US3837594A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seat belt retractor apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-04-06
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Granted: 1974-09-24
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Expires: 1992-04-06
Abstract
Abstract Seat belt retractor apparatus having a spring biased latching device for locking the seat belt in a selected extended position. The latching device incorporates a latch that is releasably held in an unlatched position by a condition responsive latch holding device so that the seat belt user is permitted free movement and also to preclude premature latching prior to the belt being buckled. The condition responsive latch holding device responds to inertia forces in any direction acting on the retractor apparatus and when of a certain magnitude will release the latch for movement to the latched position. A latch positioning device is also included that prevents ratcheting during rotation of the belt in the belt retracted direction, that can be used to reset the holding device, and that insures that latching occurs in the event that the condition responsive latch holding device malfunctions. This interaction of the two devices is facilitated by a lost motion connection therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 G Lewis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:21
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/34; B60R22/36; B60R22/41; B60R22/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
383 words
In seat belt retractor apparatus, the combination of a frame element having a reel member rotatably supported thereon; a belt wound on the reel member for movement in both belt extended and belt retracted directions; reel member bias means urging the reel member to a belt retracted position; latching means resisting rotation of the reel member in a belt extended direction; the latching means including a ratchet member revolvable with the reel member, a latch element rotatably positioned on the frame element and having a latched position in engagement with the ratchet member so as to prevent rotation of the reel member in the belt extended direction and also having first and second unlatched positions in each of which the latch element is out of engagement with the rachet member so as to permit unrestrained rotation of the reel member in either direction, means on the latch element for engaging the belt and moving the latch element to the first unlatched position when retracted and latch element bias means urging the latch element to the latched position; latch element positioning means releasably drive connected to the reel member for movement therewith; the latch element positioning means having movable stop means operative to maintain the latch element in the first unlatched position thereof during rotation of the reel member in the belt extended direction and then being movable to release the latch element upon a certain initial rotation of the reel member in the belt retracted direction and to the second unlatched position and also having cam means for holding the latch element out of engagement with the ratchet member during subsequent rotation of the reel member in the belt retracted direction and until the belt engages the latch element; and condition responsive latch element holding means maintaining thE latch element in the second unlatched position thereof; the condition responsive latch element holding means being operative in response to a certain inertia forces imposed thereon to release the latch element so as to permit the latch element to be biased by the latch element bias means to the latched position, the latch element holding means having a lost motion connection with the latch element so as to permit the latch element to be moved between the first unlatched position and the second unlatched position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
383 words
In seat belt retractor apparatus, the combination of a frame element having a reel member rotatably supported thereon; a belt wound on the reel member for movement in both belt extended and belt retracted directions; reel member bias means urging the reel member to a belt retracted position; latching means resisting rotation of the reel member in a belt extended direction; the latching means including a ratchet member revolvable with the reel member, a latch element rotatably positioned on the frame element and having a latched position in engagement with the ratchet member so as to prevent rotation of the reel member in the belt extended direction and also having first and second unlatched positions in each of which the latch element is out of engagement with the rachet member so as to permit unrestrained rotation of the reel member in either direction, means on the latch element for engaging the belt and moving the latch element to the first unlatched position when retracted and latch element bias means urging the latch element to the latched position; latch element positioning means releasably drive connected to the reel member for movement therewith; the latch element positioning means having movable stop means operative to maintain the latch element in the first unlatched position thereof during rotation of the reel member in the belt extended direction and then being movable to release the latch element upon a certain initial rotation of the reel member in the belt retracted direction and to the second unlatched position and also having cam means for holding the latch element out of engagement with the ratchet member during subsequent rotation of the reel member in the belt retracted direction and until the belt engages the latch element; and condition responsive latch element holding means maintaining thE latch element in the second unlatched position thereof; the condition responsive latch element holding means being operative in response to a certain inertia forces imposed thereon to release the latch element so as to permit the latch element to be biased by the latch element bias means to the latched position, the latch element holding means having a lost motion connection with the latch element so as to permit the latch element to be moved between the first unlatched position and the second unlatched position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
116 words
Seat belt retractor apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the latch element positioning means includes clutch means releasably drive connecting the latch element positioning means for movement with the reel member so as to operate the cam means and thereby hold the latch element in the first unlatched position thereof during movement of the reel member in the belt extended direction, to operate the stop means to release the latch element upon a predetermined initial movement of the reel member in the belt retracted direction and to operate the cam means to hold the latch element out of engagement with the ratchet member during subsequent movement of the reel member in the belt retracted direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
Seat belt retractor apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein the latch element positioning means further includes a stop on the frame element for restricting rotation of the latch element positioning means in both the belt extended and belt retracted directions and the stop means are engageable with the stop in each of a latch element restraining setting and a latch element releasing setting so as in the latch element restraining setting thereof to hold the latch element in the first unlatched position thereof and in the latch element releasing setting thereof to release the latch element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
Seat belt retractor apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein the cam means includes a cam surface engageable with the latch element in a latch element restraining setting thereof so as to hold the latch element in the first unlatched setting thereof during movement of the reel member in a belt extended direction and a cam element pivotally joined to the cam means and engagable with the latch element so as to urge the latch element out of engagement with the ratchet member during movement of the reel member in the belt retracted direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
Seat belt retractor apparatus as described in claim 4, wherein the latch element has a guide opening therethrough and the cam element includes a rod portion extending through the guide opening in the latch element and a cam portion engageable with the latch element during movement of the reel member in the belt retracted direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
142 words
Seat belt retractor apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the condition responsive latch element holding means includes inertia means responsive to inertia forces acting on the retractor apparatus, the inertia means being supported on one of the elements and being constructed and arranged for movement in any direction from a set position to an unset position in response to an inertia force of a certain magnitude acting thereon, the holding means also including bias means returning the inertia means to the set position upon reduction of the inertia force and locking means actuatable by the inertia means, when moved from the set position to the unset position thereof, from a locked position in which the latch element is maintained in the second unlatched position to an unlocked position in which the latch element is released for return to the latched position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
Seat belt retractor apparatus as described in claim 6, wherein the inertia means is a pendulum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
Seat belt retractor apparatus as described in claim 6, wherein the locking means includes a locking portion arranged so as to engage one of the elements and prevent movement of the latch element from the second unlatched position to the latched position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
131 words
Seat belt retractor apparatus as described in claim 2, whereiN the condition responsive latch element holding means includes inertia means responsive to inertia forces acting on the retractor apparatus and being movably supported on one of said elements for movement in any direction from a set position to an unset position in response to an inertia force of a certain magnitude acting thereon, bias means returning the inertia means to the set position upon reduction of the inertia force and locking means actuatable by the inertia means, when moved from the set position to the unset position thereof, from a locked position in which the latch element is maintained in the second unlatched position to an unlocked position in which the latch element is released for return to the latched position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
131 words
Seat belt retractor apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein the condition responsive latch element holding means includes inertia means responsive to the inertia forces acting on the retractor apparatus and being movably supported by the latch element for movement in any direction from a set position to an unset position in response to an inertia force of a certain magnitude acting thereon, bias means returning the inertia means to the set position upon reduction of the inertia force, and locking means actuatable by the inertia means when moved from the set position to the unset position thereof, from a locked position in which the latch element is held in the second unlatched position to an unlocked position in which the latch element is released for return to the latched position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
133 words
Seat belt retractor apparatus as described in claim 5, wherein the condition responsive latch element holding means includes pendulum means responsive to inertia forces acting on the retractor apparatus and being movably supported on the frame element for movement in any direction from a set position to an unset position in response to an inertia force of a certain magnitude acting thereon, bias means returning the pendulum means to the set position upon reduction of the inertia force, locking means maneuverable by the pendulum means when the pendulum means is moved from the set position to the unset position thereof from a locked position in which the latch element is maintained in the second unlatched position to the unlocked position in which the latch element is released for return to the latched position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
178 words
Seat belt retractor apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein the condition response latch element holding means includes pendulum means responsive to inertia forces acting on the retractor apparatus, the pendulum means being movably supported on the latch element for movement in any direction from a set position to an unset position in response to an inertia force of a certain magnitude acting thereon, the holding means further including bias means returning the pendulum means to the set position upon reduction of the inertia force acting thereon, a stop on the frame element, locking means maneuverable by the pendulum means, when the pendulum means moves from the set position to the unset position thereof, from a locking position to an unlocking position, the locking means in the locking position thereof having a locking position engageable with the frame element stop so as to hold the latch element in the second unlatched position thereof and disengageable from the frame element stop in the unlocking position thereof so as to release the latch element for return to the latched position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |