US3926384A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking mechanism for automobile safety belt retractor
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1973-07-26
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Granted: 1975-12-16
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Expires: 1993-07-26
Abstract
Abstract The locking mechanism is operated by inertia and prevents withdrawal of an automobile safety seat belt from its retractor when the locking mechanism is subjected to a predetermined acceleration or deceleration, or a sudden change in direction of movement. The locking mechanism uses an inertia member, such as a sphere, disposed on a retaining base. A substantially conical member is disposed over the inertia member and a locking dog is affixed to the substantially conical member. The inertia member is adapted to be disposed in a rest position in the approximate center of the retaining base and is adapted to be displaced from the rest position by inertia to an engaged position at the periphery of the locking dog retaining base, which causes the locking dog to engage a ratchet wheel axially mounted on the safety belt spool to restrain the safety belt against withdrawal. The upper surface of the retaining base may be substantially flat or may have a slightly convex shape. A magnetic material may be positioned in the central portion of the retaining base to exert a force large enough to hold the inertia member in the central position prior to actuation of the locking mechanism. The retaining base may also have a shallow recess at the center of the retaining base to hold the inertia member in the rest position.
Inventors
- 👤 Per Olof Weman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:52
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/34; B60R22/36; B60R22/405
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
340 words
A locking mechanism operated by inertia and adpated for use with one or more safety belts of the type wherein the safety belt is wound around a spool, said spool having one or more ratchet wheels connected thereto, said locking mechanism comprising: an inertia member adapted to be disposed in a rest position when said locking mechanism is inoperative and adapted to be displaced from said rest position by inertia; a retaining base for said inertia member, said inertia member being supported on said retaining base; a substantially conical actuation member having an open bottom, sides and a top, said actuation member disposed above said inertia member and centered over said rest position of said inertia member, said actuation member movable by said inertia member; and a locking dog affixed to said actuation member, whereby displacement of said inertia memBer from said rest position causes said locking dog to engage said ratchet wheel to restrain said safety belt against movement in the withdrawal direction; wherein: at least a portion of said inertia member extends into said open bottom of said actuation member, a portion of said sides of said actuation member extending at least partially over and around at least a portion of said inertia member; said locking dog engages said ratchet wheel at one end of said locking dog and said locking dog has a pivot point at the opposite end of said locking dog from the end which engages said ratchet wheel, said actuation member affixed between said ends of said locking dog; and said actuation member is slightly tilted, thereby providing uniform sensitivity to the engaging action of the locking dog to the ratchet wheel; and the angle formed by the side of said actuation member adjacent the end of said locking dog having said pivot point with a vertical plane through the top of said actuation member being greater than the angle formed by the side of said actuation member adjacent the end of said locking dog which engages said ratchet wheel with the vertical plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
340 words
A locking mechanism operated by inertia and adpated for use with one or more safety belts of the type wherein the safety belt is wound around a spool, said spool having one or more ratchet wheels connected thereto, said locking mechanism comprising: an inertia member adapted to be disposed in a rest position when said locking mechanism is inoperative and adapted to be displaced from said rest position by inertia; a retaining base for said inertia member, said inertia member being supported on said retaining base; a substantially conical actuation member having an open bottom, sides and a top, said actuation member disposed above said inertia member and centered over said rest position of said inertia member, said actuation member movable by said inertia member; and a locking dog affixed to said actuation member, whereby displacement of said inertia memBer from said rest position causes said locking dog to engage said ratchet wheel to restrain said safety belt against movement in the withdrawal direction; wherein: at least a portion of said inertia member extends into said open bottom of said actuation member, a portion of said sides of said actuation member extending at least partially over and around at least a portion of said inertia member; said locking dog engages said ratchet wheel at one end of said locking dog and said locking dog has a pivot point at the opposite end of said locking dog from the end which engages said ratchet wheel, said actuation member affixed between said ends of said locking dog; and said actuation member is slightly tilted, thereby providing uniform sensitivity to the engaging action of the locking dog to the ratchet wheel; and the angle formed by the side of said actuation member adjacent the end of said locking dog having said pivot point with a vertical plane through the top of said actuation member being greater than the angle formed by the side of said actuation member adjacent the end of said locking dog which engages said ratchet wheel with the vertical plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A locking mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said retaining base has a substantially flat upper surface disposed in a substantially horizontal position and has upturned edges at the outer periphery of said base.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A locking mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said retaining base has a slightly convex upper surface disposed in a substantially horizontal position and has upturned edges at the outer periphery of said base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A locking mechanism according the claim 1 and further comprising a magnet located at the center of said base, the magnetic force of which is large enough to hold said inertia member in the central position of said base prior to actuation of said locking mechanism; and wherein said inertia member is composed of a magnetic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A locking mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said retaining base has an upper surface and said upper surface has a shallow recess at the center of said retaining base adapted to hold said inertia member in said rest position and adapted to allow said inertia member to be displaced out of said recess by inertia.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A locking mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said actuation member is in contact with a portion of the top of said inertia member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A locking mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said actuation member has a flattened portion at its top.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A locking mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the side of the actuation member adjacent to the end of the locking dog having the pivot point is slightly shorter than the side of the actuation member adjacent to the end of the locking dog which engages the ratchet wheel.
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) | 1978-12-15 | 1979-06-16 | 1979-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-15 | 1983-06-16 | 1983-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-15 | 1987-06-16 | 1987-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |