US 9,809,193 B2 · Shock absorbing height adjusters for restraint systems and associated systems and methods

Abstract

Shock absorbing seatbelt height adjusters for use with vehicle occupant restraint systems, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a shock absorbing height adjuster includes a D-loop assembly slidably coupled to a rail, and a stop assembly and a pre-loader slidably coupled to the rail on opposite sides of the D-loop assembly. The stop assembly and the pre-loader can be releasably lockable at a plurality of positions along the rail. A biasing member can be compressed between the pre-loader and the D-loop assembly to urge the D-loop assembly toward the stop assembly and allow motion of the D-loop assembly toward the pre-loader under load. The position of the pre-loader can be adjusted to vary the compression in the biasing member.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A shock absorbing seatbelt adjuster, comprising:

a rail;
a seatbelt web receiver slidably engaged with the rail;
a stop engaged with the rail to a first side of the web receiver, wherein the stop is lockable at a plurality of stop positions along the rail;
a pre-loader engaged with the rail to a second side of the web receiver, opposite to the first side, wherein the pre-loader is lockable at a plurality of pre-load positions along the rail;
and
a biasing member extending between the web receiver and the pre-loader, wherein the biasing member biases the web receiver toward the stop, and wherein the web receiver is slidable along the rail away from the stop in response to a force applied to the web receiver.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Shock absorbing height adjusters for restraint systems and associated systems and methods

Life of this patent

Shock absorbing height adjusters for restraint systems and associated systems and methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20