Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-26
2001-05-29
Rice, Kenneth R. (Department: 2167)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
C280S808000, C280S730200, C297S484000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237945
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a passenger restraint system for use with a motor vehicle having a seat, wherein the passenger restraint system includes an inflatable member fixed to the seat.
BACKGROUND ART
U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,900 shows a protection system for a driver of a competition vehicle. The protection system includes a safety belt system having first and second shoulder belt parts, each of which is provided with one shoulder air bag attached thereto. Because the air bags are attached to the safety belt system, the safety belt system must be adjusted in order to adjust the position of the air bags relative to the driver. Furthermore, the safety belt system is relatively complex, and difficult to adjust. Consequently, such a protection system is not desirable for use in passenger vehicles.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,055 shows a passenger restraint system including a belt having a lap section, which may or may not be inflatable, and an inflatable torso section. The torso section has a first inflatable portion that contacts a passenger, and a second inflatable portion mounted in an enclosure that prevents substantial inflation of the second portion. The lengths of the first and second inflatable portions can also be varied so as to accommodate passengers of different sizes.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a passenger restraint system that includes an inflatable member fixed to a seat of a motor vehicle. Consequently, the passenger restraint system does not require difficult adjustment procedures in order to properly position the inflatable member relative to a passenger's head, neck and/or shoulders.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a passenger restraint system including an inflatable member that is fixed to a seat of a motor vehicle.
Another object of the invention is to provide such a passenger restraint system including a safety belt system that is moveable along the length of a guide channel formed in the inflatable member.
Under the invention, a passenger restraint system, for use with a vehicle having a seat, includes an inflatable member fixed to the seat and having a guide channel. The passenger restraint system further includes a safety belt system having a torso section extending through the guide channel and being moveable with respect to the inflatable member.
Preferably, the inflatable member also functions as a belt-presenter for supporting a portion of the torso section of the safety belt system away from the seat.
In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable member is fixed to an moveable headrest of the seat, and is moveable therewith. Advantageously, the inflatable member can be easily adjusted to accommodate passengers of varying sizes.
More specifically, a passenger restraint system according to the invention, for use with a vehicle having a seat, includes an inflatable collar fixed to the seat and having first and second guide channels. The passenger restraint system further includes a safety belt system having first and second torso sections extending through the first and second guide channels, respectively. The torso sections are also moveable with respect to the collar.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Aboud George
Baldas Jason P.
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Jasmin Lynda
Lear Corporation
Rice Kenneth R.
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