Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
In a vehicle passive seat belt restraint system including a seat belt having one end attached at a point of attachment to a door of said vehicle and the opposite end attached in the interior of said vehicle such that when the said door is closed, said belt is automatically moved to a first position at which it restrains an occupant when seated in his seat and when said door is opened, said belt is moved to a second position located forward of said vehicle with respect to said first position, to permit free ingress to and egress from said vehicle, said door having a pivot point upon which said door pivots during opening and closing, the improvement for moving said belt to said second position upon only partial opening of said door, said improvement comprising: rod means having one end pivotally connected to the frame of the vehicle at a point located adjacent to and above the height of said door and having an opposite end communicating with said seat belt, the distance between said one end and said opposite end of said rod means being less than the distance between said pivot point of said door and said point of attachment of said seat belt to said door, whereby partial opening of said door causes said rod means to move said belt to its second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
In a vehicle passive seat belt restraint system including a seat belt having one end attached at a point of attachment to a door of said vehicle and the opposite end attached in the interior of said vehicle such that when the said door is closed, said belt is automatically moved to a first position at which it restrains an occupant when seated in his seat and when said door is opened, said belt is moved to a second position located forward of said vehicle with respect to said first position, to permit free ingress to and egress from said vehicle, said door having a pivot point upon which said door pivots during opening and closing, the improvement for moving said belt to said second position upon only partial opening of said door, said improvement comprising: rod means having one end pivotally connected to the frame of the vehicle at a point located adjacent to and above the height of said door and having an opposite end communicating with said seat belt, the distance between said one end and said opposite end of said rod means being less than the distance between said pivot point of said door and said point of attachment of said seat belt to said door, whereby partial opening of said door causes said rod means to move said belt to its second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The passive seat belt restraint system of claim 1 wherein said rod means is biased in a horizontal plane in the direction of said door.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vehicle passive restraint system of claim 1 wherein said opposite end of said rod means is constructed so as to permit free passage of said seat belt therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicle passive restraint system of claim 3 wherein said opposite end of said rod means is in the form of a loop.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle passive seat belt restraint system of claim 1 wherein an emergency release buckle is associated with said seat belt.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The vehicle passive seat belt restraint system of claim 5 wherein said emergency release buckle is attached to said one end of said seat belt and is also attached to said door.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The vehicle passive seat belt restraint system of claim 1 wherein said opposite end of said seat belt is connected to a retractor mounted in said vehicle on the opposite side of a seat of said vehicle from the side of said seat adjacent to said door.