Apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper fitting for the shoulder belt in a safety belt system

Claim 1

An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper fixing or guide fitting for the shoulder belt of a safety belt system, with said belt being looped through said fitting, resulting in a belt looping axis; said apparatus comprising: a guide rail having a guide slot and recesses; a sliding member which is movable within said guide slot of said guide rail, said fixing or guide fitting being supported on said sliding member; at least one locking member mounted on said sliding member and adapted to engage in said recesses of said guide rail for selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail, said at least one locking member being symmetrical in construction with regard to its locking and releasing function; said belt looping axis, at said fixing or guide fitting, being located externally of the zone in which the forces between said at least one locking member and said guide rail are transmitted along a plane, a line, or pointwise when said sliding member is locked relative to said guide rail; and operating means for selectively locking said at least one locking member into, and releasing it from, said recesses of said guide rail to effect said selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail; said operating means having a finger pressure construction to permit operating thereof with one hand and with substantially no force of hand and arm, a spring-loaded locking member which is longitudinally movable at right angles to the direction of slide of said sliding member; and in which said operating means for selectively locking and releasing said lockingmember is in the form of a sliding key which is movable parallel to said guide rail in the manner of a known belt buckle having a PRESS buttom, and, by means of suitable configuration, controls the longitudinal movements of said locking member.

Claim 2

An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper fixing or guide fitting for the shoulder belt of a safety belt system, with said belt being looped through said fitting, resulting in a belt looping axis; said apparatus comprising: a guide rail having a guide slot and recesses; a sliding member which is movable within said guide slot of said guide rail, said fixing or guide fitting being supported on said sliding member; at least one locking member mounted on said sliding member and adapted to engage in said recesses of said guide rail for selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail, said at least one locking member being symmetrical in construction with regard to its locking and releasing function; said belt looping axis, at said fixing or guide fitting, being located externally of the zone in which the forces between said at least one locking member and said guide rail are transmitted along a plane, a line, or pointwise when said sliding member is locked relative to said guide rail; and operating means for selectively locking said at least one locking member into, and releasing it from, said recesses of said guide rail to effect said selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail; said operating means having a finger pressure construction to permit operating thereof with one hand and with substantially no force of hand and arm, a spring-loaded locking member which is longitudinally movable at right angles to the direction of slide of said sliding member; and in which said operating means for selectively locking and releasing said lockingmember is in the form of a sliding key which is movable parallel to said guide rail in the manner of a known belt buckle having a PRESS buttom, and, by means of suitable configuration, controls the longitudinal movements of said locking member.

Claim 19

An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper fixing or guide fitting for the shoulder belt of a safety belt system, with said belt being looped through said fitting, resulting in a belt looping axis; said apparatus comprising: a guide rail having a guide slot and recesses; a sliding member which is movable within said guide slot of said guide rail, said fixing or guide fitting being supported on said sliding member; at least one locking member mounted on said sliding member and adapted to engage in said recesses of said guide rail for selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail, said at least one locking member being symmetrical in construction with regard to its locking and releasing function; said belt looping axis, at said fixing or guide fitting, being located externally of the zone in which the forces between said at least one locking member and said guide rail are transmitted along a plane, a line, or pointwise when said sliding member is locked relative to said guide rail; and operating means for selectively locking said at least one locking member into, and releasing it from, said recesses of said guide rail to effect said selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail; said operating means having a finger pressure construction to permit operating thereof with one hand and with substantially no force of hand and arm, said operating means for selectively locking and releasing said locking member being a rotatably mounted handle which is coupled to said locking member in such a way that by turning said handle, said sliding member can be released with one hand to adjust the height of said fixing or guide fitting, said fixing or guide fitting being said handle, said locking members of said sliding member being in the form of locking cams, with said fixing or guide fitting being indirectly coupled thereto, said sliding member being spring-loaded at right angles to the longitudinal direction of said guide rail, and comprises a sliding shoe which is movable in said guide rail and on which said locking cams are formed, and a web which is associated with said sliding shoe and passes through said guide slot of said guide rail; and which includes a cam member which is rotatably fastened on said web for selectively securing and releasing said sliding member in said rail by rotation; said fixing or guide fitting being fixed on said cam member, on the outer edge of which is mounted a circumferential projection which encloses said fitting in such a way that said cam member can be made to rotate by rotation of said fitting, said sliding member, with said cam member, being adapted to be pressed into said guide rail only when said cam member, via said fitting, is pivoted through an angle of 65° counter to the direction of travel of a unit in which said apparatus is being utilized, said sliding shoe and web being provided with a continuous bore, and said locking means comprising at least one securing pin which is inserted in said continuous bore and having a rounded head which rests on the bottom of said guide rail, with the length of said at least one securing pin projecting beyond the height of said sliding shoe and web, the diameter of said continuous bore in said sliding shoe and web corresponding at least partially to the diameter of said rounded head of said securing pin, with the diameter of that part of said bore which is remote from said rounded head being less than the diameter of the remainder of said bore, thereby forming a shoulder in this location.

Claim 20

An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper fixing or guide fitting for the shoulder belt of a safety belt system, with said belt being looped through said fitting, resulting in a belt looping axis; said apparatus comprising: a guide rail having a guide slot and recesses; a sliding member which is movable within said guide slot of said guide rail, said fixing or guide fitting being supported on said sliding member; at least one locking member mounted on said sliding member and adapted to engage in said recesses of said guide rail for selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail, said at least one locking member being symmetrical in construction with regard to its locking and releasing function; said belt looping axis, at said fixing or guide fitting, being located externally of the zone in which the forces between said at least one locking member and said guide rail are transmitted along a plane, a line, or pointwise when said sliding member is locked relative to said guide rail; and operating means for selectively locking said at least one locking member into, and releasing it from, said recesses of said guide rail to effect said selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail; said operating means having a finger pressure construction to permit operating thereof with one hand and with substantially no force of hand and arm, said operating means for selectively locking and releasing said locking member being a rotatably mounted handle which is coupled to said locking member in such a way that by turning said handle, said sliding member can be released with one hand to adjust the height of said fixing or guide fitting, said fixing or guide fitting being said handle, said locking members of said sliding member being in the form of locking cams, with said fixing or guide fitting being indirectly coupled thereto, said sliding member being spring-loaded at right angles to the longitudinal direction of said guide rail, and comprises a sliding shoe which is movable in said guide rail and on which said locking cams are formed, and a web which is associated with said sliding shoe and passes through said guide slot of said guide rail; and which includes a cam member which is rotatably fastened on said web for selectively securing and releasing said sliding member in said rail by rotation; said fixing or guide fitting being fixed on said cam member, on the outer edge of which is mounted a circumferential projection which encloses said fitting in such a way that said cam member can be made to rotate by rotation of said fitting, said sliding member, with said cam member, being adapted to be pressed into said guide rail only when said cam member, via said fitting, is pivoted through an angle of 65° counter to the direction of travel of a unit in which said apparatus is being utilized, said sliding shoe and web being provided with a continuous bore, and said locking means comprising at least one securing pin which is inserted in said continuous bore and having a rounded head which rests on the bottom of said guide rail, with the length of said at least one securing pin projecting beyond the height of said sliding shoe and web, the diameter of said continuous bore in said sliding shoe and web corresponding at least partially to the diameter of said rounded head of said securing pin, with the diameter of that part of said bore which is remote from said rounded head being less than the diameter of the remainder of said bore, thereby forming a shoulder in this location.

