Abstract An automatically applied three point safety belt system includes a retractor reel located at one side of the vehicle seat and spring rewinding an inflatable tubular lap belt which is arcuate in its inflated state and a retractor reel located at the same side of the seat back above the occupant shoulder level and spring rewinding a shoulder belt having a rear inflatable tubular section which upon inflation, extends horizontally, forwardly of the occupant''s shoulder. The ends of the belts are joined proximate an attached coupling ring which is lockable in engagement with a coupling hook on the other side of the seat. A flexible tube connects the interiors of the belts by way of a three way valve to a compressor, the valve being opened to connect the belt interiors to the compressor when the seat is occupied, and the vehicle door closed to inflate and extend the belts to advance the ring into engagement with the hook, and a manually, releasable locking member is actuated in response to such engagement, and the belts are deflated. A control network, including an inertia switch inflates the belts and locks the retractor reels under abnormal riding conditions, and recycles the application sequence when the ring is not engaged by the hook member.
A safety belt system in a vehicle having a seat including a seat portion and a back rest comprising a first spring loaded retractor positioned proximate a first side of said seat portion, a second spring loaded retractor and a belt outlet positioned on said back rest at the same side as said first retractor with said belt outlet at the upper part of said back rest at least at the level of the shoulder of an occupant of said seat, an inflatable tubular lap belt extendable from and retractable by said first retractor, and of curved configuration in an inflated condition with its concave face confronting said back rest, a first coupling member conntected to the outer end section of said lap belt, a second coupling member positioned proximate the second side of said seat portion opposite said first side and releasably engageable with said first coupling member, a shoulder belt extendable from and retractable by said second retractor through said belt outlet and connected at its outer end section to said lap belt outer end section and applicator means for withdrawing and advancing said lap belt in a curved path from said retractor toward said seat portion second side to bring said first coupling member into registry with said second coupling member and for withdrawing and advancing said shoulder belt from said second retractor along a predetermined path extending forwardly from said outlet at above said shoulder level for a distance forward of said shoulder, said applicator means comprising a source of compressed air and means including a flexible tube providing communication between said compressed air source and the interior of said lap belt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
276 words
A safety belt system in a vehicle having a seat including a seat portion and a back rest comprising a first spring loaded retractor positioned proximate a first side of said seat portion, a second spring loaded retractor and a belt outlet positioned on said back rest at the same side as said first retractor with said belt outlet at the upper part of said back rest at least at the level of the shoulder of an occupant of said seat, an inflatable tubular lap belt extendable from and retractable by said first retractor, and of curved configuration in an inflated condition with its concave face confronting said back rest, a first coupling member conntected to the outer end section of said lap belt, a second coupling member positioned proximate the second side of said seat portion opposite said first side and releasably engageable with said first coupling member, a shoulder belt extendable from and retractable by said second retractor through said belt outlet and connected at its outer end section to said lap belt outer end section and applicator means for withdrawing and advancing said lap belt in a curved path from said retractor toward said seat portion second side to bring said first coupling member into registry with said second coupling member and for withdrawing and advancing said shoulder belt from said second retractor along a predetermined path extending forwardly from said outlet at above said shoulder level for a distance forward of said shoulder, said applicator means comprising a source of compressed air and means including a flexible tube providing communication between said compressed air source and the interior of said lap belt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said shoulder belt includes an inner inflatable tubular section and said flexible tube provides communication between said compressed air source and the interior of said shoulder belt tubular section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 including means responsive to engagement between said first and second coupling members for releasably locking said engaged coupling members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 3 including hand operated means for releasing said first coupling member from said second coupling member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said first coupling member comprises a first hook, said second coupling member comprises a second hook member and said locking means comprises a guide plate pivoted to said second hook member and swingable between an open position defining with said second hook member an open throat leading into said second hook member and a lock position closing said second hook member.