Variable seat belt
First Claim
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1. A seat belt system for use by an occupant of a vehicle seat, the seat belt system comprising:
- seat belt webbing including a solid material sufficiently configured to selectively effect a shape or dimensional change in the webbing in response to an activation signal.
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Abstract
A seat belt system includes webbing having a solid material that is configured to effect a shape or dimensional change in response to an activation signal. In a preferred embodiment, the webbing includes a first part and a second part, each having a wide end and a narrow end. The webbing is mounted with respect to a vehicle seatback so that the webbing is positionable across an occupant between the occupant'"'"'s neck and the occupant'"'"'s pelvis, and is characterized by the absence of an over-the-shoulder portion.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A seat belt system for use by an occupant of a vehicle seat, the seat belt system comprising:
seat belt webbing including a solid material sufficiently configured to selectively effect a shape or dimensional change in the webbing in response to an activation signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A seat belt system for a vehicle comprising:
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a vehicle seat occupiable by an occupant having a pelvis and a neck;
seat belt webbing having a plurality of ribs that are selectively expandable in response to an activation signal to effect a shape or dimensional change in the webbing;
wherein the seat belt webbing is mounted with respect to a seatback portion of the seat so that the seat belt webbing is positionable across the occupant between the neck and the pelvis; and
wherein the seat belt webbing is characterized by the absence of an over-the-shoulder portion. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for controlling the size or shape of seat belt webbing, the method comprising:
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monitoring a state or condition; and
causing the seat belt webbing to effect a dimensional or shape change in response to a change in the monitored state or condition.
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16. A seat belt system for an occupant of a vehicle, the seat belt system comprising:
seat belt webbing including a contractile polymer that is sufficiently configured to contract in response to a force exerted by the occupant on the seat belt webbing.
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17. A seat belt system for use by an occupant of a vehicle seat, the seat belt system comprising:
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a vehicle seat occupiable by an occupant having a pelvis and a neck;
seat belt webbing comprising a solid material that is responsive to an activation signal to effect a shape or dimensional change in the seat belt webbing;
wherein the seat belt webbing is mounted with respect to a seatback portion of the seat so that the seat belt webbing is positionable across the occupant between the neck and the pelvis; and
wherein the seat belt webbing is characterized by the absence of an over-the-shoulder portion.
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Specification