181 |
Restraining device |
US178555 |
1998-10-26 |
US5997097A |
1999-12-07 |
Joerg Engelhard |
A restraining device comprises a seat belt and a belt force limiter. The belt force limiter is arranged at a location along the belt and comprises an absorption member which is deformed or destroyed when a predetermined belt tension force is exceeded, whereby a prolongation of the belt section is caused. Further, a holding means is provided that limits the prolongation of said belt section when said absorption means is deformed or destroyed. |
182 |
Pretensioning buckle |
US24918 |
1998-02-17 |
US5924730A |
1999-07-20 |
Jon E. Burrow; H. John Miller, III; Michael D. Wilkins |
A safety system comprising: a buckle (22) secured to a pretensioner (20); the pretensioner (20) comprising: a stationary link (102) and stationary block (110); a housing slidably received upon the stationary link (102) and movable relative to the stationary block (110) and a pressure unit for causing the housing, and buckle operatively attached thereto, to move downwardly relative to the stationary block to thereby eliminate slack in a seat belt, and a second link (104) received through the housing for preventing rotation of the housing about the first link (102). |
183 |
Seat belt webbing energy management device |
US814403 |
1997-03-11 |
US5924729A |
1999-07-20 |
Michael P. Gleason; James S. Brooks |
An energy management device (10) for connecting a length of belt webbing (16) with a vehicle portion (30) includes an elongate strap (50). The strap (50) has a fixed end portion (100) for connection with the vehicle portion (30), a free end portion (102), and an intermediate portion (110) extending between and interconnecting the fixed end portion and the free end portion. The device (10) has an unactuated condition in which force is transmitted from the belt webbing (16) to the vehicle portion (30) through the strap (50) between the fixed end portion (100) and a first point (116) on the strap which is on the intermediate portion (110) of the strap. Upon the application of a force greater than a predetermined force to the belt webbing (16), the device (10) moves an actuated condition in which force is transmitted between the fixed end portion (100) of the strap (50) and a second point (116a) on the strap which is farther from the fixed end portion than the first point (116). |
184 |
Linear actuator for a vechicle occupant restraint system |
US852204 |
1997-05-06 |
US5871235A |
1999-02-16 |
Franz Wier |
A linear actuator for a vehicle occupant restraint system is provided, which comprises a cylinder and a pulling element connected to the cylinder by means of a holding part. The linear actuator further comprises a piston which is shiftable within the cylinder and has a locking part. The locking part including a sealing part coaxial with to the locking part and a conical outer section. The conical outer section has an axial end at a side facing the sealing part and is provided with a peripheral groove at this axial end. Still further, the linear actuator comprises a plurality of locking bodies shiftably arranged between the conical outer section of the locking part and the inner wall of the cylinder. |
185 |
Occupant restraint system |
US623080 |
1996-03-28 |
US5704645A |
1998-01-06 |
Kirk D. Arthurs; Barbara A. McKeehan |
An occupant restraint system for a vehicle having an energy absorbing device. The energy absorbing device is attached to a vehicle pillar and is also attached to the vehicle's seat belt. When a predetermined load is placed on the seat belt, the energy absorbing device is activated to reduce the peak load. The energy absorbing device includes a spool rotatably mounted to the pillar, a wire member attached at one end to the spool, wound around the spool, and attached at another end to the seat belt. Tear resistant media at least partially encases the wire member and the spool such that as the wire member unwinds from the spool, it cuts through the tear resistant media thereby absorbing energy so as to reduce the peak seat belt load. |
186 |
Force limiter for vehicle safety belt systems |
US572004 |
1995-12-14 |
US5700035A |
1997-12-23 |
Heinz Bock |
A force limiter for vehicle safety belt systems which is inserted in the force flow path of the safety belt system by means of two fittings (26, 32), the distance between the fittings (26, 32) being able to be increased with a conversion of energy. In the context of such a force limiter the characteristic of the tensile force effective between the two fittings is to be rendered adjustable along the deformation displacement over a wide range. This is achieved since a first one (26) of such fittings is fixedly connected with the metal frame (20) having a deflection pin (22) arranged therein and a second one (32) of the fittings is fixedly connected with a first end of a metal strip (30), which is adapted to be drawn about the pin (22) along a positively set path. Owing to such configuration it is possible for the characteristic of the force limiter to be selected by the designer within a wide range independently of the threshold value as from which the force limiter takes effect. |
187 |
Seat belt buckle device for a vehicle |
US515895 |
1995-08-16 |
US5618059A |
1997-04-08 |
Ji-Ho Kim |
A seat belt buckle device for a vehicle includes a lower stay having a guide slot, a C-shaped impact-absorbing plate fixed to the lower stay at a lower wall, and an upper stay having a switch connector and fixed to an upper wall of the impact-absorbing plate, whereby when a traffic accident occurs, the C-shaped impact-absorbing plate is transformed, whereby an overload of the seat belt can be effectively eliminated and reduced and when the impact-absorbing plate is exhausted, a warning lamp is illuminated, and the impact-absorbing plate can be replaced. |
188 |
Retractor with a clamp mechanism |
US304691 |
1994-09-12 |
US5524842A |
1996-06-11 |
Kiyoshi Ogawa; Sadanori Ohsumi |
In a retractor with a clamp mechanism for holding a webbing directly in a vehicle emergency, the retractor provides a movable clamp member for holding the webbing between the lower plate and the clamp member, and a guide member for guiding the clamp member to a webbing holding position, in which the clamp member includes a clamp teeth portion for clamping and engaging the webbing with a webbing opposing surface of the clamp member, a plane portion located on an opposite side to the webbing opposing surface, and a rear end side edge provided on a rear end side of the plane portion, and in which the guide member includes a sliding contact surface for sliding contact with the plane portion of the clamp member and a deforming portion deformable substantially in parallel to the webbing opposing surface of the clamp member. A movable wedge-shaped clamp member may be provided with a hold portion including a clamp teeth portion formed in a shape capable of biting into a surface of the webbing and shearable and deformable by a tensile force of a predetermined value or greater, and including a pressure teeth portion capable of applying resistance to the webbing moved in the webbing draw-out direction by a tensile force of a predetermined value or greater. |
189 |
Energy converter in a restraining system for vehicle occupants |
US222176 |
1994-04-04 |
US5480190A |
1996-01-02 |
Artur Fohl |
In an energy converter in a restraining system for vehicle occupants a particularly smooth profile of the force as a function of the travel is achieved in that only a few deformation members are provided which effect a plastic deformation of a tubular converter body (10). A plate (30) is pivotal between a rest position inclined to the axis of the converter body (10) and an erected operating position in which it brings the deformation members (30a) formed at its radially outer ends into engagement with the inner side of the converter body (10). |
190 |
Energy absorbing child seat |
US274497 |
1994-07-13 |
US5468044A |
1995-11-21 |
Sorin Coman |
An energy absorbing child seat in which a back support panel of the child seat is attached to a supporting structure or frame through energy absorbing brackets which plastically deform during a vehicle collision allowing a seat occupant to travel forward relative to the supporting structure and thus reduce the relative velocity and deceleration between the occupant's head and shoulders to reduce neck loads and neck injuries. |
191 |
Energy converter in a restraining system for vehicle occupants |
US19420 |
1993-02-19 |
US5358275A |
1994-10-25 |
Artur Fohl |
In an energy converter in a restraining system for vehicle occupants a particularly smooth profile of the force as a function of the travel is achieved in that only a few deformation members are provided which effect a plastic deformation of a tubular converter body (10). As deformation member at least one ball (18) is provided which rests on a ramp face of a piston element (14). |
192 |
Safety belt restraining system with belt tensioner |
US93403 |
1993-07-19 |
US5340152A |
1994-08-23 |
Artur Fohl |
A belt tensioner for a safety belt system having a belt retractor (10) featuring an automatic blocking mechanism, the belt (14) running in a straight line from the belt retractor to a deflector fitting (12), comprises a U-shaped deflector fitting (18) mounting a pivotal bracket (22) perpendicular to the run of the belt in the rest condition. When the belt tensioner is activated the pivotal bracket (22) is pulled through between the base of a deflector fitting (18) and a supporting member (20) secured thereto to form a belt loop. An uncoupling/force limiter assembly (36) is arranged in the path of the cable (34, 38) connected to the pivotal bracket. This assembly comprises a guide tube (50) supported by the vehicle body and a converter tube (52) accommodated therein telescopically which is shiftable up to a stop at the base of the guide tube (50) and which permits force limitation and conversion of energy due to plastic material deformation when the belt is tensioned. |
193 |
Force-limiting energy absorber for safety belt systems |
US386512 |
1989-07-27 |
US5005909A |
1991-04-09 |
Artur Fohl |
The force-limiting energy absorber for safety belt systems comprises a series of stretch members lying one behind the other in the direction of the tensile stress. Each stretch member comprises an opening which is surrounded by a border deformable under a tension load. In the openings limiting elements are disposed which limit in abutment manner the deformation of the border transversely of the direction of the tensile stress. The limiting elements may be made mushroom-shaped and integrally formed on the border of the stretch members. |
194 |
Energy absorbing device for safety belts of motor vehicles |
US452586 |
1989-12-19 |
US4978139A |
1990-12-18 |
Rudolf Andres; Heinz Knoll; Harald Pfistner; Voker Petri |
In an energy absorbing damping device for safety belts of motor vehicles, for the purpose of controlled reduction of the deceleration force which acts on the belt user in the event of a collision, a strip element, which is connected to the safety belt, is pulled out of a coil and, by plastically deformed deformation members arranged on both sides of the strip element. The deformation members are formed as two toothed rollers, which engage with one another, so that the strip element, as it is pulled out of the coil, is first deformed sectionally and subsequently pulled straight again. |
195 |
Seat belt apparatus for a vehicle seat |
US707118 |
1985-02-28 |
US4652053A |
1987-03-24 |
Tatuya Mikami |
A vehicle seat is disclosed, which comprises a base, a seating section supported on the base, a back support section disposed adjacent to the seating section and supported by the base at two vertically spaced apart positions such that it is rotatable in the forward and rearward directions relative to the seating section, and a head support section disposed above and mounted on the back support section. The seat has a pair of shoulder belts each having an upper end attached to the top of the back support section such that it is turned toward each side thereof and movable along the back support surface thereof and a lower end movably attached to each side of the back support section. Shoulder belt attaching units for the upper and lower ends of the shoulder belts permit adjustment of the positions of attachment of the belts in the horizontal and vertical directions. Buffer means permit the upper end of each shoulder belt to be withdrawn when the belt is pulled. |
196 |
Device for damping impact load |
US552180 |
1983-09-30 |
US4515254A |
1985-05-07 |
Vladimir A. Markov; Vladimir N. Filatov; Ilya S. Kernasovsky; Ljudmila V. Gorina |
The device comprises a flexible band, composed of two layers which are established by the band being folded back, which band is associated with an energy-absorbing member. The members are fashioned as a plurality of loops from an elastic long-sized material, which are fastened on the band between its layers. The loops of the band layers are consecutively interconnected by virtue of tricot knit in a direction from the ends of the band towards the place where it is folded back. One of the ends of the band may be connected to a stationary fixed support, while applied to the other end may be a load F directed to destruct the knit in a direction opposite to that of unknitting. The most promising practical application of the present invention lies with shock absorbers of safety belts for builders, erectors, mountaineers, as well as with automobile safety seat belts. |
197 |
Safety belt system |
US386163 |
1982-06-07 |
US4473242A |
1984-09-25 |
Per O. Weman |
The belt system, advantageously including a retractor (13) mounted on the seat (1) and directly involving the lap belt section (8), comprises an attachment buckle (7) connected to its anchor point (10) by an expandable link device (11), which normally permits a range of movement of buckle (7) away from anchor point (10) or toward the latter (for example by means of a return spring), but provided with means to oppose the extraction of the buckle (7) under predetermined conditions of acceleration of the vehicle and/or of the belt. |
198 |
Belt clamps for vehicle occupant restraint belt systems |
US381645 |
1982-05-24 |
US4422593A |
1983-12-27 |
Juichiro Takada |
A belt clamp for vehicle safety belt systems comprises a fixed clamping jaw mounted on a frame and a movable clamping jaw engaged by the belt and carried by the frame in a manner such that it moves toward the fixed clamping jaw in response to tension in the belt. Spacers on the frame limit the extent of movement of the movable clamping jaw toward the fixed clamping jaw. A deformable member interposed between the fixed clamping jaw and the frame deforms in response to a predetermined tensile load on the belt so that the belt is allowed to slip through the clamping jaws and absorb the kinetic energy of the occupant. |
199 |
Webbing lock device |
US187814 |
1980-09-16 |
US4371126A |
1983-02-01 |
Hiroshi Tsuge; Takashi Kawaharazaki; Jun Yasumatsu |
A pair of lock members are provided for directly locking the intermediate portion of an occupant restraining webbing, and at least one of said pair of lock members is provided at the clamping surface thereof with a curvature, whereby a sharp change in tension in the clamped webbing is avoided to prevent the webbing from being ruptured, thus enabling to reliably restrain an occupant. |
200 |
Seat belt tensioning device |
US174177 |
1980-07-31 |
US4328976A |
1982-05-11 |
Noboru Tsuge; Satosi Kuwakado; Toshiaki Shimogawa |
A seat belt tensioning device for a vehicle comprises a cylinder, a piston which is slidably inserted within the cylinder and a piston operating means.The piston is composed of a first and a second cylindrical piston members which are adjacent to each other.The seat belt tensioning device further comprises a rod which is connected to a seat belt and is contacted with the second piston member by passing a deformable member, which is plastically deformed by a predetermined tension force through the first piston member. The deformable member is disposed adjacent to the second piston member and connected to the rod by passing through the first and second members.The rod and the second piston member form a conical continuously inclined surface of which diameter is enlarged in the piston moving direction near the contact portion thereof. Stopper pieces having a sharp end portion are radially supported by the conical continuously inclined surface.When the tension force of the seat belt exceeds the plastically deforming load of the deformable member at an urgent time, such as upon a vehicle impact, the deformable member is plastically deformed by the second piston member and elongated and the stopper pieces are lifted up by the taper portion of the second piston member to cut into the cylinder.As a result, the piston is locked in the cylinder and the kinetic energy of the passenger can be absorbed.Therefore, the passenger is prevented from the secondary impact and the injury due to the tensioned seat belt. |