An adaptive belt is attached to a vehicle seat and includes a first section (101), a second section (102), and a third section (103). The adaptive belt includes a retracted configuration and a fully extended configuration. In the retracted configuration, the adaptive belt is folded between the first section and the second section such that a first attachment attaches the first section to a first portion of the second section. In the retracted configuration, the adaptive belt is also folded between the second section and the third section such that a second attachment attaches a second portion of the second section to a first portion of the third section. In the fully extended configuration, all of the attachments fail thereby increasing a length of the adaptive belt. In response to a threshold loading condition, the adaptive belt changes from the retracted configuration to the fully extended configuration.

An adaptive belt is attached to a vehicle seat and includes a first section (101), a second section (102), and a third section (103). The adaptive belt includes a retracted configuration and a fully extended configuration. In the retracted configuration, the adaptive belt is folded between the first section and the second section such that a first attachment attaches the first section to a first portion of the second section. In the retracted configuration, the adaptive belt is also folded between the second section and the third section such that a second attachment attaches a second portion of the second section to a first portion of the third section. In the fully extended configuration, all of the attachments fail thereby increasing a length of the adaptive belt. In response to a threshold loading condition, the adaptive belt changes from the retracted configuration to the fully extended configuration.

An energy-absorbing restraint web assembly may include a motor vehicle seat restraint web and an energy absorption web having a first length, a first end attached to the restraint web at a first location thereof and a second end, opposite the first end of the energy absorption web, attached to the restraint web at a second location thereof, the energy absorption web responsive to a transverse force applied to the restraint web between first and second ends thereof that is greater than a threshold force to elongate and absorb energy while elongating, wherein the restraint web defines a second length between the first and second locations thereof, the second length of the restraint web greater than the first length of the energy absorption web such that the overall length of the restraint web increases as the energy absorption web elongates.

An energy-absorbing restraint web assembly may include a motor vehicle seat restraint web and an energy absorption web having a first length, a first end attached to the restraint web at a first location thereof and a second end, opposite the first end of the energy absorption web, attached to the restraint web at a second location thereof, the energy absorption web responsive to a transverse force applied to the restraint web between first and second ends thereof that is greater than a threshold force to elongate and absorb energy while elongating, wherein the restraint web defines a second length between the first and second locations thereof, the second length of the restraint web greater than the first length of the energy absorption web such that the overall length of the restraint web increases as the energy absorption web elongates.

Various embodiments of vehicle occupant safety systems having extendable restraints for use with, for example, airbags are described herein. In one embodiment, for example, the disclosed technology includes a 2-point occupant restraint that secures an occupant in an aircraft seat. In this embodiment, the aircraft seat is positioned in a seating area that includes a forward monument housing a stowed airbag. In the event of a crash or other significant dynamic event that causes, for example, a rapid deceleration of the aircraft above a preset magnitude, the airbag deploys between the occupant and the monument as the dynamic forces cause the occupant to pitch forward. The forward momentum of the occupant's body creates a significant tension load in the 2-point restraint, which causes the restraint to extend by a preset amount, thereby allowing the occupant to move forward in the seat more than the occupant would have moved had the occupant been wearing a conventional, non-extending 2-point restraint. Although the occupant is allowed to move forward, the occupant remains secured to the extended restraint by means of non-extending webbing that is secured around the waist of the occupant. Allowing the occupant to move forward in this manner enables the occupant's upper torso to impact the airbag at a reduced or otherwise more favorable angle. This can reduce both the speed and the angle at which the occupant's head impacts the airbag, thereby reducing the likelihood of injury.

Various embodiments of vehicle occupant safety systems having extendable restraints for use with, for example, airbags are described herein. In one embodiment, for example, the disclosed technology includes a 2-point occupant restraint that secures an occupant in an aircraft seat. In this embodiment, the aircraft seat is positioned in a seating area that includes a forward monument housing a stowed airbag. In the event of a crash or other significant dynamic event that causes, for example, a rapid deceleration of the aircraft above a preset magnitude, the airbag deploys between the occupant and the monument as the dynamic forces cause the occupant to pitch forward. The forward momentum of the occupant's body creates a significant tension load in the 2-point restraint, which causes the restraint to extend by a preset amount, thereby allowing the occupant to move forward in the seat more than the occupant would have moved had the occupant been wearing a conventional, non-extending 2-point restraint. Although the occupant is allowed to move forward, the occupant remains secured to the extended restraint by means of non-extending webbing that is secured around the waist of the occupant. Allowing the occupant to move forward in this manner enables the occupant's upper torso to impact the airbag at a reduced or otherwise more favorable angle. This can reduce both the speed and the angle at which the occupant's head impacts the airbag, thereby reducing the likelihood of injury.

Various embodiments of vehicle occupant safety systems having extendable restraints for use with, for example, airbags are described herein. In one embodiment, for example, the disclosed technology includes a 2-point occupant restraint that secures an occupant in an aircraft seat. In this embodiment, the aircraft seat is positioned in a seating area that includes a forward monument housing a stowed airbag. In the event of a crash or other significant dynamic event that causes, for example, a rapid deceleration of the aircraft above a preset magnitude, the airbag deploys between the occupant and the monument as the dynamic forces cause the occupant to pitch forward. The forward momentum of the occupant's body creates a significant tension load in the 2-point restraint, which causes the restraint to extend by a preset amount, thereby allowing the occupant to move forward in the seat more than the occupant would have moved had the occupant been wearing a conventional, non-extending 2-point restraint. Although the occupant is allowed to move forward, the occupant remains secured to the extended restraint by means of non-extending webbing that is secured around the waist of the occupant. Allowing the occupant to move forward in this manner enables the occupant's upper torso to impact the airbag at a reduced or otherwise more favorable angle. This can reduce both the speed and the angle at which the occupant's head impacts the airbag, thereby reducing the likelihood of injury.

A seatbelt assembly includes a retractor and an inflatable webbing. The inflatable webbing is supported by the retractor and elongated along an axis, the inflatable webbing having longitudinal threads extending along the axis and lateral threads interwoven with the longitudinal threads, the lateral threads extending transverse to the axis and being more stretchable than the longitudinal threads.

A seatbelt assembly includes a retractor and an inflatable webbing. The inflatable webbing is supported by the retractor and elongated along an axis, the inflatable webbing having longitudinal threads extending along the axis and lateral threads interwoven with the longitudinal threads, the lateral threads extending transverse to the axis and being more stretchable than the longitudinal threads.

Four-point seat belt comprising two thoracic branches configured to anchor the chest of a user to a backrest of a vehicular seat; two abdominal branches configured to girdle and anchor the waist of the user to the vehicular seat; at least one damping device configured to be activated upon exceeding a first predetermined value of a tension force imparted by the user to the belt; wherein the damping device is configured to cause, upon its activation, a controlled advancement of the chest of the user while limiting the acceleration of the head of the user.