An occupant restraining device capable of coping with a plurality of collision directions without additional airbags is provided. An occupant restraining device (100) is adapted to restrain an occupant P sitting in a vehicle seat (110), and the device includes a seatbelt (120) fixed to left and right sides of a seat cushion (116) of the seat to restrain the occupant's hips (P2), airbags (130a) and (130b) stored inside a seat back of the seat on the left and right sides thereof and inflated and deployed on the left and right sides of the occupant. Tensile fabric (140) is connected to each of the airbags and the seat cushion and applied with tension, when the airbags are inflated and deployed, so as to be extended between the airbags inflated and deployed and both side surfaces of the seat cushion.

Electronic circuit device for constantly monitoring the correct use of the safety belt in the area of a vehicle, comprising: general power supply battery and a ignition key; one or more infrared light emitting diodes located at the upper part facing each of the positions of the driver and/or passenger; one or more pulse generators (G.sub.E, . . . , G.sub.En) connected to one or more infrared light emitting diodes; one or more infrared light receiving diodes located at each position with a safety belt; one or more infrared light receiving diodes in each of the safety belts located on the diagonal strap thereof; one or more electronic circuits consisting of two Steps 1 and Stage 2 associated in conjunction with each safety belt, Step 1 commanded by the infrared light receiving diode located in the seat of the driver and/or passengers determines the presence or absence of an occupant and Stage 2 commanded by the infrared light receiving diode located in the diagonal strap of the safety belt is enabled according to the status of Step 1, determining the use of the safety belt; and an audible and/or luminous alarm with an associated timer circuit within the area of use of the safety belt integrated for all devices; each set of steps 1 and 2 of the one or more operating circuits working autonomously for each of the safety belts.

Electronic circuit device for constantly monitoring the correct use of the safety belt in the area of a vehicle, comprising: general power supply battery and a ignition key; one or more infrared light emitting diodes located at the upper part facing each of the positions of the driver and/or passenger; one or more pulse generators (G.sub.E, . . . , G.sub.En) connected to one or more infrared light emitting diodes; one or more infrared light receiving diodes located at each position with a safety belt; one or more infrared light receiving diodes in each of the safety belts located on the diagonal strap thereof; one or more electronic circuits consisting of two Steps 1 and Stage 2 associated in conjunction with each safety belt, Step 1 commanded by the infrared light receiving diode located in the seat of the driver and/or passengers determines the presence or absence of an occupant and Stage 2 commanded by the infrared light receiving diode located in the diagonal strap of the safety belt is enabled according to the status of Step 1, determining the use of the safety belt; and an audible and/or luminous alarm with an associated timer circuit within the area of use of the safety belt integrated for all devices; each set of steps 1 and 2 of the one or more operating circuits working autonomously for each of the safety belts.

A retainer apparatus including a first retainer portion, a second retainer portion, a wireless transceiver, and a sensor contained within at least one of the first retainer portion and the second retainer portion. The retainer apparatus includes the first retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a first harness strap and a second retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a second harness strap. The first retainer portion is removably attached to the second retainer portion. The sensor is configured to detect the first retainer portion being disconnected from the second retainer portion and generate a warning signal. The wireless transceiver is configured to wirelessly transmit the warning signal to a controller in a vehicle to activate an audible warning alert to warn a user in the vehicle of the first retainer portion being disconnected from the second retainer portion.

A retainer apparatus including a first retainer portion, a second retainer portion, a wireless transceiver, and a sensor contained within at least one of the first retainer portion and the second retainer portion. The retainer apparatus includes the first retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a first harness strap and a second retainer portion configured to be slidably attached to a second harness strap. The first retainer portion is removably attached to the second retainer portion. The sensor is configured to detect the first retainer portion being disconnected from the second retainer portion and generate a warning signal. The wireless transceiver is configured to wirelessly transmit the warning signal to a controller in a vehicle to activate an audible warning alert to warn a user in the vehicle of the first retainer portion being disconnected from the second retainer portion.

Methods for marking a seat belt webbing with an infrared compound are described herein. The methods comprise ablating a surface of the seat belt webbing by directing one or more laser pulses toward the seat belt webbing; and coating the ablated surface of the seat belt webbing with the infrared compound, wherein the infrared compound increases absorptivity or reflectivity of the seat belt webbing to infrared radiation. Methods for optically monitoring operation of the seat belt webbing in a vehicle and distinguishing between proper positioning and improper positioning of the seat belt webbing are also disclosed.

Methods for marking a seat belt webbing with an infrared compound are described herein. The methods comprise ablating a surface of the seat belt webbing by directing one or more laser pulses toward the seat belt webbing; and coating the ablated surface of the seat belt webbing with the infrared compound, wherein the infrared compound increases absorptivity or reflectivity of the seat belt webbing to infrared radiation. Methods for optically monitoring operation of the seat belt webbing in a vehicle and distinguishing between proper positioning and improper positioning of the seat belt webbing are also disclosed.

A vehicular belt tactile apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a buckle, a belt configured to be fastened to the buckle and at least one air pouch disposed at a portion of the belt that contacts the body of an occupant when the belt is fastened to the buckle. An air controller generates a control signal when the belt is fastened to the buckle. The buckle includes an air supply unit that is configured to inject air into the at least one air pouch through the belt or to discharge air from the at least one air pouch in response to the control signal.

A vehicular belt tactile apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a buckle, a belt configured to be fastened to the buckle and at least one air pouch disposed at a portion of the belt that contacts the body of an occupant when the belt is fastened to the buckle. An air controller generates a control signal when the belt is fastened to the buckle. The buckle includes an air supply unit that is configured to inject air into the at least one air pouch through the belt or to discharge air from the at least one air pouch in response to the control signal.

A retainer apparatus including a first retainer portion, a second retainer portion, a wireless transceiver, and a sensor. The sensor includes a first sensor portion physically contained within the first retainer portion and a second sensor portion physically contained within the second retainer portion. The first retainer portion is removably attached to the second retainer portion. The sensor is configured to detect the first retainer portion being disconnected from the second retainer portion and generate a warning signal. The wireless transceiver is configured to wirelessly transmit the warning signal to a controller in a vehicle to activate an audible warning alert to warn a user in the vehicle of the first retainer portion being disconnected from the second retainer portion.