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US4597586A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Pyrotechnic tensioner for vehicle safety belt

Assignee: Britax Kolb GmbH and Co
•
Filing: 1984-10-09
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Granted: 1986-07-01
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Expires: 2004-10-09
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Abstract

Abstract Apparatus for tensioning a strap of a vehicle safety belt system, comprises a cylindrical drum, a first roller journaled on a stationary axis parallel to that of the drum and spaced radially outwardly from the surface thereof, a second roller mounted with its axis parallel to the axis of the drum at a radius between that of the surface of the drum and the first roller, and pyrotechnically powered means for causing angular movement of the second roller about the axis of the drum. Guide means are located at a greater radial distance from the axis of the drum than the second roller and oriented so that, prior to detonation of the pyrotechnic charge, the angular position of the second roller about the axis of the drum is between the first roller and the additional guide means. The strap passes between the second roller and the surface of the drum but radially outwardly of the first roller. Prior to detonation of the pyrotechnic charge, the strap does not touch the surface of the drum. When the charge is detonated, the second roller draws in the strap, wrapping it round the surface of the drum.

Inventors

  • 👤 Wilfried Burghardt
  • 👤 Karl E. Nilsson
  • 👤 Hans-Hellmut Ernst

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 23:16
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/18; B60R22/195; B60R22/1951

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 213 words
Apparatus for tensioning a strap of a vehicle safety belt system comprising a cylindrical drum, a first roller journaled on a stationary axis parallel to that of the drum and spaced radially outwardly from the surface thereof, a second roller mounted with its axis parallel to the axis of the drum at a radius between that of the surface of the drum and the first roller, means powered by a pyrotechnic charge for causing angular movement of the second roller about the axis of the drum, and additional guide means located at a greater radial distance from the axis of the drum than the second roller and oriented so that, prior to detonation of the pyrotechnic charge, the angular position of the second roller about the axis of the drum is between the first roller and the additional guide means and the strap does not touch the surface of the drum as it follows the shortest path from the additional guide means, between the second roller and the drum to the first roller, and so that detonation of the pyrotechnic charge causes the second roller to pass between the first roller and the surface of the drum thereby lengthening the path of the strap between the first roller and the additional guide means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 213 words
Apparatus for tensioning a strap of a vehicle safety belt system comprising a cylindrical drum, a first roller journaled on a stationary axis parallel to that of the drum and spaced radially outwardly from the surface thereof, a second roller mounted with its axis parallel to the axis of the drum at a radius between that of the surface of the drum and the first roller, means powered by a pyrotechnic charge for causing angular movement of the second roller about the axis of the drum, and additional guide means located at a greater radial distance from the axis of the drum than the second roller and oriented so that, prior to detonation of the pyrotechnic charge, the angular position of the second roller about the axis of the drum is between the first roller and the additional guide means and the strap does not touch the surface of the drum as it follows the shortest path from the additional guide means, between the second roller and the drum to the first roller, and so that detonation of the pyrotechnic charge causes the second roller to pass between the first roller and the surface of the drum thereby lengthening the path of the strap between the first roller and the additional guide means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the drum is arranged to rotate simultaneously with the second roller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 26 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the additional guide means is mounted on the body of a motor vehicle adjacent to the shoulder of the user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 33 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the additional guide means includes a further static roller mounted on the tensioning apparatus on the side of the drun to that where the retractor is mounted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 25 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an additional movable roller is mounted at a location spaced from the second roller for simultaneous angular movement therewith.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional guide means is mounted on the body of motor vehicle adjacent to the shoulder of the user.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional guide means includes a further static roller mounted on the tensioning apparatus on the side of the drum to that where the retractor is mounted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an additional movable roller is mounted at a location spaced from the second roller for simultaneous angular movement therewith.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4385775A Cited
US4458921A Cited
US4508287A Cited
US4508288A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1989-06-30 1989-12-30 1990-07-01 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1993-06-30 1993-12-30 1994-07-01 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1997-06-30 1997-12-30 1998-07-01 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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