Claim 22

An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper fixing or guide fitting for the shoulder belt of a safety belt system, with said belt being looped through said fitting, resulting in a belt looping axis; said apparatus comprising: a guide rail having a guide slot and recesses; a sliding member which is movable within said guide slot of said guide rail, said fixing or guide fitting being supported on said sliding member; at least one locking member mounted on said sliding member and adapted to engage in said recesses of said guide rail for selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail, said at least one locking member being symmetrical in construction with regard to its locking and releasing function; said belt looping axis, at said fixing or guide fitting, being located externally of the zone in which the forces between said at least one locking member and said guide rail are transmitted along a plane, a line, or pointwise when said sliding member is locked relative to said guide rail; and operating means for selectively locking said at least one locking member into, and releasing it from, said recesses of said guide rail to effect said selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail; said operating means having a finger pressure construction to permit operating thereof with one hand and with substantially no force of hand and arm; said operating means for selectively locking and releasing said locking member being a rotatably mounted handle which is coupled to said locking member in such a way that by turning said handle, said sliding member can be released with one hand to adjust the height of said fixing or guide fitting, said fixing or guide fitting being said handle, said locking members of said sliding member being in the form of locking cams, with said fixing or guide fitting being indirectly coupled thereto, said sliding member being springloaded at right angles to the longitudinal direction of said guide rail, and comprises a sliding shoe which is movable in said guide rail and on which said locking cams are formed, and a web which is associated with said sliding shoe and passes through said guide slot of said guide rail; and which includes a cam member which is rotatably fastened on said web for selectively securing and releasing said sliding member in said rail by rotation; said fixing or guide fitting being fixed on said cam member, on the outer edge of which is mounted a circumferential projection which encloses said fitting in such a way that said cam member can be made to rotate by rotation of said fitting, said sliding member, with said cam member, being adapted to be pressed into said guide rail only when said cam member, via said fitting, is pivoted through an angle of 65° counter to the direction of travel of a unit in which said apparatus is being utilized, said sliding shoe and web being provided with a continuous bore, and said locking means comprising at least one securing pin which is inserted in said continuous bore and having a rounded head which rests on the bottom of said guide rail, with the length of said at least one securing pin projecting beyond the height of said sliding shoe and web, said cam member, on that side facing said sliding shoe, being provided with a curved recess for receiving that end of said securing pin which projects beyond said sliding shoe and web and is remote from said rounded head; this projecting and remote end of said securing pin being guided in said recess of said cam member when the latter is rotated, with the depth of said recess of said cam member corresponding to the amount by which said securing pin projects beyond said web.

Claim 23

An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper fixing or guide fitting for the shoulder belt of a safety belt system, with said belt being looped through said fitting, resulting in a belt looping axis; said apparatus comprising: a guide rail having a guide slot and recesses; a sliding member which is movable within said guide slot of said guide rail, said fixing or guide fitting being supported on said sliding member; at least one locking member mounted on said sliding member and adapted to engage in said recesses of said guide rail for selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail, said at least one locking member being symmetrical in construction with regard to its locking and releasing function; said belt looping axis, at said fixing or guide fitting, being located externally of the zone in which the forces between said at least one locking member and said guide rail are transmitted along a plane, a line, or pointwise when said sliding member is locked relative to said guide rail; and operating means for selectively locking said at least one locking member into, and releasing it from, said recesses of said guide rail to effect said selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail; said operating means having a finger pressure construction to permit operating thereof with one hand and with substantially no force of hand and arm; said operating means for selectively locking and releasing said locking member being a rotatably mounted handle which is coupled to said locking member in such a way that by turning said handle, said sliding member can be released with one hand to adjust the height of said fixing or guide fitting, said fixing or guide fitting being said handle, said locking members of said sliding member being in the form of locking cams, with said fixing or guide fitting being indirectly coupled thereto, said sliding member being springloaded at right angles to the longitudinal direction of said guide rail, and comprises a sliding shoe which is movable in said guide rail and on which said locking cams are formed, and a web which is associated with said sliding shoe and passes through said guide slot of said guide rail; and which includes a cam member which is rotatably fastened on said web for selectively securing and releasing said sliding member in said rail by rotation; said fixing or guide fitting being fixed on said cam member, on the outer edge of which is mounted a circumferential projection which encloses said fitting in such a way that said cam member can be made to rotate by rotation of said fitting, said sliding member, with said cam member, being adapted to be pressed into said guide rail only when said cam member, via said fitting, is pivoted through an angle of 65° counter to the direction of travel of a unit in which said apparatus is being utilized, said sliding shoe and web being provided with a continuous bore, and said locking means comprising at least one securing pin which is inserted in said continuous bore and having a rounded head which rests on the bottom of said guide rail, with the length of said at least one securing pin projecting beyond the height of said sliding shoe and web, said cam member, on that side facing said sliding shoe, being provided with a curved recess for receiving that end of said securing pin which projects beyond said sliding shoe and web and is remote from said rounded head; this projecting and remote end of said securing pin being guided in said recess of said cam member when the latter is rotated, with the depth of said recess of said cam member corresponding to the amount by which said securing pin projects beyond said web.

Claim 25

An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper fixing or guide fitting for the shoulder belt of a safety belt system, with said belt being looped through said fitting, resulting in a belt looping axis; said apparatus comprising: a guide rail having a guide slot and recesses; a sliding member which is movable within said guide slot of said guide rail, said fixing or guide fitting being supported on said sliding member; at least one locking member mounted on said sliding member and adapted to engage in said recesses of said guide rail for selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail, said at least one locking member being symmetrical in construction with regard to its locking and releasing function; said belt looping axis, at said fixing or guide fitting, being located externally of the zone in which the forces between said at least one locking member and said guide rail are transmitted along a plane, a line, or pointwise when said sliding member is locked relative to said guide rail; operating means for selectively locking said at least one locking member into, and releasing it from, said recesses of said guide rail to effect said selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail; said operating means having a finger pressure construction to permit operating thereof with one hand and with substantially no force of hand and arm; said operating means for selectively locking and releasing said locking member being a rotatably mounted handle which is coupled to said locking member in such a way that by turning said handle, said sliding member can be released with one hand to adjust the height of said fixing or guide fitting, said fixing or guide fitting being said handle, said fixing or guide fitting being coupled directly to said locking member; and a circular disc mounted between said sliding member and said fixing or guide fitting and rotating with the latter; said guide rail including guide flaps in which said recesses of said guide rail are located; and said circular disc including a substantially rectangular projection, which, as a locking member, projects into said guide rail and is adapted to engage said recesses in said guide flaps of said guide rail; said fitting, with said circular disc and said projection, being pivotal about a quarter of a circle out of a belt removal position into a belt buckling position, whereupon said projection is adapted to be locked to said guide rail.

Claim 26

An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper fixing or guide fitting for the shoulder belt of a safety belt system, with said belt being looped through said fitting, resulting in a belt looping axis; said apparatus comprising: a guide rail having a guide slot and recesses; a sliding member which is movable within said guide slot of said guide rail, said fixing or guide fitting being supported on said sliding member; at least one locking member mounted on said sliding member and adapted to engage in said recesses of said guide rail for selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail, said at least one locking member being symmetrical in construction with regard to its locking and releasing function; said belt looping axis, at said fixing or guide fitting, being located externally of the zone in which the forces between said at least one locking member and said guide rail are transmitted along a plane, a line, or pointwise when said sliding member is locked relative to said guide rail; operating means for selectively locking said at least one locking member into, and releasing it from, said recesses of said guide rail to effect said selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail; said operating means having a finger pressure construction to permit operating thereof with one hand and with substantially no force of hand and arm; said operating means for selectively locking and releasing said locking member being a rotatably mounted handle which is coupled to said locking member in such a way that by turning said handle, said sliding member can be released with one hand to adjust the height of said fixing or guide fitting, said fixing or guide fitting being said handle, said fixing or guide fitting being coupled directly to said locking member; and a circular disc mounted between said sliding member and said fixing or guide fitting and rotating with the latter; said guide rail including guide flaps in which said recesses of said guide rail are located; and said circular disc including a substantially rectangular projection, which, as a locking member, projects into said guide rail and is adapted to engage said recesses in said guide flaps of said guide rail; said fitting, with said circular disc and said projection, being pivotal about a quarter of a circle out of a belt removal position into a belt buckling position, whereupon said projection is adapted to be locked to said guide rail.

Claim 28

An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper fixing or guide fitting for the shoulder belt of a safety belt system, with said belt being looped through said fitting, resulting in a belt looping axis; said apparatus comprising: a guide rail having a guide slot and recesses; a sliding member which is movable within said guide slot of said guide rail, said fixing or guide fitting being supported on said sliding member; at least one locking member mounted on said sliding member and adapted to engage in said recesses of said guide rail for selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail, said at least one locking member being symmetrical in construction with regard to its locking and releasing function; said belt looping axis, at said fixing or guide fitting, being located externally of the zone in which the forces between said at least one locking member and said guide rail are transmitted along a plane, a line, or pointwise when said sliding member is locked relative to said guide rail; operating means for selectively locking said at least one locking member into, and releasing it from, said recesses of said guide rail to effect said selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail; said operating means having a finger pressure construction to permit operating thereof with one hand and with substantially no force of hand and arm; said operating means for selectively locking and releasing said locking member being a rotatably mounted handle which is coupled to said locking member in such a way that by turning said handle, said sliding member can be released with one hand to adjust the height of said fixing or guide fitting, said handle is a rotary knob mounted on said sliding member, separately from said fixing or guide fitting, for the purpose of releasing said locking member; in which said sliding member is provided with a bore; in which said rotary knob includes a control rod connected thereto; and in which said locking member is a bolt arranged at the base of said control rod remote from said rotary knob, said bolt being movably received in said bore of said sliding member; and a flanged guide busing which is provided with guide means and surrounds said control rod with play so as to form an annular space therebetween; said control rod being provided with a pin which projects therefrom and is guided in said guide means of said bushing in such a way as to produce longitudinal movements of said control rod; and a helical tension spring arranged in said annular space between said control rod and said guiding bushing, one end of said spring being secured to said guide bushing, and the other end of said spring being secured to said control rod.

Claim 29

An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper fixing or guide fitting for the shoulder belt of a safety belt system, with said belt being looped through said fitting, resulting in a belt looping axis; said apparatus comprising: a guide rail having a guide slot and recesses; a sliding member which is movable within said guide slot of said guide rail, said fixing or guide fitting being supported on said sliding member; at least one locking member mounted on said sliding member and adapted to engage in said recesses of said guide rail for selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail, said at least one locking member being symmetrical in construction with regard to its locking and releasing function; said belt looping axis, at said fixing or guide fitting, being located externally of the zone in which the forces between said at least one locking member and said guide rail are transmitted along a plane, a line, or pointwise when said sliding member is locked relative to said guide rail; operating means for selectively locking said at least one locking member into, and releasing it from, said recesses of said guide rail to effect said selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail; said operating means having a finger pressure construction to permit operating thereof with one hand and with substantially no force of hand and arm; said operating means for selectively locking and releasing said locking member being a rotatably mounted handle which is coupled to said locking member in such a way that by turning said handle, said sliding member can be released with one hand to adjust the height of said fixing or guide fitting, said handle is a rotary knob mounted on said sliding member, separately from said fixing or guide fitting, for the purpose of releasing said locking member; in which said sliding member is provided with a bore; in which said rotary knob includes a control rod connected thereto; and in which said locking member is a bolt arranged at the base of said control rod remote from said rotary knob, said bolt being movably received in said bore of said sliding member; and a flanged guide busing which is provided with guide means and surrounds said control rod with play so as to form an annular space therebetween; said control rod being provided with a pin which projects therefrom and is guided in said guide means of said bushing in such a way as to produce longitudinal movements of said control rod; and a helical tension spring arranged in said annular space between said control rod and said guiding bushing, one end of said spring being secured to said guide bushing, and the other end of said spring being secured to said control rod.

Claim 31

An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper fixing or guide fitting for the shoulder belt of a safety belt system, with said belt being looped through said fitting, resulting in a belt looping axis; said apparatus comprising: a guide rail having a guide slot and recesses; a sliding member which is movable within said guide slot of said guide rail, said fixing or guide fitting being supported on said sliding member; at least one locking member mounted on said sliding member and adapted to engage in said recesses of said guide rail for selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail, said at least one locking member being symmetrical in construction with regard to its locking and releasing function; said belt looping axis, at said fixing or guide fitting, being located externally of the zone in which the forces between said at least one locking member and said guide rail are transmitted along a plane, a line, or pointwise when said sliding member is locked relative to said guide rail; and operating means for selectively locking said at least one locking member into, and releasing it from, said recesses of said guide rail to effect said selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail; said operating means having a finger pressure construction to permit operating thereof with one hand and with substantially no force of hand and arm; said operating means includes an electrical device which is adapted to be connected to a source of electrical power, said electrical device being operatively associated with said at least one locking member for selective release and locking of the latter, and hence for selective release and locking of said sliding member relative to said guide rail, said electrical device being an electric motor which includes a power take-off member; said sliding member and said power take-off member being constructed as a cooperating meshing mechanism for moving said sliding member in said guide rail, with said power take-off member including a pinion, and part of said sliding member being in the form of a toothed rack forming said cooperating meshing mechanism; and a first further set of teeth in said sliding member, a second further set of teeth in said guide rail, and a spring which attempts to maintain a clearance between said further sets of teeth, with the latter meshing only when said first further set of teeth of said sliding member is pulled under the effect of belt force into said second further set of teeth of said guide rail counter to the force of said spring which attempts to maintain said clearance.

Claim 32

An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper fixing or guide fitting for the shoulder belt of a safety belt system, with said belt being looped through said fitting, resulting in a belt looping axis; said apparatus comprising: a guide rail having a guide slot and recesses; a sliding member which is movable within said guide slot of said guide rail, said fixing or guide fitting being supported on said sliding member; at least one locking member mounted on said sliding member and adapted to engage in said recesses of said guide rail for selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail, said at least one locking member being symmetrical in construction with regard to its locking and releasing function; said belt looping axis, at said fixing or guide fitting, being located externally of the zone in which the forces between said at least one locking member and said guide rail are transmitted along a plane, a line, or pointwise when said sliding member is locked relative to said guide rail; and operating means for selectively locking said at least one locking member into, and releasing it from, said recesses of said guide rail to effect said selective locking and releasing of said sliding member relative to said guide rail; said operating means having a finger pressure construction to permit operating thereof with one hand and with substantially no force of hand and arm; said operating means includes an electrical device which is adapted to be connected to a source of electrical power, said electrical device being operatively associated with said at least one locking member for selective release and locking of the latter, and hence for selective release and locking of said sliding member relative to said guide rail, said electrical device being an electric motor which includes a power take-off member; said sliding member and said power take-off member being constructed as a cooperating meshing mechanism for moving said sliding member in said guide rail, with said power take-off member including a pinion, and part of said sliding member being in the form of a toothed rack forming said cooperating meshing mechanism; and a first further set of teeth in said sliding member, a second further set of teeth in said guide rail, and a spring which attempts to maintain a clearance between said further sets of teeth, with the latter meshing only when said first further set of teeth of said sliding member is pulled under the effect of belt force into said second further set of teeth of said guide rail counter to the force of said spring which attempts to maintain said clearance.