US4435000A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seatbelt tightening device
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
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Filing: 1982-06-24
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Granted: 1984-03-06
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Expires: 2002-06-24
Abstract
Abstract A seatbelt tightening device for tightening a seatbelt and removing a sag therefrom in a collision of a motor vehicle, characterized by a rod connected thereto with one end of a seatbelt, a spring for biasing the rod in a direction of tightening the seatbelt, a locking wire for drawing and restraining the rod or spring to a stand-by position against the biasing force of the spring, and means including an electric power source and a collision sensor, for heating and fusion-cutting the locking wire by a current passage from the power source when the collision sensor is turned "ON".
Inventors
- 👤 Masakazu Chiba
- 👤 Fumio Matsuoka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:24
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/18; B60R22/195; B60R22/1958
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A seatbelt tightening device for tightening a seatbelt and removing a sag therefrom in a collision of a motor vehicle, characterized by a rod connected thereto with one end of a seatbelt, a spring for biasing said rod in a direction of tightening said seatbelt, a locking wire for drawing and restraining said rod or spring to a stand-by position against the biasing force of said spring, and means including an electric power source and a collision sensor, for heating and fusion-cutting said locking wire by a current passage from said power source when said collision sensor is turned "ON".
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A seatbelt tightening device for tightening a seatbelt and removing a sag therefrom in a collision of a motor vehicle, characterized by a rod connected thereto with one end of a seatbelt, a spring for biasing said rod in a direction of tightening said seatbelt, a locking wire for drawing and restraining said rod or spring to a stand-by position against the biasing force of said spring, and means including an electric power source and a collision sensor, for heating and fusion-cutting said locking wire by a current passage from said power source when said collision sensor is turned "ON".
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A seatbelt tightening device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that a lever for imparting the biasing force of said spring from said rod to said locking wire is provided between said rod and said locking wire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A seatbelt tightening device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said lever is oscillatingly supported in a balance-like manner, engaged at one end thereof with said rod, and connected at the other end thereof to said locking wire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A seatbelt tightening device as set forth in claim 3, wherein a distance between a fulcrum of oscillation of said lever and said rod is made smaller than a distance between said fulcrum of oscillation and said locking wire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A seatbelt tightening device as set forth in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein said locking wire is made of a material which can be readily fusion-cut by heat for a short period of time such as a resin, and said means for heating and fusion-cutting is formed of a heater wound around said locking wire.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A seatbelt tightening device as set forth in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein said locking wire is made of a material to be heated by a current passage flowing therethrough and fusion-cut by itself.
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) | 1987-03-06 | 1987-09-05 | 1988-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-06 | 1991-09-05 | 1992-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-06 | 1995-09-05 | 1996-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |