Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
276 words
A locking mechanism for a retractable safety belt having a strap in a vehicle to lock the belt either at rapid retraction of the strap of the belt or at an alteration in travelling speed or direction of the vehicle, the mechanism comprising, in combination, a reel having an axis and on which the strap is coiled up when not in use; a supporting means attached to said reel for rotation with it; two pivot pins attached to said supporting means and positioned diametrically and at equal distances from and in parallel to said reel; at least two latching means pivotally mounted on said two respective pivot pins thereby to be turnable by centrifugal force from a retracted free position to an extended, latching position, said at least two latching means having substantially identical shapes, having respective notches and being positioned in a given plane perpendicular to said reel to abut one another in said plane whereby an angular turning of one of said at least two latching means causes a corresponding equal angular turning of the other of said at least two latching means; an actuating means rotatably mounted on said reel and provided with respective pins projecting into said respective notches in said at least two latching means so as to be driven by said at least two latching means upon rotation of said reel; and a movable inertia member for braking said actuating means in relation to said reel in response to an alteration of speed or direction of the vehicle, said actuating means when braked forcing said at least two latching means substantially simultaneously to the latching positions for locking said reel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
276 words
A locking mechanism for a retractable safety belt having a strap in a vehicle to lock the belt either at rapid retraction of the strap of the belt or at an alteration in travelling speed or direction of the vehicle, the mechanism comprising, in combination, a reel having an axis and on which the strap is coiled up when not in use; a supporting means attached to said reel for rotation with it; two pivot pins attached to said supporting means and positioned diametrically and at equal distances from and in parallel to said reel; at least two latching means pivotally mounted on said two respective pivot pins thereby to be turnable by centrifugal force from a retracted free position to an extended, latching position, said at least two latching means having substantially identical shapes, having respective notches and being positioned in a given plane perpendicular to said reel to abut one another in said plane whereby an angular turning of one of said at least two latching means causes a corresponding equal angular turning of the other of said at least two latching means; an actuating means rotatably mounted on said reel and provided with respective pins projecting into said respective notches in said at least two latching means so as to be driven by said at least two latching means upon rotation of said reel; and a movable inertia member for braking said actuating means in relation to said reel in response to an alteration of speed or direction of the vehicle, said actuating means when braked forcing said at least two latching means substantially simultaneously to the latching positions for locking said reel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuating means comprises a wheel having a circumference, and wherein said movable inertia member for braking is positioned adjacent said circumference of said wheel for engagement with said wheel in response to an alteration of speed or direction of movement of the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein said wheel is provided with teeth along its circumference and said braking member comprises a pawl which is pivotable into engagement with said teeth.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein said pawl is coupled and controlled by said inertia member, said inertia member comprising a tiltable inertia member, said inertia member on alteration of speed or direction of the vehicle tilting into a position in which it moves said pawl into engagement with said teeth of said wheel.