emitted from the light source.

18. The seatbelt stowage assembly of claim 17, wherein the cover plate further includes a reflective icon disposed on an exterior surface of the cover plate.

19. The seatbelt stowage assembly of claim 18, wherein the cover plate is separated from an outer rim of the housing by a gap, and excitation light emitted by the light source is transmitted through the gap.

20. The seatbelt stowage assembly of claim 19, wherein a reflective material is disposed around the periphery of the cover plate.