Restraint system

US8328166B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• MillenWorks · US

Inventors

• Matthew Michael O'Brien · Hermosa Beach, US
• Christopher Culbertson · Irvine, US
• Colin Godby · Boulder, US
• Stephen M. King · Irvine, US
• Grant R. McCloud · Tecate Mission Road, US
• Charles E. Van Druff · Laguna Hills, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 17, 2009
• Grant date: Dec 11, 2012
• Expiry date: Apr 15, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64D25/06
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

In a preferred embodiment, a restraint system is described for restraining a standing occupant in a vehicle such as a plane or helicopter. The restraint system includes a webbing strap that winds and unwinds from a spool assembly. The spool assembly includes a trigger assembly that locks a spool from rotation, a manual release assembly for manually releasing the trigger assembly and lock, and an adjustable payout assembly that determines the maximum length that the webbing strap can be pulled out before stopping (i.e., the number of rotations of the spool). The trigger assembly can trigger the lock assembly from one or more sensors. Further, the trigger assembly can be arranged to automatically unlock after a triggering event, manually unlocked after a triggering event or a combination of the two for different sensors.