US4256273A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety belt retractors
Assignee: SMR Automotive Mirrors UK Ltd
•
Filing: 1979-07-03
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Granted: 1981-03-17
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Expires: 1999-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A safety belt retractor has a spindle 11 provided with an outer layer 14 formed of a material which is capable of absorbing energy by substantially inelastic deformation. When the safety belt 10 is subject to shock-loading exceeding a predetermined level, this outer layer 14 is crushed, leading to a reduction in the effective diameter of the spindle 11 and thereby allowing an additional length of the belt 10 to be paid out after the spindle 11 has been loaded.
Inventors
- 👤 David W. Burleigh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:05
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/34; B60R22/341; F; F16; F16F; F16F7/00; F16F7/12; B60R2022/3427
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A spindle for a safety belt retractor having a locking mechanism, said spindle comprising a rigid core and a radially outer layer formed of energy absorbing material which is capable of absorbing energy by substantially inelastic deformation, a safety belt wound on said radially outer layer and means for attaching an end of said safety belt to said core, whereby deformation of said radially outer layer permits extraction of the belt from the retractor when rotation of the spindle is inhibited by the locking mechanism and a predetermined belt loading is exceeded.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A spindle for a safety belt retractor having a locking mechanism, said spindle comprising a rigid core and a radially outer layer formed of energy absorbing material which is capable of absorbing energy by substantially inelastic deformation, a safety belt wound on said radially outer layer and means for attaching an end of said safety belt to said core, whereby deformation of said radially outer layer permits extraction of the belt from the retractor when rotation of the spindle is inhibited by the locking mechanism and a predetermined belt loading is exceeded.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A spindle according to claim 1, wherein said energy absorbing material is a foamed plastics material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A spindle according to claim 1, wherein said energy absorbing material comprises a series of compressively deformable cells.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
89 words
A safety belt retractor comprising a locking mechanism, a spindle having a rigid core and a radial outer layer formed of energy absorbing material which is capable of absorbing energy by substantially inelastic deformation, a safety belt wound on said radially outer layer and means for attaching an end of said safety belt to said core, whereby deformation of said radially outer layer permits extraction of the belt from the retractor when rotation of the spindle is inhibited by the locking mechanism and a predetermined belt loading is exceeded.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
A safety belt retractor comprising a locking mechanism, a spindle having a rigid core and a radial outer layer formed of energy absorbing material which is capable of absorbing energy by substantially inelastic deformation, a safety belt wound on said radially outer layer and means for attaching an end of said safety belt to said core, whereby deformation of said radially outer layer permits extraction of the belt from the retractor when rotation of the spindle is inhibited by the locking mechanism and a predetermined belt loading is exceeded.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A retractor according to claim 4, wherein said energy absorbing material is a foam plastics material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A retractor according to claim 4, wherein said energy absorbing material comprises a series of compressively deformable cells.
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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) | 1984-03-16 | 1984-09-15 | 1985-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-16 | 1988-09-15 | 1989-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-16 | 1992-09-15 | 1993-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |