# US 10,369,961 B2 · Retrofit seat belt system

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- Number: US 10,369,961 B2
- Document ID: US10369961B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/311,248
- Filed: 2015-05-22
- Published: 2017-04-06
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2014-05-23
- Assignees: University of Massachusetts
- Applicants: University of Massachusetts
- Inventors: Sundar Krishnamurty; Douglas Eddy; Anne Schewe; Conrad Zanzinger
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369961B2

## CPC

- B60R 22/18: Anchoring devices
- B60R 22/023: {Three-point seat belt systems comprising two side lower and one side upper anchoring devices (B60R22/022, B60R22/03 take precedence)}
- B60R 22/22: secured to the vehicle floor
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

Systems and methods for installing retrofit seat belt systems with structural support for the lap and shoulder belts, while at the same time providing a low cost solution. In particular, some, or all of the loads, as required, are shared by an added support structure connected rigidly to a structural base, e.g., of a bus or other vehicle, via a base plate. As such the present teachings achieve compartmentalization around passengers in the event of a crash. Furthermore, unlike prior retrofit seat belt designs, the systems and methods of the present teachings uniquely facilitate a seamless transition for the different seat configurations and do not require complete replacement of the seats.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for retrofitting a seat mounted to a vehicle with a three-point seatbelt, the seat being connected to a floor of the vehicle by a pedestal, the system comprising:
a baseplate for securing the system to the floor, wherein the baseplate mounts directly to the floor or a floor track mounted to the floor, and provides an anchor point for seatbelt webbing, the anchor point transferring seatbelt loads directly to the floor;
a shoulder strap mount coupled to the distal end of the shoulder strap support and configured for slidingly securing a shoulder strap of the seatbelt to the shoulder strap support;
wherein:
the shoulder strap support includes a pivot disposed intermediate the distal end and proximate end, wherein a portion between the pivot and the proximate end extends perpendicularly from the baseplate; and
the shoulder strap support rotates about the pivot to be positioned in alignment with a back of the seat when the seat is reclined.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the baseplate includes one or more T-bolts extending therefrom for coupling the baseplate to the floor track.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the baseplate includes a bolt mounting portion at a side thereof for receiving the one or more T-bolts and fixedly coupling the baseplate to the floor track, wherein the bolt mounting portion is offset from the proximate end of the shoulder strap support.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, wherein the bolt mounting portion includes a first projection, wherein when installed in the floor track, the first projection extends in a forward direction along a first axis, wherein the first projection receives the pedestal and bolts for mounting the pedestal to the floor track.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the first projection is offset from the proximate end of the shoulder strap support.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein the first projection is adjustable along the first axis.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the shoulder strap support is symmetric about a widthwise middle of the shoulder strap support and configured for symmetrically retrofitting a plurality of seatbelts to a corresponding plurality of seats.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the shoulder strap support is offset in a rearward direction along a first axis relative to the baseplate.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the baseplate includes a support truss member.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the baseplate and shoulder strap support are integrally formed.