US4049293A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seat belt security release mechanism
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-03-29
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Granted: 1977-09-20
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Expires: 1996-03-29
Abstract
Abstract An automobile seat belt has a security release mechanism producing automatic opening of the belt after a given delay following an impact. Ends of the belt carry an attachment locked in a slot by two balls held in an opening of the attachment by retractable pins. Retraction of the pins to free the balls and hence the belt is controlled by a clockwork triggered by a spring when the belt tension exceeds a given value.
Inventors
- 👤 Michel Bouju
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:09
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/32; B60R22/322; B60R22/324; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/45; Y10T24/45225; Y10T24/45461
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
In a security release mechanism for connection between a safety seat belt and an anchoring means to produce automatic opening of the belt after a given time following an impact, comprising a belt attachment member, a first piece having a slot for receiving said member, means for locking said member in said slot, and means including a spring submitted to the belt tension transmitted by said attachment member for controlling delayed disengagement of said locking means to release said member after said tension has exceeded a given value, the improvement wherein said locking means comprises two balls disposed in housings in said first piece adjacent part of said slot which receives said member, said member having an opening which faces said housings when said member is located in said slot, at least one of said balls being movable away from the other into its housing, and at least one retractable abutment normally holding said movable ball against the other ball in said opening of said member to lock said member in said slot, said delayed-disengagement control means comprising means for retracting said abutment to allow said movable ball to move away from the other to free said belt attachment member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
In a security release mechanism for connection between a safety seat belt and an anchoring means to produce automatic opening of the belt after a given time following an impact, comprising a belt attachment member, a first piece having a slot for receiving said member, means for locking said member in said slot, and means including a spring submitted to the belt tension transmitted by said attachment member for controlling delayed disengagement of said locking means to release said member after said tension has exceeded a given value, the improvement wherein said locking means comprises two balls disposed in housings in said first piece adjacent part of said slot which receives said member, said member having an opening which faces said housings when said member is located in said slot, at least one of said balls being movable away from the other into its housing, and at least one retractable abutment normally holding said movable ball against the other ball in said opening of said member to lock said member in said slot, said delayed-disengagement control means comprising means for retracting said abutment to allow said movable ball to move away from the other to free said belt attachment member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
A seat belt security release mechanism according to claim 1, in which said first piece is movably mounted on a second piece carrying said at least one abutment between a first position in which said at least one abutment holds the balls together in said opening and a second position in which said abutment frees the balls, and comprising at least one second spring biasing said first piece to said first position, and means on said second piece for releasably holding said first piece in its second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A seat belt security release mechanism according to claim 2, in which said holding means comprise a lever pivoted between a retaining position and a release position, said delayed-disengagement control means comprising means for abruptly moving said lever to its release position at the end of said delay.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A seat belt security release mechanism according to claim 3, in which said delayed-disengagement control means comprises energy storage means actuating a delay mechanism which comprises means for setting it going in response to a critical deformation of said first spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A seat belt security release mechanism according to claim 4, in which said energy storage means and said delay mechanism are formed by a clockwork movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
A seat belt security release mechanism according to claim 5, in which said movement comprises a barrel rotated by a barrel spring, and means for allowing said barrel to slowly rotate during part of a revolution during said delay and thereafter allowing said barrel spring to abrutly rotate the barrel, said barrel carrying a striker for knocking said lever to its release position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
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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) | 1980-09-19 | 1981-03-21 | 1981-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-19 | 1985-03-21 | 1985-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-19 | 1989-03-21 | 1989-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |