US3667698A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking seat belt retractor
Assignee: ZF Passive Safety Systems US Inc
•
Filing: 1971-01-22
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Granted: 1972-06-06
•
Expires: 1991-01-22
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to an automatic locking seat belt retractor of the type in which the belt is wound on a spring actuated spool which exerts a constant belt retracting force on the belt while allowing the belt to be extended by manually pulling it off the spool, and in which means are provided for locking the belt against further extension at any desired degree of extension by locking the spool against unwinding rotation, which means operates in response to a limited retracting movement of the spool. The invention resides in an improved and simplified means for effecting such locking action consisting of a pawl and ratchet normally biased to an engaged position in which they prevent unwinding rotation of the spool and a member journaled concentrically with the spool for limited rotation and having a frictional driving connection with the spool. The said member is frictionally driven to one limit of its movement by a limited extension of the belt and in that position holds the pawl out of engagement during further extension. Initial retracting movement at any degree of extension moves the member to a position in which it allows pawl engagement; thereby locking the belt against further extension. The member is preferably so constructed that further retracting movement of the belt moves the member beyond the last mentioned position to a position in which it again holds the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet to minimize noise and wear during retraction. The invention further contemplates means for unlocking the retractor manually and also an improved means for unlocking the retractor or holding it unlocked automatically when the belt is substantially fully retracted, said last mentioned means being driven by the spool and effective to hold the pawl out of engagement when the belt is fully retracted and during a limited initial extension from fully retracted position.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C Fisher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 01:28
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/34; B60R22/347; B60R22/35; B60R22/353; B60R22/3416
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
In a locking seat belt retractor comprising a frame, a spool mounted for rotation on said frame and adapted to have a belt wound thereon, a flexible belt adapted to be wound on said spool, a spring constantly urging the spool in one direction of rotation to retract the belt thereon, a ratchet and pawl mechanism operable when the ratchet and pawl are engaged to prevent belt extension by preventing rotation of said spool in the unwinding direction of rotation, said ratchet being rotatable with and connected to the spool and said pawl being pivoted on said frame and constantly biased in a direction to cause it to engage the ratchet and stop rotation of said spool in said unwinding direction, wherein the improvement comprises the combination of the foregoing elements with a member journaled for rotary movement about the axis of the spool, means for limiting sucH rotary movement of the member in both directions to less than one revolution from one limit to the other, a lost motion frictional driving connection between said spool and said member for driving said member in both directions within said limits of movement, said member having a surface operable to hold the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet when the member is rotated to one of said limits of movement in response to unwinding rotation of said spool and said surface being so formed as to release the pawl for movement toward engagement with the ratchet when the member is rotated away from said one limit of movement, and means for disengaging said pawl from the ratchet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
266 words
In a locking seat belt retractor comprising a frame, a spool mounted for rotation on said frame and adapted to have a belt wound thereon, a flexible belt adapted to be wound on said spool, a spring constantly urging the spool in one direction of rotation to retract the belt thereon, a ratchet and pawl mechanism operable when the ratchet and pawl are engaged to prevent belt extension by preventing rotation of said spool in the unwinding direction of rotation, said ratchet being rotatable with and connected to the spool and said pawl being pivoted on said frame and constantly biased in a direction to cause it to engage the ratchet and stop rotation of said spool in said unwinding direction, wherein the improvement comprises the combination of the foregoing elements with a member journaled for rotary movement about the axis of the spool, means for limiting sucH rotary movement of the member in both directions to less than one revolution from one limit to the other, a lost motion frictional driving connection between said spool and said member for driving said member in both directions within said limits of movement, said member having a surface operable to hold the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet when the member is rotated to one of said limits of movement in response to unwinding rotation of said spool and said surface being so formed as to release the pawl for movement toward engagement with the ratchet when the member is rotated away from said one limit of movement, and means for disengaging said pawl from the ratchet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
A seat belt locking retractor as claimed in claim 1 further characterized by the fact that the last named means includes mechanism independent of said member for automatically holding said pawl out of engagement with the ratchet when the belt is substantially fully retracted by windup of the belt on the spool and which becomes inoperative to prevent engagement of the pawl after a limited unwinding movement of the spool sufficient to operate said member to the position in which it holds the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A seat belt locking retractor as claimed in claim 2 further characterized by the fact that said mechanism functions in direct response to rotation of and is driven by said spool independently of the thickness of the total belt windings on the spool.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
A seat belt locking retractor as claimed in claim 1 further characterized by the fact that said last named means includes a second surface on said member which moves the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet when the member is rotated by winding motion of said spool from a position in which the first mentioned surface on the member has released said pawl to the other limit of movement in order to eliminate noise and wear due to drag of the pawl on the ratchet during retraction of the belt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
A seat belt locking retractor as claimed in claim 4 further characterized by the provision of mechanism independent of said member for automatically holding the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet when the belt is substantially fully retracted by windup of the belt on the spool and which becomes inoperative to prevent engagement of said pawl with said ratchet after a limited unwinding movement of the spool sufficient to operate said member to the position in which said first mentioned surface of the member holds the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A seat belt locking tractor as claimed in claim 5 further characterized by the fact that said mechanism functions in direct response to rotation of and is driven by said spool independently of the thickness of the total belt windup on the spool.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
251 words
A locking seat belt retractor comprising a frame, a spool mounted for rotation on said frame and adapted to have a belt wound thereon, a flexible belt adapted to be wound on said spool, a spring constantly urging the spool in one direction of rotation to wind the belt thereon, a ratched and pawl mechanism operable when the ratchet and pawl are engaged to prevent rotation of said spool in the unwinding direction of rotation, said ratchet being rotatable with and connected to the spool and said pawl being movably mounted on said frame and constantly biased in a direction to cause it to engage the ratchet and stop rotation of said spool in said unwinding direction, wherein the improvement comprises a first means for holding said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet during unwinding rotation of said spool and operable in response to an initial winding rotation to allow the pawl to engage the ratchet so that it thereafter blocks further unwinding rotation, and a second means operable independently of said first means for holding said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet, said second means being positively driven by said spool upon rotary movement of the spool and effective to hold the pawl out of engagemEnt when the belt is substantially fully retracted independently of buildup thereof on the spool and to become thereafter inoperative in response to a limited unwinding rotation sufficient to cause said first means to hold said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
251 words
A locking seat belt retractor comprising a frame, a spool mounted for rotation on said frame and adapted to have a belt wound thereon, a flexible belt adapted to be wound on said spool, a spring constantly urging the spool in one direction of rotation to wind the belt thereon, a ratched and pawl mechanism operable when the ratchet and pawl are engaged to prevent rotation of said spool in the unwinding direction of rotation, said ratchet being rotatable with and connected to the spool and said pawl being movably mounted on said frame and constantly biased in a direction to cause it to engage the ratchet and stop rotation of said spool in said unwinding direction, wherein the improvement comprises a first means for holding said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet during unwinding rotation of said spool and operable in response to an initial winding rotation to allow the pawl to engage the ratchet so that it thereafter blocks further unwinding rotation, and a second means operable independently of said first means for holding said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet, said second means being positively driven by said spool upon rotary movement of the spool and effective to hold the pawl out of engagemEnt when the belt is substantially fully retracted independently of buildup thereof on the spool and to become thereafter inoperative in response to a limited unwinding rotation sufficient to cause said first means to hold said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
A locking seat belt retractor as claimed in claim 7 further characterized by the fact that said second means comprises a gear rotatably mounted on said frame and driven from the spool through gear train having a ratio such that less than one full rotation of said second means is achieved during full unwinding rotation of said spool.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
154 words
A self-retracting webbing roller apparatus for safety belts comprising: a. a main housing having a base plate and side walls; b. a spring-loaded roller rotatably mounted in said housing; c. at least one toothed wheel fixed to the roller; d. a pivotally mounted and spring-loaded pawl having a locked position and an unlocked position; e. a self-acting member controlling the pawl, said member comprising a rotatably mounted disk adjacent said toothed wheel and having a cam; f. spring means mounted in said housing forcing the said disk against said toothed wheel to cause a frictional contact between said disk and said toothed wheel; g. means limiting the turning range of the disk to a small angle of rotation; h. the pawl contacting the cam to be in unlocked position during the uncoiling of a belt and said pawl being disengaged from said cam to be in locked position when tension on belt is reduced.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
154 words
A self-retracting webbing roller apparatus for safety belts comprising: a. a main housing having a base plate and side walls; b. a spring-loaded roller rotatably mounted in said housing; c. at least one toothed wheel fixed to the roller; d. a pivotally mounted and spring-loaded pawl having a locked position and an unlocked position; e. a self-acting member controlling the pawl, said member comprising a rotatably mounted disk adjacent said toothed wheel and having a cam; f. spring means mounted in said housing forcing the said disk against said toothed wheel to cause a frictional contact between said disk and said toothed wheel; g. means limiting the turning range of the disk to a small angle of rotation; h. the pawl contacting the cam to be in unlocked position during the uncoiling of a belt and said pawl being disengaged from said cam to be in locked position when tension on belt is reduced.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A self-retracting webbing roller apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein a spring housing is secured to the outer side of the main housing to accommodate a return spring which is operably connected with the said roller.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A self-retracting webbing roller apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the said limiting means includes stops mounted within said housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
221 words
In a seat belt retractor assembly, a relatively non-rotatable support structure, spool means adapted to have a seat belt wound thereon, means for rotatably supporting said spool means, latch means mounted on said support means and movable between a first position engaging said spool means to limit rotation thereof, and a second position disengaged from said spool means, cam means movable to an actuated position engaging said latch means and thereby resisting movement of said latch means from said second position toward said first position, clutch means drivingly connected said cam means with said spool means, said clutch means comprising an annular disc-shaped member rotatably mounted coaxially of said spool means, said member comprising a first annular axially outwardly projecting portion defining a first radially disposed annular surface spaced axially outwardly from said member and a second annular axially outwardly projecting portion defining a second radially disposed annular surface spaced axially inwardly from said member, and a spring element fricitionally engageable with one of said annular surfaces and resiliently urging said member axially toward a position wherein the other of said annular surfaces is frictionally engageable with said spool means, said first and second axially projecting portions defining with said support structure and said spool means radially spaced annular recessed areas substantially radially aligned with said second and first portions, respectively.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
221 words
In a seat belt retractor assembly, a relatively non-rotatable support structure, spool means adapted to have a seat belt wound thereon, means for rotatably supporting said spool means, latch means mounted on said support means and movable between a first position engaging said spool means to limit rotation thereof, and a second position disengaged from said spool means, cam means movable to an actuated position engaging said latch means and thereby resisting movement of said latch means from said second position toward said first position, clutch means drivingly connected said cam means with said spool means, said clutch means comprising an annular disc-shaped member rotatably mounted coaxially of said spool means, said member comprising a first annular axially outwardly projecting portion defining a first radially disposed annular surface spaced axially outwardly from said member and a second annular axially outwardly projecting portion defining a second radially disposed annular surface spaced axially inwardly from said member, and a spring element fricitionally engageable with one of said annular surfaces and resiliently urging said member axially toward a position wherein the other of said annular surfaces is frictionally engageable with said spool means, said first and second axially projecting portions defining with said support structure and said spool means radially spaced annular recessed areas substantially radially aligned with said second and first portions, respectively.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
204 words
In a seat belt retractor assembly, a spool means adapted to have a seat belt wound thereon, shaft means rotatably supporting said spool means, a support bracket for operatively supporting said shaft means and comprising a pair of substantially spaced parallel support members, a pair of laterally aligned openings formed in said members, latch means comprising a latching bar extending between said support members and having first and second portions thereof received within said openings, whereby saiD latching bar is movable between a first position engaging said spool means to limit rotation thereof, and a second position disengaged from said spool means, spring means extending substantially parallel to said support members and normally urging said latching bar toward said first position, cam means mounted on said shaft means and rotatably in response to rotation of said spool means for resisting movement of said latching bar toward said first position, second cam means drivingly connected to said shaft means and movable in response to rotation thereof to bias said latching bar toward said second position when the seat belt is substantially retracted on said spool means, and housing means substantially enclosing said second cam means and having said spring means mounted at least partially therewith.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
204 words
In a seat belt retractor assembly, a spool means adapted to have a seat belt wound thereon, shaft means rotatably supporting said spool means, a support bracket for operatively supporting said shaft means and comprising a pair of substantially spaced parallel support members, a pair of laterally aligned openings formed in said members, latch means comprising a latching bar extending between said support members and having first and second portions thereof received within said openings, whereby saiD latching bar is movable between a first position engaging said spool means to limit rotation thereof, and a second position disengaged from said spool means, spring means extending substantially parallel to said support members and normally urging said latching bar toward said first position, cam means mounted on said shaft means and rotatably in response to rotation of said spool means for resisting movement of said latching bar toward said first position, second cam means drivingly connected to said shaft means and movable in response to rotation thereof to bias said latching bar toward said second position when the seat belt is substantially retracted on said spool means, and housing means substantially enclosing said second cam means and having said spring means mounted at least partially therewith.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 12 which includes first spring means normally urging said latch means toward said first position, and second spring means resiliently urging said disc shaped member toward said one end of said spool means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
63 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said latching means comprising a latching bar extending substantially parallel to said spool means, which includes a support bracket comprising a pair of spaced parallel support members, and which includes guide means on said latching bar cooperable with said support members for supporting said latching bar for movement between said first and second positions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said guide means defines a tab portion engageable with said first spring means for normally urging said latching bar toward said first position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
223 words
In a seat belt retractor assembly, spool means adapted to have a seat belt wound thereon, shaft means rotatably supporting said spool means, a support bracket for operatively supporting said shaft means and comprising a pair of substantially spaced parallel support members, a pair of laterally aligned openings formed in said members, a latching bar extending laterally between aid support members and movable between a first position engaging said spool means to limit rotation thereof, and a second position disengaged from said spool means, guide means on said latching bar cooperable with said openings in said support members for supporting said latching bar for said movement between said first and second positions, cam means mounted on said shaft means and rotatable in response to rotation of said spool means for resisting movement of said latching bar toward said first position, spring means normally urging said latching bar toward said first position, said guide means defining a tab portion on said latching bar engageable with said spring means, second cam means drivingly connected to said shaft means and movable in response to rotation thereof to bias said latching bar to said second position when the seat belt is substantially retracted on said spool means, and housing means substantially enclosing said second cam means and having said spring means supported at least in part therein.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
223 words
In a seat belt retractor assembly, spool means adapted to have a seat belt wound thereon, shaft means rotatably supporting said spool means, a support bracket for operatively supporting said shaft means and comprising a pair of substantially spaced parallel support members, a pair of laterally aligned openings formed in said members, a latching bar extending laterally between aid support members and movable between a first position engaging said spool means to limit rotation thereof, and a second position disengaged from said spool means, guide means on said latching bar cooperable with said openings in said support members for supporting said latching bar for said movement between said first and second positions, cam means mounted on said shaft means and rotatable in response to rotation of said spool means for resisting movement of said latching bar toward said first position, spring means normally urging said latching bar toward said first position, said guide means defining a tab portion on said latching bar engageable with said spring means, second cam means drivingly connected to said shaft means and movable in response to rotation thereof to bias said latching bar to said second position when the seat belt is substantially retracted on said spool means, and housing means substantially enclosing said second cam means and having said spring means supported at least in part therein.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as set forth in claim 12 wherein the entirety of said second portion of said member is located radially outwardly from said first annular surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as set forth in claim 12 wherein the entirety of said first portion of said member is located radially inwardly from said second annular surface.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as set forth in claim 12 wherein said second surface area is larger than said first surface area.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
A retractor assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said clutch means is integral with said cam means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
A retractor assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said cam means comprises an eccentric peripheral portion of said disc-shaped member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
205 words
In a locking seat belt retractor comprising a frame, a spool including a ratchet mounted for rotation on said frame, a flexible belt wound on said spool, a spring constantly urging the spool in a direction of rotation to wind the belt thereon, and a pawl biased in a direction to engage the ratchet on said spool to stop rotation thereof in the unwinding direction, the improvement comprising a pawl control element mounted for movement between a release position wherein it releases said pawl for engagement with said ratchet and a holdout position wherein it holds said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet, a constantly engaged lost motion frictional driving connection between said spool and said element for driving said element in opposite directions between said two positions, said pawl when released by said control element for engagement with the ratchet being effective to prevent movement of said control element to said holdout position, and means independent of said element operable to hold said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet when the belt is substantially completely wound upon said spool and until the spool is rotated in an unwinding direction an amount sufficient to drive said pawl control element to its holdout position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
205 words
In a locking seat belt retractor comprising a frame, a spool including a ratchet mounted for rotation on said frame, a flexible belt wound on said spool, a spring constantly urging the spool in a direction of rotation to wind the belt thereon, and a pawl biased in a direction to engage the ratchet on said spool to stop rotation thereof in the unwinding direction, the improvement comprising a pawl control element mounted for movement between a release position wherein it releases said pawl for engagement with said ratchet and a holdout position wherein it holds said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet, a constantly engaged lost motion frictional driving connection between said spool and said element for driving said element in opposite directions between said two positions, said pawl when released by said control element for engagement with the ratchet being effective to prevent movement of said control element to said holdout position, and means independent of said element operable to hold said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet when the belt is substantially completely wound upon said spool and until the spool is rotated in an unwinding direction an amount sufficient to drive said pawl control element to its holdout position.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
A locking seat belt retractor in accordance with claim 23 wherein said independent means comprises a gear driven from said spool and having a surface engagable with said pawl.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
241 words
In a locking seat belt retractor comprising a frame, a spool including a ratchet mounted for rotation on said frame, a flexible belt wound on said spool, a spring constantly urging the spool in a direction of rotation to wind the belt thereon, and a pawl biased in a direction to engage the ratchet on said spool to stop rotation thereof in the unwinding direction, the improvement comprising an element mounted for movement between a winding holdout position and an unwinding holdout position and operative to hold said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet when in either of said positions, a lost motion frictional driving connection between said spool and said element for driving said element in opposite directions between said two positions, said element being constructed to release said pawl for engagement with said ratched when said element is intermediate said positions but being effective to move the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet when said element moves from its intermediate position to its winding holdout position, said pawl when released for engagement with the ratchet being effective to prevent movement of said element to said unwinding holdout position, and means independent of said element operable to hold said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet when the belt is substantially completely wound upon said spool and until the spool is rotated in an unwinding direction an amount sufficient to drive said element to its unwinding holdout position.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
241 words
In a locking seat belt retractor comprising a frame, a spool including a ratchet mounted for rotation on said frame, a flexible belt wound on said spool, a spring constantly urging the spool in a direction of rotation to wind the belt thereon, and a pawl biased in a direction to engage the ratchet on said spool to stop rotation thereof in the unwinding direction, the improvement comprising an element mounted for movement between a winding holdout position and an unwinding holdout position and operative to hold said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet when in either of said positions, a lost motion frictional driving connection between said spool and said element for driving said element in opposite directions between said two positions, said element being constructed to release said pawl for engagement with said ratched when said element is intermediate said positions but being effective to move the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet when said element moves from its intermediate position to its winding holdout position, said pawl when released for engagement with the ratchet being effective to prevent movement of said element to said unwinding holdout position, and means independent of said element operable to hold said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet when the belt is substantially completely wound upon said spool and until the spool is rotated in an unwinding direction an amount sufficient to drive said element to its unwinding holdout position.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
A locking seat belt retractor in accordance with claim 25 wherein said element is freely movable from said intermediate position to said winding holdout position.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
A locking seat belt retractor in accordance with claim 25 wherein said independent means comprises a gear driven from said spool and having a surface engagable with said pawl.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
A locking seat belt retractor in accordance with claim 8 wherein said second means comprises an internal gear mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of said spool.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-06 | 1975-12-06 | 1976-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-06 | 1979-12-06 | 1980-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-06 | 1983-12-06 | 1984-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |