Christopher Joe Kranz

US Patent:

7963614, Jun 21, 2011

Filed:

Sep 3, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/875903

Inventors:

Christopher Joe Kranz - Troy MI, US
Paul Michael Smith - Davison MI, US
Thomas Mogg - Shelby Township MI, US

Assignee:

TK Holdings Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

A62B 35/00
A41F 9/00

US Classification:

297484, 297467, 2457911

Abstract:

A buckle assembly configured to mate with a plurality of tongues may include a rotational lever; a latch plate supported by the rotational lever and configured to move in a vertical direction when the lever rotates; a plurality of latch pins, wherein each latch pin is configured to engage the latch plate at one end of the pin and one of the plurality of tongues at the other end of the pin in order to mate the tongue with the buckle assembly; and a rotational solenoid. A core of the rotational solenoid may be connected to the rotational lever, so that rotation of the core causes the lever to rotate and the latch plate to move in a vertical direction. Each of the latch pins is configured to disengage from the corresponding tongue when the lever rotates.

US Patent:

7971907, Jul 5, 2011

Filed:

Mar 31, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/385146

Inventors:

Christopher Joe Kranz - Troy MI, US

Assignee:

TK Holdings Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 22/00

US Classification:

2808011, 297468

Abstract:

A vehicle seat belt assembly comprises a vehicle seat configured to contain a seat occupant; a seat belt webbing mountable to the vehicle seat and connected to a latch plate, wherein the latch plate is configured to be releasably connected to a seat belt buckle in order to secure the webbing in a position capable of restraining the occupant; and a buckle strap mountable to a portion of the vehicle seat or vehicle structure and connected to the buckle, wherein the buckle strap includes a plurality of brackets configured to attach to a buckle component. Additionally, a vehicle seat belt assembly could comprise a buckle strap and buckle frame manufactured as a single component.

US Patent:

8052170, Nov 8, 2011

Filed:

Mar 31, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/385144

Inventors:

Nick John Pelliccia - Rochester MI, US
Christopher Joe Kranz - Troy MI, US
Thomas Grzybowski - Fraser MI, US
Brandon Scott Marriott - Waterford MI, US
Paul Michael Smith - Davison MI, US
David Sanders - Shelby Township MI, US
April Lee Lampkowski - Grand Blanc MI, US
Lyle William Dunham - Rochester Hills MI, US

Assignee:

TK Holdings Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 22/30
B60R 22/10

US Classification:

280808, 2808012, 280807, 297473, 297474, 297483, 24170

Abstract:

A seat belt system for a vehicle may include a tongue configured to slidably engage a seat belt; a retractor coupled to a portion of the vehicle, the retractor configured to receive the seat belt; and a height adjuster. The height adjuster may include a guide webbing configured to be secured to a portion of the vehicle; a frame supporting a locking mechanism; and a supporting surface to support the seat belt as the seat belt changes direction. The position of the frame relative to the guide webbing is adjustable. The locking mechanism is configured to lock the frame in a position relative to the guide webbing by clamping the guide webbing without input from the user and stays in position during a crash.

US Patent:

8308190, Nov 13, 2012

Filed:

Dec 21, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/975152

Inventors:

Paul Michael Smith - Davison MI, US
Christopher Joe Kranz - Troy MI, US

Assignee:

TK Holdings Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/18

US Classification:

280733

Abstract:

An occupant safety mechanism for an occupant of a vehicle includes a buckle assembly, an airbag cushion, an inflator, and webbing. The airbag cushion is coupled to the buckle assembly, such as in a buckle assembly housing, and is configured to deploy from the buckle assembly. The webbing is coupled to the buckle assembly and substantially fixed points disposed on the vehicle, on a seat, or both, so as to restrain the occupant a seat during a dynamic vehicle event. The inflator is configured to deploy the airbag cushion upon occurrence of a dynamic vehicle event.

US Patent:

8612099, Dec 17, 2013

Filed:

May 4, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/464712

Inventors:

Christopher Joe Kranz - Troy MI, US
Paul Michael Smith - Davison MI, US
Nicklaus John Pelliccia - Denver CO, US

Assignee:

TK Holdings Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 22/00
A47L 3/04
A62B 1/08

US Classification:

701 45, 280801, 182 3, 182231

Abstract:

An occupant restraint system including a harness coupled to the occupant by surrounding a portion of the occupant, a winding mechanism fixed to the vehicle and configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode, and a flexible linking member having a first end coupled to the harness and a second end coupled to the winding mechanism. The linking member is configured to selectively wind and unwind from the winding mechanism. When the winding mechanism is in the first mode of operation, the linking member may be unwound from the winding mechanism to allow the occupant to move freely about the vehicle. When the winding mechanism is in the second mode of operation, the winding mechanism winds the linking member to pull the harness toward the winding mechanism.

US Patent:

20100244424, Sep 30, 2010

Filed:

Mar 31, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/385152

Inventors:

Christopher Joe Kranz - Troy MI, US
Paul Michael Smith - Davison MI, US
Thomas Mogg - Shelby Twonship MI, US

International Classification:

B60R 22/18
A44B 11/25

US Classification:

280808, 2459311

Abstract:

A buckle assembly configured to mate with a plurality of tongues may include a rotational lever; a latch plate supported by the rotational lever and configured to move in a vertical direction when the lever rotates; a plurality of latch pins, wherein each latch pin is configured to engage the latch plate at one end of the pin and one of the plurality of tongues at the other end of the pin in order to mate the tongue with the buckle assembly; and a rotational solenoid. A core of the rotational solenoid may be connected to the rotational lever, so that rotation of the core causes the lever to rotate and the latch plate to move in a vertical direction. Each of the latch pins is configured to disengage from the corresponding tongue when the lever rotates.

US Patent:

20140217715, Aug 7, 2014

Filed:

Feb 5, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/173479

Inventors:

Hidemi Minami - Dublin OH, US
Takeshi Kobayashi - Utsunomiya, JP
Jeremy T. McGuire - Powell OH, US
Drey Dircks - Westerville OH, US
Darin D. King - Raymond OH, US
Tsuyoshi Kumasaka - Dublin OH, US
Noriyuki Muto - Columbus OH, US
Casey Heit - Sandy UT, US
Jacob O. Borth - Dublin OH, US
Christopher Michael Krajewski - Mukwonago WI, US
Christopher Joe Kranz - Troy MI, US

Assignee:

TK Holdings Inc. - Auburn Hills MI
Honda Motor Co.,Ltd. - Tokyo

International Classification:

B60R 22/00
B60N 2/36
B60R 21/13

US Classification:

280807

Abstract:

A vehicle includes a roll cage, at least one rear seat, and at least one rear seat belt assembly. Each rear seat is positioned within a rear protected area at least partially defined by the roll cage. Each rear seat belt assembly is associated with a respective one of the rear seats, and includes a retractor assembly attached to the roll cage.