CA1054994A - Release for safety belt tension-relieving apparatus - Google Patents
Release for safety belt tension-relieving apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1054994A CA1054994A CA252,297A CA252297A CA1054994A CA 1054994 A CA1054994 A CA 1054994A CA 252297 A CA252297 A CA 252297A CA 1054994 A CA1054994 A CA 1054994A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tension
- relieving
- retractor
- locking
- door
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R22/00—Safety belts or body harnesses in vehicles
- B60R22/34—Belt retractors, e.g. reels
- B60R22/44—Belt retractors, e.g. reels with means for reducing belt tension during use under normal conditions
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R22/00—Safety belts or body harnesses in vehicles
- B60R22/34—Belt retractors, e.g. reels
- B60R22/44—Belt retractors, e.g. reels with means for reducing belt tension during use under normal conditions
- B60R2022/4486—Belt retractors, e.g. reels with means for reducing belt tension during use under normal conditions for cancelling the belt tension
Abstract
INVENTION: RELEASE FOR SAFETY BELT TENSION-RELIEVING APPARATUS
INVENTORS: R. L. STEPHENSON, Y. S. LOOMBA and W. R. FOX
Abstract Of The Disclosure A release means for a safety belt tension-relieving apparatus of a safety belt retractor includes: a sensing means, a locking means, an actuating means, and a biasing means. The sensing means is located in a door-jam of a vehicle door for sensing a condition when the door is open and when the door is closed. The locking means is disposed on the retractor. The sensing means causes the locking means to move to its unlocking position when the door is open. The actuating means is mounted on the retractor adjacent to the locking means. The actuating means is mechanically coupled to a portion of the locking means and electrically coupled to the sensing means. The actuating means moves the locking means to its unlocking position, thereby allow-ing a rewind mechanism of the retractor to operate when the door is opened. The biasing means biases the locking means in a ready position, wherein the locking means may be operated by the tension-relieving apparatus to block the rewind mechanism and relieves tension on the shoulder belt when the door is closed.
INVENTORS: R. L. STEPHENSON, Y. S. LOOMBA and W. R. FOX
Abstract Of The Disclosure A release means for a safety belt tension-relieving apparatus of a safety belt retractor includes: a sensing means, a locking means, an actuating means, and a biasing means. The sensing means is located in a door-jam of a vehicle door for sensing a condition when the door is open and when the door is closed. The locking means is disposed on the retractor. The sensing means causes the locking means to move to its unlocking position when the door is open. The actuating means is mounted on the retractor adjacent to the locking means. The actuating means is mechanically coupled to a portion of the locking means and electrically coupled to the sensing means. The actuating means moves the locking means to its unlocking position, thereby allow-ing a rewind mechanism of the retractor to operate when the door is opened. The biasing means biases the locking means in a ready position, wherein the locking means may be operated by the tension-relieving apparatus to block the rewind mechanism and relieves tension on the shoulder belt when the door is closed.
Description
RELEASE FOR SAFETY BELT TENSION-RELIEVIN~ APPARATUS
_ Background of the Invention This invention relates to a vehicle safety belt system adapted to restrain an occupant in his seat and to a safety belt, tension-relieving apparatus adapted to relieve tension on a safety belt when in use by an occupant of the vehicle. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved release means for releasing a known tension-relieving apparatus.
An example of a known tension-relieving apparatus for which the release means of the present invention may be used is a mechanical tension-relieving apparatus disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,851,836 and 3,869l098, both entitled "Vehicle Occupant ~ --Restraint Belt Retractor" and both filed August 23, 1973 in the name of R. G. Sprecher.
Summary of_the Invention In accordance with the present invention, there is provided, in a vehicle safety belt system adapted to restrain an occupant in a vehicle seat, the safety belt system including a safety belt, a retractor having a rewind mechanism biased to rewind the safety belt on a reel of the retractor, a tension-relieving apparatus for relieving tension on the safety belt, the tension applied by the rewind mechanism of the retractor, the improvement of a release means for the tension-relieving apparatus, the release means comprising:
a sensing means disposed in the vehicle for operating the release means;
a tension-relieving locking means disposed on the retractor, the tension-relieving locking means having a ready position wherein the locking means may be operated by the tension-relieving apparatus and an unlocking position wherein the rewind mechanism is allowed to wind the safety belt into : ' the retractor, the sensing means causing the tension-relieving locking means to move to its unlocking position thereby deactivating the tension-relieving apparatus and allowing the rewind mechanism to wind the safety belt into the retractor;
an actuating means mounted on the retractor adjacent to the locking means, mechanically coupled to a portion of the tension-relieving locking means and electrically coupled to the sensing means, the actuating means moving the tension-relieving locking means to its unlocking position thereby allowing the rewind mechanism of the retractor to operate under; and a biasing means biasing the tension-relieving locking means in its ready position, wherein the locking means may be oper-ated by the tension-relieving apparatus to block the rewind mechanism and relieve tension on the safety belt.
The sensing means is preferably located in a door jamb of the vehicle and moves the tension relieving means to its lock position when the door is closed.
The tension-relieving locking means preferably includes:
a tension-relieving ratchet wheel connected to the reel of the retractor; and a tension-relieving locking pawl for locking the tension-relieving ratchet wheel. The locking means may also include linkage means connecting the locking pawl to the actuating means. The actuating means may be a solenoid having a plunger coupled directly or indirectly to the tension-relieving locking pawl or an electro-magnet coupled to the tension-relieving locking pawl. Three embodiments are described hereinafter.
Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a simplified illustration of the improvement of the present invention installed in a vehicle.
Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a portion of a first embodiment of the present invention showing the locking means and the actuating means.
_ Background of the Invention This invention relates to a vehicle safety belt system adapted to restrain an occupant in his seat and to a safety belt, tension-relieving apparatus adapted to relieve tension on a safety belt when in use by an occupant of the vehicle. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved release means for releasing a known tension-relieving apparatus.
An example of a known tension-relieving apparatus for which the release means of the present invention may be used is a mechanical tension-relieving apparatus disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,851,836 and 3,869l098, both entitled "Vehicle Occupant ~ --Restraint Belt Retractor" and both filed August 23, 1973 in the name of R. G. Sprecher.
Summary of_the Invention In accordance with the present invention, there is provided, in a vehicle safety belt system adapted to restrain an occupant in a vehicle seat, the safety belt system including a safety belt, a retractor having a rewind mechanism biased to rewind the safety belt on a reel of the retractor, a tension-relieving apparatus for relieving tension on the safety belt, the tension applied by the rewind mechanism of the retractor, the improvement of a release means for the tension-relieving apparatus, the release means comprising:
a sensing means disposed in the vehicle for operating the release means;
a tension-relieving locking means disposed on the retractor, the tension-relieving locking means having a ready position wherein the locking means may be operated by the tension-relieving apparatus and an unlocking position wherein the rewind mechanism is allowed to wind the safety belt into : ' the retractor, the sensing means causing the tension-relieving locking means to move to its unlocking position thereby deactivating the tension-relieving apparatus and allowing the rewind mechanism to wind the safety belt into the retractor;
an actuating means mounted on the retractor adjacent to the locking means, mechanically coupled to a portion of the tension-relieving locking means and electrically coupled to the sensing means, the actuating means moving the tension-relieving locking means to its unlocking position thereby allowing the rewind mechanism of the retractor to operate under; and a biasing means biasing the tension-relieving locking means in its ready position, wherein the locking means may be oper-ated by the tension-relieving apparatus to block the rewind mechanism and relieve tension on the safety belt.
The sensing means is preferably located in a door jamb of the vehicle and moves the tension relieving means to its lock position when the door is closed.
The tension-relieving locking means preferably includes:
a tension-relieving ratchet wheel connected to the reel of the retractor; and a tension-relieving locking pawl for locking the tension-relieving ratchet wheel. The locking means may also include linkage means connecting the locking pawl to the actuating means. The actuating means may be a solenoid having a plunger coupled directly or indirectly to the tension-relieving locking pawl or an electro-magnet coupled to the tension-relieving locking pawl. Three embodiments are described hereinafter.
Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a simplified illustration of the improvement of the present invention installed in a vehicle.
Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of a portion of a first embodiment of the present invention showing the locking means and the actuating means.
-2-', , ' ' ' ~59~
Fig. 3 is a simplified schematic illustration of the first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of a portion of a second embodiment of the present invention showing the locking means and the actuating means.
Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of a portion of a third embodiment of the present invention showing the locking means and the actuating means.
Fig~ 6 is a simplified electrical schematic of a portion of the third embodiment shown in Fig. 5.
Detailed Description Referring to Fig. 1, the improvement of the present -invention is for use in a vehicle safety belt system 2 adapted to restrain an occupant 4 in the vehicle seat 6. The safety belt system 2 includes a safety belt, including a shoulder belt 8, a lap belt, or both; a retractor 10 having a rewind mechanism (not shown) biased to rewind the shoulder belt 8 on a reel of the retractor 10;
and a tension-relieving apparatus for relieving tension on the safety belt, such as the shoulder belt 3. The tension is applied 20 by the rewind mechanism of the retractor 10. The improvement of the present invention is a release means for the tension-relieving apparatus. Referring to Figs. 1 - 5, the release means includes:
a sensing means 12 (FigO 1), a tension-relieving locking means 14 (Figs. 2-5), an actuating means 16 (Figs. 2-5), and a biasing means 18 (Figs~ 2-5).
; The sensing means 12 may be a switch disposed in a door-jam 11 of a door 13 of a vehicle 15 for mechanically sensing a con-dition when the door 13 of the vehicle 15 is opened and when the door 13 is closed. The tension~relieving locking means 14 is disposed on 30 the retractor 10, either within the retractor housing or on the outside of the retractor housing. The tension-relieving locking ~ -" .
~5~
means 14 has a ready posltion in which the locking means 14 is in ` a position to be operated by a known tension-relieving appara-tus. The known tension-relieving apparatus moves the locking means 14 into a locking position wherein the locking means 14 opposes or counteracts the force applied by the rewind spring (not shown) and thereby re-lieves tension on the shoulder belt 8. The known tension-relieving apparatus may, for example, be the apparatus described in U.S.
Patent 3,351,836 or the apparatus described in U.S Patent 3,869,098.
The locking means 14 also has an unlocking position wherein the - 10 rewind mechanism is allowed to wind the shoulder belt 8 into the retractor 10.
The sensing means 12 causes the tension-relieving locking means 14 to move to its unlocking position when the door 13 is open, thereby deactivating the tension-relieving apparatus and allowing the rewind mechanism to wind the shoulder belt 8 into the retractor 10. rrhe actuating means 16 is mounted on the retractor 10 adjacent to the tension-relieving loc~ing means 14. The actuating means 16 is mechanically coupled to a portion of the tension-relieving lock-ing means 14 and electrically coupled to the sensing means 12. The actuating means 16 moves the tension-relieving locking means 14 to its unlocking position, thereby releasing the tension-relieving ap-paratus and allowing the rewind mechanism of the retractor 10 to operate when the door is opened. rrhe biasing means 1~ biases the tension-relieving locking means 14 in its ready position, in which the locking means 14 may be operated by the tension-relieving ap-paratus to block, that is, oppose or counteract the rewind mech-anism and relieve tension on the shoulder belt ~ when the door 13 is closed.
The locking means 14 includes: a tension-relieving - ;
30 ratchet wheel 20 connected to the reel 22 of the retractor 10;
and a tension-relieving locking pawl 24 for engaging and locking _ _ :.
~ ',1 .
,~ .
~, ' ' '' .. ~'~
. ~ . ' . .~. .
3iL~59L~
the tension-relieving ratchet wheel 20, thereby blocking or de- ;
activating the rewind mechanism. The tension-relieving ratchet wheel 20 and the tension-relieving locking pawl 24 are separate from and should not be confused with a different ratchet wheel and locking pawl often used in safety belt retractors for locking the retractor during emergency conditions, such as when the vehicle is subjected to sudden deceleration, acceleration or roll-over or when unwinding of the safety belt is suddenly accelerated. The rewind mechanism (not shown) typically is a spiral spring installed in the retractor 10. The rewind mechanism is well known in the art. An example of such a rewind mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,610,361 (reference numeral 210); 3,741,496 (reference numeral 13); and
Fig. 3 is a simplified schematic illustration of the first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of a portion of a second embodiment of the present invention showing the locking means and the actuating means.
Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of a portion of a third embodiment of the present invention showing the locking means and the actuating means.
Fig~ 6 is a simplified electrical schematic of a portion of the third embodiment shown in Fig. 5.
Detailed Description Referring to Fig. 1, the improvement of the present -invention is for use in a vehicle safety belt system 2 adapted to restrain an occupant 4 in the vehicle seat 6. The safety belt system 2 includes a safety belt, including a shoulder belt 8, a lap belt, or both; a retractor 10 having a rewind mechanism (not shown) biased to rewind the shoulder belt 8 on a reel of the retractor 10;
and a tension-relieving apparatus for relieving tension on the safety belt, such as the shoulder belt 3. The tension is applied 20 by the rewind mechanism of the retractor 10. The improvement of the present invention is a release means for the tension-relieving apparatus. Referring to Figs. 1 - 5, the release means includes:
a sensing means 12 (FigO 1), a tension-relieving locking means 14 (Figs. 2-5), an actuating means 16 (Figs. 2-5), and a biasing means 18 (Figs~ 2-5).
; The sensing means 12 may be a switch disposed in a door-jam 11 of a door 13 of a vehicle 15 for mechanically sensing a con-dition when the door 13 of the vehicle 15 is opened and when the door 13 is closed. The tension~relieving locking means 14 is disposed on 30 the retractor 10, either within the retractor housing or on the outside of the retractor housing. The tension-relieving locking ~ -" .
~5~
means 14 has a ready posltion in which the locking means 14 is in ` a position to be operated by a known tension-relieving appara-tus. The known tension-relieving apparatus moves the locking means 14 into a locking position wherein the locking means 14 opposes or counteracts the force applied by the rewind spring (not shown) and thereby re-lieves tension on the shoulder belt 8. The known tension-relieving apparatus may, for example, be the apparatus described in U.S.
Patent 3,351,836 or the apparatus described in U.S Patent 3,869,098.
The locking means 14 also has an unlocking position wherein the - 10 rewind mechanism is allowed to wind the shoulder belt 8 into the retractor 10.
The sensing means 12 causes the tension-relieving locking means 14 to move to its unlocking position when the door 13 is open, thereby deactivating the tension-relieving apparatus and allowing the rewind mechanism to wind the shoulder belt 8 into the retractor 10. rrhe actuating means 16 is mounted on the retractor 10 adjacent to the tension-relieving loc~ing means 14. The actuating means 16 is mechanically coupled to a portion of the tension-relieving lock-ing means 14 and electrically coupled to the sensing means 12. The actuating means 16 moves the tension-relieving locking means 14 to its unlocking position, thereby releasing the tension-relieving ap-paratus and allowing the rewind mechanism of the retractor 10 to operate when the door is opened. rrhe biasing means 1~ biases the tension-relieving locking means 14 in its ready position, in which the locking means 14 may be operated by the tension-relieving ap-paratus to block, that is, oppose or counteract the rewind mech-anism and relieve tension on the shoulder belt ~ when the door 13 is closed.
The locking means 14 includes: a tension-relieving - ;
30 ratchet wheel 20 connected to the reel 22 of the retractor 10;
and a tension-relieving locking pawl 24 for engaging and locking _ _ :.
~ ',1 .
,~ .
~, ' ' '' .. ~'~
. ~ . ' . .~. .
3iL~59L~
the tension-relieving ratchet wheel 20, thereby blocking or de- ;
activating the rewind mechanism. The tension-relieving ratchet wheel 20 and the tension-relieving locking pawl 24 are separate from and should not be confused with a different ratchet wheel and locking pawl often used in safety belt retractors for locking the retractor during emergency conditions, such as when the vehicle is subjected to sudden deceleration, acceleration or roll-over or when unwinding of the safety belt is suddenly accelerated. The rewind mechanism (not shown) typically is a spiral spring installed in the retractor 10. The rewind mechanism is well known in the art. An example of such a rewind mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,610,361 (reference numeral 210); 3,741,496 (reference numeral 13); and
3,797,603 (reference numeral 64).
In a first embodiment, illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the actuating means 16 may be a solenoid 16a having a plunger 26 connec-ted to a tension-relieving locking pawl 24a. The locking means 14 includes the ratchet wheel 20 and the locking pawl 24a. Fig. 2 shows the solenoid 16a in its deactivated position with the plunger 26 pushed partially out of the solenoid 16a. The biasing means 18 may be a spiral spring 18a arranged around the plunger 26 which biases the plunger 26 in its extended position from the solenoid 16a.
The rewind mechanism (not shown) rewinds the seat belt in a counter-clockwise direction as indicated by arrow A in Fig. 2. The rewind direction is the direction in which the reel 22 is wound in order to wind the shoulder belt 8 into the retractor 10. The ratchet - teeth of the tension-relieving ratchet wheel 20 are arranged so that when the ratchet wheel 20 is wound in the rewind direction, the ratchet teeth may be engaged by the tension-relieving locking pawl 24. Tension-relieving locking pawl 24a may be attached to the outer end of the plunger 26, that is, the end of the plunger 26 op-posite from the solenoid 16a. The tension-relieving locking pawl 24a ~5~
may have a curved, hook-like configuration, which has been shaped to facilitate engagement of a ratchet tooth of the ratchet wheel 20.
In a second embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4, the ten-sion-relieving locking means 14 may further include a linkage means arranged between the plunger 26 and the tension-relieving lockin~
pawl 24b, in addition to the ratchet wheel 20 and the locking pawl 24b. The linkage means includes: an L-shaped plunger bracket 27 and a pawl bracket 28. The plunger bracket 27 has a first leg 30 and a second leg 32. The pawl bracket 28 also has a first leg 34 and a second leg 36. The legs 30 and 32 of the plunger bracket 27 may be arranged approximately perpendicular to one another. The plunger bracket 27 pivots about a first pivot point 38. The legs 34 and 36 of the pawl bracket 28 may be arranged at an angle of less than 90 with reference to one another and preferably at an angle in the range of approximately 30 to 45. The pawl bracket 28 pivots about a second pivot point 40 The locking pawl 24b is connected to the first leg 34 of the pawl bracket 28 adjacent to ; the opposite end from second pivot point 40. The locking pawl ; 24b pivots about a third pivot point 42 located on the first leg34 of pawl bracket 28. The second leg 32 of the plunger bracket 26 is positioned adjacent to the second leg 36 of the pawl bracket 28. A biasing means in the form of a torsion spring 18b biases the pawl 24b in the ready position in which the pawl 24b - is ready to engage the ratchet wheel 20. Thus, the second embodiment includes three separate pivot points: a first pivot point 38 for the plunyer bracket 26; a second pivot point 40 for the pawl bracket 28; and a third pivot point 42 for the pawl 24b itself. The linkage means allows the actuating means 16 to be mounted in various positions with reference to the retractor. The pawl 24b has a first arm 25 which engages the ratchet wheel 20 and a second arm which is acted upon by the torsion spring 18b. The first arm 25 is arranged approximately .' ' ,' ~s~
perpendicular to the second arm 23.
Fig. ~ shows the solenoid 16b in its deactivated position with the plunger 26 pushed partially out of the solenoid 16. The plunger 26 presses the leg 32 of the plunger bracket 26 into con-tact and engagement with the leg 36 of the pawl bracket 28, which presses the pawl 24b into a position in which it is ready for engagement with the ratchet wheel 20. The solenoid 16b is in its deactivated position when the door 13 is closed. When the door 13 is opened, the solenoid 16b is activated, causing the plunger 26 to be withdrawn into the solenoid 16b, moving leg 32 of bracket 26 away from leg 34 of pawl bracket 28. The force from the rewind mechanism (not shown) exerted through the tension-relieving ratchet wheel 20 overcomes the force of the torsion spring 18b and pushes the locking pawl 24 away from the ratchet wheel 20 and into the unlocking position of the locking means 14.
In the operation of the first and second embodiments : (Figs. 1-4), when the occupant 4 enters the vehicle and closes the door 13, the sensing means 12 closes, cleactivating the actuating means 16, allowing the biasing means 18 to press the tension-relieving locking pawl 24 into a ready position so that it can be moved into engagement with the tension-relieving ratchet wheel 20.
The locking pawl 24 is not actually ~oved into engagement with the tension-relieving ratchet wheel 20 by the release means of the present invention, but is merely placed in a position where it can be placed in engagement with ratchet wheel 20 by a known tension-relieving apparatus such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
3,851,836 or U.S. Patent application No. 390,781.
,~ Referring to Figs. 1 -4, the sensing means 12 may be connected to the actuating means 16 (Figs. 2 and 4) by an electri-cal wire 27 (Fig. 3). Referring to Fig. 3, the electric wire may be the same wire which is conventionally used for operating a courtesy light in the vehicle, such as a dome light 29 in the interior ceiling of the vehicle. Furthermore, the sensing means 12 may be a switch similar to swi-tches conventionally used in the door-jam of the door 13 of the vehicle for operating the dome light 28. Indeed, the sensing means 12 may be the same switch which is conventionally used for operating the dome light 29. The use of a switch in the door-jam of the vehicle provides a simple, efficient means for actuating the tension-relieving mechanism. Such means is simple because it reduces the number of moving parts and allows the use of a commercially available switcho In a third embodiment, illustrated in Fig. 5, the actua-ting means 16 may be an electromagnet 16c. The locking means 14 may further include a pawl bracket 28, similar to the pawl bracket 28 in the second embodiment, in addition to a ratchet wheel 20 and a locking pawl 24b, similar to the locking pawl 24b in the second embodiment~ The third embodiment does not use a plunger bracket.
Referring to Fig. 5, the electromagnet 16c is shown in its energized position in which it attracts and holds the leg 36 of the pawl bracket 28.
In operation, when the electromagnet 16c is in its energized position, the pawl 24b is held in a ready position in which it can be moved by the known tension~relieving apparatus into engagement with the ratchet wheel 20, relieving tension on the shoulder belt.
When the electromagnet 16c is de~energized, it no longer exerts a force~
on leg 34, allowing leg 34 to fall away. When leg 34 falls away from the electromagnet 16c, the pawl 24b falls away from the tension-relieving ratchet wheel 20 as a result of the force exerted by the ~ -rewind mechanism (not shown) tran~mitted through the ratchet wheel 20 which pushes the pawl 24b away from the ratchet wheel 20.
Referring to Fig. 6, when the door 13 is closed and the ignition 46 is turned, power is provided to energize the electro-magnet 16c. When the door 13 is open or the ignition 46 is turned off, the electromagnet 16 is de-energi7ed.
'', ' ' ' :' ' ' ' ",' ' "' .' ~54~
All three embodiments overcome the problem of allowing the shoulder belt 8 to hang loosely when the occupant 4 leaves the vehicle. As a result of the release means of the present invention, the shoulder belt 8 does not become caught in the door 13 of the vehicle. The term "connected" as used in the description of this invention means a direct attachment without any intermediate com-ponents. The term "coupled" as used in the description of this invention means either a direct attachment or an indirect attach-ment with intermediate components.
:
, . ~
.
In a first embodiment, illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the actuating means 16 may be a solenoid 16a having a plunger 26 connec-ted to a tension-relieving locking pawl 24a. The locking means 14 includes the ratchet wheel 20 and the locking pawl 24a. Fig. 2 shows the solenoid 16a in its deactivated position with the plunger 26 pushed partially out of the solenoid 16a. The biasing means 18 may be a spiral spring 18a arranged around the plunger 26 which biases the plunger 26 in its extended position from the solenoid 16a.
The rewind mechanism (not shown) rewinds the seat belt in a counter-clockwise direction as indicated by arrow A in Fig. 2. The rewind direction is the direction in which the reel 22 is wound in order to wind the shoulder belt 8 into the retractor 10. The ratchet - teeth of the tension-relieving ratchet wheel 20 are arranged so that when the ratchet wheel 20 is wound in the rewind direction, the ratchet teeth may be engaged by the tension-relieving locking pawl 24. Tension-relieving locking pawl 24a may be attached to the outer end of the plunger 26, that is, the end of the plunger 26 op-posite from the solenoid 16a. The tension-relieving locking pawl 24a ~5~
may have a curved, hook-like configuration, which has been shaped to facilitate engagement of a ratchet tooth of the ratchet wheel 20.
In a second embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4, the ten-sion-relieving locking means 14 may further include a linkage means arranged between the plunger 26 and the tension-relieving lockin~
pawl 24b, in addition to the ratchet wheel 20 and the locking pawl 24b. The linkage means includes: an L-shaped plunger bracket 27 and a pawl bracket 28. The plunger bracket 27 has a first leg 30 and a second leg 32. The pawl bracket 28 also has a first leg 34 and a second leg 36. The legs 30 and 32 of the plunger bracket 27 may be arranged approximately perpendicular to one another. The plunger bracket 27 pivots about a first pivot point 38. The legs 34 and 36 of the pawl bracket 28 may be arranged at an angle of less than 90 with reference to one another and preferably at an angle in the range of approximately 30 to 45. The pawl bracket 28 pivots about a second pivot point 40 The locking pawl 24b is connected to the first leg 34 of the pawl bracket 28 adjacent to ; the opposite end from second pivot point 40. The locking pawl ; 24b pivots about a third pivot point 42 located on the first leg34 of pawl bracket 28. The second leg 32 of the plunger bracket 26 is positioned adjacent to the second leg 36 of the pawl bracket 28. A biasing means in the form of a torsion spring 18b biases the pawl 24b in the ready position in which the pawl 24b - is ready to engage the ratchet wheel 20. Thus, the second embodiment includes three separate pivot points: a first pivot point 38 for the plunyer bracket 26; a second pivot point 40 for the pawl bracket 28; and a third pivot point 42 for the pawl 24b itself. The linkage means allows the actuating means 16 to be mounted in various positions with reference to the retractor. The pawl 24b has a first arm 25 which engages the ratchet wheel 20 and a second arm which is acted upon by the torsion spring 18b. The first arm 25 is arranged approximately .' ' ,' ~s~
perpendicular to the second arm 23.
Fig. ~ shows the solenoid 16b in its deactivated position with the plunger 26 pushed partially out of the solenoid 16. The plunger 26 presses the leg 32 of the plunger bracket 26 into con-tact and engagement with the leg 36 of the pawl bracket 28, which presses the pawl 24b into a position in which it is ready for engagement with the ratchet wheel 20. The solenoid 16b is in its deactivated position when the door 13 is closed. When the door 13 is opened, the solenoid 16b is activated, causing the plunger 26 to be withdrawn into the solenoid 16b, moving leg 32 of bracket 26 away from leg 34 of pawl bracket 28. The force from the rewind mechanism (not shown) exerted through the tension-relieving ratchet wheel 20 overcomes the force of the torsion spring 18b and pushes the locking pawl 24 away from the ratchet wheel 20 and into the unlocking position of the locking means 14.
In the operation of the first and second embodiments : (Figs. 1-4), when the occupant 4 enters the vehicle and closes the door 13, the sensing means 12 closes, cleactivating the actuating means 16, allowing the biasing means 18 to press the tension-relieving locking pawl 24 into a ready position so that it can be moved into engagement with the tension-relieving ratchet wheel 20.
The locking pawl 24 is not actually ~oved into engagement with the tension-relieving ratchet wheel 20 by the release means of the present invention, but is merely placed in a position where it can be placed in engagement with ratchet wheel 20 by a known tension-relieving apparatus such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
3,851,836 or U.S. Patent application No. 390,781.
,~ Referring to Figs. 1 -4, the sensing means 12 may be connected to the actuating means 16 (Figs. 2 and 4) by an electri-cal wire 27 (Fig. 3). Referring to Fig. 3, the electric wire may be the same wire which is conventionally used for operating a courtesy light in the vehicle, such as a dome light 29 in the interior ceiling of the vehicle. Furthermore, the sensing means 12 may be a switch similar to swi-tches conventionally used in the door-jam of the door 13 of the vehicle for operating the dome light 28. Indeed, the sensing means 12 may be the same switch which is conventionally used for operating the dome light 29. The use of a switch in the door-jam of the vehicle provides a simple, efficient means for actuating the tension-relieving mechanism. Such means is simple because it reduces the number of moving parts and allows the use of a commercially available switcho In a third embodiment, illustrated in Fig. 5, the actua-ting means 16 may be an electromagnet 16c. The locking means 14 may further include a pawl bracket 28, similar to the pawl bracket 28 in the second embodiment, in addition to a ratchet wheel 20 and a locking pawl 24b, similar to the locking pawl 24b in the second embodiment~ The third embodiment does not use a plunger bracket.
Referring to Fig. 5, the electromagnet 16c is shown in its energized position in which it attracts and holds the leg 36 of the pawl bracket 28.
In operation, when the electromagnet 16c is in its energized position, the pawl 24b is held in a ready position in which it can be moved by the known tension~relieving apparatus into engagement with the ratchet wheel 20, relieving tension on the shoulder belt.
When the electromagnet 16c is de~energized, it no longer exerts a force~
on leg 34, allowing leg 34 to fall away. When leg 34 falls away from the electromagnet 16c, the pawl 24b falls away from the tension-relieving ratchet wheel 20 as a result of the force exerted by the ~ -rewind mechanism (not shown) tran~mitted through the ratchet wheel 20 which pushes the pawl 24b away from the ratchet wheel 20.
Referring to Fig. 6, when the door 13 is closed and the ignition 46 is turned, power is provided to energize the electro-magnet 16c. When the door 13 is open or the ignition 46 is turned off, the electromagnet 16 is de-energi7ed.
'', ' ' ' :' ' ' ' ",' ' "' .' ~54~
All three embodiments overcome the problem of allowing the shoulder belt 8 to hang loosely when the occupant 4 leaves the vehicle. As a result of the release means of the present invention, the shoulder belt 8 does not become caught in the door 13 of the vehicle. The term "connected" as used in the description of this invention means a direct attachment without any intermediate com-ponents. The term "coupled" as used in the description of this invention means either a direct attachment or an indirect attach-ment with intermediate components.
:
, . ~
.
Claims (11)
1. In a vehicle safety belt system adapted to restrain an occupant in a vehicle seat, the safety belt system including a safety belt, a retractor having a rewind mechanism biased to rewind the safety belt on a reel of the retractor, a tension relieving apparatus for relieving tension on the safety belt, the tension applied by the rewind mechanism of the retractor, the improvement of a release means for said tension-relieving apparatus, the release means comprising:
a sensing means disposed in a door jam of a door of said vehicle for sensing a condition when said door of the vehicle is open;
a tension relieving locking means disposed on the retractor, the tension-relieving locking means having a ready position wherein said locking means may be operated by said tension relieving apparatus and an unlocking position wherein the rewind mechanism is allowed to wind the safety belt into the retractor, said sensing means causing said tension-relieving locking means to move to its unlocking position when said door is open, thereby deactivating the tension-relieving apparatus and allowing the rewind mechanism to wind the safety belt into the retractor;
an actuating means mounted on the retractor adjacent to said locking means, mechanically coupled to a portion of said tension-relieving locking means and electrically coupled to said sensing means, said actuating means moving said tension-relieving locking means to its unlocking position thereby allowing the rewind mechanism of the retractor to operate when the door is open; and a biasing means biasing said tension-relieving lock-ing means in its ready position, wherein said locking means may be operated by said tension relieving apparatus to block the rewind mechanism and relieving tension on the safety belt when the door is closed.
a sensing means disposed in a door jam of a door of said vehicle for sensing a condition when said door of the vehicle is open;
a tension relieving locking means disposed on the retractor, the tension-relieving locking means having a ready position wherein said locking means may be operated by said tension relieving apparatus and an unlocking position wherein the rewind mechanism is allowed to wind the safety belt into the retractor, said sensing means causing said tension-relieving locking means to move to its unlocking position when said door is open, thereby deactivating the tension-relieving apparatus and allowing the rewind mechanism to wind the safety belt into the retractor;
an actuating means mounted on the retractor adjacent to said locking means, mechanically coupled to a portion of said tension-relieving locking means and electrically coupled to said sensing means, said actuating means moving said tension-relieving locking means to its unlocking position thereby allowing the rewind mechanism of the retractor to operate when the door is open; and a biasing means biasing said tension-relieving lock-ing means in its ready position, wherein said locking means may be operated by said tension relieving apparatus to block the rewind mechanism and relieving tension on the safety belt when the door is closed.
2. The safety belt tension-relieving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises: a tension-relieving ratchet wheel connected to the reel of the retractor and a locking pawl for locking said tension-relieving ratchet wheel.
3. The safety belt tension-relieving apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuating means is a solenoid having a plunger coupled to said locking pawl.
4. The safety belt tension-relieving apparatus of claim 2 wherein said locking means further comprises linkage means connec-ting said locking pawl to said actuating means.
5. The safety belt tension-relieving apparatus of claim 2 wherein said locking means further comprises a pawl bracket having a first leg, a second leg, and a pivot point for said pawl bracket;
said locking pawl mounted on said first leg and having a pawl pivot point on said first leg.
said locking pawl mounted on said first leg and having a pawl pivot point on said first leg.
6. The safety belt tension-relieving apparatus of claim 5 wherein said actuating means is an electromagnet having an ener-gized condition wherein said electromagnet applies a magnet force to said second leg of said pawl bracket to attract said second leg to said electromagnet and thereby move said pawl bracket and said tension-relieving locking pawl to said ready position.
7. The safety belt tension-relieving apparatus of claim 5 wherein said locking means further comprises a plunger bracket having a first leg, a second leg, and a pivot point for said plunger bracket; said second leg of said plunger bracket arranged adjacent said second leg of said pawl bracket, said second leg of said plunger bracket contacting said second leg of said pawl bracket when said locking means is in said ready position; and said actuating means is a solenoid having a plunger connected to said first leg of said plunger bracket.
8. In a vehicle safety belt system adapted to restrain an occupant in a vehicle seat, the safety belt system including a shoulder belt, a retractor having a rewind mechanism biased to rewind the shoulder belt on a reel of the retractor, tension-relieving apparatus for relieving tension on the shoulder belt, the tension applied by the rewind mechanism of the retractor, the improvement of a release means for said shoulder belt tension-relieving apparatus, the release means comprising:
a switch disposed in a door jam of a door of said vehicle for sensing a condition when said door of the vehicle is open and when the door is closed;
a tension-relieving ratchet wheel connected to the reel of the retractor;
a tension-relieving locking pawl disposed on the re-tractor for locking said tension-relieving ratchet wheel, the ten-sion-relieving locking pawl having a ready position wherein said tension-relieving locking pawl may be operated by said tension-relieving apparatus to deactivate the rewind mechanism, whereby tension on the shoulder belt is relieved, and an unlocking position wherein the rewind mechanism is allowed to wind the safety belt into the retractor, said switch causing said tension-relieving locking pawl to move to its ready position when said door is closed, said sensing means causing said tension-relieving locking pawl to move to its unlocking position when said door is open, thereby allowing the rewind mechanism to wind the shoulder belt into the retractor;
a solenoid mounted on the retractor adjacent to said locking pawl, mechanically coupled to a portion of said tension re-lieving locking pawl and electrically coupled to said switch, said solenoid moving said tension-relieving locking pawl to its unlocking position and thereby allowing the rewind mechanism of the retractor to operate when the door is opened; and a biasing means biasing said tension-relieving locking pawl in its ready position.
a switch disposed in a door jam of a door of said vehicle for sensing a condition when said door of the vehicle is open and when the door is closed;
a tension-relieving ratchet wheel connected to the reel of the retractor;
a tension-relieving locking pawl disposed on the re-tractor for locking said tension-relieving ratchet wheel, the ten-sion-relieving locking pawl having a ready position wherein said tension-relieving locking pawl may be operated by said tension-relieving apparatus to deactivate the rewind mechanism, whereby tension on the shoulder belt is relieved, and an unlocking position wherein the rewind mechanism is allowed to wind the safety belt into the retractor, said switch causing said tension-relieving locking pawl to move to its ready position when said door is closed, said sensing means causing said tension-relieving locking pawl to move to its unlocking position when said door is open, thereby allowing the rewind mechanism to wind the shoulder belt into the retractor;
a solenoid mounted on the retractor adjacent to said locking pawl, mechanically coupled to a portion of said tension re-lieving locking pawl and electrically coupled to said switch, said solenoid moving said tension-relieving locking pawl to its unlocking position and thereby allowing the rewind mechanism of the retractor to operate when the door is opened; and a biasing means biasing said tension-relieving locking pawl in its ready position.
9. In a vehicle safety belt system adapted to restrain an occupant in a vehicle seat, the safety belt system including a shoulder belt, a retractor having a rewind mechanism biased to re-wind the shoulder belt on a reel of the retractor, tension-relieving apparatus for relieving tension on the shoulder belt, the tension applied by the rewind mechanism of the retractor, the improvement of a release means for said shoulder belt tension-relieving appa-ratus, the release means comprising:
a switch disposed in a door jam of a door of said vehicle for sensing a condition when said door of the vehicle is open and when the door is closed;
a tension-relieving ratchet wheel connected to the reel of the retractor;
a tension-relieving locking pawl disposed on the retractor for locking said tension-relieving ratchet wheel, the tension-relieving locking pawl having a ready position wherein said tension-relieving locking pawl may be operated by said tension-relieving apparatus to deactivate the rewind mechanism, whereby tension on the shoulder belt is relieved, and an unlocking position wherein the rewind mechanism is allowed to wind the safety belt into the retractor, said switch causing said tension-relieving locking pawl to move to its ready position when said door is closed, said sensing means causing said tension relieving locking pawl to move to its unlocking position when said door is open, thereby allowing the rewind mechanism to wind the shoulder belt into the retractor;
an electromagnet mounted on the retractor adjacent to said locking pawl, mechanically coupled to a portion of said tension-relieving locking pawl and electrically coupled to said switch, said electromagnet moving said tension-relieving locking pawl to its ready position and thereby allowing the rewind mechanism of the retractor to operate when the door is closed and allowing said locking pawl to move to its unlocking position when said door is open; and a biasing means biasing said tension-relieving locking pawl in its ready position.
10. In a vehicle safety belt system adapted to restrain an occupant in a vehicle seat, the safety belt system including a shoulder belt, a retractor having a rewind mechanism biased to rewind the shoulder belt on a reel of the retractor, tension-relieving apparatus for relieving tension on the shoulder belt, the tension applied by the rewind mechanism of the retractor, the improvement of a release means for said shoulder belt tension-relieving apparatus, the release means comprising:
a switch disposed in a door jam of a door of said vehicle for sensing a condition when said door of the vehicle is open and when the door is closed;
a tension-relieving ratchet wheel connected to the reel of the retractor;
a tension-relieving locking pawl disposed on the retractor for locking said tension relieving ratchet wheel, the tension-relieving locking pawl having a ready position wherein said tension-relieving locking pawl may be operated by said tension-relieving apparatus to deactivate the rewind mechanism, whereby tension on the shoulder belt is relieved, and an unlocking position wherein the rewind mechanism is allowed to wind the safety belt into the retractor, said switch causing said tension-relieving locking pawl to move to its ready position when said door is closed, said sensing means causing said tension-relieving locking pawl to move to its unlocking position when said door is open, thereby allowing the
a switch disposed in a door jam of a door of said vehicle for sensing a condition when said door of the vehicle is open and when the door is closed;
a tension-relieving ratchet wheel connected to the reel of the retractor;
a tension-relieving locking pawl disposed on the retractor for locking said tension-relieving ratchet wheel, the tension-relieving locking pawl having a ready position wherein said tension-relieving locking pawl may be operated by said tension-relieving apparatus to deactivate the rewind mechanism, whereby tension on the shoulder belt is relieved, and an unlocking position wherein the rewind mechanism is allowed to wind the safety belt into the retractor, said switch causing said tension-relieving locking pawl to move to its ready position when said door is closed, said sensing means causing said tension relieving locking pawl to move to its unlocking position when said door is open, thereby allowing the rewind mechanism to wind the shoulder belt into the retractor;
an electromagnet mounted on the retractor adjacent to said locking pawl, mechanically coupled to a portion of said tension-relieving locking pawl and electrically coupled to said switch, said electromagnet moving said tension-relieving locking pawl to its ready position and thereby allowing the rewind mechanism of the retractor to operate when the door is closed and allowing said locking pawl to move to its unlocking position when said door is open; and a biasing means biasing said tension-relieving locking pawl in its ready position.
10. In a vehicle safety belt system adapted to restrain an occupant in a vehicle seat, the safety belt system including a shoulder belt, a retractor having a rewind mechanism biased to rewind the shoulder belt on a reel of the retractor, tension-relieving apparatus for relieving tension on the shoulder belt, the tension applied by the rewind mechanism of the retractor, the improvement of a release means for said shoulder belt tension-relieving apparatus, the release means comprising:
a switch disposed in a door jam of a door of said vehicle for sensing a condition when said door of the vehicle is open and when the door is closed;
a tension-relieving ratchet wheel connected to the reel of the retractor;
a tension-relieving locking pawl disposed on the retractor for locking said tension relieving ratchet wheel, the tension-relieving locking pawl having a ready position wherein said tension-relieving locking pawl may be operated by said tension-relieving apparatus to deactivate the rewind mechanism, whereby tension on the shoulder belt is relieved, and an unlocking position wherein the rewind mechanism is allowed to wind the safety belt into the retractor, said switch causing said tension-relieving locking pawl to move to its ready position when said door is closed, said sensing means causing said tension-relieving locking pawl to move to its unlocking position when said door is open, thereby allowing the
Claim 10 continued rewind mechanism to wind the shoulder belt into the retractor;
a solenoid mounted on the retractor adjacent to said locking pawl, mechanically coupled to a portion of said tension-relieving locking pawl and electrically coupled to said switch, said solenoid moving said tension-relieving locking pawl to its unlocking position and thereby allowing the rewind mechanism of the retractor to operate when the door is opened;
a linkage means arranged between said solenoid and said pawl; and a biasing means biasing said tension-relieving locking pawl in its ready position.
a solenoid mounted on the retractor adjacent to said locking pawl, mechanically coupled to a portion of said tension-relieving locking pawl and electrically coupled to said switch, said solenoid moving said tension-relieving locking pawl to its unlocking position and thereby allowing the rewind mechanism of the retractor to operate when the door is opened;
a linkage means arranged between said solenoid and said pawl; and a biasing means biasing said tension-relieving locking pawl in its ready position.
11. In a vehicle safety belt system adapted to restrain an occupant in a vehicle seat, the safety belt system including a safety belt, a retractor having a rewind mechanism biased to rewind the safety belt on a reel of the retractor, a tension-relieving apparatus for relieving tension on the safety belt, the tension applied by the rewind mechanism of the retractor, the improvement of a release means for said tension-relieving apparatus, the release means comprising:
a sensing means disposed in said vehicle for operating said release means;
a tension-relieving locking means disposed on the retractor, the tension-relieving locking means having a ready position wherein said locking means may be operated by said tension-relieving apparatus and an unlocking position wherein the rewind mechanism is allowed to wind the safety belt into the retractor, said sensing means causing said tension-relieving locking means to move to its unlocking position thereby deactivating the tension-relieving apparatus and allowing the rewind mechanism to wind the safety belt into the retractor;
an actuating means mounted on the retractor adjacent to said locking means, mechanically coupled to a portion of said tension-relieving locking means and electrically coupled to said sensing means, said actuating means moving said tension-relieving locking means to its unlocking position thereby allowing the rewind mechanism of the retractor to operate under; and a biasing means biasing said tension-relieving locking means in its ready position, wherein said locking means may be oper-ated by said tension-relieving apparatus to block the rewind mech-anism and relieve tension on the safety belt.
a sensing means disposed in said vehicle for operating said release means;
a tension-relieving locking means disposed on the retractor, the tension-relieving locking means having a ready position wherein said locking means may be operated by said tension-relieving apparatus and an unlocking position wherein the rewind mechanism is allowed to wind the safety belt into the retractor, said sensing means causing said tension-relieving locking means to move to its unlocking position thereby deactivating the tension-relieving apparatus and allowing the rewind mechanism to wind the safety belt into the retractor;
an actuating means mounted on the retractor adjacent to said locking means, mechanically coupled to a portion of said tension-relieving locking means and electrically coupled to said sensing means, said actuating means moving said tension-relieving locking means to its unlocking position thereby allowing the rewind mechanism of the retractor to operate under; and a biasing means biasing said tension-relieving locking means in its ready position, wherein said locking means may be oper-ated by said tension-relieving apparatus to block the rewind mech-anism and relieve tension on the safety belt.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US57714675A | 1975-05-13 | 1975-05-13 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1054994A true CA1054994A (en) | 1979-05-22 |
Family
ID=24307463
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA252,297A Expired CA1054994A (en) | 1975-05-13 | 1976-05-11 | Release for safety belt tension-relieving apparatus |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS51139025A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1054994A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2620670A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2310903A1 (en) |
| SE (1) | SE7605030L (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5211352A (en) * | 1990-11-28 | 1993-05-18 | Alliedsignal Inc. | Dual spring tension reducer |
-
1976
- 1976-05-03 SE SE7605030A patent/SE7605030L/en unknown
- 1976-05-11 CA CA252,297A patent/CA1054994A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-05-11 DE DE19762620670 patent/DE2620670A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1976-05-13 JP JP51053886A patent/JPS51139025A/en active Pending
- 1976-05-13 FR FR7614499A patent/FR2310903A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE2620670A1 (en) | 1976-12-02 |
| JPS51139025A (en) | 1976-12-01 |
| FR2310903A1 (en) | 1976-12-10 |
| SE7605030L (en) | 1976-11-14 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US3930682A (en) | Safety belt tension relieving apparatus | |
| JP3652683B2 (en) | How to operate a reversible belt pretensioner | |
| US5087075A (en) | Seat belt system | |
| US4065072A (en) | Seat belt retractor with winding prevention mechanism | |
| US4384735A (en) | Safety restraint system having tensionless type belt retractor adapted for adjustable seat | |
| US4209186A (en) | Lock-up inhibitor for door mounted retractor | |
| US5211423A (en) | Vehicle seat belt tensioning mechanism | |
| JPS6021096B2 (en) | Seat belt retraction device | |
| JPS5832779A (en) | Emergency lock apparatus of safety belt webbing part | |
| US4261530A (en) | Webbing locking mechanism | |
| US5740979A (en) | Transport guard device for a belt retractor | |
| US4007948A (en) | Release for safety belt tension-relieving apparatus | |
| CA1092578A (en) | Device for use in emergency locking mechanism for webbing-type seat belts | |
| US4209142A (en) | Remote tension-relieving apparatus for safety belt retractor | |
| CA1054994A (en) | Release for safety belt tension-relieving apparatus | |
| JPS6257539B2 (en) | ||
| US4940193A (en) | Safety belt retractor with improved dampening | |
| US4703950A (en) | Electrical lock-out mechanism for door mounted seat belt retractors | |
| US4771854A (en) | Belt winding brake for passive belt retractor | |
| US4492349A (en) | Programmed pawl control means | |
| US4428545A (en) | Safety belt system having retractor equipped with manual locking mechanism | |
| US4116295A (en) | Electrically operated seatbelt retractor | |
| US4231591A (en) | Automatic retractor inhibitor | |
| US4285479A (en) | Inertia release for belt retractor winding prevention mechanism | |
| US4396167A (en) | Lock bar and belt clamp release for seat belt retractor |