Inertia-responsive Locking Or Tightening Of Belt Or Harness Patents (Class 297/480)
  • Patent number: 5271639
    Abstract: A mechanical sensor comprises a casing having an axis, an inertia body received in the casing for displacement axially thereof, and an output member received in the casing for displacement axially thereof and having a portion extending out of the casing so as to transmit displacement of the output member to the outside of the casing. A set spring biases the inertia body to a set position in the casing. A stopper is received for axial displacement within the casing, and an actuator spring is engaged between the inertia body and the stopper and is also engageable with the output member to cause it to displace upon displacement of the stopper. Latch members movably coupled to the inertia body are engaged between the stopper and the casing in the absence of displacement of the inertia body in response to a predetermined acceleration of the inertia body so that the stopper stores energy in the actuator spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Muneo Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 5255868
    Abstract: A self-locking safety belt reeling device comprising a reeling arbor disposed in a belt housing is further provided with a spring housing attached to the belt housing. A return spring and a shock-absorbing spring are arranged inside the spring housing whereby the return spring has a greater spring force than he shock-absorbing spring. A coupling wheel with a wheel shaft is rotatable supported inside the spring housing for coupling the return spring to the shock-absorbing spring such that, in a first operational state, the return spring and the shock-absorbing spring together function as a reeling spring, and, in a second operational state, only the shock-absorbing spring functions as the reeling spring. The coupling wheel is actuatable as a function of a reeling state of the safety belt. A rotational oil damper with a spindle is connected to the spring housing and the spindle is fixedly connected to the wheel shaft of the coupling wheel to prevent sudden shock during the reeling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Autoflug GmbH & Co. Fahrzeugtechnik
    Inventor: Hermann Reulein
  • Patent number: 5234181
    Abstract: A seat belt for a pilot seat or flight attendant seat in an aircraft includes a belt tightener with a reversible energy storage member in the form of a helical compression spring and a rod-shaped energy converter coupled to the energy storage member. The energy converter is at least indirectly connected to a belt member of the seat belt. After the belt member has been tightened and the energy converter has been displaced as a result with an at least partial regeneration of the energy storage member, a cutting chisel penetrates the surface of the energy converter and dampens the movement of the belt member. A renewed activation of the energy storage member after the deceleration phase is prevented by the penetration of a clamping edge of a clamping member in the surface of the energy converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Carl F. Schroth GmbH
    Inventor: Karl-Jurgen Schroth
  • Patent number: 5221110
    Abstract: A sensor for seat belt systems comprises a casing, an inertia body having at least a portion received in the casing for displacement axially thereof, and an output member received in the casing for displacement axially thereof and having a portion extending out of the casing so that displacement of the output member is transmitted to the outside of the casing. A set spring engaged between the casing and the inertia body biases the inertia body to a set position in the casing, and an actuator spring engaged between the casing and the output member biases the output member in a direction to displace it along the casing. A latch mechanism composed of two pairs of levers arranged in series and engaged between the output member and the inertia body prevents displacement of the output member in the absence of displacement of the inertia body in response to acceleration in excess of a predetermined acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuya Hamaue
  • Patent number: 5219206
    Abstract: A passenger restraint with an automatic locking tether. A three point belt assembly includes a retractor mounted to the vehicle with the belt extendable therefrom having an outer end attached to a bracket movably mounted to a first automatic locking tether. A buckle mounted to the opposite side of the seat is movably mounted to a second automatic locking tether secured to the seat. Both tethers include a cam member pivotally mounted thereto having a locking pad movable against a web extending into the tether. One end of the web is fastened to the vehicle floor whereas the opposite end of the web is attached to a spring biased reel. A spring urges the pad apart from the web allowing for vertical and horizontal adjustment of the seat. Passenger loading during a crash moves the cam member with pad against the web anchoring the tether and seat to the vehicle floor via the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Anthony, Harold G. Wallen, David D. Merrick
  • Patent number: 5219207
    Abstract: A passenger restraint with an automatic locking tether. A three point belt assembly includes a retractor mounted to the vehicle with the belt extendable therefrom having an outer end attached to a bracket movably mounted to a first automatic locking tether. A buckle mounted to the opposite side of the seat is movably mounted to a second automatic locking tether secured to the seat. Both tethers include a cam member pivotally mounted thereto having a locking pad movable against a web extending into the tether. One end of the web is fastened to the vehicle whereas the opposite end of the web is attached to a spring biased reel. A spring urges the pad apart from the web allowing for vertical and horizontal adjustment of the seat. Passenger loading during a crash moves the cam member with pad against the web anchoring the tether and seat to the vehicle floor via the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Anthony, Harold G. Wallen, David D. Merrick
  • Patent number: 5213365
    Abstract: In a buckle for safety belt systems in vehicles which are provided with a belt pretensioner acting on the bucket an unintentional release of the insert tongue is prevented by a two-armed lever which is pivotally mounted on the loadbearing housing. On each actuation of the release button the lever is pivoted out of its rest position into a deflected position. At the end of a pretensioning stroke one of the arms of the lever projects into the path of movement of the release button to prevent the further movement thereof in the actuating direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
    Inventor: Artur Fohl
  • Patent number: 5211447
    Abstract: In a safety belt fastening device for a safety belt system having a belt-tightening device which acts on the fastening device of the belt and a fastening tongue which can be latched in the fastening device, whereby the fastening device comprises a fastener body having a fastening mechanism for the fastening tongue and a spring-loaded release button which acts on the fastening mechanism, it is ensured that even at the end of the belt-tightening process the operating button is within reach in an accessible position for the person who is strapped in. To this purpose, it is provided that the release button is formed in two parts with two button portions which are coupled together, which are movable in relation to each other and of which one button portion follows the movement of the fastener body during the belt-tightening process and the other button portion, after the completion of the belt-tightening process, stands in the operating position preset by the rest position of the fastener body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Autoflug GmbH & Co. Fahrzeugtechnik
    Inventors: Gerhard Sedlmayr, Peter Eckmann, Alfred Liensdorf, Jan Baumann
  • Patent number: 5207618
    Abstract: A pretensioner for a vehicle seat belt system comprises a casing, a drive mechanism including a spring having an operating end and an output member coupled to the operating end, a trigger mechanism for restraining the drive mechanism in a preloaded state and including a toggle linkage engaged between the casing and the drive mechanism, and a sensor mechanism having a output member for releasing the trigger mechanism upon acceleration in excess of a predetermined value by causing articulation of the toggle linkage about a pivot axis such that it ceases to be engaged between the drive mechanism and the casing and thereby releases the drive mechanism from the preloaded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Muneo Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 5186063
    Abstract: A trigger for a spring-type pretensioner providing pretension to a vehicle seat belt upon release of a preloaded spring comprises a first toggle and a second toggle connected to the first toggle. The first toggle is engaged with the operating end of a spring, and the second toggle is connected to an output member for transmitting sensor output. The first toggle supports the spring load while it is beyond its toggle dead point, and the second toggle engages the first toggle while it is not beyond its toggle dead point and restricts the operation of said first toggle. The second toggle receives the sensor output and upon being moved thereby beyond its dead point releases the first toggle, whereupon the spring preload is released and the pretensioner is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Muneo Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 5186520
    Abstract: A tethering device for securing a child safety seat to an automobile seat with an automobile seatbelt. The tethering device has a cap, a base, and a wedging mechanism rotatably mounted to the base such that a wedging portion extending upwardly from the base towards the cap will move from a passive position that does not positively grip a seatbelt to a second active-locked position which does positively grip the seatbelt between a wedging surface of the wedging portion and an inside surface of the cap. The tethering devices are secured to each side of the child safety seat at a generally 45 degree angle to the base of the child safety seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventors: Lenwood C. Whitaker, Inge F. Whitaker, E. Leonard Pate
  • Patent number: 5169173
    Abstract: A mechanical sensor for a vehicle seat belt system comprises a casing, an inertia body mounted on the casing for movement in response to an inertial force imposed on it and an output member separate from the inertia body. A spring is coupled between the casing and the output member and biases the output member to move it relative to the casing. A release member is normally engaged between the output member and the inertial body such as to restrain the output member against movement under the bias of the spring in the absence of an inertial force on the inertia body in excess of a predetermined magnitude. Upon movement of the inertial body by an inertial force in excess of the predetermined magnitude, the inertia body releases the release member, which in turn moves out of engagement with the output member, whereupon the spring displaces the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Muneo Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 5165718
    Abstract: In a sensor for releasing the preload of a pretensioner spring in a seat belt pretensioner, a displacement-aiding spring is provided to apply a spring force in the direction of the displacement of an inertial body by an inertia force. When acceleration is detected, the force of the displacement-aiding spring and the inertia force of the inertial body combine to release the preload of the pretensioner spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuya Hamaue
  • Patent number: 5163708
    Abstract: A preloader for use in a webbing retractor for allowing a webbing to be fitted closely around a vehicle occupant at the time of an emergency of a vehicle. The preloader includes a gas generating device for generating a gas instantaneously at the time of an emergency of the vehicle; a moving member adapted so as to be moved by the pressure of the gas; a force converting/transmitting device connected to the moving member and adapted to move together with the moving member so as to convert the moving force of the moving member into a torque acting in a webbing taking-up direction and transmit the torque to a takeup shaft of the webbing retractor; and a force transmission preventing device for preventing the moving force of the moving member from being transmitted to the force converting/transmitting device when a load exceeding a predetermined value is applied by the force converting/transmitting device to the moving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Shigeru Kotama
  • Patent number: 5160168
    Abstract: A pretensioner for a vehicle safety belt system adapted to tighten a webbing that restrains a vehicle occupant by displacing an element of the belt system in a manner such as to tighten the webbing comprises, as the motive power source for displacing the element, a torsion coil spring having a base end portion fixed to the vehicle, a coil portion retained in guided relation to the vehicle, and an operating end portion associated with the element such as to impart a driving force to the element to cause it to displace upon release of energy stored in the coil spring. The element of the belt system displaced by the torsion coil spring may be a portion of the restraint webbing itself or of a webbing associated with the restraint webbing or a buckle by which the webbing is attached to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Muneo Nishizawa, Hideaki Yano
  • Patent number: 5152552
    Abstract: A seat belt arrangement employs a seat belt buckle pre-tensioner which includes buckle anchor supported on a structural component of a vehicular seat. The buckle anchor is formed with a ratchet or saw teeth extending along a guide slot. A seat belt buckle is connected to the buckle anchor via a connecting leg rigidly secured on the buckle and movable along the guide slot of the buckle anchor. The connecting member is cooperated with a pivotal actuation lever, which is, in turn connected to a sensor assembly which mechanically actuates the pivotal actuation lever for causing pivotal movement of the latter carrying with the connecting member for retracting the seat belt buckle in a direction for increasing tension at a seat belt web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Fuji Kiko Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Isao Ikegaya
  • Patent number: 5145209
    Abstract: A seat belt pretensioner according to the present invention comprises a piston movable by high pressure gas. A flexible cable, responsive to movement of the piston, rotates the take-up spool in a belt retraction direction to pull the belt against the vehicle occupant and eliminate slack in the belt. A linear ignition material for generating a high pressure gas is in fluid communication with the piston to move the piston in response to ignition of said linear ignition material. The linear ignition material comprises a frangible sheath and at least one gas generating pyrotechnic cord disposed within said sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Reiner Lenzen
  • Patent number: 5143403
    Abstract: The mechanical sensor of a pretensioner in a safety belt restraining system is secured against unintentional release in the unassembled state by a pin which engages a vehicle-sensitive inertia mass and which blocks movement of the inertia mass. The pin is connected via a cable to a rotatable member which is received in a bearing housing. The rotatable member has the form of an annular disc with a central bore through which a mounting screw can be inserted. On tightening the mounting screw the rotatable member is also turned so that via the pulling cable the pin is withdrawn and the securing of the inertia mass is cancelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
    Inventor: Artur Fohl
  • Patent number: 5137226
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprises a frame including a pair of opposite side walls and a rear wall extending between the side walls, a seat belt take-up reel extending between the side walls of the frame, a first gripping member mounted to the rear wall of the frame to grip a seat belt, a shaft extending between the side walls of the frame, a second gripping member having a support hole at one end to receive the shaft whereby the second gripping member is pivotally supported by the frame, the second gripping member rotated between a position where the other, free end of the second gripping member is overlapped with the first gripping member and a position remote from the first gripping member, operating means for moving the second gripping member to overlap with the first gripping member in emergency situations of a vehicle, a guide made of synthetic resin and mounted to the frame to guide the seat belt in a region where the seat belt is gripped between the first and second gripping members, and a metallic reinf
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiichi Fujimura, Shizutaka Matsuura
  • Patent number: 5129679
    Abstract: A locking device for securing at least first and second members which are movable relative to each other in response to a force acting thereon, in a locked rest position, with a release mechanism for releasing the members from their locked position, includes a locking element providing at least first and second support locations at which respective ones of the first and second mutually relatively movable members bear against the locking element to hold them in a locked condition. The co-operation of the locking element and one of the mutually relatively movable members provides a pivot axis about which the locking element is pivotable under the effect of an unlocking moment, to provide a release action. The device further includes a stationary stop means against which, in the locked position, the locking element bears due to the unlocking moment applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: HS Technik und Design Technische Entwicklungen GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Specht, Rudolf Meyer
  • Patent number: 5104193
    Abstract: The tightening means for safety belt restraining systems is equipped with a pyrotechnical piston/cylinder tightening drive which is inserted via fitting parts engaging the piston on the one hand and the cylinder on the other hand into the force flow path of the safety belt system. The cylinder is formed in a cylinder block which is guided displaceably parallel to the axis of the cylinder on a bodywork-fixed or vehicle-seat-fixed guide member. The piston is formed at the one end of a shear-stressable piston rod and in the readiness position of the tightening means is inserted with the piston rod into the cylinder. At its other end the piston rod is supported at the guide part. The release is by means of a vehicle-sensitive mechanical trigger mechanism. Instead of a return blocking mechanism is return brake is provided which reduces the stress peaks in the belt system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
    Inventor: Artur Fohl
  • Patent number: 5066042
    Abstract: A belt lock for a safety belt system provided with a tightening means operative between the belt lock and an anchoring point on the vehicle body is provided with a copensation mass which is deflected by a two-armed lever and compensates the inertial forces of the release button and the parts connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
    Inventor: Artur Fohl
  • Patent number: 5039127
    Abstract: A retraction element in the form of a pivotally mounted lever or of a linearly slidable slider is mounted on a base plate to be preferably attached to the vehicle seat. The lever or slider is loaded by a strong flat spiral spring, but is held in a stable rest position by a latching device. The latching device consists of two roller body systems functionally connected in series. The first roller body system consists of two outer rolls and an inner, loose roll bearing on one roll of the second system. The second system consists of two outer rolls and an inner roll being situated in an over-dead-center position and mounted on one arm of a double-armed lever whose other arm carries a vehicle sensitive inertial mass. A release threshold may be defined precisely and reproducibly by means of this latching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
    Inventor: Artur Fohl
  • Patent number: 4999004
    Abstract: A pre-tensioner arrangement applies tension to a safety belt in response to deceleration of a vehicle. A spring stores a force which is to be applied to the safety belt. A trigger mechanism comprises a lever which exhibits a mechanical advantage, one end of the lever engaging the spring, or an element associated with the spring, to retain the spring in a compressed state, and the other end of the lever engaging an over-dead-center linkage. An inertia mass is provided to engage the over-dead-center linkage to move it through the dead-center condition to release the lever and cause the spring to be released when severe deceleration is experienced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: General Engineering (Netherlands) B.V.
    Inventors: Enar T. Skanberg, Lars B. Axelsson
  • Patent number: 4958854
    Abstract: A locking device is provided in a pre-tensioner for a safety belt or safety harness in a vehicle. The pre-tensioner is mounted on a plate secured to the seat of the vehicle. In order to prevent the pre-tensioner being triggered by forward adjustment of the seat, a plate is provided which is pivotally mounted, so that the plate can swing to a locking position on forward movement of the seat. When in the locking position, an arcuate edge of the plate is located adjacent a lever forming part of the pre-tensioner preventing forward movement thereof and thus preventing triggering of the pre-tensioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: General Engineering (Netherlands) B.V.
    Inventor: Lars Y. Haland
  • Patent number: 4944531
    Abstract: In a device for coupling and locking a bracket, which is provided with a buckle of a seat belt, in case of danger to a retaining member, which is fixed in a vehicle, the bracket, or a housing part or the like which is connected to the bracket, is connected to a movable coupling member, which in a guide of a seat frame plate or the like is guided in such a manner or by a linkage is so connected to said seat frame plate or the like that a tension exerted on the buckle will cause the latter to be coupled to the retaining member, which is fixedly mounted in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Autoliv-Kolb, GmbH. & Co.
    Inventors: Walter Knabel, Josef Mayer, Stephan Wentker
  • Patent number: 4932722
    Abstract: A seat belt tightening system incorporated with a vehicle seat, comprising: a deceleration sensor for detecting deceleration indicative of occurence of a vehicle crash; a tensioning unit for tensioning a seat belt; a power unit for activating the tensioning unit upon receiving an output signal from the deceleration sensor; a safety catch member for preventing activation of the power unit; and mounted state detecting unit for detecting a mounted state of the vehicle seat and releasing the safety catch member only when it has detected the mounted state of the vehicle seat. Thus, the seat belt tightening system may be safely incorporated with the vehicle seat as a subassembly for improved efficiency of the assembling process, and the inadvertent activation of the system is positively prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Honda, Giken, Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuki Motozawa
  • Patent number: 4927175
    Abstract: The drive device of lightweight construction for restraining systems in motor vehicles, in particular safety-belt tightening means, comprises a pyrotechnical gas generator, the gases of which act on a working chamber. The working chamber comprises an outwardly leading relief path which is sealed by a closure element of a material which at a temperature which lies above the operating temperature range of the gas generator but which at the most is equal to the self-igniting temperature of the gas generator softens at least to such an extent that the closure element on ignition of the gas generator frees the relief path but which at temperatures beneath the operating temperature range of the gas generator has a mechanical strength such that the relief path remains sealed by the closure element under the gas action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
    Inventor: Artur Fohl
  • Patent number: 4925212
    Abstract: A seat belt tightening system adapted to be used in conjunction with a vehicle seat whose position can be adjusted, comprising: a deceleration sensor mounted on a vehicle body; a drive unit mounted on the vehicle body for producing drive power in response to detection of acceleration exceeding the threshold level by the deceleration sensor; a seat belt tightening unit mounted on the vehicle seat for applying tension to a seat belt with the drive power supplied from the drive unit; and drive power transmitting mechanisms for transmitting the drive power from the drive unit to the seat belt tightening unit, the drive power transmitting means being provided with coupling means for not interfering with adjustment movement of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuki Motozawa
  • Patent number: 4913497
    Abstract: A belt tightener for seat belts in vehicles comprises a device for moving the belt buckle in a belt-tightening sense and for locking the belt buckle at the end of the tightening movement, which device is activated by a so-called vehicle-sensitive system in response to an acceleration or deceleration in excess of predetermined critical values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Britax-Kolb GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Walter Knabel, Josef Mayer, Stephan Wentker
  • Patent number: 4907821
    Abstract: A height adjustment device is provided which is suitable for combination with a webbing tightener. Unintentional release of the locking engagement by the downwardly directed inertia forces on the slide are avoided in that by means of a compensating mass a compensation force is generated which simultaneously acts on the slide and opposes the inertia forces of the latter. A two-armed lever which is pivotally mounted in its center and to the one end of which the compensating mass is secured converts the downwardly directed inertia forces originating from the compensating mass to an upwardly directed compensation force acting on the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
    Inventor: Artur Fohl
  • Patent number: 4907820
    Abstract: The belt retractor is provided with a vehicle-sensitive and webbing-sensitive locking mechanism. At the two side faces of the belt coiling shaft in each case two locking pawls are pivotably mounted eccentrically thereto. They are each biased by a return spring into their rest position out of engagement with the teeth of a housing-fixed ratchet toothing member. The locking pawls are each mounted in their center of gravity. The webbing-sensitive locking takes place solely under the action of inertia forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
    Inventor: Artur Fohl
  • Patent number: 4881781
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of utilization thereof of a powered vehicle seat adjuster slide which can be connected with an occupant restraint belt. With use of the present invention, relative motion between the vehicle seat and vehicle is presented during periods of sudden decelerations of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hans J. Borlinghaus, Michael G. Orlowsky
  • Patent number: 4792158
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an emergency locking device for an extractable strap in a vehicle safety belt comprising a pivoted locking mechanism adapted to be moved from an idle position to a locking position in which the locking mechanism forces the strap against a rear surface, so that the strap is locked between the rear surface and the locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Allied Engineering Company
    Inventor: Sture R. Andersson
  • Patent number: 4772046
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for tensioning a seat belt in an automotive vehicle in the event of a collision. The belt extends through a slot in a displaceable and rotatable drum. One end of a tensioning strap is inserted into the slot and connected to a wedge located therein. The other end of the tensioning strap is attached to the chassis of the vehicle. When the drum is rotated, by means of a drive means intended herefor, both the tensioning strap and the belt strap are reeled onto the drum, therewith causing the drum to be displaced downwards while reducing the effective length of the belt strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventors: Ove Salomonsson, Sture Alm
  • Patent number: 4768809
    Abstract: A vehicle seat belt is provided with a device to pre-tension the seat belt should an accident situation arise. Thus, in an accident situation, the person wearing the seat belt is restrained tightly in his seat. The pre-tensioning device includes a force applying means adapted to apply a tension to the seat belt and an over-dead-center linkage which normally prevents the force applying means from applying the force, there being means responsive to a predetermined deceleration to alter the condition of the over-dead-center linkage to permit the force applying means to move the seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AG
    Inventors: Sture R. Andersson, Bengt O. J. S. Morner
  • Patent number: 4738485
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a vehicle includes a seat for a vehicle occupant. The seat is supported for forward movement relative to the vehicle during a collision. A seat belt retractor is mounted on the seat. Belt webbing extends from the retractor and about the occupant to restrain movement of the occupant relative to the seat. The belt webbing is retractable onto the retractor to tighten the belt webbing about the occupant. A drive retracts the belt webbing onto the retractor. An actuator responsive to movement of the seat during a collision actuates the drive to tighten the belt webbing against the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Rumpf
  • Patent number: 4729524
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a spool with seat belt webbing wound thereon. A frame supports the spool for rotation in a belt withdrawal direction or a belt retraction direction. A pawl engages ratchet teeth formed on end portions of the spool to prevent rotation of the spool in the belt withdrawal direction when a predetermined amount of seat belt webbing is withdrawn from the spool. A cam which has a multi-loop cam groove is rotatably driven by a gear train in response to spool rotation. A lever with a cam follower portion in the cam groove is pivoted by the cam to move the pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Limited
    Inventors: Horst U. Befort, Keith Charlton, Kevin Desrochers
  • Patent number: 4717088
    Abstract: The clamping roller for a belt webbing clamping device consists of two identical plastic mouldings and a rolled steel sleeve inserted into a recess thereof. Said steel sleeve surrounds a pivot bearing pin of steel inserted into a bore of the plastic mouldings. This pivot bearing pin and the rolled steel sleeve bear on each other along a zone parallel to the axis of the clamping roller and form a composite member of high strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: TRW Repa GmbH
    Inventor: Artur Fohl
  • Patent number: 4705296
    Abstract: A seat belt pre-tensioning device is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle and includes a buckle to receive a seat belt buckle. The device incorporates components which are responsive to a predetermined deceleration of the vehicle and which move to permit spring-loaded components to apply a force to move the buckle to apply a tension to the seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Sture R. Andersson, Lars Y. Haland, Bengt O. J. S. Morner
  • Patent number: 4700974
    Abstract: A triggering arrangement is described for restraint systems in motor vehicles, in which, in a joint, metallic electromagnetically shielding housing arranged directly at the restraint system, all elements of the triggering arrangement are integrated, including a separate power supply unit. Outside said housing, no electrical leads are required, resulting in an extensive shielding from electromagnetic interference signals and a high saving of costs. Contemplated usage includes with are airbags, belt tighteners, etc., in the case of seats that are firmly anchored to the vehicle, and also in the case of removable seats and seats for children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Andres, Heinz Knoll, Volker Petri, Harald Pfistner
  • Patent number: 4687253
    Abstract: In a safety-belt system comprising a winding and locking mechanism, a clamping device is provided which carries out a clamping of the safety-belt outside the reel winding, wherein this clamping effect is caused by a lifting motion of the winding and locking mechanism or of a part thereof and is fastened by suitable means so that the load-bearing clamping organ comes to engage with its entire clamping surface on the belt and the approach of the clamping surface to the belt is synchronized. According to the invention clamping readiness of the clamping organ is begun on every vehicle deceleration of more than 0.45 g and on every belt withdrawal acceleration of more than 1.5 g. The belt winder contains, apart from the driving spring and the winding shaft, only the sensor and control mechanism, and does not require any separate locking elements in order to cause preblocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Britax-Kolb GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Hans-Hellmut Ernst, Edmund Lochbihler
  • Patent number: 4667904
    Abstract: In the operation of modern tactical aircraft, crew members are subjected to periodic high acceleration loads that cause fatigue and a decrease in operating capacity. Restraining the torso of a crew member and pulling the crew member back against the ejection seat (2) of the aircraft would help prevent such fatigue. Known restraint and haul back apparatus for use during ejection are not adapted for repeated in flight use. The invention provides a single mechanism that retracts torso restraint straps (6) any number of times during in flight maneuvering and also retracts straps (6) for ejection. A loop (7) of each strap (6) extends around an inflatable member (28). When in flight acceleration loads exceed a preset limit, engine bleed air inflates member (28) to expand loops (7). This retracts straps (6) and positions the crew member. Member (28) is allowed to deflate when the acceleration subsides. When the ejection procedure is initiated, a gas generator (44) inflates member (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gerald F. Herndon
  • Patent number: 4664442
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat is guided, as is customary, with its upper tracks in lower tracks and is manually adjustable and lockable into selected longitudinally spaced seat positions. In addition to these seat position locking means, the seat is provided with at least one deceleration activated locking device which, under conditions of relatively high deceleration, will effect form-locking engagement between the upper track and the lower track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Stolper, Theo Adler
  • Patent number: 4615540
    Abstract: A safety belt system, especially for vehicles. The system has a three-point safety belt, a self-locking belt winding mechanism which is mounted on a structural part of the vehicle, and a clamping mechanism for the belt. The clamping mechanism is disposed on the structural part of the vehicle, and has at least one movable clamping jaw. The problem with a basic safety belt system of this type is that in particular the slack in the belt at the body of the strapped-in person, together with the belt elongation which additionally results due to the stretching of the belt, lead, upon activation of the clamping effect, to a forward shifting of the body, thus endangering the person who is strapped in. This problem is inventively solved by movably guiding the clamping mechanism on the structural part of the vehicle, and by providing a drive or control mechanism for the movement of the clamping mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Autoflug GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Sedlmayr, Herbert Just
  • Patent number: 4552407
    Abstract: A seatbelt clamp for locking a seatbelt to restrain a vehicle occupant and prevent elongation of the seatbelt due to tightening of loops remaining on a seatbelt retractor is provided. The clamp comprises two operation plates, adjustable relative to each other, which are slidably mounted on a base plate. The base plate has a case on its lower end housing a fixed clamping jaw and a movable clamping jaw, the latter being biased by a spring into a non-clamping position. The two plates also are normally biased by a spring into a non-clamping position. If an emergency results, which throws the passenger against the seatbelt, causing the tension in the seatbelt to exceed a predetermined level of force, the two plates are urged against the biasing force, and a cam provided on the lower end of the lower operation plate drives the movable clamping jaw into the fixed jaw to clamp the seatbelt therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Inventor: Juichiro Takada
  • Patent number: 4550951
    Abstract: A latch housing attachable to a side wall of a vehicle frame holds a vertically movable cradle having a spring mounted sensing roller over which a loop or bight of a shoulder harness belt passes. The cradle is also spring mounted in the latch housing. The bottom portions of the facing walls of the cradle cavity in the housing converge to define a downwardly diminishing chamber into which a latch wedge fixed to the bottom of the cradle is movable by belt motion against the cradle spring force. The harness belt extends from each each end of the bight or loop to the take-up reel fixed to the vehicle and to the conventional lap belt near the lap belt buckle. The harness belt passes between the wedge faces and the adjacent faces of the Latch housing lower slanting walls so that swift momentum forces drive the wedge surfaces into binding contact with the belt runs but slower changes in belt momentum are absorbed by the roller mount springs, which are preferably adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Inventor: Edward W. Apri
  • Patent number: 4538832
    Abstract: An upper anchorage for a shoulder belt of a vehicle seat belt system comprises a plate-like carriage slidable within a generally tubular upright track having a longitudinal slot through which a support for the belt outwardly projects. An arm or arms pivoted on the carriage, or a spring loaded detent projecting therefrom, normally engage in recesses in a wall or walls of the tubular track. The carriage can then quite readily be moved at least upwardly as desired. When a predetermined tension is experienced by the belt the support moves to cause the or each arm to be moved into, or further into, the recess, or, if only upward movement is normally permitted, the support can be moved upwardly on the carriage to allow adjustment downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: ASE (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Alexander B. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4518173
    Abstract: A ring joint for connecting the intermediate portion of an outer webbing to the forward end portion of an inner webbing to fasten the webbings about an occupant in a three-point type seatbelt system, wherein stoppers erected from a joint base prevents the axial movement of a lock bar, whereby, in an emergency situation of a vehicle, the lock bar locks the intermediate portion of the outer webbing between the joint base and itself to prevent the outer webbing from moving in the longitudinal direction thereof, so that an occupant can be reliably restrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Takai-Pika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Makoto Yamada, Tatsushi Kubota, Ikuzo Kojima
  • Patent number: RE32448
    Abstract: An upper anchorage for a shoulder belt of a vehicle seat belt system comprises a plate-like carriage slidable within a generally tubular upright track having a longitudinal slot through which a support for the belt outwardly projects. An arm or arms pivoted on the carriage, or a spring loaded detent projecting therefrom, normally engage in recesses in a wall or walls of the tubular track. The carriage can then quite readily be moved at least upwardly as desired. When a predetermined tension is experienced by the belt the support moves to cause the or each arm to be moved into, or further into, the recess, or, if only upward movement is normally permitted, the support can be moved upwardly on the carriage to allow adjustment downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: ASE (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Alexander B. Anderson