Abstract:
Stitched thread seams between fabric elements of the envelope of a vehicle safety air bag induce localized distension and opening up of the envelope fabrics along the seams, thereby causing the film coatings of the envelope fabric to rupture along the seam and allow gas to escape and maintain a substantially constant overall maximum pressure, regardless of variations in ambient temperature.
Abstract:
A seat belt latch buckle includes a buckle body that releasably accepts and latches a buckle tongue. The buckle body includes a frame, a latch plate having a latching projection and pivotable in the frame, a release member to release the tongue, and an ejector to eject the released tongue. A control member is slidable on the latch plate between first and second positions. In the first position the control member is engaged between a portion of frame and the latch plate to positively lock the latch plate in the latched position. The release member slides the control member to the second position, in which it no longer prevents the latch plate from moving to the release position, before it engages the latch plate to pivot it and release the tongue.
Abstract:
A safety belt retractor comprises a takeup shaft rotatably journalled on a frame and normally biased to wind a safety belt therearound. The shaft carries a coaxial, fixed ratchet wheel, a coaxial, rotatable inertia member, and a clutch mechanism composed of a lock ring coaxially and rotatably mounted on the takeup shaft and normally spring-biased to rotate in a belt-winding direction, the lock ring having internal teeth and a cam slot. A clutch engagement mechanism engages the internal teeth of the lock ring to couple the lock ring with the takeup shaft when there is a difference between the speeds of rotation of the takeup shaft and the inertia member. A pawl is pivotably supported on the frame and includes a cam follower received in the cam slot in the lock ring. The pawl is pivotably movable into an operative position in which it engages the ratchet wheel in response to rotation of the lock ring in the belt-unwinding direction when the lock ring is coupled to the takeup shaft, and is also pivotably movable into an original position in response to rotation of the lock ring in the belt-winding direction when the lock ring is uncoupled from the takeup shaft. The cam slot includes an extension portion for allowing the lock ring to rotate in a belt-unwinding direction without moving the cam follower in a direction to disengage the pawl from the operative position.
Abstract:
A passive vehicle occupant restraint belt system comprises a movable anchor which is moved by a driven transfer element along a guide rail between a release location corresponding to the occupant-releasing configuration of the belt and a restraint location corresponding to the occupant-restraining configuration of the belt. The movable anchor is releasably locked to a fixed anchor at the restraint location by a cam-released pawl, an inertia device, or other suitable releasable locking means.
Abstract:
A seat belt anchor assembly comprising an elongated rail of C-shape in cross-section having spaced-apart holes in the base wall portion and a belt anchor having a retainer within the rail that is locked in a selected position along the rail by a spring-loaded lock pin. The lock pin fits into any of the holes and can be released from the holes to enable the anchor to be moved to another position.
Abstract:
A moving anchor type passive vehicle occupant restraint belt system having a restraint belt which is transferable along a guide rail affixed in the vehicle roof above the door between an occupant-releasing configuration and an occupant-restraining configuration. The locking device comprises a locking pawl mounted in a fixed anchor member which engages cams provided on the top edge of a movable anchor member and selectively locks the movable anchor member with the fixed anchor member in the occupant-restraining configuration. The invention further comprises an electrical warning system for indicating when the movable anchor member is in the occupant-releasing position, when the pawl is engaged in the cams in the occupant-restraining position, and if the tongue plate attached to the safety belt is properly engaged in the buckle affixed to the moving anchor member.
Abstract:
An anti-slip device for vehicle occupant restraint system of the type having a control belt and serially arranged lap belt and shouler belt sections joined by a D-ring and a looop in the control belt which is inserted through the restraint belt opening in the D-ring. A lock member is inserted into the loop and is prevented from moving toward a locking position at the restraint belt opening by springs or tear-away stitching. When a predetermined amount of tension is applied to the control belt the springs or stitching yield or break, thus permitting the lock member to move to the restraint belt opening and thereby wedging the restraint belt against the opening and preventing the lap belt section from slipping into the shoulder belt section.
Abstract:
A simplified motion amplifier arrangement for a passive restraint belt system comprises a movable belt hanger transferable along a guide rail and connected with an output driving member which engages an output gear wheel. A link rod arranged to slide along a second guide rail is releasably attached in an eye provided on the vehicle body near the dash and accessible to the passenger. The rearward end of the link rod is connected with an input driving member which engages a smaller input gear wheel mounted concentric to and rotatable with the output gear wheel. When the door is opened, the link rod is pulled forward, thereby pushing the input gear member to drive the gear wheels. As the output gear rotates it pulls the output driving member to transfer the belt from the restraining to the releasing position.
Abstract:
A double-safety emergency locking belt retractor for vehicle safety belt systems comprises an improved automatic-locking mechanism in which an axially movable latch disc locks the reel to the retractor frame upon rotation of the reel relative to an inertia wheel in the belt-unwinding direction. Such relative motion occurs when an inertia-sensitive device stops rotation of the inertia wheel in response to acceleration of the vehicle at from about 0.3 g to about 0.7 g or the inertia of the wheel causes it to lag the reel when the belt is accelerated at about 0.7 g or higher. The latch and inertia wheel are cammed axially apart upon such relative rotation, the inertia wheel being locked to a cover for certainty of cam function and the latch disc thereupon being locked to the frame.
Abstract:
An inertia-responsive actuating device for emergency locking vehicle seat belt retractors comprises a ball which normally nests stably in an annular seat but which rolls out of the seat and pushes down on a detecting portion of a pivotable lever. A hole in the lever detecting portion defines a circular detecting edge which matches and engages a lower portion of the ball located above, but proximate to, the ball seat and substantially below the center of gravity of the ball.