US4032081A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking device for safety belt
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-06-16
•
Granted: 1977-06-28
•
Expires: 1996-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A locking device is provided for a self-coiling vehicle safety belt having a mounted coil spindle attachable to the vehicle, wherein a spindle gear keyed to the coil spindle can transmit the torque of accelerated belt withdrawal to a partially toothless planetary gear (or a pair of such) thus overcoming an anti-rotation bias, rotating said planetary gear or gears into mesh (beyond the toothless segment) with a fixed gear so that orbital and rotary motion of the planetary gear or gears continues until a stop surface provided on each planetary gear abuts with a fixed stop surface thereby locking the entire mechanism against further rotation in the direction of belt withdrawal.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Joseph Murnane
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:18
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/34; B60R22/36; B60R22/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A locking device for a self-coiling vehicle safety belt, of the type having a mounted coil spindle attachable to the vehicle, which device comprises (a) a spindle gear keyed to the coil spindle; (b) a fixed gear on the coil spindle mounting or an extension thereof; (c) at least one planetary gear adapted to mesh with the fixed gear and with the spindle gear; (d) portions of the planetary gear defining a toothless segment thereof, the toothless segment determining a resting rotary attitude of the planetary gear out of engagement with the fixed gear only; (e) means for biasing the planetary gear into the resting rotary attitude against all torques below a predetermined threshold magnitude; and (f) stop means for locking the planetary gear against rotation in excess of a predetermined angle of rotation from the resting rotary attitude thereof, in the direction corresponding to withdrawal of the safety belt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A locking device for a self-coiling vehicle safety belt, of the type having a mounted coil spindle attachable to the vehicle, which device comprises (a) a spindle gear keyed to the coil spindle; (b) a fixed gear on the coil spindle mounting or an extension thereof; (c) at least one planetary gear adapted to mesh with the fixed gear and with the spindle gear; (d) portions of the planetary gear defining a toothless segment thereof, the toothless segment determining a resting rotary attitude of the planetary gear out of engagement with the fixed gear only; (e) means for biasing the planetary gear into the resting rotary attitude against all torques below a predetermined threshold magnitude; and (f) stop means for locking the planetary gear against rotation in excess of a predetermined angle of rotation from the resting rotary attitude thereof, in the direction corresponding to withdrawal of the safety belt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein (c) a balanced set comprising at least two planetary gears is provided.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A locking device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the spindle gear axis is perpendicular to the axes of the planetary gears, and the fixed gear is a simple toothed wheel whereby the locking device has a differential-gear configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A locking device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the spindle gear axis is parallel to the axes of the planetary gears, and the fixed gear is an internally toothed ring gear, whereby the locking device has a planar epicyclic gear-train configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
A locking device as claimed in claim 1 wherein (e) the means for biasing the planetary gear into the resting rotary attitude comprises an extension of the planetary gear spindle or mounting having a face in sliding contact with a face of the gear, at least one recess in one of said faces housing a spring-loaded ball, and at least one corresponding depression in the other face being adapted to engage the ball.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
A locking device as claimed in claim 1 wherein (f) the stop means comprises a pair of surfaces adapted upon mutual abutment to stop the planetary gear rotating, one member of the pair being integral with or fixed to the planetary gear, the other member being integral with or fixed to the planetary gear spindle or mounting or an extension thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A locking device as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of the pair of surfaces lies in a plane which contains the planetary gear axis.
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) | 1980-06-27 | 1980-12-27 | 1981-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-27 | 1984-12-27 | 1985-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-27 | 1988-12-27 | 1989-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |