US5794977A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
D-ring height adjuster
Assignee: ZF Passive Safety Systems US Inc
•
Filing: 1997-01-15
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Granted: 1998-08-18
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Expires: 2017-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A seat belt webbing guide assembly (10) includes a base (50) mountable on a portion (42) of a vehicle. The base (50) includes a wall (60) and first and second columns (80, 82) of projections which project in a first direction (84) from the wall on opposite sides of an axis (62). Each one of the first projections (90, 92) is spaced apart axially from each one of the second projections (102, 104, 106). A carriage (120) is supported on the base (50) for axial sliding movement relative to the base. A seat belt guide (24) is located on the carriage (120). A first latch (170) on the carriage (120) is movable between a disengaged condition movable axially past the first projections (90, 92) and an engaged condition engageable with one of the first projections to block axial movement of the first latch and the carriage relative to the base (50). A second latch (200) on the carriage (120) is movable between a disengaged condition movable axially past the second projections (102, 104, 106) and an engaged condition engageable with one of the second projections to block axial movement of the second latch and the carriage relative to the base (50). The assembly (10) includes biasing springs (194, 208) for biasing the first and second latches (170, 200) into the engaged condition, and a release lever (220) for moving the first and second latches to the disengaged condition.
Inventors
- 👤 Matthew C. Frank
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:40
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R22/00; B60R22/18; B60R22/20; B60R22/201; B60R22/202; B60R22/203; B60R22/34; B60R22/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
A vehicle seat belt guide assembly comprising: a base mountable on a portion of a vehicle, said base including a wall and including first and second columns of projections which project in a first direction from said wall on opposite sides of an axis of said assembly, each one of said first projections being spaced apart axially from each one of said second projections; a carriage supported on said base for axial sliding movement relative to said base; a seat belt guide on said carriage; a first latch on said carriage, said first latch being movable between a disengaged condition movable axially past said first projections and an engaged condition engageable with one of said first projections to block axial movement of said first latch and said carriage relative to said base; a second latch on said carriage, said second latch being movable between a disengaged condition movable axially past said second projections and an engaged condition engageable with one of said second projections to block axial movement of said second latch and said carriage relative to said base; biasing means for biasing said first and second latches into the engaged condition; and release means for moving said first and second latches to the disengaged condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
A vehicle seat belt guide assembly comprising: a base mountable on a portion of a vehicle, said base including a wall and including first and second columns of projections which project in a first direction from said wall on opposite sides of an axis of said assembly, each one of said first projections being spaced apart axially from each one of said second projections; a carriage supported on said base for axial sliding movement relative to said base; a seat belt guide on said carriage; a first latch on said carriage, said first latch being movable between a disengaged condition movable axially past said first projections and an engaged condition engageable with one of said first projections to block axial movement of said first latch and said carriage relative to said base; a second latch on said carriage, said second latch being movable between a disengaged condition movable axially past said second projections and an engaged condition engageable with one of said second projections to block axial movement of said second latch and said carriage relative to said base; biasing means for biasing said first and second latches into the engaged condition; and release means for moving said first and second latches to the disengaged condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first projections and said second projections are placed alternately on either side of said axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wall of said base has a major side surface from which said projections project in the first direction, said first and second latches when in the engaged condition being in abutting engagement with said major side surface of said wall of said base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first projections and said second projections are placed alternately on either side of said axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein at least one of said first and second latches is in abutting engagement with said major side surface of said wall of said base when said release means is unactuated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first projections and said second projections are placed alternately on either side of said axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each one of said first and second latches is supported on said carriage for pivotal movement about a pivot axis between the disengaged condition and the engaged condition, said first and second latches having respective arcuate engagement surfaces centered on said pivot axis and engageable with said first and second projections, respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second latches have respective end portions engageable with said first and second projections, respectively, said end portions being deformable in response to application to said seat belt guide of a force having a magnitude greater than a predetermined amount to block movement of said first and second latches from the engaged condition to the disengaged condition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
180 words
A vehicle seat belt guide assembly comprising: a base mountable on a portion of a vehicle, said base including a wall having a major side surface and including a first plurality of fixed projections which project in a first direction from said major side surface of said wall at locations spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of said assembly; a carriage supported on said base for axial sliding movement relative to said base; a seat belt guide on said carriage; a latch supported on said carriage for pivotal movement relative to said base about a pivot axis between a disengaged condition movable axially past said projections and an engaged condition engageable with one of said projections to block axial movement of said latch and said carriage relative to said base; biasing means on said carriage for biasing said latch into the engaged condition; and release means for pivoting said latch from the engaged condition to the disengaged condition; said latch having an arcuate engagement surface centered on said pivot axis and engageable with one of said first plurality of projections.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
180 words
A vehicle seat belt guide assembly comprising: a base mountable on a portion of a vehicle, said base including a wall having a major side surface and including a first plurality of fixed projections which project in a first direction from said major side surface of said wall at locations spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of said assembly; a carriage supported on said base for axial sliding movement relative to said base; a seat belt guide on said carriage; a latch supported on said carriage for pivotal movement relative to said base about a pivot axis between a disengaged condition movable axially past said projections and an engaged condition engageable with one of said projections to block axial movement of said latch and said carriage relative to said base; biasing means on said carriage for biasing said latch into the engaged condition; and release means for pivoting said latch from the engaged condition to the disengaged condition; said latch having an arcuate engagement surface centered on said pivot axis and engageable with one of said first plurality of projections.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said latch is deformable in response to application to said seat belt guide of a force having a magnitude greater than a predetermined amount to block movement of said latch from the engaged condition to the disengaged condition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 9 comprising a second plurality of projections on said base and a second latch engageable with one of said second plurality of projections, said first plurality of projections being disposed in a staggered relationship relative to said second plurality of projections.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said first projections and said second projections are placed alternately on either side of said longitudinal axis of said assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
220 words
A vehicle seat belt guide assembly comprising: a base mountable on a portion of a vehicle, said base including a wall and including a first plurality of projections which project in a first direction from said wall at locations spaced apart along an axis of said assembly; a carriage supported on said base for axial sliding movement relative to said base; a seat belt guide on said carriage; a latch supported on said carriage for movement relative to said base between a disengaged condition and an engaged condition; said latch when in the engaged condition having an end portion engageable with one of said first plurality of projections to block axial movement of said latch and said carriage relative to said base; and biasing means for biasing said latch into the engaged condition; said end portion of said latch being deformable in response to application to said seat belt guide of a force having a magnitude greater than a predetermined amount to block movement of said latch from the engaged condition to the disengaged condition; said latch being supported on said carriage for pivotal movement about a pivot axis between the disengaged condition and the engaged condition, said end portion of said latch when undeformed having an arcuate engagement surface centered on said pivot axis and engageable with said projections.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
220 words
A vehicle seat belt guide assembly comprising: a base mountable on a portion of a vehicle, said base including a wall and including a first plurality of projections which project in a first direction from said wall at locations spaced apart along an axis of said assembly; a carriage supported on said base for axial sliding movement relative to said base; a seat belt guide on said carriage; a latch supported on said carriage for movement relative to said base between a disengaged condition and an engaged condition; said latch when in the engaged condition having an end portion engageable with one of said first plurality of projections to block axial movement of said latch and said carriage relative to said base; and biasing means for biasing said latch into the engaged condition; said end portion of said latch being deformable in response to application to said seat belt guide of a force having a magnitude greater than a predetermined amount to block movement of said latch from the engaged condition to the disengaged condition; said latch being supported on said carriage for pivotal movement about a pivot axis between the disengaged condition and the engaged condition, said end portion of said latch when undeformed having an arcuate engagement surface centered on said pivot axis and engageable with said projections.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
71 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said end portion of said latch includes a first part separated by a slot from a second part, said first part being engageable with said projections, said first part being movable toward said second part to close at least partially said slot in response to application to said seat belt guide of a force having a magnitude greater than a predetermined force.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
99 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 13 comprising a second plurality of projections on said base and a second latch engageable with said second plurality of projections, said second latch having a deformable end portion, said deformable end portion of said latch includes a first part separated by a slot from a second part, said first part being engageable with said projections, said first part being movable toward said second part to close at least partially said slot in response to application to said seat belt guide of a force having a magnitude greater than a predetermined force.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
222 words
A vehicle seat belt guide assembly comprising; a base mountable on a portion of a vehicle, said base including a wall and including a first plurality of projections which project in a first direction from said wall at locations spaced apart along an axis of said assembly; a carriage supported on said base for axial sliding movement relative to said base; a seat belt guide on said carriage; a latch supported on said carriage for movement relative to said base between a disengaged condition and an engaged condition; said latch when in the engaged condition having an end portion engageable with one of said first plurality of projections to block axial movement of said latch and said carriage relative to said base; and biasing means for biasing said latch into the engaged condition; said end portion of said latch being deformable in response to application to said seat belt guide of a force having a magnitude greater than a predetermined amount to block movement of said latch from the engaged condition to the disengaged condition; and having a second plurality of projections on said base and a second latch engageable with said second plurality of projections, said second latch having a deformable end portion; said first plurality of projections is disposed in a staggered relationship relative to said second plurality of projections.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
222 words
A vehicle seat belt guide assembly comprising; a base mountable on a portion of a vehicle, said base including a wall and including a first plurality of projections which project in a first direction from said wall at locations spaced apart along an axis of said assembly; a carriage supported on said base for axial sliding movement relative to said base; a seat belt guide on said carriage; a latch supported on said carriage for movement relative to said base between a disengaged condition and an engaged condition; said latch when in the engaged condition having an end portion engageable with one of said first plurality of projections to block axial movement of said latch and said carriage relative to said base; and biasing means for biasing said latch into the engaged condition; said end portion of said latch being deformable in response to application to said seat belt guide of a force having a magnitude greater than a predetermined amount to block movement of said latch from the engaged condition to the disengaged condition; and having a second plurality of projections on said base and a second latch engageable with said second plurality of projections, said second latch having a deformable end portion; said first plurality of projections is disposed in a staggered relationship relative to said second plurality of projections.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
202 words
A seat belt webbing guide height adjuster assembly comprising: a base including first and second columns of locking features, said first column of locking features disposed in a staggered relationship relative to said second column of locking features on opposite sides of an axis of said assembly; a carriage supported on said base for axial sliding movement relative to said base; a seat belt webbing guide on said carriage; a first latch part on said carriage, said first latch part being movable between a disengaged condition movable axially past said first locking features and an engaged condition engageable with one of said first locking features to block axial movement of said first latch part and said carriage relative to said base; a second latch part on said carriage, said second latch part being movable between a disengaged condition movable axially past said second locking features and an engaged condition engageable with one of said second locking features to block axial movement of said second latch part and said carriage relative to said base; biasing means for biasing said first and second latch parts into the engaged condition; and release means for moving said first and second latch parts to the disengaged condition.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
202 words
A seat belt webbing guide height adjuster assembly comprising: a base including first and second columns of locking features, said first column of locking features disposed in a staggered relationship relative to said second column of locking features on opposite sides of an axis of said assembly; a carriage supported on said base for axial sliding movement relative to said base; a seat belt webbing guide on said carriage; a first latch part on said carriage, said first latch part being movable between a disengaged condition movable axially past said first locking features and an engaged condition engageable with one of said first locking features to block axial movement of said first latch part and said carriage relative to said base; a second latch part on said carriage, said second latch part being movable between a disengaged condition movable axially past said second locking features and an engaged condition engageable with one of said second locking features to block axial movement of said second latch part and said carriage relative to said base; biasing means for biasing said first and second latch parts into the engaged condition; and release means for moving said first and second latch parts to the disengaged condition.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said first and second latch parts are independently movable first and second latches.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said locking features are projections which project from a rear wall of said base.
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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) | 2001-08-17 | 2002-02-16 | 2002-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-17 | 2006-02-16 | 2006-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-17 | 2010-02-16 | 2010-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |