US3767135A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic locking seat belt retractor
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1971-07-09
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Granted: 1973-10-23
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Expires: 1991-07-09
Abstract
Abstract A retractor for a seat belt includes a reel spring loaded so as to normally retract a seat belt section wound thereon. Mechanism is provided for first allowing the belt section to be extended by the wearer to any desired length and to then lock the reel against further extension. This mechanism includes a cam and follower operative to disable the extension lock after the belt has been almost fully retracted so as to ready the unit for the next extension. The cam consists of a plate supported for rotation with the reel axis and having a groove formed thereon with an inner spiral section, an outer spiral section and an intermediate section connecting the two spirals and having a steeper radial projection than do the spiral sections. A cam follower has one end set in the groove and release of the extension lock is controlled by radial movement of the follower along the track, as it moves through the intermediate section of the groove. The reel is locked against extension by a cam-controlled pawl which cooperates with a ratchet fixed to the reel. A clutch moved by the reel urges the cam to move the ratchet away from the pawl during reel retraction to eliminate the annoying click of the pawl on the reel.
Inventors
- 👤 F Booth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:30
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/34; B60R22/347; B60R22/35; B60R22/353
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
267 words
In a retractor for a seat belt including a reel having one end of the seat belt attached thereto, spring means biasing the reel toward rotation so as to retract the seat belt and locking means provided with a pawl having a tab secured thereto and adapted for movement between locked and unlocked positions for respectively preventing and allowing rotation of the reel, the improvement comprising disabling means engageable with said tab of said locking means for preventing said locking means from moving to said locked position when the reel is in a rotational position which is within a predetermined rotation of the position wherein the belt is fully retracted, the disabling means including a cam adapted for rotation with the reel and a cam follower adapted for movement into and out of engagement with said tab of said locking means, the cam including a groove having an inner section formed about the axis of rotation of the cam, an outer section formed about the axis of rotation of the cam and an intermediate connecting section having a substantially greater radial inclination than either the inner or outer sections and said cam follower having a tab disposed in said groove whereby the radial movement of the cam follower per revolution of the reel is substantially greater when said follower is in said intermediate section than when it is in said inner or said outer sections, such radial movement of said tab of said cam follower within said connecting section acting to move said cam follower into and out of engagement with said tab of said locking means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
267 words
In a retractor for a seat belt including a reel having one end of the seat belt attached thereto, spring means biasing the reel toward rotation so as to retract the seat belt and locking means provided with a pawl having a tab secured thereto and adapted for movement between locked and unlocked positions for respectively preventing and allowing rotation of the reel, the improvement comprising disabling means engageable with said tab of said locking means for preventing said locking means from moving to said locked position when the reel is in a rotational position which is within a predetermined rotation of the position wherein the belt is fully retracted, the disabling means including a cam adapted for rotation with the reel and a cam follower adapted for movement into and out of engagement with said tab of said locking means, the cam including a groove having an inner section formed about the axis of rotation of the cam, an outer section formed about the axis of rotation of the cam and an intermediate connecting section having a substantially greater radial inclination than either the inner or outer sections and said cam follower having a tab disposed in said groove whereby the radial movement of the cam follower per revolution of the reel is substantially greater when said follower is in said intermediate section than when it is in said inner or said outer sections, such radial movement of said tab of said cam follower within said connecting section acting to move said cam follower into and out of engagement with said tab of said locking means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The retractor of claim 1 wherein said groove is formed in a plate and the inner and outer sections thereof have a spiral configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The retractor of claim 2 wherein the plate is supported on the side of the reel and rotates about the main axis of the reel, whereby the motion of the follower is radial with respect to the reel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The retractor of claim 1 wherein said disabling means is connected to the follower so as to be actuated as the follower rides through said connecting section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The retractor of claim 1 wherein said means for locking the reel against the belt extending rotation includes a ratchet affixed to said reel, a pawl pivotable into and out of engagement with the ratchet, means for biasing the pawl into locked engagement with the ratchet, and means for urging the pawl away from the ratchet, against the spring bias during belt retracting motion of the reel.
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) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |