US4400014A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coupling device for connecting a drive element to a belt transfer member in a passive vehicle occupant restraint belt system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-11-10
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Granted: 1983-08-23
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Expires: 2001-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A coupling device for connecting a drive element to a belt transfer member in a passive vehicle occupant restraint belt system comprises a fitting on the end of the drive element that is received into a generally U-shaped receptacle on the transfer member and held in place by a U-shaped leaf spring retainer. The fittng has one or more annular, outwardly projecting flanges that fit into and engage openings in the walls of the receptacle to transmit driving force from the fitting to the receptacle.
Inventors
- 👤 Juichiro Takada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:23
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/04; B60R22/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
276 words
In a passive vehicle occupant restraint belt system having a belt transfer member engaging the belt and received for movement along a guide rail between a restraint location in which the belt is held in a configuration for restraining the occupant and a release location in which the belt is held in a configuration for releasing the occupant and an elongated drive element driven by a drive device in response to opening and closing movements of the vehicle door and adapted to transmit motion to the belt transfer member from the drive device, the improvement comprising a fitting fastened on the end portion of the drive element and having a shaft portion extending coaxially with the end portion of the drive element and at least one annular flange portion of a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the shaft portion projecting generally radially from the shaft portion, a generally U-shaped receptacle on the transfer member having a width large enough to accept the shaft portion of the fitting and substantially less than the diameter of the flange portion and having oppositely located openings receiving parts of the flange portion of the fitting with said parts of the flange portions engaging edges of the openings that lie transverse to the axis of the guide rail, and a generally U-shaped retainer leaf spring received and held in place in the receptacle and having spaced-apart resilient leg portions straddling the flange portion and partly overlying the shaft portion of the fitting, the leg portions being resiliently deflectable to permit the fitting to be pushed into the receptacle into a position in which the leg portions retain it therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
276 words
In a passive vehicle occupant restraint belt system having a belt transfer member engaging the belt and received for movement along a guide rail between a restraint location in which the belt is held in a configuration for restraining the occupant and a release location in which the belt is held in a configuration for releasing the occupant and an elongated drive element driven by a drive device in response to opening and closing movements of the vehicle door and adapted to transmit motion to the belt transfer member from the drive device, the improvement comprising a fitting fastened on the end portion of the drive element and having a shaft portion extending coaxially with the end portion of the drive element and at least one annular flange portion of a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the shaft portion projecting generally radially from the shaft portion, a generally U-shaped receptacle on the transfer member having a width large enough to accept the shaft portion of the fitting and substantially less than the diameter of the flange portion and having oppositely located openings receiving parts of the flange portion of the fitting with said parts of the flange portions engaging edges of the openings that lie transverse to the axis of the guide rail, and a generally U-shaped retainer leaf spring received and held in place in the receptacle and having spaced-apart resilient leg portions straddling the flange portion and partly overlying the shaft portion of the fitting, the leg portions being resiliently deflectable to permit the fitting to be pushed into the receptacle into a position in which the leg portions retain it therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improvement claimed in claim 1 wherein the retainer leaf spring has a tab that is received in one of the openings of the receptacle and engages an end of said slot for retention of the spring in the receptacle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The improvement claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the fitting has three annular projecting flange portions that are spaced-apart from each other lengthwise of the shaft portion, and the receptacle has openings receiving portions of at least two of the flange portions of the fitting with parts of the flange portions engaging the edges of the openings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The improvement claimed in claim 3 wherein parts of the outermost two of the three flange portions of the fitting straddle and engage opposite edges of a leg portion of the receptacle, said leg portion being a flange and having a generally medial slot opening at the free end thereof that receives the middle flange of the fitting.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-08-22 | 1987-02-21 | 1987-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-22 | 1991-02-21 | 1991-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-22 | 1995-02-21 | 1995-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |