Ball Operator Patents (Class 242/384.6)
  • Patent number: 12246673
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a vehicle acceleration sensor. The vehicle acceleration sensor includes a sensor holder including a placement surface and an attachment member to which the sensor holder is coupled. The attachment member is attached to the housing in a state in which the sensor holder is in either a first posture or a second posture. The sensor holder is configured to be coupled to the attachment member at any one of a plurality of angular positions. The plurality of angular positions are positions of the sensor holder in a case where the sensor holder rotates around a rotation axis. A plurality of sensor attachment angles corresponding to the plurality of angular positions are different between the first posture and the second posture. The plurality of sensor attachment angles are angles, with respect to the housing, of the center line of the placement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taro Yokoyama, Satoshi Suminaka, Takayoshi Ijiri, Noriko Kurauchi
  • Patent number: 12221059
    Abstract: A restraint system includes a retractor housing; a spool rotatably coupled to the retractor housing and defining an axis of rotation; an inner torsion bar elongated along the axis of rotation and positioned coaxially in the spool; an outer torsion bar elongated along the axis of rotation, extending coaxially around the inner torsion bar, and positioned coaxially in the spool; an engagement member selectively engageable with the outer torsion bar; and a solenoid operable to move the engagement member into engagement with the outer torsion bar and out of engagement with the outer torsion bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi, S. M. Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: 11840194
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor (310), in particular for triggering a vehicle safety device (301), having a movable inertia body (350) which is movable relative to a carrier element (340) of the sensor (310), wherein the inertia body (350) is moved by inertia in relation to the carrier element (340) in the event of an abrupt change in speed or an inclination of the sensor (310) beyond a predetermined extent, and is brought from its inoperative position into its triggering position, through which a triggering position of the sensor (310) is brought about. According to the invention, it is provided that the sensor (310) is provided with a deactivation device (700) which is suitable, in its deactivating state, to force the inoperative position of the inertia body (350).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Tolga Calik, Sascha Hartmann, Christian Stenger
  • Patent number: 11794688
    Abstract: A vehicle sensitive retractor control system having reduced sensitivity to Z-axis acceleration experienced during normal driving. The retractor control system incorporates a rolling mass and a locking lever which, in a resting position, are arranged such that the locking lever does not engage a ratchet wheel of a seat belt retractor spool. In response to accelerations in the horizontal plane, the rolling ball mass becomes unseated from its resting position and allows the locking lever to rotate due to the position of its center of gravity relative to its pivot point allowing it to pivot and lock the retractor. In response to Z-axis acceleration, the rolling mass is prevented from contacting the locking lever by a mass restrictor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Jon E. Burrow, Matthew R. Schimento, Gunter Clute, Bryan Vanwambeke, Timothy P. Sherrow, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11597346
    Abstract: The relates to a sensor for activating a vehicle-sensitive locking mechanism of a belt retractor, comprising an inertia body, a bearing supporting the inertia body, a release element which can be moved out of an idle position by movement of the inertia body so as to activate the vehicle occupant restraint system, wherein the inertia body can be pivoted about a stationary point of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Steidle, Brigitte Senger, Kai-Ulrich Machens, Johann Hirsch
  • Patent number: 10793104
    Abstract: A vehicle-sensitive sensor for a self-locking belt retractor, including a carrier part (4), a locking lever (2) including an engagement point (3), and a sensor mass (1) coupled to the locking lever (2), disposed as standing upright on a supporting face (5) of the carrier part (4) and tiltable with respect to the carrier part (4) The sensor mass (1) includes a sensor part (6), made of a first material, resting on the supporting face (5), and of a mass part (7), made of a second material, connected to the sensor part (6), disposed above the supporting face (5), wherein the first material forming the sensor part (6) has a lower density and a lesser hardness than the second material forming the mass part (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Ronald Jabusch, Uwe Evers, Aniruddha Deshpande
  • Patent number: 10751786
    Abstract: The invention describes a method of manufacturing a substantially plate-shaped frame member (10) of a belt retractor including locking teeth (18). A plate-shaped element (24) is provided, wherein said element is plastically reshaped in portions so that a portion (28) thickened into a main portion (12) of the plate-shaped element (24) is formed. Furthermore, locking teeth (18) are produced in the thickened portion (28) so that the locking teeth (18) have a larger thickness than the plate-shaped element (24) prior to reshaping. Moreover, a frame member (10) for a belt retractor is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Udo Zolnai, Friedrich Littau, Erwin Fauser
  • Patent number: 10179564
    Abstract: A belt retractor including a self-orienting vehicle-acceleration-sensitive sensor device (18) including a belt shaft, and a first blocking device blocking the belt shaft in the belt extraction direction, which is controllable by the sensor device (18). The sensor device (18) includes a sensor housing (1) pivotable about a pivot axis (S), which is fixable with respect to the frame using a second blocking device (17). A contact surface (5) for an inertial mass is provided in the sensor housing (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Milos Cekic, Günter Clute
  • Patent number: 10059301
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a seat of a vehicle includes an inertia member (66) that engages an element (54). The inertia member (66) is movable relative to the element (54) from an unactuated position to an actuated position in response to at least one sensed vehicle condition for activating the occupant protection device (10). A vertical axis (83) extends through the center of mass of the inertia member (66) when the inertia member (66) is in the unactuated position. At least one of the element (54) and the inertia member (66) has at least one planar surface (80) that extends at an angle relative to the vertical axis (54). The inertia member (66) and element (54) are movable relative to one another along the at least one planar surface (80) to place the inertia member (66) in the actuated position to activate the occupant protection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Chhay Siev, Wade J. Sorenson, Edgar H. Schlaps, Boris Siebeck
  • Patent number: 9434347
    Abstract: A seatbelt retractor inertial locking system for motor vehicle belt restraint systems. The inertial locking system incorporates features to reduce the influence of contaminants from causing unwanted locking of the associated retractor. The feature is in part provided by the positioning of a point contact between a ball mass and a locking lever. The inertia actuator forms the inertial ball mass nest surface which has a vented construction which permits the escape of contaminants and further contributes to reducing noise generated by contact between the ball mass and the nest surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Vanwambeke, James S. Bourn, Megan E. Mahorney, David Prentkowski
  • Patent number: 9346434
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor (1) with a vehicle-sensitive, inertia sensor (4), and a blocking device to block belt extraction movement of a belt shaft (3) controllable by an inertia sensor (4). The inertia sensor (4) has a sensor housing (5) with a gearing (7) mounted to swivel, blocking element (10) coupled on the belt shaft (3), engages in the gearing (7) in a first position to fix the sensor housing (5) and swivels during a belt retraction movement from a first position into a second position where it does not engage in the gearing (7). A guide is provided in the form of a longitudinal recess (12) with a variable width. The blocking element (10) engages with a protrusion (14) in the recess (12) and during the rotation of the belt shaft (3) to cause relative movement in the longitudinal direction of the recess (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Günter Clute, Milos Cekic
  • Patent number: 8893999
    Abstract: In an acceleration sensor, a guide portion is formed on a swing push-us member contiguous to a pushing portion and further to a pull-out direction side than the pushing portion. A top-edge portion of the guide portion is sloped to gradually get lower on progression away from the pushing portion in the pull-out direction. When a coupling claw moves in the take-up direction together with the sensor gear, the guide portion contacts the coupling claw from below the leading end of the coupling claw. The guide portion swings the coupling claw upwards as the sensor gear is rotating in the take-up direction, and guides the coupling claw to be on the pushing portion. The swing push-us member can be prevented from unintentionally obstructing the coupling claw when the sensor gear is returning to the initial position, even without provision of structure to restrict the swing push-us member from rising.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yamada, Akira Sumiyashiki
  • Patent number: 8827196
    Abstract: When a gas generating member of a pretensioner mechanism is activated in case of vehicle collision, a piston inside a pipe cylinder is moved from normal state and a pinion gear body is rotated. Thus, the teeth of the pinion gear portion come in contact with a push block and pushes it in outward direction in conjunction with a force of a block urging spring, whereby a rotating lever is rotated by the push block and the lower end portion of the rotating lever gets disengaged from the tip end portion of a gear-side arm. As a result, the gear-side arm is rotated by an urging spring in outer direction and rotates a mechanical arm through a coupling shaft to make the pawl engage a ratchet gear of a take-up drum unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takatoshi Nakaoka, Shinya Kaneko, Eri Yamane
  • Patent number: 8770507
    Abstract: A self-locking belt retractor has a vehicle-sensitive controlled blocking system in which a mass (14) moves a locking lever (17) engaged in the toothing (29) of a controlled disk. The sensor mass (14) is fitted in a holder part (10) on a support surface (23) that can be tilted in case of vehicle accelerations, the locking lever (17) on the end (19) facing away from the engaging tip (18) being connected to the sensor mass (14) in a form-fitting manner and forming a support (21). A form fit occurs in an extension (15) of the sensor mass (14) which protrudes through a hole (33) in the contact surface (23) of the holder part (10). A projection (31) projecting into a hole (33) is provided at the border of the hole (33) facing the locking lever (17) that is contacted by the locking lever (17) in case of a deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Uwe Evers, Ronald Jabusch, Barbara Hantel
  • Patent number: 8727258
    Abstract: Provided is a webbing winding device having a lock mechanism in which a driven body is less influenced by an inclination of a driving body. A peripheral wall extends from an edge portion of a penetration hole formed at a sensor gear constituting the lock mechanism toward a link member, and a guide hole is formed at a bottom wall formed at the front end of the peripheral wall. An engagement pin of the link member passes through the guide hole from the base end portion rather than the front end portion thereof in the protruding direction. Further, in the front end side of the engagement pin passing through and protruding from the guide hole, the outer peripheral portion is spaced apart from the inner peripheral portion of the peripheral wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hitoshi Takamatsu, Akira Sumiyashiki
  • Patent number: 8672252
    Abstract: A self-locking belt retractor in particular for motor vehicles with a vehicle-sensitive and a webbing-sensitive control system for the blocking device of the belt retractor having an operatable toothed lock washer in a cased gearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Doris Kröger, Michael Tohn, Klaus Butenop
  • Publication number: 20140021282
    Abstract: A shaft portion formed at a vertical wall of a sensor housing is formed in a circular column shape, and an abut portion is formed facing a support wall, below the shaft portion. A width dimension of the abut portion is the same as the diameter dimension of the shaft portion as seen in plan view, and the abut portion is formed so as to overlap entirely with the shaft portion as seen from the opposite side of the shaft portion to the abut portion. Foreign objects such as dirt or dust that fall onto the circular column shaped shaft portion therefore readily slide over the shaft portion and fall down from the shaft portion, and foreign objects such as dirt or dust do not stay on the abut portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Yasunori HATA, Takashi YOSHIDA, Akira SUMIYASHIKI
  • Publication number: 20140001299
    Abstract: Web retractors for use in seatbelt systems and other restraint systems are disclosed herein. Web retractors configured in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure can include one or more self cleaning features. For example, one embodiment of a web retractor can include a lock assembly that at least partially immobilizes a spool assembly. The retractor can further include lock assembly housing at least partially covering the lock assembly. The lock assembly housing can include a sidewall portion having one or more drain openings to allow dirt, mud, water, or other unwanted debris to exit the lock assembly housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: AmSafe Commercial Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Meyer
  • Patent number: 8602344
    Abstract: A sensor unit for activating a blocking mechanism for a belt retractor of an occupant protection system for motor vehicles is provided. The sensor unit comprising a sensor element, a receptacle for displaceably mounting the sensor element so that it is deflected by the impact of forces acting transversally to weight, and a coupling mechanism coupling the sensor element with a blocking mechanism of a belt retractor in such a manner that the blocking mechanism is triggered by a deflection of the sensor element. The sensor element has a mean roughness depth of at least 0.1 ?m at least in such areas of its surface by which the sensor element rests against a bearing surface of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Takata AG
    Inventor: Norbert Wahl
  • Patent number: 8469302
    Abstract: This is the current invention of the components or their construction for the seat belt retractor. The invention enables the fitting angle of the seat belt to be adjustable to the specified range of the vehicle stabilization, deceleration/acceleration sensor. The bracket holder is constructed on the holder sensor, and contains the formation of the No. 1 hole, and the No. 2 hole that locks onto the No. 1 or 2 cylinders selectively. The retractor is adjustable to the biased angle to maintain its horizontality according to the vehicle's dynamic slope and rapid deceleration/acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Samsong Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyung Chan Lee, Sang Hee Park, Il Hwan Park, Gyu Ryul Cho
  • Patent number: 8448889
    Abstract: In a V-sensor of a webbing take-up device, concave portions are formed in supporting walls of a supporting member having a spring property, and peak ends of a rotating shaft of a sensor pawl gets into the concave portions, and the rotating shaft is thereby supported by the supporting walls. Cone-shaped concave portions come into contact by pressure with the cone-shaped peak ends of the rotating shaft due to the elasticity of the supporting walls, and therefore, when the rotating shaft attempts to be displaced in the axis direction thereof and in a direction orthogonal to the axis direction of the rotating shaft, the elasticity of the supporting walls withstand displacement of the rotating shaft. As a result, occurrence of a rattle of the rotating shaft, that is, the sensor pawl can be prevented or restrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Shinji Mori
  • Patent number: 8328166
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: MillenWorks
    Inventors: Matthew M. O'Brien, Christopher C. Culbertson, Colin A. Godby, Stephen M. King, Grant R. McCloud, Charles E. Van Druff
  • Publication number: 20110240787
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a seat belt has a case, a locking set and a sensor. The case is mounted adjacent to a side of a retractor having a shaft and the case is mounted around the shaft and has a flat support inside the case and at least one opening being formed on the bottom. The flat support has at least one hole formed therethrough. The locking set is mounted on the shaft. The sensor has a steel ball and a rod. The steel ball is detachably disposed on the flat support and the rod is pivotally mounted in the case and is disposed on the steel ball. If muddy water, sand or dirt enters the locking mechanism, muddy water, sand or dirt can fall through the at least one hole of the flat support and the at least one opening thus avoiding muddy water, sand or dirt affecting the locking mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Kuo-Hao LEE
  • Patent number: 7971820
    Abstract: A webbing take-up device comprising: a take-up shaft that takes up a webbing belt; a metal frame that axially supports the take-up shaft; and a lock mechanism comprising a lock plate that blocks rotation in the pullout direction of the webbing of the take-up shaft by engaging the take-up shaft directly or indirectly. The lock plate is formed by performing press-punch and press-bend processing on a metal plate and has a connecting portion formed so that one end side thereof is continuous with a lock, which engages the take-up shaft. The connecting portion spans between one side and the other side of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yasuho Kitazawa, Hitoshi Takamatsu, Masaki Yasuda, Kazuhiko Aihara, Toshio Nakashima, Tomonori Nagata
  • Publication number: 20100140386
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a seat belt has a case, a locking set and a pretensioner. The case is mounted adjacent to a side of a retractor having a shaft and the case is mounted around the shaft and has a mount inside the case and at least one opening being formed on the bottom. The mount has at least one hole formed therethrough. The locking set is mounted on the shaft. The pretensioner has a steel ball and a rod. The steel ball is detachably disposed on the mount and the rod is pivotally mounted in the case and is disposed on the steel ball. If muddy water, sand or dirt enters the locking mechanism, muddy water, sand or dirt can fall through the at least one hole of the mount and the at least one opening thus avoiding muddy water, sand or dirt affecting the locking mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Kuo-Hao Lee
  • Patent number: 7731118
    Abstract: A holding mechanism for a vehicular acceleration sensor, comprising: a pair of lever arms operable to move independently of one another; and an inertia weight held between the lever arms, wherein movement of the inertia weight, in use, when under acceleration, causes at least a part of at least one lever arm or both arms to move in a generally linear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Martin-Baker Aircraft Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen Anthony Ruff, Alan David Crozier
  • Patent number: 7624940
    Abstract: A webbing retractor which can prevent gas, which is for rotating a take-up shaft in a take-up direction, from affecting other structural parts. In the webbing retractor, when a pretensioner mechanism operates, gas for operation within a cylinder is exhausted toward a pinion via a gas venting hole formed in a flange portion of a piston. Because a blocking wall is provided between the pinion and an acceleration sensor, exhausted gas passes between the pinion and the blocking wall, and is exhausted to an outer side of the webbing retractor from an upper end side of a cover plate or the like. In this way, blowing-out of the exhausted gas onto the acceleration sensor is blocked, and the exhausted gas can be prevented from affecting the acceleration sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yasuho Kitazawa, Tomonori Nagata, Hitoshi Takamatsu, Masaki Yasuda, Toshio Nakashima, Kazuhiko Aihara
  • Patent number: 7571873
    Abstract: A webbing retractor is provided that enables elimination of the part of a webbing belt left in the spool in an entirely pulled-out state of a webbing belt. A space portion is formed in a notched shape in an ALR switch lever. A cam projection of a cam plate that presses the ALR switch lever and changes it to the engaging direction side to a spool enters into the inside of the space portion and, thereby, the cam projection can rotate to an advanced position at the cam pull-out direction side with respect its contact position with the ALR switch lever, whereby the webbing belt can be pulled out entirely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Hitoshi Takamatsu
  • Patent number: 7568649
    Abstract: A vehicle sensitive retractor control system having reduced sensitivity to Z-axis acceleration experienced during normal driving. The retractor control system incorporates a rolling mass and a locking lever which, in a resting position, are arranged such that the locking lever does not engage a ratchet wheel of a seat belt retractor spool. In response to accelerations in the horizontal plane, the rolling ball mass becomes unseated from its resting position and engages the locking lever, causing it to pivot and lock the retractor. In response to Z-axis acceleration, the rolling mass is prevented from contacting the locking lever by a mass restrictor. A soft damping spring is also provided to bias the locking lever against a lever rest. The spring is sized to overcome the inertia of the locking lever and prevent it from “bouncing up” and engaging the ratchet wheel in response to Z-axis accelerations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Gunter K. Clute, Robert A. Mical
  • Patent number: 7562840
    Abstract: A webbing take-up device includes: a spool to which a base end portion of a long band-like webbing belt is attached and which is rotatable such that the webbing belt can be taken up and pulled out; and a rotating body that is coaxially relatively rotatable with respect to the spool. A coupling member, which causes the rotating body to rotate in a pullout direction together with the spool rotating in the pullout direction of the webbing belt when the coupling member is directly or indirectly engaged with the spool, is disposed on the rotating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hitoshi Takamatsu, Shinji Mori
  • Patent number: 7464892
    Abstract: A seatbelt retractor assembly (10) has a seatbelt retractor (14) and an actuator (26) for locking and unlocking the seatbelt retractor (1). An inertial sensor mass (30, 32, 33) detects changes in vehicle speed. The mass (30, 32, 33) has a guide surface (34, 35, 36) for interacting with the actuator (26). The guide surface (34, 35, 36) moves between an unlocking position in which the actuator (26) unlocks the seatbelt retractor (14) and a locking position in which the actuator (26) locks the seatbelt retractor (14). The guide surface (30) has an inner profile portion (62) and at least an outer profile portion (64). The actuator (26) is in contact with the inner profile portion (62) in the unlocking position while moving into contact with the outer profile portion (64) as the actuator (26) moves towards the locking position. The inner profile portion (62) causes a different acceleration of the actuator (26) than the outer profile portion (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher D. Morgan
  • Patent number: 7461806
    Abstract: A seatbelt retractor assembly (10) has a seatbelt retractor (14) and an actuator (26) for locking and unlocking the seatbelt retractor (1). An inertial sensor mass (30, 32, 33) detects changes in vehicle speed. The mass (30, 32, 33) has a guide surface (34, 35, 36) for interacting with the actuator (26). The guide surface (34, 35, 36) moves between an unlocking position in which the actuator (26) unlocks the seatbelt retractor (14) and a locking position in which the actuator (26) locks the seatbelt retractor (14). The guide surface (30) has an inner profile portion (62) and at least an outer profile portion (64). The actuator (26) is in contact with the inner profile portion (62) in the unlocking position while moving into contact with the outer profile portion (64) as the actuator (26) moves towards the locking position. The inner profile portion (62) causes a different acceleration of the actuator (26) than the outer profile portion (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc
    Inventor: Christopher D. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20080230644
    Abstract: A vehicle sensitive retractor control system having reduced sensitivity to Z-axis acceleration experienced during normal driving. The retractor control system incorporates a rolling mass and a locking lever which, in a resting position, are arranged such that the locking lever does not engage a ratchet wheel of a seat belt retractor spool. In response to accelerations in the horizontal plane, the rolling ball mass becomes unseated from its resting position and engages the locking lever, causing it to pivot and lock the retractor. In response to Z-axis acceleration, the rolling mass is prevented from contacting the locking lever by a mass restrictor. A soft damping spring is also provided to bias the locking lever against a lever rest. The spring is sized to overcome the inertia of the locking lever and prevent it from “bouncing up” and engaging the ratchet wheel in response to Z-axis accelerations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Gunter K. Clute, Robert A. Mical
  • Publication number: 20080217458
    Abstract: A vehicle sensitive retractor locking system which may have reduced sensitivity to Z-axis accelerations experienced during driving conditions. The locking system incorporates a ball mass which is maintained within a nest surface of a ball cage. A locking lever is provided having a pair of arms, including an upper and lower arm. The lower arm forms a support post which directly engages with the ball mass in the normal condition of the locking system. The upper arm forms an actuation rim which encircles the upper portion of the ball mass. When the ball mass is displaced within the nest surface in response to inertial forces, two locking modes are provided. First, by relieving pressure exerted by the ball against the post support as the ball is displaced, the locking lever is free to rotate into a locking condition. A secondary locking mode is provided through direct contact between the ball mass and the actuation rim of the locking lever upper arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Gunter K. Clute, Robert A. Mical, Jon E. Burrow
  • Patent number: 7416150
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) has an actuator (14) for unlocking and locking the seat belt retractor (10) An inertial sensor (18) detects changes in vehicle acceleration and interacts with the actuator (14) to lock and unlock the seat belt retractor (10). The inertial sensor (18) has one inertial sensor mass, each mass (26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33) has a wide portion (70) and a narrow portion (72). Preferably each inertial sensor mass (26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33) has a high density body (31) embedded in the wide portion (70) of the elastomeric material (34). The inertial sensor mass (26, 27, 29, 36, 32, 33) has a greater density than the elastomeric material (34) Moreover, the elastomeric material (34) at least partially surrounds an exterior circumferential surface (38) of the inertial sensor mass (26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Morgan, Huiyao Liu, Stephan F. Vetter, Kristopher Shaffer, David R. Arnold
  • Patent number: 7377464
    Abstract: A seatbelt retractor assembly (10) has a seatbelt retractor (14) and an actuator (26) for locking and unlocking the seatbelt retractor (1). An inertial sensor mass (30, 32, 33) detects changes in vehicle speed. The mass (30, 32, 33) has a guide surface (34, 35, 36) for interacting with the actuator (26). The guide surface (34, 35, 36) moves between an unlocking position in which the actuator (26) unlocks the seatbelt retractor (14) and a locking position in which the actuator (26) locks the seatbelt retractor (14). The guide surface (30) has an inner profile portion (62) and at least an outer profile portion (64). The actuator (26) is in contact with the inner profile portion (62) in the unlocking position while moving into contact with the outer profile portion (64) as the actuator (26) moves towards the locking position. The inner profile portion (62) causes a different acceleration of the actuator (26) than the outer profile portion (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher D. Morgan
  • Patent number: 7300013
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor (10) has an actuator (14) for unlocking and locking the seat belt retractor (10). An inertial sensor (18) detects changes in vehicle acceleration and interacts with the actuator (14) to lock and unlock the seat belt retractor (10). The inertial sensor (18) has one inertial sensor mass, each mass (26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33) has a wide portion (70) and a narrow portion (72). Preferably each inertial sensor mass (26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33) has a high density body (31) embedded in the wide portion (70) of the elastomeric material (34). The inertial sensor mass (26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33) has a greater density than the elastomeric material (34). Moreover, the elastomeric material (34) at least partially surrounds an exterior circumferential surface (38) of the inertial sensor mass (26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Morgan, Huiyao Liu, Stephan F. Vetter, Kristopher Shaffer, David R. Arnold
  • Publication number: 20070228203
    Abstract: A holding mechanism for a vehicular acceleration sensor, comprising: a pair of lever arms operable to move independently of one another; and an inertia weight held between the lever arms, wherein movement of the inertia weight, in use, when under acceleration, causes at least a part of at least one lever arm or both arms to move in a generally linear direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: MARTIN-BAKER AIRCRAFT CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Stephen Anthony Ruff, Alan David Crozier
  • Patent number: 6957790
    Abstract: A sensor for triggering a vehicle occupant restraint system, in particular a locking mechanism of a belt retractor, comprises an inertia body, a lower shell in which the inertia body is received, and an upper shell which rests on the inertia body and into which it projects. The upper shell is part of a pivotally mounted sensor lever which swings on displacement of the inertia body and activates the locking mechanism. At least one of the shells has at least one projecting support section for abutment of the inertia body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Kielwein, Jürgen Rink, Bernd Semler
  • Patent number: 6883742
    Abstract: A webbing retractor includes a take-up shaft, an inertia plate provided integrally and coaxially with the take-up shaft, and an inertial force imparting mechanism. When a webbing for restraining a vehicle occupant is suddenly pulled-out, the take-up shaft takes-up the webbing, and the inertia plate causes a rotational delay with respect to the take-up shaft, and rotation of the take-up shaft in a webbing pull-out direction is thereby locked. Further, the inertial force imparting mechanism that suppresses and deters rotation of the inertia plate in a webbing take-up rotation direction by the inertial force imparting mechanism applying inertial force in a webbing pull-out rotation direction to the inertia plate which attempts to rotate in a webbing take-up direction even after rotation of the take-up shaft in the webbing take-up rotation direction has stopped when a vehicle occupant cancels an applied state of the webbing and the entire webbing is taken-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Akira Sumiyashiki, Tomonori Nagata
  • Patent number: 6871813
    Abstract: A vehicular seatbelt retractor includes a load control for controlling an excessive force applied to a web and a web sensor for sensing the webbing acceleration of a seatbelt to take counteraction against the abnormal state of a vehicle at a quick speed, in which the load control enables a disk to be frictionally engaged with one surface of a spool winding portion, thereby dissipating the force applied to a web, and a torsion bar coupled at one end with a boss to be cooperated with a spool, thereby controlling the force applied to the web and the web sensor enables a latch member elastically supported at one end by an inertia spring to sense the web acceleration in an adjusted time range along with a wing thereby to take counteraction against the abnormal state of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Automotive Systems Sungwoo Corporation
    Inventor: Gi Young Bae
  • Patent number: 6834822
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprising: a first and a second energy absorption mechanism each of which is selectively activatable and respectively configured to generate first and second levels of energy absorption and when activated define an output characteristic of the retractor; a switch mechanism for operatively selecting one or the other energy level and a mode shifter for shifting between the first energy absorption level and the second energy absorption level as a function of the rotation of a spool of the retractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Koning, Michael J. Moore, Kenneth H. Kohlndorfer, Mark F. Gray
  • Patent number: 6802470
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor for a vehicle safety restraint has a spool rotatably mounted in a frame. A ratchet wheel is rotatably mounted to rotate with the spool. A control member is mounted in the frame. A locking pawl is pivotally mounted in the frame to pivot into engagement with the ratchet wheel. A sensor is responsive to the spool. Upon activation of the sensor, a cam surface and a cam follower couple the locking pawl to the control member. The cam surface has a discontinuity arranged so that the cam follower loses contact with the cam at high speeds but stays in contact with the cam surface at low speeds. Preferably, the discontinuity is a raised portion providing a first ramp in one direction in one portion on one side of the discontinuity of the cam surface and a second ramp in a different direction in a second portion of the cam surface on the other side of the discontinuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan George Smithson, David Blackadder, Paul Bowman, David Charles Winter
  • Patent number: 6732967
    Abstract: In a webbing retractor, a stopper plate is mounted to a belt insert-through hole of a spool. In this mounted state, a restricting wall of the stopper plate extends further outward in a radial direction of a spool main body than an outer peripheral portion of the spool main body. From between a pair of leg plates of a frame, the restricting wall opposes the leg plates along an axial direction of the spool. Thus, when force displacing the spool in the axial direction of the spool is applied, the leg plates interfere with the restricting wall, and indirectly interfere with the spool so as to restrict displacement of the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Akira Sumiyashiki
  • Publication number: 20040079827
    Abstract: A webbing retractor includes a take-up shaft, an inertia plate provided integrally and coaxially with the take-up shaft, and an inertial force imparting mechanism. When a webbing for restraining a vehicle occupant is suddenly pulled-out, the take-up shaft takes-up the webbing, and the inertia plate causes a rotational delay with respect to the take-up shaft, and rotation of the take-up shaft in a webbing pull-out direction is thereby locked. Further, the inertial force imparting mechanism that suppresses and deters rotation of the inertia plate in a webbing take-up rotation direction by the inertial force imparting mechanism applying inertial force in a webbing pull-out rotation direction to the inertia plate which attempts to rotate in a webbing take-up direction even after rotation of the take-up shaft in the webbing take-up rotation direction has stopped when a vehicle occupant cancels an applied state of the webbing and the entire webbing is taken-up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Akira Sumiyashiki, Tomonori Nagata
  • Patent number: 6726141
    Abstract: There is provided a seat belt apparatus which not only can reduce the possibility that an end lock phenomenon can occur when removing the mounting of a webbing but also, even in case where the end lock phenomenon occurs, can remove the end lock phenomenon easily. That is, in a seat belt apparatus including a seat belt retractor having a lock mechanism structured such that, when the acceleration of a vehicle body or the pay-out acceleration of a webbing is a predetermined value or more, a pawl member (15) is engaged with a pawl wheel (13) to lock the rotation of a bobbin (2) with the webbing wound thereon in the webbing pay-out direction, the pawl wheel (13) is structured such that two or more kinds of ratchet teeth (T1) and (T2) differing in addendum circle diameter are mixedly arranged in the peripheral direction of the pawl wheel according to a predetermined manner, thereby being able to lower the probability of the webbing end lock occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: NSK Autoliv Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shu Ichikawa, Masuo Matsuki
  • Publication number: 20030234310
    Abstract: A sensor for triggering a vehicle occupant restraint system, in particular a locking mechanism of a belt retractor, comprises an inertia body, a lower shell in which the inertia body is received, and an upper shell which rests on the inertia body and into which it projects. The upper shell is part of a pivotally mounted sensor lever which swings on displacement of the inertia body and activates the locking mechanism. At least one of the shells has at least one projecting support section for abutment of the inertia body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Kielwein, Jurgen Rink, Bernd Semler
  • Patent number: 6585184
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a mechanism cover and a spring cover which are assembled through a spool and mounted in a frame. The spool has a two-stepped tooth formation which enables operation of a vehicle sensing element without separate rachet parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Samsong Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Hee Park, Chul-Hyun Cho, Wan-Young Kim
  • Publication number: 20030116668
    Abstract: In a webbing retractor, a stopper plate is mounted to a belt insert-through hole of a spool. In this mounted state, a restricting wall of the stopper plate extends further outward in a radial direction of a spool main body than an outer peripheral portion of the spool main body. From between a pair of leg plates of a frame, the restricting wall opposes the leg plates along an axial direction of the spool. Thus, when force displacing the spool in the axial direction of the spool is applied, the leg plates interfere with the restricting wall, and indirectly interfere with the spool so as to restrict displacement of the spool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Akira Sumiyashiki
  • Patent number: 6578419
    Abstract: An acceleration sensor, which can always maintain a supporting body at a predetermined angle even when an inclining member is inclined and in which, moreover, a tilt lock angle is small. A substantially U-shaped limiting protrusion 136 is provided standing at a face wheel 130, and predetermined clearances are formed between the limiting protrusion 136 and a limiting shaft 138 of a bracket 40. When a seatback is inclined, the face wheel 130 rotates around an axis line J at the same angle as an angle of inclination of the seatback, and the bracket 40 is rotated with respect to the seatback by the load of a weight 118. Thus, a center line C of the bracket 40 is kept in a vertical direction. Even if a difference occurs between the angle of inclination of the seatback and the angle of rotation of the face wheel 130, the center line C of the bracket 40 is always in the vertical direction, within the clearances, due to the weight 118's own weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Yasunori Murayama