Four-point seat restraint

• US 6,869,105 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2003
• Issued: 03/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Cheng, Ching-Shan
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, David R.
• Application Number:
  US10/366,979
• Publication Number:
  US 20040160051A1
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 280/802, 280/803, 280/804, 280/801.1, 280/808, 297/469, 297/473, 297/484
• US Class Current: 280/804
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/027 Four-point seat belt systems, e.g. with the two upper points connected together
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/06 having the belt or harness connected to a member slidable in a vehicle-mounted track
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/26 secured to the seat

Abstract

A four-point seat belt system is provided which includes a seat mountable within the vehicle, the seat has upper and lower medial locations. A first seat belt is disclosed having a first end coupled to the lower medial location and a second end coupled to the upper medial location. The seat belt further has a first tongue disposed between the first and second ends. A second seat belt is provided which has a first end coupled to the lower medial location and a second end having a second tongue. A first track located on the vehicle'"'"'s door is provided which has a first seat belt buckle and a first drive mechanism. A second track is provided on the vehicle'"'"'s door frame which has a second seat belt buckle. The first drive mechanism is configured to move at least one of the first seat belt buckle or the second seat belt buckle from a first location to a second location.

Claims

1. An apparatus for restraining an occupant within a vehicle comprising:

a seat, mountable within the vehicle, the seat having upper and lower medial locations;

a first seat belt having a first end coupled at the lower medial location and a second end coupled at the upper medial location, said seat belt further having a first tongue disposed between the first and second ends;

a second seat belt having a first end coupled at the lower medial location, the second seat belt having a second end having a second tongue;

a first track having a first seat belt buckle and a first drive mechanism; and

a second track having a second seat belt buckle, wherein said first drive mechanism is configured to move at least one of the first seat belt buckle or the second seat belt buckle from a first location to a second location, wherein the apparatus is a passive restraint system which automatically provides a four-point restraint system upon the closing of a vehicle door.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a seat belt retractor locating at one of the upper or lower medial locations.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a first seat belt retractor at the upper medial location and a second seat belt retractor located at the lower medial location.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a second seat belt retractor at the lower medial position coupled to the first seat belt.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a third seat belt retractor coupled to the second seat belt, the third seat belt retractor being located at the lower medial location.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first seat belt forms a torso portion and a lap portion.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the second seat belt defines a torso portion.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first track is coupled to a vehicle door.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second track is coupled to a vehicle door frame.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first drive mechanism functions to move the first seat belt buckle from a first location to a second location along the first track upon the closing of the vehicle door.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the second track has a second drive mechanism configured to move the second seat belt buckle from a third location to a fourth location along the second track.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an emergency locking retractor coupled to the first belt.

13. The apparatus for restraining an occupant within a vehicle comprising:

a seat having a first seat mounted seat belt retractor;

a first seat belt having a first end which is coupled to the first seat mounted seat belt retractor, the first seat belt having a first tongue and a second end coupled to a lower medial location;

a second seat belt having a first end coupled to the lower medial location, the second seat belt having a second end having a second tongue;

a first track having a first buckle configured to be moved from a first fore location to a first aft location, said first buckle being configured to be coupled to the first tongue; and

a second track having a second buckle configured to be moveable from a second fore location to a second aft location, said second buckle being configured to be coupled to the second tongue, wherein the apparatus is a passive restraint system which is coupled to the vehicle at four points.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the first belt defines a torso portion and a lap portion.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising a second retractor located at the lower medial location.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the second retractor is mounted to the seat.

17. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the lower medial location is located on a vehicle floor.

18. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the first track is located upon a vehicle door, the first track having a drive mechanism which is actuatable upon the closing of the door, the actuation of the drive mechanism moving the first seat belt buckle from the first fore location to the first aft location.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the second track is located upon a vehicle door frame and has a second drive mechanism which is configured to move the second buckle from the second fore location to the second aft location upon the closing of the vehicle door.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the first and second drive mechanisms are configured to be actuatable upon the opening of the vehicle door.

21. A four-point restraint apparatus for restraining an occupant within a vehicle comprising:

a seat having a first seat mounted seat belt retractor;

a first seat belt having a first end which is coupled to the first seat mounted seat belt retractor, the first seat belt having a first tongue and a second end coupled to a medial lower location;

a second seat belt having a first end coupled to the medial lower location, the second seat belt having a second end having a second tongue;

a first track having a first buckle configured to be moved from a first fore location to a first aft location, the first track being located upon a vehicle door and having a drive mechanism which is actuatable upon the closing of the door, the actuation of the drive mechanism moving the first seat belt buckle from the first fore location to the first aft location; and

a second track having a second buckle which is configured to be moveable from a second fore location to a second aft location, the second track is located upon a vehicle door frame and has a second drive mechanism which is configured to move the second buckle from the second fore location to the second aft location upon the closing of the vehicle door to form the four-point restraint apparatus.