IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,469,401
Granted Patent B2
US 8,469,401 · App. 13/109,967 · Granted Jun 25, 2013

Seat harness pretensioner

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,469,401
App. No.
13/109,967
Granted
Jun 25, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Various embodiments of seat harness pretensioning devices for use in land, air, and sea vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, a seat unit for use in a military land vehicle or helicopter includes a stroking device that enables the seat to move downwardly in response to sudden movement. The seat unit also includes a seat belt or harness that extends around the occupant in the seat. Sudden movement of the seat in response to an explosion or hard landing causes a tensioning system to automatically pretension the seat harness.

Claims (39)

1. A seat harness pretensioner, comprising:

a seat movably mounted in a vehicle;

a guide member operably coupled to the seat and having a harness slot;

a harness mounted to the seat at a first mounting point and a second mounting point;

a slidable plate movably mounted to the seat, wherein a portion of the harness between the first mounting point and the second mounting point passes between the harness slot and the slidable plate; and

a coupler between the vehicle and the slidable plate to translate movement of the seat relative to the vehicle into movement of the slidable plate to move the harness into the harness slot to tension the harness.

2. The seat harness pretensioner of claim 1 wherein the slot is defined by a space between a portion of the seat and a fixed plate.

3. The seat harness pretensioner of claim 1 wherein the slot is defined by a first fixed plate and a second fixed plate, and wherein the slidable plate is positioned between the first fixed plate and the second fixed plate.

4. The seat harness pretensioner of claim 1 wherein the slidable plate has openings through which the harness passes.

5. The seat harness pretensioner of claim 1 wherein the guide member is integral with the seat.

6. The seat harness pretensioner of claim 1 wherein the seat is movably mounted in the vehicle to permit the seat to move vertically relative to the vehicle.

7. The seat harness pretensioner of claim 1 , further comprising a load limiter configured to limit an amount of tension in the harness.

8. The seat harness pretensioner of claim 1 , further comprising a ratchet system between the slidable plate and the seat and configured to prevent the slidable plate from retreating relative to the seat once the slidable plate has moved relative to the seat.

9. A seat harness pretensioner, comprising:

a seat movably mounted in a vehicle, wherein when the vehicle moves in a first direction the seat is permitted to move in a second direction generally opposite the first direction relative to the vehicle;

a first plate mounted to the seat;

a harness mounted to the seat and to the first plate;

a second plate movably mounted to the seat between the first plate and the seat, the second plate having an opening, wherein the harness passes over a portion of the seat, through the openings, and over the first plate; and

a lever configured to transmit movement of the seat relative to the vehicle into downward movement of the second plate relative to the seat and the first plate to pull the harness against the portion of the seat and the first plate to tension the harness.

10. The seat harness pretensioner of claim 9 wherein the lever comprises a pivot rotatably mounted to the seat.

11. The seat harness pretensioner of claim 9 wherein the lever comprises a first end portion, a pivot, and a second end portion, wherein the pivot is fixed relative to the seat, the first end portion contacts a portion of the vehicle, and the second end portion contacts the second plate, and wherein when the seat moves relative to the vehicle, the mechanical coupler rotates about the pivot to move the second plate relative to the seat.

12. The seat harness pretensioner of claim 9 wherein the lever is positioned over a fixed portion of the vehicle, and wherein when the seat moves downward relative to the vehicle, the fixed portion of the vehicle causes the lever to move the slidable plate relative to the seat.

13. The seat harness pretensioner of claim 9 , further comprising a biased ratchet and a plurality of teeth, wherein the biased ratchet engages the teeth as the slidable plate moves relative to the seat, and wherein the teeth permit the slidable plate to tension the harness and prevent the slidable plate from releasing the tension.

14. The seat harness pretensioner of claim 9 , further comprising a load limiter configured to prevent the harness from tensioning above a predefined level.

15. The seat harness pretensioner of claim 9 wherein the first plate comprises two fixed plates, wherein the slidable plate is movably mounted between the fixed plates.

16. The seat harness pretensioner of claim 9 wherein the first plate includes a track upon which the second plate is movably mounted.

17. The seat harness pretensioner of claim 9 wherein the second plate has a neutral position and a deployed position, wherein when the second plate is in the neutral position the opening in the second plate is slightly above an upper extent of the first plate, and wherein when the second plate is in the deployed position the opening moves below the upper extent of the first plate to tension the harness.

18. A harness assembly, comprising:

a seat mounted in a vehicle, the seat having a stroke defining an upper position and a lower position, the seat being movable between the upper position and the lower position along the stroke;

a pretensioner mounted to the seat, the pretensioner comprising—

a fixed plate operably coupled to the seat;

a slidable plate movably mounted to the fixed plate and having an opening; and

a coupler having a first end portion contacting the slidable plate, a second end portion contacting a fixed portion of the vehicle that does not move with the seat as the seat moves along the stroke, and a pivot rotatably attached to the fixed plate, wherein when the seat moves from the upper position to the lower position the fixed portion of the vehicle causes the coupler to rotate about the pivot and cause the second end portion to move the slidable plate relative to the fixed plate; and

a harness having a web, a first end point, and a second end point, the first end point being fixed to the seat and the second end point being fixed to the fixed plate, wherein the web is positioned over a portion of the seat, passes through the opening in the slidable plate, and passes over the fixed plate, and wherein when the seat moves from the upper position to the lower position the slidable plate moves the web between the portion of the seat and the fixed plate to tension the harness.

19. The harness assembly of claim 18 , further comprising means for limiting tension in the harness.

20. The harness assembly of claim 18 wherein the fixed plate has an opening and the slidable plate has an opening aligned with the opening in the fixed plate, and wherein the coupler is rotatably mounted to the fixed plate with the first end portion passing through the openings in the fixed plate and the slidable plate.

21. The harness assembly of claim 18 , further comprising a biased ratchet positioned between the fixed plate and the slidable plate, wherein the biased ratchet permits the slidable plate to movably move toward a tensioned position and maintains tension in the harness by inhibiting the slidable plate from moving in an opposite direction.

22. The harness assembly of claim 18 wherein the pretensioner is mounted to a rear of the seat.

23. The harness assembly of claim 22 wherein the harness is tensioned by movement of the seat relative to the vehicle without using another energy source.

Assignments (11)
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT RECORDED FEBRUARY 19, 2019 AT REEL/FRAME 048365/0499 Recorded Jun 6, 2024
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE
To: TRANSDIGM INC.; TRANSDIGM GROUP INCORPORATED; AEROSONIC LLC; MOUNTAINTOP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS, INC.; AEROSONIC CORPORATION; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BREEZE-EASTERN LLC; BRUCE AEROSPACE INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, LLC; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; PURE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.; HARCO LABORATORIES, INC.; HARCO LLC; HARCO TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; CORRPRO COMPANIES, INC.; HARCO CORPORATION; HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL GMBH; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL AB; NORDISK AVIATION PRODUCTS AS; TURNTIME TECHNOLOGIES AB; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; TRANSICOIL INC.; SOUTHCO, INC.; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ADVANCED INPUT DEVICES, INC.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS COMPANY; JOSLYN SUNBANK COMPANY LLC; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; SOURIAU USA, INC.; NMC GROUP, INC.; TA AEROSPACE CO.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; ROLLS-ROYCE PLC; MEMTRON TECHNOLOGIES CO.; CHELTON, INC. (N/K/A CHELTON AVIONICS, INC.); SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.; APICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.; AERO-INSTRUMENTS CO., LLC; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NA, INC.; HARCOSEMCO LLC; HARCO, LLC (N/K/A HARCOSEMCO LLC); PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; TELAIR US LLC; CALSPAN AERO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC.; CALSPAN SYSTEMS, LLC; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; SCHNELLER, INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 067640/0147 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 064961 FRAME: 0671. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT OF PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Oct 5, 2023
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS PREDECESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 065132/0644 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 20, 2023
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS PREDECESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 064961/0671 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 19, 2023
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE
To: TA AEROSPACE CO.; TRANSDIGM, INC.; TRANSDIGM GROUP INCORPORATED; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC CORPORATION; AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECH TYEE, INC.; BEAM'S INDUSTRIES; BREEZE EASTERN CORPORATION; BRUCE AEROSPACE, INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, INC.; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC; HARCO LABORATORIES, INC.; HARCO LLC; HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL LLC; TRANSCOIL LLC; WESTERN SKY INDUSTRIES, LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS COMPANY; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; NMC GROUP INC.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; CHELTON, INC. (N/K/A CHELTON AVIONICS, INC.); SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.; APICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 063363/0753 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2023
From: TRANSDIGM INC.; TRANSDIGM GROUP INCORPORATED; 17111 WATERVIEW PKWY LLC; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC LLC; AIRBORNE ACQUISITION, INC.; AIRBORNE GLOBAL, INC.; AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NA INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF CA INC.; AMSAFE GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ANGUS ELECTRONICS CO.; APICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES TNO CO.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS CO.; AUXITROL WESTON USA, INC.; AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BETA TRANSFORMER TECHNOLOGY LLC; BREEZE-EASTERN LLC; BRIDPORT HOLDINGS, INC.; BRIDPORT-AIR CARRIER, INC.; BRUCE AEROSPACE INC.; CDA INTERCORP LLC; CEF INDUSTRIES, LLC; CENTURY HELICOPTERS, INC.; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; CHELTON AVIONICS HOLDINGS, INC.; CHELTON AVIONICS, INC.; CHELTON DEFENSE PRODUCTS, INC.; CMC ELECTRONICS AURORA LLC; DART AEROSPACE USA, INC.; DART BUYER, INC.; DART HELICOPTER SERVICES, INC.; DART INTERMEDIATE, INC.; DART TOPCO, INC.; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC; ESTERLINE EUROPE COMPANY LLC; ESTERLINE INTERNATIONAL COMPANY; ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES SGIP LLC; HARCOSEMCO LLC; HARTWELL CORPORATION; HELI TECH, INC.; HYTEK FINISHES CO.; ILC HOLDINGS, INC.; JANCO CORPORATION; JOHNSON LIVERPOOL LLC; KIRKHILL INC.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; LEACH HOLDING CORPORATION; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; LEACH MEXICO HOLDING LLC; LEACH TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC.; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE DE, INC.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE HOLDINGS, INC.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE US LLC; NAT SEATTLE INC.; NMC GROUP, INC.; NORDISK AVIATION PRODUCTS LLC; NORTH HILLS SIGNAL PROCESSING CORP.; NORTH HILLS SIGNAL PROCESSING OVERSEAS LLC; NORWICH AERO PRODUCTS, INC.; OFFSHORE HELICOPTER SUPPORT SERVICES, INC.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; PARAVION TECHNOLOGY, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; POWER DEVICE CORPORATION; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.; SKANDIA, INC.; SKURKA AEROSPACE INC.; SYMETRICS INDUSTRIES, LLC; TA AEROSPACE CO.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TDG ESL HOLDINGS INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR US LLC; TEXAS ROTRONICS, INC.; TRANSICOIL LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; BRIDPORT ERIE AVIATION, INC.; TRANSDIGM UK HOLDINGS PLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE
Reel/Frame 063012/0788 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 9, 2020
From: AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC CORPORATION/LLC; AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BEAM’S INDUSTRIES; BREEZE-EASTERN CORPORATION; BRUCE AEROSPACE, INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, INC.; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC; HARCO LABORATORIES, INCORPORATED; HARCO LLC; HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL LLC; TRANSDIGM, INC.; TRANSCOIL LLC; WESTERN SKY INDUSTRIES, LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS COMPANY; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS CO.; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; NMC GROUP, INC.; TA AEROSPACE CO.; MASON ELECTRIC COMPANY; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE AND NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 052352/0704 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 19, 2019
From: TRANSDIGM, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC LLC (F/K/A AEROSONIC CORPORATION); AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS OF NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BREEZE-EASTERN LLC (F/K/A BREEZE-EASTERN CORPORATION); BRUCE AEROSPACE, INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, LLC (F/K/A CEF INDUSTRIES, INC.); CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC (F/K/A WESTERN SKY, INDUSTRIES, LLC); HARCOSEMCO LLC (F/K/A HARCO LABORATORIES, INCORPORATED) (F/K/A HARCO LLC); HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC. (F/K/A AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS INC.) (F/K/A BEAM'S INDUSTRIES, INC.); TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL LLC; TRANSICOIL LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
Reel/Frame 048365/0499 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 9, 2012
From: AMSAFE, INC.; AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS, INC.; AMSAFE AVIATION, INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG
Reel/Frame 027830/0183 →
TERMINATION AND SECURITY RELEASE Recorded Mar 8, 2012
From: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
To: AMSAFE, INC.; AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS, INC.; AMSAFE AVIATION, INC.
Reel/Frame 027830/0048 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 8, 2011
From: HUMBERT, TODD J.; MERRILL, DAVID T.
To: AMSAFE, INC.
Reel/Frame 026875/0413 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 22, 2011
From: AMSAFE, INC.; AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS. INC.; AMSAFE AVIATION, INC.
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 026637/0591 →