US3838831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle sensitive retractor
Assignee: TRW Technar Inc
•
Filing: 1972-12-06
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Granted: 1974-10-01
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Expires: 1992-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle sensitive safety belt retractor is provided with actuating means responsive to acceleration of the vehicle for moving pawl means into engagement with ratchet means mounted on a belt strap reel of the retractor, and thereby preventing protraction of the belt. The actuating means includes mounting means provided with an open-ended upwardly extending projection and pendulum means in contact with the pawl means and freely suspended from the top of the projection. Sliding friction, as well as entrapment of dirt particles and corroded material between the pendulum means and the top of the projection, is substantially avoided. The retractor is highly reliable in operation and inexpensive to maintain.
Inventors
- 👤 L Bell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:48
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/34; B60R22/36; B60R22/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A safety belt retractor, comprising: a. support means; b. reel means rotatably mounted on said support means; c. belt means attached to said reel means for protraction and retraction with respect thereto; d. biasing means for urging said reel means in a retracting direction; e. ratchet means mounted in connected to said reel means for rotation therewith; f. pawl means mounted on said support means for engaging said ratchet means to stop rotation of said reel means and thereby prevent further protraction of said belt means; and g. actuating means responsive to acceleration of said vehicle and including (1) mounting means comprising an arm provided with an upwardly extending projection, the top of said projection being substantially parallel to the floor of the vehicle and having an aperture therein and (2) pendulum means comprising a pendulum weight on the lower end of a shaft, said shaft extending through said aperture and being connected at its upper end to a cap having its upper surface contacting said pawl means and its lower surface supported by substantially the entire surface area of the top of said projection, said pendulum means being freely suspended from said mounting means and being displaceable by inertia from a normally substantially vertical position, such displacement operating to move said pawl means into engagement with said ratchet means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
A safety belt retractor, comprising: a. support means; b. reel means rotatably mounted on said support means; c. belt means attached to said reel means for protraction and retraction with respect thereto; d. biasing means for urging said reel means in a retracting direction; e. ratchet means mounted in connected to said reel means for rotation therewith; f. pawl means mounted on said support means for engaging said ratchet means to stop rotation of said reel means and thereby prevent further protraction of said belt means; and g. actuating means responsive to acceleration of said vehicle and including (1) mounting means comprising an arm provided with an upwardly extending projection, the top of said projection being substantially parallel to the floor of the vehicle and having an aperture therein and (2) pendulum means comprising a pendulum weight on the lower end of a shaft, said shaft extending through said aperture and being connected at its upper end to a cap having its upper surface contacting said pawl means and its lower surface supported by substantially the entire surface area of the top of said projection, said pendulum means being freely suspended from said mounting means and being displaceable by inertia from a normally substantially vertical position, such displacement operating to move said pawl means into engagement with said ratchet means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A retractor as recited in claim 1, wherein the top of said projection has an outside diameter of 0.1 to 2 inches.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A retractor as recited in claim 1, wherein said pawl means weighs about 0.5to 200 grams.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A retractor as recited in claim 1, wherein said pendulum weight has a center of mass located about 0.1 to 3 inches from a substantially horizontal plane passing through said top.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A retractor as recited in claim 1, wherein the upper surface of said cap has a concave portion and said pawl means has a downwardly extending convex projection which contacts said concave portion so as to provide for movement of said pawl means upon displacement of said pendulum means by acceleration radially operably thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A retractor as recited in claim 1, including spring means for holding said pawl means in contact with said upper surface of said cap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A retractor as recited in claim 5, wherein said projection has a substantially cylindrical configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A retractor as recited in claim 1, including spring means supported by said support means and connected to said pawl means biasing said pawl means in contact with said cap.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A retractor as recited in claim 8, including adjustable means for varying the means tension.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1977-09-30 | 1978-04-01 | 1978-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-30 | 1982-04-01 | 1982-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-30 | 1986-04-01 | 1986-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |