IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,345,306
Granted Patent B1
US 11,345,306 · App. 17/373,410 · Granted May 31, 2022

Seatbelt extension system

Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi (Macomb, MI); Mohammad Omar Faruque (Ann Arbor, MI); S. M. Iskander Farooq (Novi, MI)
Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
B60R22/20B60R22/26B60R2022/1806B60R2022/263B60R2022/485B60R2022/4816B60R2022/4841
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,345,306
App. No.
17/373,410
Granted
May 31, 2022
Kind
B1
Abstract

A system includes a base. The system includes a buckle movable away from the base from a retracted position to an extended position. The system includes a lock movable from a locked position that maintains the buckle at the retracted position to an unlocked position that permits movement of the buckle to the extended position. The system includes a spring urging the buckle toward the retracted position.

Claims (26)

1. A system, comprising:

a base;

a buckle movable away from the base from a retracted position to an extended position;

a lock movable from a locked position that maintains the buckle at the retracted position to an unlocked position that permits movement of the buckle to the extended position; and

a spring urging the buckle toward the retracted position.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a cable connecting the buckle to the base.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the lock in the locked position inhibits movement of the cable relative to the base.

4. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a plate fixed to the cable, and wherein the spring is compressed between the base and the plate.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the base includes a top panel and a bottom panel, and wherein the spring is compressed between the top panel and the plate.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the top panel defines a hole, and wherein the cable extends through the hole.

7. The system of claim 2 , wherein the spring surrounds the cable.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the base includes a top panel, a bottom panel, and a pair of side panels extending from the top panel to the bottom panel.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the spring is between the top panel and the bottom panel, and between the pair of side panels.

10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a computer having a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to actuate the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the instructions include instructions to actuate the lock to the unlocked position in response to determining that tension of a seatbelt is above a predetermined threshold and that a vehicle impact has not been detected.

12. A system, comprising:

a base;

a buckle movable from a retracted position away from the base to an extended position;

a lock movable from a locked position that maintains the buckle at the retracted position to an unlocked position that permits movement of the buckle to the extended position; and

a computer having a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to actuate the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to determining that tension of a seatbelt is above a predetermined threshold and that a vehicle impact has not been detected.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the instructions include instructions to actuate the lock to the locked position in response to detecting unbuckling of the buckle.

14. The system of claim 13 , further comprising a sensor supported at a seatbelt anchor connected to the seatbelt, and wherein the instructions include instructions to determine that tension of the seatbelt is above the predetermined threshold based on information received from the sensor.

15. The system of claim 14 , further comprising an impact sensor, and wherein the instructions include instructions to determine that a vehicle impact has not been detected based on information from the impact sensor.

16. The system of claim 12 , further comprising a spring urging the buckle toward the retracted position and a cable connecting the buckle to the base.

17. The system of claim 16 , further comprising a plate fixed to the cable, and wherein the spring is compressed between the base and the plate.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the base includes a top panel and a bottom panel, and wherein the spring is compressed between the top panel and the plate.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 12, 2021
From: JARADI, DEAN M.; FARUQUE, MOHAMMAD OMAR; FAROOQ, S.M. ISKANDER
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 056828/0562 →
Cited By (4)
US 12,296,785 US 12,358,450 US 12,384,323 US 12,479,398