US4257625A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Input coupling to a motion amplifier for use in door-actuated seat belt systems
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-04-23
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Granted: 1981-03-24
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Expires: 1999-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A passive occupant restraint belt system for a vehicle which includes a restraining belt and apparatus for moving the belt between occupant-restraining and occupant-releasing positions in response to partial opening of a door of the vehicle. A belt transfer device engages the seat or shoulder belt for moving the belt from the retraining to the releasing position and is actuated by a motion transmission mechanism which transmits and amplifies door opening motions to the belt transfer device. The transmission includes a motion amplifier mounted on either the vehicle body or door, and a force transmitting input rod having one end coupled to an input component of the motion amplifier. The other end of the rod engages a coupler mounted on the other of the vehicle body or door, the coupling arrangement such that the rod is connected when the door is between closed and partway open to transmit opening and closing motions of the door to the motion amplifier thereby to move the belt transfer device between its releasing and restraining positions. The rod, however, is disconnected from the door or body when the door is between partway open and fully open, such that the door may be fully opened without further actuating the belt transfer mechanism. The coupler for engaging the input rod also includes an emergency releasing feature for permitting the door to open when the belt transfer mechanism or amplifier is inoperative and thereby bound up.
Inventors
- 👤 Juichiro Takada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:01
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/04; B60R22/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
In a passive occupant restraint belt system for vehicles having a body and a door, the system including a restraining belt, apparatus for moving the belt from an occupant-restraining to an occupant-releasing position in response to partial opening of the door of the vehicle comprising belt transfer means engaging the belt for moving the belt from the restraining to the releasing position and motion transmission means coupled to the belt transfer means for transmitting and amplifying opening motions of the door to the transfer means, the transmission means including a motion amplifier mounted on one of the vehicle body and door, and a force transmitting input member having one end coupled to an input component of the motion amplifier, the improvement comprising coupling means for connecting the other end of the input member to the other of the vehicle body and door when the door is between closed and partway opened positions for transmitting door opening and closing movements to the motion amplifier to move the belt between its restraining and releasing positions, and for releasing the other end of the member from the door or vehicle body when the door is between partway opened to fully opened.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
In a passive occupant restraint belt system for vehicles having a body and a door, the system including a restraining belt, apparatus for moving the belt from an occupant-restraining to an occupant-releasing position in response to partial opening of the door of the vehicle comprising belt transfer means engaging the belt for moving the belt from the restraining to the releasing position and motion transmission means coupled to the belt transfer means for transmitting and amplifying opening motions of the door to the transfer means, the transmission means including a motion amplifier mounted on one of the vehicle body and door, and a force transmitting input member having one end coupled to an input component of the motion amplifier, the improvement comprising coupling means for connecting the other end of the input member to the other of the vehicle body and door when the door is between closed and partway opened positions for transmitting door opening and closing movements to the motion amplifier to move the belt between its restraining and releasing positions, and for releasing the other end of the member from the door or vehicle body when the door is between partway opened to fully opened.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
The improvement according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises a tenon on the end of the input member and a coupler attached to the vehicle door or body including a latch means for engaging the tenon when the door is between the closed and partway open position, and for permitting the tenon to pivot away from the latch when the door is between the partway open and fully open positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
The improvement according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises a tenon on the end of the input member, and a coupler attached to the vehicle door or body and having a pair of spring loaded spaced apart jaws for receiving the tenon and holding the tenon when the door is between its closed and partway open positions, and for releasing the tenon when the door is between the partway open and fully open position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
The improvement according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises a pin on the end of the input member and a coupler comprising a yoke attached to the other of the vehicle body or door, and arranged to engage the pin when the door is between the closed and partway open position to transmit door movement to the amplifier, but to permit the pin to retract from the yoke when the door is between its partway open and fully open positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
The improvement according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises a coupler having a pair of receiving members pivotable toward and away from each other between locking and releasing positions, an enlarged end portion on the input member receivable in the coupler between the receiving members, wherein the input member is captured in the coupler when the receiving members are in the locking position, means for urging the members toward the locking position, and spacer means for maintaining the receiving members apart when the enlarged portion is retracted from the coupler.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
The improvement according to claim 5, wherein the coupler comprises a Z-spring having a spacer portion at one end thereof, the spring disposed in the coupler to engage the enlarged end of the rod for moving the spacer portion between a first position for maintaining the receiving members apart when the rod is retracted from the coupler and a second position for permitting the receiving members to pivot to the locking position when the rod is inserted into the coupling.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement according to claims 1, 2, or 4, further comprising an emergency release means for disconnecting the input member from the coupling means when the belt transfer mechanism or amplifier is inoperable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
The improvement according to claim 7, wherein said release means comprises means for pivotally mounting said coupling means on said other one of said body and said door and spring means for retaining said coupling means in a fixed position during normal opening and closing movement of the door, and for releasing the coupling means to pivot in emergency situations for releasing the input member from the coupling means to permit the door to freely open.
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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) | 1984-03-23 | 1984-09-22 | 1985-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-23 | 1988-09-22 | 1989-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-23 | 1992-09-22 | 1993-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |