US4616850A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic height adjustment device
Assignee: Autoflug GmbH
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Filing: 1984-11-21
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Granted: 1986-10-14
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Expires: 2004-11-21
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper attachment or guide fitting for the shoulder belt of a safety belt system, particularly in motor vehicles. The apparatus has an arrangement for the preferably automatic adaptation of the height position of the attachment or guide fitting to the seated position of the person to be strapped in. A device provided in addition to the fitting senses the position of the belt strap with respect to a parameter of its operative connection to the person strapped in, and triggers a reaction to the situation ascertained. The problem exists that the height adjusting apparatus directly follows all movements of the person strapped in because of the direct coupling of condition detection and signal output. To achieve the objective, according to which the readjustment of the guide fitting should take place only with a permanent change of the seated position of the vehicle passenger, an arrangement for comparing the actual value, with respect to the selected parameter, with a fixed desired value is proposed, the reaction being triggered upon a permanent exceeding of a predetermined deviation between desired and actual value.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerhard Sedlmayr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:38
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/18; B60R22/20; B60R22/201; B60R2022/208
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
An apparatus for automatically adjusting the height of the upper attachment or guide fitting for the shoulder strap of a safety belt system, said apparatus including means for adapting the height position of said attachment or guide fitting to the seated position of the person who is to be strapped in position in order to achieve an optimum belt position, and also including a sensing device associated with said attachment or guide fitting for sensing the position of said shoulder strap with respect to at least one parameter of its operative connection with the person strapped in, and for triggering a reaction from said adapting means to the situation ascertained; the improvement comprising an arrangement including an electronic value detection and computing system operatively connected to said sensing device for comparing the actual value detected with respect to said at least one parameter with a fixed desired value, said reaction being triggered if a predetermined deviation between said desired value and said actual value is continuously exceeded so that only angular changes above this deviation lead to triggering of the reaction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
181 words
An apparatus for automatically adjusting the height of the upper attachment or guide fitting for the shoulder strap of a safety belt system, said apparatus including means for adapting the height position of said attachment or guide fitting to the seated position of the person who is to be strapped in position in order to achieve an optimum belt position, and also including a sensing device associated with said attachment or guide fitting for sensing the position of said shoulder strap with respect to at least one parameter of its operative connection with the person strapped in, and for triggering a reaction from said adapting means to the situation ascertained; the improvement comprising an arrangement including an electronic value detection and computing system operatively connected to said sensing device for comparing the actual value detected with respect to said at least one parameter with a fixed desired value, said reaction being triggered if a predetermined deviation between said desired value and said actual value is continuously exceeded so that only angular changes above this deviation lead to triggering of the reaction.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
213 words
An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper attachment or guide fitting for the shoulder strap of a safety belt system, said apparatus including means for adapting the height position of said attachment or guide fitting to the seated position of the person who is to be strapped in in order to achieve an optimum belt position, and also including a sensing device associated with said attachment or guide fitting for sensing the position of said shoulder strap with respect to at least one parameter of its operative connection with the person strapped in, and for triggering a reaction from said adapting means to the situation ascertained; the improvement comprising an arrangement operatively connected to said sensing device for comparing the actual value detected with respect to said at least one parameter with a fixed desired value, said reaction being triggered if a predetermined deviation between said desired value and said actual value is continuously exceeded; the provision, as said parameter, of the angular position formed by a reference line and said shoulder strap as it runs between said attachment or guide fitting and the person; and an electrical or electronic angle measuring device associated with said sensing device for determining said actual values which are to be supplied to said arrangement.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
213 words
An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper attachment or guide fitting for the shoulder strap of a safety belt system, said apparatus including means for adapting the height position of said attachment or guide fitting to the seated position of the person who is to be strapped in in order to achieve an optimum belt position, and also including a sensing device associated with said attachment or guide fitting for sensing the position of said shoulder strap with respect to at least one parameter of its operative connection with the person strapped in, and for triggering a reaction from said adapting means to the situation ascertained; the improvement comprising an arrangement operatively connected to said sensing device for comparing the actual value detected with respect to said at least one parameter with a fixed desired value, said reaction being triggered if a predetermined deviation between said desired value and said actual value is continuously exceeded; the provision, as said parameter, of the angular position formed by a reference line and said shoulder strap as it runs between said attachment or guide fitting and the person; and an electrical or electronic angle measuring device associated with said sensing device for determining said actual values which are to be supplied to said arrangement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, in which said arrangement is adapted to carry out said comparison of desired and actual values at fixed time intervals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, in which said fixed time intervals are 30 seconds.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, in which said sensing device is adapted to carry out detection of actual values at fixed time intervals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, in which said reaction is triggered if at least two deviations of approximately the same magnitude are detected in said time interval.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, in which said angle measuring device is a rotary potentiometer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, which includes photoelectric sensing of a slider for accomplishing said angle measuring.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper attachment or guide fitting for the shoulder strap of a safety belt system, said apparatus including means for adapting the height position of said attachment or guide fitting to the seated position of the person who is to be strapped in in order to achieve an optimum belt position, and also including a sensing device associated with said attachment or guide fitting for sensing the position of said shoulder strap with respect to at least one parameter of its operative connection with the person strapped in, and for triggering a reaction from said adapting means to the situation ascertained; the improvement comprising an arrangement operatively connected to said sensing device for comparing the actual value detected with respect to said at least one parameter with a fixed desired value, said reaction being triggered if a predetermined deviation between said desired value and said actual value is continuously exceeded; and the provision, as said parameter, of the force with which said shoulder strap rests on the body of the person.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper attachment or guide fitting for the shoulder strap of a safety belt system, said apparatus including means for adapting the height position of said attachment or guide fitting to the seated position of the person who is to be strapped in in order to achieve an optimum belt position, and also including a sensing device associated with said attachment or guide fitting for sensing the position of said shoulder strap with respect to at least one parameter of its operative connection with the person strapped in, and for triggering a reaction from said adapting means to the situation ascertained; the improvement comprising an arrangement operatively connected to said sensing device for comparing the actual value detected with respect to said at least one parameter with a fixed desired value, said reaction being triggered if a predetermined deviation between said desired value and said actual value is continuously exceeded; and the provision, as said parameter, of the force with which said shoulder strap rests on the body of the person.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, in which said predetermined deviation is one tenth of a Newton, with only changes in force greater than this deviation leading to triggering of said reaction.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
196 words
An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper attachment or guide fitting for the shoulder strap of a safety belt system, said apparatus including means for adapting the height position of said attachment or guide fitting to the seated position of the person who is to be strapped in in order to achieve an optimum belt position, and also including a sensing device associated with said attachment or guide fitting for sensing the position of said shoulder strap with respect to at least one parameter of its operative connection with the person strapped in, and for triggering a reaction from said adapting means to the situation ascertained; the improvement comprising an arrangement operatively connected to said sensing device for comparing the actual value detected with respect to said at least one parameter with a fixed desired value, said reaction being triggered if a predetermined deviation between said desired value and said actual value is continuously exceeded; and an adjusting mechanism for fully automatically effecting height adjustment of said attachment of guide fitting, said arrangement being adapted to emit electrical control pulses to said adjusting mechanism to actuate the latter until said desired value is reached.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
196 words
An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper attachment or guide fitting for the shoulder strap of a safety belt system, said apparatus including means for adapting the height position of said attachment or guide fitting to the seated position of the person who is to be strapped in in order to achieve an optimum belt position, and also including a sensing device associated with said attachment or guide fitting for sensing the position of said shoulder strap with respect to at least one parameter of its operative connection with the person strapped in, and for triggering a reaction from said adapting means to the situation ascertained; the improvement comprising an arrangement operatively connected to said sensing device for comparing the actual value detected with respect to said at least one parameter with a fixed desired value, said reaction being triggered if a predetermined deviation between said desired value and said actual value is continuously exceeded; and an adjusting mechanism for fully automatically effecting height adjustment of said attachment of guide fitting, said arrangement being adapted to emit electrical control pulses to said adjusting mechanism to actuate the latter until said desired value is reached.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
188 words
An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper attachment or guide fitting for the shoulder strap of a safety belt system, said apparatus including means for adapting the height position of said attachment or guide fitting to the seated position of the person who is to be strapped in in order to achieve an optimum belt position, and also including a sensing device associated with said attachment or guide fitting for sensing the position of said shoulder strap with respect to at least one parameter of its operative connection with the person strapped in, and for triggering a reaction from said adapting means to the situation ascertained; the improvement comprising an arrangement operatively connected to said sensing device for comparing the actual value detected with respect to said at least one parameter with a fixed desired value, said reaction being triggered if a predetermined deviation between said desired value and said actual value is continuously exceeded; said arrangement being adapted to emit a signal which can easily be detected by human senses to alert the person to effect manual height adjustment of said attachment or guide fitting.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
188 words
An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper attachment or guide fitting for the shoulder strap of a safety belt system, said apparatus including means for adapting the height position of said attachment or guide fitting to the seated position of the person who is to be strapped in in order to achieve an optimum belt position, and also including a sensing device associated with said attachment or guide fitting for sensing the position of said shoulder strap with respect to at least one parameter of its operative connection with the person strapped in, and for triggering a reaction from said adapting means to the situation ascertained; the improvement comprising an arrangement operatively connected to said sensing device for comparing the actual value detected with respect to said at least one parameter with a fixed desired value, said reaction being triggered if a predetermined deviation between said desired value and said actual value is continuously exceeded; said arrangement being adapted to emit a signal which can easily be detected by human senses to alert the person to effect manual height adjustment of said attachment or guide fitting.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, which includes the provision, as said parameter, of the angular position formed by a reference line and said shoulder strap as it runs between said attachment or guide fitting and the person.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, in which said predetermined deviation is six degrees, with only angular changes greater than this deviation leading to triggering of said reaction.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
167 words
An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper attachment or guide fitting for the shoulder strap of a safety belt system, said apparatus including means for adapting the height position of said attachment or guide fitting to the seated position of the person who is to be strapped in in order to achieve an optimum belt position, and also including a sensing device associated with said attachment or guide fitting for sensing the position of said shoulder strap with respect to at least one parameter of its operative connection with the person strapped in, and for triggering a reaction from said adapting means to the situation ascertained; the improvement comprising an arrangement operatively connected to said sensing device for comparing the actual value detected with respect to said at least one parameter with a fixed desired value, said reaction being triggered if a predetermined deviation between said desired value and said actual value is continuously exceeded; said arrangement comprising an electronic value detector and computing system.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
167 words
An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper attachment or guide fitting for the shoulder strap of a safety belt system, said apparatus including means for adapting the height position of said attachment or guide fitting to the seated position of the person who is to be strapped in in order to achieve an optimum belt position, and also including a sensing device associated with said attachment or guide fitting for sensing the position of said shoulder strap with respect to at least one parameter of its operative connection with the person strapped in, and for triggering a reaction from said adapting means to the situation ascertained; the improvement comprising an arrangement operatively connected to said sensing device for comparing the actual value detected with respect to said at least one parameter with a fixed desired value, said reaction being triggered if a predetermined deviation between said desired value and said actual value is continuously exceeded; said arrangement comprising an electronic value detector and computing system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, which includes in series a displacement pickup connected to said sensing device, and an analog/digital converter unit; and which includes a timing element, with the outputs of said converter unit and said timing element being connected in parallel to, and forming the input of, a computer, which in turn emits a control signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, which includes a motor for effecting height adjustment of said attachment or guide fitting, with said control signal of said computer controlling said motor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, which includes an optical indicator, with said control signal of said computer triggering said optical indicator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, which includes an acoustical indicator, with said control signal of said computer triggering said acoustical indicator.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
179 words
An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper attachment or guide fitting for the shoulder strap of a safety belt system, said apparatus including means for adapting the height position of said attachment or guide fitting to the seated position of the person who is to be strapped in in order to achieve an optimum belt position, and also including a sensing device associated with said attachment or guide fitting for sensing the position of said shoulder strap with respect to at least one parameter of its operative connection with the person strapped in, and for triggering a reaction from said adapting means to the situation ascertained; the improvement comprising an arrangement operatively connected to said sensing device for comparing the actual value detected with respect to said at least one parameter with a fixed desired value, said reaction being triggered if a predetermined deviation between said desired value and said actual value is continuously exceeded; said safety belt including a buckle, with closing of said buckle being adapted to trigger said comparison of desired and actual values.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
179 words
An apparatus for adjusting the height of the upper attachment or guide fitting for the shoulder strap of a safety belt system, said apparatus including means for adapting the height position of said attachment or guide fitting to the seated position of the person who is to be strapped in in order to achieve an optimum belt position, and also including a sensing device associated with said attachment or guide fitting for sensing the position of said shoulder strap with respect to at least one parameter of its operative connection with the person strapped in, and for triggering a reaction from said adapting means to the situation ascertained; the improvement comprising an arrangement operatively connected to said sensing device for comparing the actual value detected with respect to said at least one parameter with a fixed desired value, said reaction being triggered if a predetermined deviation between said desired value and said actual value is continuously exceeded; said safety belt including a buckle, with closing of said buckle being adapted to trigger said comparison of desired and actual values.
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) | 1989-10-13 | 1990-04-14 | 1990-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-10-13 | 1994-04-14 | 1994-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-10-13 | 1998-04-14 | 1998-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |