Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A system for restraining forward movement of an occupant of a motor vehicle seat comprising chest restraint means adapted to engage with the occupant's chest, lap restraining means adapted to engage with the occupant's lap and and coupling means interconnecting the chest restraint means and the lap restraint means so that, in use, forward movement of the lap restraint means causes backward movement of the chest restraint means, the coupling means including variable velocity ratio means arranged to cause a non-linear variation in the velocity ratio of the coupling means in response to forward movement of the lap restraint means to increase the extent of backward movement of the lap restraint means caused by a predetermined extent of forward movement of the chest restraint means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
A system for restraining forward movement of an occupant of a motor vehicle seat comprising chest restraint means adapted to engage with the occupant's chest, lap restraining means adapted to engage with the occupant's lap and and coupling means interconnecting the chest restraint means and the lap restraint means so that, in use, forward movement of the lap restraint means causes backward movement of the chest restraint means, the coupling means including variable velocity ratio means arranged to cause a non-linear variation in the velocity ratio of the coupling means in response to forward movement of the lap restraint means to increase the extent of backward movement of the lap restraint means caused by a predetermined extent of forward movement of the chest restraint means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
105 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means includes a first lever connected to a chest restraint means and mounted for angular movement about a first axis and a second lever connected to the lap restraint means and mounted for angular movement about a second axis disposed parallel to but forwardly of the first axis, and the variable velocity ratio means comprises a roller arranged to engage between respective mutually confronting surfaces of the two levers and to be displaceable from a first position to a second position nearer to the second axis and further from the first axis than the first position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 2, further comprising releasable connecting means for connecting one of the said first and second levers to its respective restraint means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 2, wherein the chest restraint means comprises a pad mounted on an arm which is pivotable about the first axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system according to claim 2, wherein the lap restraint means comprises an `L` shaped arm having the end of one limb pivotable about the second axis and the other limb having a padded section for engagement with the occupant's lap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the lap and chest restraint means comprise respectively the lap and shoulder elements of a three-point safety belt and the coupling means comprises a reel on which the shoulder element is wound, rotation of the reel in the unwinding direction being opposed by tension in the lap element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 6, wherein the variable velocity ratio means comprises means for varying the radius at which the force exerted by such tension is applied to the reel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the variable velocity ratio means is so arranged as to be capable of reducing the velocity ratio of the coupling means to zero so that forward movement of the chest restraint means can take place without any movement of the lap restraint means.