Seatbelt system for individuals using a wheelchair in a vehicle
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorKenneth V. Hollewa
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A seatbelt system includes a stanchion having a first end and a second end and a linear actuator fixedly connected relative to the stanchion. The linear actuator includes a shuttle. The shuttle is shiftable between the first end and the second end of the stanchion. A seatbelt is supported by the stanchion. The seatbelt includes a buckle, a lap portion, and a shoulder portion. The lap portion is connected to the shuttle. A controller is operatively connected to the linear actuator. The controller selectively raises the shuttle to lift the lap portion of the seatbelt toward the second end of the stanchion to accommodate an individual using a wheel chair.
Claims19
A seatbelt system for individuals using a wheelchair, the seatbelt system comprising:
- a stanchion having a first end and a second end;
- a linear actuator fixedly connected relative to the stanchion, the linear actuator including a shuttle, the shuttle being shiftable between the first end and the second end of the stanchion;
- a seatbelt supported by the stanchion, the seatbelt including a buckle, a lap portion, and a shoulder portion, the lap portion being connected to the shuttle;
- a tensioner arranged at the first end of the stanchion, the seatbelt being connected to the tensioner;
- and
- a controller operatively connected to the linear actuator, the controller selectively raising the shuttle to lift the lap portion of the seatbelt toward the second end of the stanchion to accommodate an individual using a wheel chair.
A vehicle comprising:
- a body including a floor, at least one structural support fixedly connected relative to the floor, and a seatbelt system comprising:
- a stanchion fixedly connected relative to the at least one structural support, the stanchion having a first end arranged at the floor and a second end spaced from the floor along the at least one structural support;
- a linear actuator fixedly connected relative to the stanchion, the linear actuator including a shuttle, the shuttle being shiftable between the first end and the second end of the stanchion;
- a seatbelt supported by the stanchion, the seatbelt including a buckle, a lap portion, and a shoulder portion;
- and
- a controller operatively connected to the linear actuator, the controller selectively raising the shuttle to lift the lap portion of the seatbelt toward the second end of the stanchion to accommodate an individual using a wheel chair.
A method of operating a seatbelt system in a vehicle configured to accommodate an individual using a wheelchair, the method comprising:
- unspooling a seatbelt including a lap belt portion from a tensioner mounted on a first end of a stanchion;
- raising a lap belt portion of a seatbelt of the seatbelt by activating a linear actuator to shift a shuttle toward a second end of the stanchion;
- receiving the individual in the wheelchair between a structural support and a seatbelt anchor;
- and
- lowering the lap belt portion of the seatbelt by activating the linear actuator to shift the shuttle back toward the first end of the stanchion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.