GB2130074A

GB2130074A - Vehicle safety belts

Info

Publication number: GB2130074A
Application number: GB08305288A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Leslie Singleton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-05-20
Filing date: 1983-02-25
Publication date: 1984-05-31
Also published as: GB8305288D0

Abstract

Energy absorbing material 13 is provided between a loop 11 , through which the belt passes, and an attachment 10 to the vehicle pillar or floor. Alternatively it may be between two parts of the belt. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Energy absorbing safety belt attachment Please refer to my previous applications numbers 8214661 and 8215157 in which various methods were illustrated to provide Energy Absorbing protection in vehicle safety harnesses.

One of those methods included the use of a material the trade name of which is Sorbothane (RTM), a rubber like material possessing exceptional energy absorbing properties.

Tests have been carried out with a view to establish if Sorbothane could be incorporated into Safety Belt harnesses in order to provide greater protection and thereby reducing the severity of injuries to an occupant wearing a safety belt when involved in a frontal collision.

Resulting from these tests basic designs of Safety Belt attachments have been prepared and are enclosed with this application. In general the existing type of diagonal and lap safety belt is secured in four positions.

1. At the Inertia Mechanism.

2. Into the floor of the vehicle.

3. Into the 'pillar' adjacent to the shoulder of the wearer.

4. Into the Buckle.

Fig. 1 of the enclosed drawing shows a proposed Pillar or Floor type of attachment 10 which would be suitable for most vehicles. The upper end would be bolted to the Pillar or Floor anchor points. The lower end forms a loop through which the belt is passed. The upper end of the loop is located and attached to a pressure plate positioned over a moulding of Sorbothane which is the Energy Absorbing component in the assembly.

In the event of a frontal collision, the wearer continues forward until the Inertia Mechanism locks. This in turn causes the belt through the loop to compress the Sorbothane to absorb the shock of impact, thereby reducing the compression forces to the abdomen and chest which occur with the existing systems.

Fig. 2 of the enclosed drawings, shows a construction which would function the same as Fig. 1. but the upper component 1 5 of this assembly would be fashioned to suit any type of 'quick release' Buckle assemblies, and therefore would be suitable for most vehicles.

Fig. 3 of the enclosed drawings shows a simple example of how Sorbothane 1 8 could be inserted into for example childrens harnesses where it would provide the same protection as types 1 and 2. It will be noted that a 'fair safe' condition is assured, but should the belt loop attempt to straighten as a result of a collision, it would effectively compress the Sorbothane to absorb the shock.

Claims

1. An effective, practical and inexpensive method of linking a substance, which can be Sorbothane or a like material, possessing exceptional inpact energy absorbing prnperties, into the standard type of lap-strap and diagonal safety belt.

2. An attachment which will not encumber the normal use of the safety belt. It is easily adaptable to all vehicles, and can be conjoined with the belt webbing in either or all of the locations where the safety harness is normally anchored.

3. An energy absorbing attachment which, when conjoined with the belt webbing will; a) Effectively improve the efficiency of the harness to absorb energy.

b) Reduce the peak restraint loads affecting the body parts of the wearer, and thereby reducing the incidence of severity of injuries which are caused by the safety harness.

c) Reduce the magnitude of the tensile forces acting on the harness installation, during restraint.

d) Reduce the degree of body displacement, from the normally seated position when the weareer is restrained in a collision.

4. A practical and simple method of inserting Sorbothane or a like material, in the form of a moulding, into the belt webbing of the various forms of childrens Cot and Seat types of safety harnesses.

Note; The physical size, configuration, or aesthetic features of the Attachments, or Inserts will alter to meet the requirements of the range of applications, but the fundamental principal of operation and function of the energy absorbing attachments will be remain unaltered.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 1 5 Nov 83 Superseded claims 1-4 New or amended claims: 1. A safety belt attachment, such as a fastening buckle, or anchor point attachment, for use in vehicular or non-vehicular safety harnesses, incorporating a mass of shockabsorbing material, Sorbothane or like substance, in such a manner that tensile forces applied to the belt webbing are transmitted to the said mass, to displace it, to thereby reduce the shock loads transmitted to the user.

2. An attachment as claimed in claim 1., wherein the said mass is trapped between two relatively movable components of the attachment.

3. An attachment as claimed in claim 2., wherein one said component defines a U-shaped member, open at it's sides, with the displaceable mass being located in the base of the U, and the other said component having a portion extending laterally through the U-shaped component and bearing directly on the said mass.

4. A safety belt attachment substantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 1. and Fig.

2. of the accompanying drawings.

5. A safety belt webbing for vehicular or nonvehicular use, incorporating a mass of shock

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Energy absorbing safety belt attachment Please refer to my previous applications numbers 8214661 and 8215157 in which various methods were illustrated to provide Energy Absorbing protection in vehicle safety harnesses. One of those methods included the use of a material the trade name of which is Sorbothane (RTM), a rubber like material possessing exceptional energy absorbing properties. Tests have been carried out with a view to establish if Sorbothane could be incorporated into Safety Belt harnesses in order to provide greater protection and thereby reducing the severity of injuries to an occupant wearing a safety belt when involved in a frontal collision. Resulting from these tests basic designs of Safety Belt attachments have been prepared and are enclosed with this application. In general the existing type of diagonal and lap safety belt is secured in four positions. 1. At the Inertia Mechanism. 2. Into the floor of the vehicle. 3. Into the 'pillar' adjacent to the shoulder of the wearer. 4. Into the Buckle. Fig. 1 of the enclosed drawing shows a proposed Pillar or Floor type of attachment 10 which would be suitable for most vehicles. The upper end would be bolted to the Pillar or Floor anchor points. The lower end forms a loop through which the belt is passed. The upper end of the loop is located and attached to a pressure plate positioned over a moulding of Sorbothane which is the Energy Absorbing component in the assembly. In the event of a frontal collision, the wearer continues forward until the Inertia Mechanism locks. This in turn causes the belt through the loop to compress the Sorbothane to absorb the shock of impact, thereby reducing the compression forces to the abdomen and chest which occur with the existing systems. Fig. 2 of the enclosed drawings, shows a construction which would function the same as Fig. 1. but the upper component 1 5 of this assembly would be fashioned to suit any type of 'quick release' Buckle assemblies, and therefore would be suitable for most vehicles. Fig. 3 of the enclosed drawings shows a simple example of how Sorbothane 1 8 could be inserted into for example childrens harnesses where it would provide the same protection as types 1 and 2. It will be noted that a 'fair safe' condition is assured, but should the belt loop attempt to straighten as a result of a collision, it would effectively compress the Sorbothane to absorb the shock. Claims 1. An effective, practical and inexpensive method of linking a substance, which can be Sorbothane or a like material, possessing exceptional inpact energy absorbing prnperties, into the standard type of lap-strap and diagonal safety belt. 2. An attachment which will not encumber the normal use of the safety belt. It is easily adaptable to all vehicles, and can be conjoined with the belt webbing in either or all of the locations where the safety harness is normally anchored. 3. An energy absorbing attachment which, when conjoined with the belt webbing will; a) Effectively improve the efficiency of the harness to absorb energy. b) Reduce the peak restraint loads affecting the body parts of the wearer, and thereby reducing the incidence of severity of injuries which are caused by the safety harness. c) Reduce the magnitude of the tensile forces acting on the harness installation, during restraint. d) Reduce the degree of body displacement, from the normally seated position when the weareer is restrained in a collision. 4. A practical and simple method of inserting Sorbothane or a like material, in the form of a moulding, into the belt webbing of the various forms of childrens Cot and Seat types of safety harnesses. Note; The physical size, configuration, or aesthetic features of the Attachments, or Inserts will alter to meet the requirements of the range of applications, but the fundamental principal of operation and function of the energy absorbing attachments will be remain unaltered. New claims or amendments to claims filed on 1 5 Nov 83 Superseded claims 1-4 New or amended claims:

1. A safety belt attachment, such as a fastening buckle, or anchor point attachment, for use in vehicular or non-vehicular safety harnesses, incorporating a mass of shockabsorbing material, Sorbothane or like substance, in such a manner that tensile forces applied to the belt webbing are transmitted to the said mass, to displace it, to thereby reduce the shock loads transmitted to the user.

2. of the accompanying drawings.

5. A safety belt webbing for vehicular or nonvehicular use, incorporating a mass of shock absorbing displaceable material, Sorbothane or like substance, in such a manner that tensile forces applied to the belt webbing are transmitted to the said mass to displace it, to thereby reduce the shock loads transmitted to the user.

6. A safety belt inclusion as claimed in claim 5., as herein described, with reference to Fig. 3. of the accompanying drawings.