US5112005A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seat belt retractor
Assignee: Aisin Corp
•
Filing: 1991-03-25
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Granted: 1992-05-12
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Expires: 2011-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A seat belt retractor for reducing the retracting force of a webbing on an occupant, including a casing and a spool rotatably mounted in the casing. A length of the webbing being wound on the spool. A spiral spring connected to the spool biases and rotates the spool in the direction of the winding of the webbing on the spool. A shaft rotatably mounted in the casing engages the spool to provide unitary rotation therebetween. An elastic member connected to the shaft and an inner cylinder engageable with the elastic member reduce the biasing force of the spiral spring when the spool is rotated to retract the webbing.
Inventors
- 👤 Naoaki Hoshihara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:49
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/34; B60R22/44; B60R2022/4493
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A seat belt retractor, comprising: a casing; a spool rotatably mounted in the casing, including a length of webbing wound thereon and a gear portion; spring means connected to the spool for providing a biasing force and rotating the spool in the direction of the winding to retract the webbing; an inner cylinder disposed in the casing, the inner cylinder including an inner surface; a shaft rotatably mounted in the inner cylinder, including pinions means for engaging the gear portion of the spool to provide unitary rotation of the shaft and spool; and an elastic member connected to the shaft and engageable with the inner surface of reducing the biasing force of the spring means at times when the spool is rotated in the direction of the winding of the webbing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A seat belt retractor, comprising: a casing; a spool rotatably mounted in the casing, including a length of webbing wound thereon and a gear portion; spring means connected to the spool for providing a biasing force and rotating the spool in the direction of the winding to retract the webbing; an inner cylinder disposed in the casing, the inner cylinder including an inner surface; a shaft rotatably mounted in the inner cylinder, including pinions means for engaging the gear portion of the spool to provide unitary rotation of the shaft and spool; and an elastic member connected to the shaft and engageable with the inner surface of reducing the biasing force of the spring means at times when the spool is rotated in the direction of the winding of the webbing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A seat belt retractor according to claim 1 further comprising clutch means in communication with the spool and shaft for establishing engagement and disengagement therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
A seat belt retractor according to claim 2 wherein the clutch means includes an outer cylinder rotated by the spool, a guide member accommodated within the outer cylinder, the inner cylinder being axially movable within the guide member, wherein when the shaft and the spool are engaged upon rotation of the spool in the direction of the winding of the webbing, the inner cylinder is moved in an axial direction within the guide member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A seat belt retractor according to claim 1 further including an auxiliary spring disposed within the inner cylinder for urging the shaft toward the spool.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A seat belt retractor according to claim 4 wherein the auxiliary spring is a coil spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A seat belt retractor according to claim 1 wherein the spring means is a spiral spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A seat belt retractor according to claim 1 wherein the elastic member is a leaf spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A seat belt retractor according to claim 1 wherein the elastic member is a coil spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
136 words
A seat belt retractor comprising: a casing; a spool rotatably mounted in the casing; a length of webbing wound on the spool; spring means connected to the spool for biasing and rotating the spool in the direction of the winding of the webbing on the spool to retract the webbing; an inner cylinder disposed in the casing, the inner cylinder including an inner surface; a shaft rotatably mounted in the inner cylinder and engageable with the spool for providing unitary rotation therebetween; an elastic member connected to the shaft and engageable with the inner surface for reducing the biasing force of the spring means at times when the spool is rotated in the direction of the winding of the webbing; and clutch means in communication with the spool and shaft for establishing engagement and disengagement therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
136 words
A seat belt retractor comprising: a casing; a spool rotatably mounted in the casing; a length of webbing wound on the spool; spring means connected to the spool for biasing and rotating the spool in the direction of the winding of the webbing on the spool to retract the webbing; an inner cylinder disposed in the casing, the inner cylinder including an inner surface; a shaft rotatably mounted in the inner cylinder and engageable with the spool for providing unitary rotation therebetween; an elastic member connected to the shaft and engageable with the inner surface for reducing the biasing force of the spring means at times when the spool is rotated in the direction of the winding of the webbing; and clutch means in communication with the spool and shaft for establishing engagement and disengagement therebetween.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A seat belt retractor according to claim 9 wherein the spring means is a spiral spring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A seat belt retractor according to claim 9 wherein the elastic member is a leaf spring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A seat belt retractor according to claim 9 wherein the elastic member is a coil spring.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
74 words
A seat belt retractor according to claim 9, wherein the clutch means includes an outer cylinder rotated by the spool, a guide member accommodated within the outer cylinder, and an inner cylinder axially movable within the guide member, wherein the inner cylinder is moved in an axial direction within the guide member when the shaft and the spool are engaged, upon rotation of the spool in the direction of the winding of the webbing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A seat belt retractor according to claim 13 further including an auxiliary spring disposed within the inner cylinder for urging the shaft toward the spool.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A seat belt retractor according to claim 14 wherein the auxiliary spring is a coil spring.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-05-12 | 1995-11-11 | 1996-05-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-05-12 | 1999-11-11 | 2000-05-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-05-12 | 2003-11-11 | 2004-05-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |