US3890002A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seat belt arrangement
Assignee: Mack Trucks Inc
•
Filing: 1973-05-10
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1993-05-10
Abstract
Abstract In a seat belt arrangement for a vehicle seat, a portion of which is movable relative to the vehicle structure, an anchor assembly secures the seat belt to the vehicle structure. In addition, a coupling assembly releasably attaches the seat belt to the movable portion of the vehicle seat and slack is provided in the seat belt between the anchor assembly and the coupling assembly to permit limited relative movement between the movable portion of the vehicle seat and the vehicle structure. The portion of the seat belt which engages an occupant of the vehicle seat normally is secured by the coupling assembly to the movable portion of the vehicle seat. When a load greater than a predetermined impact load is exerted on the seat belt, however, the coupling assembly releases the occupant engaging portion of the seat belt, thereby transmitting the load to the anchor assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry L Warmskessel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:45
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
In a seat belt arrangement for a vehicle seat, at least a portion of which is movable relative to at least a portion of a vehicle structure, including a seat belt, and means anchoring the seat belt to the portion of the vehicle structure, the improvement comprising means releasably coupling the seat belt to the movable portion of the vehicle seat so as to provide slack in the seat belt between the anchoring means and the releasable coupling means to permit relative movement between the movable portion of the vehicle seat and the portion of the vehicle structure even when a portion of the seat belt is securely engaging an occupant of the seat, the portion of the seat belt adapted to engage an occupant of the vehicle seat being secured by the releasable coupling means to the movable portion of the seat under loads exerted on the seat belt up to a predetermined impact load, the releasable coupling means being adapted to release the occupant engaging portion of the seat belt, with the seat belt being unconstrained by any portion of the coupling means engaging the belt, in response to a load exerted on the seat belt exceeding the predetermined impact load so as to transfer the load on the seat belt from the movable portion of the vehicle seat to the anchoring means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
In a seat belt arrangement for a vehicle seat, at least a portion of which is movable relative to at least a portion of a vehicle structure, including a seat belt, and means anchoring the seat belt to the portion of the vehicle structure, the improvement comprising means releasably coupling the seat belt to the movable portion of the vehicle seat so as to provide slack in the seat belt between the anchoring means and the releasable coupling means to permit relative movement between the movable portion of the vehicle seat and the portion of the vehicle structure even when a portion of the seat belt is securely engaging an occupant of the seat, the portion of the seat belt adapted to engage an occupant of the vehicle seat being secured by the releasable coupling means to the movable portion of the seat under loads exerted on the seat belt up to a predetermined impact load, the releasable coupling means being adapted to release the occupant engaging portion of the seat belt, with the seat belt being unconstrained by any portion of the coupling means engaging the belt, in response to a load exerted on the seat belt exceeding the predetermined impact load so as to transfer the load on the seat belt from the movable portion of the vehicle seat to the anchoring means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein the releasable coupling means includes a bracket assembly to which the seat belt is secured, and screw means attaching the bracket assembly to the movable portion of the vehicle seat, the screw means being adapted to fail upon application of a load on the screw means corresponding to a load on the seat belt exceeding the predetermined impact load.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement of claim 2, wherein the brackets assembly includes two interlocking bracket members having openings formed therein, the seat belt extending through the openings and being wrapped around the bracket members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement of claim 2, wherein the bracket assembly includes a bracket member defining an opening, and wherein the seat belt includes a loop passing around the bracket member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improvement of claim 4, wherein the loop is formed by a strip of material passing through the opening and around a portion of the bracket member, each end of the strip of material being secured to the seat belt.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
107 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein the releasable coupling means includes a bracket member secured to the movable portion of the vehicle seat and defining an opening through which the seat belt passes, and a loop carried by the seat belt, the loop having dimensions such that it is not pulled through the opening under loads normally exerted on the seat belt by an occupant of the vehicle seat, the loop being deformed upon application of a load on the seat belt greater than the predetermined impact load so as to slip through the bracket member opening and release the occupant engaging portion of the seat belt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The improvement of claim 6, wherein the releasable coupling means further includes a compressible resilient member received in the loop, the resilient member normally expanding the loop and being compressed upon application of a load on the seat belt greater than the predetermined impact load to permit deformation of the loop.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein the releasable coupling means includes a bracket member secured to the movable portion of the vehicle seat and defining an opening through which the seat belt passes, and means attaching a pair of spaced portions of the seat belt to each other so as to define a loop in the seat belt which encircles a portion of the bracket member, the attaching means releasing the portions of the seat belt upon application of a load on the seat belt greater than the predetermined impact load.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein the releasable coupling means includes a coupling member secured to the seat belt and to the movable portion of the vehicle seat, the coupling member beIng adapted to fail upon application of a load on the coupling member corresponding to a load on the seat belt greater than the predetermined impact load.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
221 words
A seat belt arrangement for a vehicle seat, at least a portion of which is movable relative to at least a portion of a vehicle structure, comprising a seat belt, means anchoring the seat belt to the portion of the vehicle structure, and means releasably coupling the seat belt to the movable portion of the vehicle seat so as to provide slack in the seat belt between the anchoring means and the releasable coupling means to permit relative movement between the movable portion of the vehicle seat and the portion of the vehicle structure even when a portion of the seat belt is securely engaging an occupant of the seat, the portion of the seat belt adapted to engage an occupant of the vehicle seat being secured by the releasable coupling means to the movable portion of the seat under loads exerted on the seat belt up to a predetermined impact load, the releasable coupling means being adapted to release the occupant engaging portion of the seat belt, with the seat belt being unconstrained by any portion of the coupling means engaging the belt, in response to a load exerted on the seat belt exceeding the predetermined impact load so as to transfer the load on the seat belt from the movable portion of the vehicle seat to the anchoring means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
221 words
A seat belt arrangement for a vehicle seat, at least a portion of which is movable relative to at least a portion of a vehicle structure, comprising a seat belt, means anchoring the seat belt to the portion of the vehicle structure, and means releasably coupling the seat belt to the movable portion of the vehicle seat so as to provide slack in the seat belt between the anchoring means and the releasable coupling means to permit relative movement between the movable portion of the vehicle seat and the portion of the vehicle structure even when a portion of the seat belt is securely engaging an occupant of the seat, the portion of the seat belt adapted to engage an occupant of the vehicle seat being secured by the releasable coupling means to the movable portion of the seat under loads exerted on the seat belt up to a predetermined impact load, the releasable coupling means being adapted to release the occupant engaging portion of the seat belt, with the seat belt being unconstrained by any portion of the coupling means engaging the belt, in response to a load exerted on the seat belt exceeding the predetermined impact load so as to transfer the load on the seat belt from the movable portion of the vehicle seat to the anchoring means.
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) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |