FR3079186A1 - STRAP GUIDING DEVICE WITH IMPROVED SAFETY PERFORMANCE - Google Patents

Abstract

A strap guiding device comprises a base (1) and a pivoting element. A housing slot (12) is formed on the base and penetrates through the base (1) from a front side of the base to a rear side of the base (1) to allow passage of the flexible strap. A guide passage (13) is formed on the base (1) and communicates with the housing slot (12) to guide the flexible strap to enter or leave the housing slot (12). The pivoting element (2) is installed in a position in which the guide passage communicates with the housing slot (12) and is pivotally connected to the base (1). The pivoting member blocks communication between the guide passage and the receiving slot (12) when the pivoting member (2) pivots to a closed position. The pivoting element (2) allows communication between the guide passage and the housing slot (12) when the pivoting element (2) pivots to an open position. Figure to be published with abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: STRAP GUIDING DEVICE WITH IMPROVED SAFETY PERFORMANCE Technical field of the invention The present invention relates to a strap guiding device, and more particularly a strap guiding device with safety performance increased. State of the prior art A seat belt is one of the most common safety tools adapted to equipment making it possible to ensure the safety of the user when he is on board a vehicle, such as than a car or an airplane, whether he works or performs a task at a high place. As the economy develops, the automobile becomes an important form of transportation for families, and people are concerned about the safety of driving and the use of seat belts in a seat belt assembly. People have constantly studied the design and technology of seat belt installation to improve the safety performance of the seat belt assembly. The seat belt is generally made of polyester, polypropylene or nylon and is arranged on the car by other fastening means, such as a guide element and a fastening element. When a car accident or emergency braking occurs, a pretensioner can tighten the seat belt to firmly pull a driver or passenger in a seat to prevent a second collision. Therefore, the safety performance of the seat belt assembly is related not only to the tensile strength of the seat belt, but also to the guide member and the fastener. For example, if the seat belt is disengaged from the guide element in a collision, this can result in the death or serious injury of the driver or passenger because the seat belt cannot be retained by the element guide. Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved strap guiding device with increased safety performance and easy operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The objective is to provide a strap guiding device with improved safety performance and easy use to solve the above-mentioned problem.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the present invention discloses a strap guiding device for a flexible strap. The strap guide device includes a base and a pivoting member. A housing slot is formed on the base and penetrates through the base from a front side of the base to a rear side of the base. The flexible strap slides through the housing slot. The housing slot is configured to allow traction passage to the flexible strap. The base includes a guide member and a support member. The housing slot and a guide passage which communicates with the housing slot are formed between the guide member and the support member. The guide passage is located at one end of the housing slot, and the guide passage is configured to guide the flexible strip to enter or leave the housing slot. The pivoting member is installed in a position in which the guide passage communicates with the housing slot. The pivoting member is pivotally connected to the support member. The pivoting element blocks communication between the guide passage and the receiving slot when the pivoting element pivots in the closed position, and the pivoting element allows communication between the guide passage and the receiving slot when the element swivel swivels in the open position.

Preferably, the pivoting element moves in a direction parallel to an axial direction of a pivot axis of the pivoting element in order to avoid any interference between the pivoting element and the support element when the pivoting element pivots from the closed position to the open position around the pivoting axis.

Preferably, one end of the guide element near the guide passage is curved towards the support element to form a guide part, and the guide part has the shape of an arc.

Preferably, a blocking part protrudes from one end of the support element near the guide passage and towards the guide part, and the guide passage is formed between the guide part and the blocking part.

Preferably, the blocking part has the shape of an arc.

Preferably, the strap guide device further comprises a pivoting mechanism. The pivoting member includes a mounting portion and a pivoting portion extending from one end of the mounting portion. The mounting part is pivotally connected to the support element by the pivoting mechanism and the pivoting part abuts against the guide element when the pivoting element is in the closed position.

Preferably, the pivoting element is urged by the pivoting mechanism to return from the open position to the closed position.

Preferably, the pivoting mechanism comprises a pivoting shaft, a pivoting hole and an elastic element. The pivoting shaft is arranged on the mounting part of the pivoting element. The portion of the pivot hole is formed on the support member to pivotally engage with the pivoting shaft. The elastic element is sheathed on the pivoting shaft to urge the pivoting part so that it abuts against the guide element.

Preferably, the elastic element is a spring.

Preferably, a screw surface is formed on an inner periphery of the part of the pivot hole. The pivoting member is driven by the surface of the screw to move in a direction parallel to an axial direction of the pivoting shaft when the pivoting member rotates relative to the support member.

Preferably, at least one protrusion protrudes from an inner periphery of the part of the pivot hole. The pivoting shaft comprises at least one retaining element for cooperating with the protuberance, and the at least one protuberance bears against the at least one retaining element to restrict a pivoting amplitude of the pivoting element relative to the support element.

Preferably, the base further comprises a fixing element for fixing the strap guide device on a part.

Preferably, the fixing element comprises a fixing seat and a fixing hole part formed on the fixing seat, and the fixing seat is located at one end of the housing slot away from the guide passage and formed with a curvature.

In summary, the present invention uses the housing slot to allow the passage of traction towards the flexible strap, so as to limit the amplitude of the sliding movement of the flexible strap. Furthermore, the present invention uses the guide passage to guide the flexible strap to enter or leave the housing slot and also uses the pivoting member to block or allow communication between the guide passage and the housing slot. The flexible strap cannot be disengaged from the strap guide device when the pivoting member pivots in the closed position to block communication of the guide passage, thereby improving the safety performance of the flexible strap. When the pivoting element pivots in the open position to allow communication between the guide passage and the housing slot, the flexible strap can enter or exit the housing slot, which facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the flexible strap.

These and other objectives of the present invention will undoubtedly become obvious to those who have ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment which is illustrated in the various figures and drawings. .

Brief description of Figures [fig.l] and [Fig. 2] are schematic diagrams of a strap guiding device in different states according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[Fig.3] is a diagram of the strap guide device as illustrated in the figure in another view according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[Fig.4] is an exploded block diagram of a strap guiding device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[Fig.5] is an exploded diagram of the strap guide device from another angle of view according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig.6] is a diagram illustrating the strap guide device on a seat according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention In order to illustrate the technical specifications and the structural characteristics as well as the objectives and the effects of the present invention, the embodiments and the relevant figures are described below.

In the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form part thereof and which illustrate, by way of example, specific embodiments in which the invention can be implemented. convenient. In this regard, directional terminology, such as top, bottom, front, back, etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the figure (s) described. The components of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations. As such, directional terminology is used for illustration purposes and is in no way limiting. Therefore, the drawings and descriptions will be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive.

Please refer to Figures 1, and 2. Figure 1, and Figure 2 are schematic diagrams of a strap guiding device in different states according to one embodiment of this. invention. As shown in Figure 1, and Figure 2, the strap guide device comprises a base 1 and a pivoting element 2. A housing slot 12 is formed on the base 1 and penetrates through the base 1 from a front side from base 1 to a rear side of base 1. A flexible strap, such as a seat belt, which is not shown in the figures, slides slidably through the housing slot 12. The slot housing 12 can serve as a traction passage towards the flexible strap to retain the flexible strap inside the housing slot 12 during the sliding movement of the flexible strap. The base 1 comprises a guide element 10 and a support element 11. The housing slot 12 is formed between the guide element 10 and the support element 11. The support element 11 can serve as a support for the sliding movement of the flexible strap inside the housing slot 12. The guide element 10 can guide the flexible strap so that it enters the housing slot 12 from the top of the housing slot 12. In addition, a guide passage 13 is formed between the guide element 10 and the support element 11. The guide passage 13 is at one end of the housing location 12 and is connected to the housing location 12. The passage guide 13 can guide the flexible strap to enter or leave the housing slot 12. The pivoting element 2 is mounted in a position where the guide passage 13 is in communication with the housing slot 12. The pivoting element 2 is pivotally connected to the support element 11. The pivoting element 2 blocks the communication between the guide passage 13 and the housing slot 12 when the pivoting element 2 pivots in the closed position as shown in FIG. 1. The pivoting element 1 allows communication between the guide passage 13 and the housing slot 12 when the pivoting member is used to pivot inward of the housing slot 12 to an open position.

In this case, the flexible strap can be a seat belt of a seat belt assembly. When mounting the flexible strap, the flexible strap can be moved along the guide passage 13 to push the pivoting element 2 to pivot relative to the support element 11 in the open position to allow communication between the passage guide 13 and the housing slot 12, so that the flexible strap can penetrate the housing slot 12 passing over the top of the pivoting element 2. Then the pivoting element 2 can be used to pivot in the closed position in order to block the communication between the guide passage 13 and the housing slot 12, so that the flexible strap can be retained inside the housing slot 12 and cannot leave the housing slot 12 via the guide passage 13 during the sliding movement of the flexible strap. Therefore, the strap guiding device of the present invention has not only improved the safety performance but also the ease of use.

Please refer to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 3 is a diagram of the strap guiding device as illustrated in Figure 1 according to another view of the embodiment of this invention; As shown in FIGS. 1, at 3, one end of the guide element 10 near the guide passage 13 is curved towards the support element 11 to form a guide part 100. The guide part 100 has the shape of 'a bow. In addition, a locking portion 110 protrudes from one end of the support member 11 near the guide passage 13 and towards the guide portion 100. The locking portion 110 has the shape of an arc. The guide passage 13 is formed between the guide part 100 and the locking part 110 and also in the form of an arc, so that the flexible strap can easily enter the housing slot 12 through the guide passage 13 in the form arc and can be prevented from leaving the housing slot 12 even if the pivoting element 2 does not function properly due to the arcuate guide passage 13. In other words, the present invention uses the arcuate guide portion 100 and the arcuate locking portion 110 to form the arcuate guide passage 13, so as to improve performance and to facilitate the mounting of the flexible strap.

Please refer to Figures 1 to 5. Figure 4 is an exploded block diagram of a strap device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an exploded block diagram of the strap guiding device from another angle of view according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the strap guide device further comprises a pivoting mechanism. The pivoting element 2 comprises a mounting part 20 and a pivoting part 21 extending from one end of the mounting part 20. The mounting part 20 is pivotally connected to the support element 11 by the pivoting mechanism. The pivoting part 21 bears against the guide element 10 to block the communication between the guide passage 13 and the housing slot 12 when the pivoting element 2 is in the closed position. The pivoting part is separated from the guide element 10 to allow communication between the guide passage 13 and the housing slot 12 when the pivoting element 2 is in the open position. In addition, the pivoting element 2 is urged by the pivoting mechanism to return from the open position to the closed position. In other words, the pivoting mechanism can cause the pivoting element 2 to return to the closed position to block the communication between the guide passage 13 and the housing slot 12 after the flexible strap has entered the housing slot. 12, so as to retain the flexible strap in the housing slot 12 during the sliding movement of the flexible strap.

More specifically, the pivoting mechanism comprises a pivoting shaft 22, a pivoting hole part 23 and an elastic element 24. The pivoting shaft 22 is disposed on the mounting part 20 of the pivoting element 2. The part of pivot hole 23 is formed on the support element 11 to pivotally engage with the pivoting shaft 22. The elastic element 24 serves to urge the pivoting part 21 so that it abuts against the guide element 10. In this embodiment, the part of the pivoting hole 23 can be placed on the blocking part 110 of the support element 11, and the elastic element 24 can be housed on the pivoting shaft 22. In addition, during assembly of the pivoting shaft 22, the pivoting shaft 22 can be inserted into the pivoting hole part 23 and fixed to the pivoting hole part 23 with a screw element 26. When the flexible strap is guided by the guide passage 13 to reach the element t pivot 2, the flexible strap pushes the pivot part 21 of the pivot element 2, so that the pivot element 2 is driven to pivot towards the inside of the housing slot 12 around the pivot shaft 22 in position open to allow communication between the guide passage 13 and the housing slot 12. When the pivoting element 2 pivots towards the inside of the housing slot 12, the elastic element 24 deforms elastically. After the entry of the flexible strap into the housing slot 12, the deformed elastic element 24 can elastically recover the pivoting element 2 to pivot in the closed position, so as to retain the flexible strap inside the slot housing 12. Preferably, in this embodiment, the elastic element may be a spring. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

As shown in Figure 4, a screw surface 230 is formed on an inner periphery of the pivot hole portion 23. The pivoting member 2 is driven by the surface of the screw 230 to move in one direction parallel to an axial direction of the pivoting shaft 22, that is to say a direction parallel to a pivot axis of the pivoting element 2, when the pivoting element 2 pivots relative to the support element 1L En In particular, in this embodiment, the surface of the screw 230 can drive the pivoting shaft 22 clockwise when the pivoting shaft 22 enters the part of the pivoting hole 23. Consequently, the the pivoting shaft 22 can be driven in a direction away from the part of the pivoting hole 23 when the pivoting element 2 pivots around the pivoting shaft 22 in an anti-clockwise direction the slot 12, which can effectively prevent any interference between the pivoting element 2 / the pivoting part 21 and the support element 11 during the pivoting movement of the pivoting element 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, the surface of the screw may be replaced by another inclined surface to move the pivoting member in the direction parallel to the pivoting axis of the pivoting member during the pivoting movement of the swivel element.

In addition, as described in Figure 4, and Figure 5, in order to avoid damaging the elastic element 24 by an excessive pivoting movement of the pivoting element 2, two protrusions 25 protrude from the periphery interior of the part of the pivoting hole 23. The pivoting shaft 22 comprises two retaining elements 220 to cooperate respectively with the two protrusions 25. The two protrusions 25 are respectively pressed against the two retaining elements 220 to limit an amplitude of pivoting of the pivoting element 2 with respect to the support element 1L In other words, when the pivoting element 2 pivots by a predetermined angle, the two retaining elements 220 are pressed against the two protrusions 25, to stop the pivoting movement of the pivoting element 2, which can prevent permanent deformation of the elastic element 24 caused by the excessive pivoting movement of the pivoting element 2. Cepen However, the number of protrusions and retaining elements is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, there may be a protrusion on the inner periphery of the portion of the pivot hole and a retainer on the pivot shaft.

To facilitate the mounting of the strap guide device, as shown in Figure 1, and Figure 6, the base 1 further comprises a fastening element for fixing the strap guide device on a workpiece, such than an armrest of a car seat 3. In particular, the fixing element comprises a fixing seat 140 and two parts of fixing holes 141 formed on the fixing seat 140. The fixing seat 140 is located at a end of the housing slot 12 away from the guide passage 13 and is formed with a curvature. Therefore, the strap guide device can be installed on the armrest of the car seat 3 using bolts or screws passing through the two parts of fixing holes 141. However, the number and location of the parts fixing holes are not limited to this embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, there may be a mounting hole portion located on a central portion of the mounting seat.

Unlike the prior art, the present invention uses the housing slot to allow the traction passage of the flexible strap, so as to limit an amplitude of the sliding movement of the flexible strap. Furthermore, the present invention uses the guide passage to guide the flexible strap to enter or leave the housing slot and also uses the pivoting member to block or allow communication between the guide passage and the housing slot. The flexible strap cannot be disengaged from the strap guide device when the pivoting member pivots to the closed position to block communication with the guide passage, thereby improving the safety performance of the flexible strap. When the pivoting element pivots in the open position to allow communication between the guide passage and the housing slot, the flexible strap can enter or exit the housing slot, which facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the flexible strap.

Those skilled in the art will readily observe that many modifications and alterations to the device and the method can be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Therefore, the above disclosure is to be construed as being limited only by the limits and limits of the appended claims.

Claims (1)

A strap guiding device for a flexible strap comprising: a base (1), a housing slot (12) being formed on the base and penetrating through the base (1) from a front side of the base (1) towards a rear side of the base (1), the flexible strap slidingly passing through the housing slot (12), the housing slot (12) being configured to provide a passage for pulling the flexible strap, the base (1) comprising a guide element (10) and a support element (11), the housing slot (12) and a guide passage which communicates with the housing slot (12) being formed between the guide element (10) and the support member (11), the guide passage (13) being located at one end of the housing slot (12), and the guide passage (13) being configured to guide the flexible strip to enter the slot housing (12) or leave it; and a pivoting element (2) installed in a position in which the guide passage communicates with the housing slot (12), the pivoting element being pivotally connected to the support element (11), the pivoting element ( 2) blocking the communication between the guide passage and the housing slot (12) when the pivoting element (2) pivots towards a closed position, and the pivoting element (2) allowing communication between the guide passage and the housing slot (12) when the pivoting member (2) pivots to an open position. A strap guiding device according to claim 1, wherein the pivoting member moves in a direction parallel to an axial direction of a pivoting axis of the pivoting member (2) to prevent any interference between the pivoting member ( 2) and the support element (11) when the pivoting element (2) pivots from the closed position to the open position around the pivot axis. A strap guiding device according to claim 1, wherein one end of the guide member (10) near the guide passage is bent towards the support member (11) to form a guide portion, and the guide portion has the shape of an arc. A strap guiding device according to claim 3, in which a locking part (110) projects from one end of the support element (11) near the guide passage and towards the guide part (100), and the passage guide is formed between the guide portion (100) and the locking portion (110). [Claim 5] A strap guiding device according to claim 4, wherein the locking portion (110) has the shape of an arc. [Claim 6] A strap guiding device according to claim 1, further comprising a pivoting mechanism, the pivoting element comprising a mounting part (20) and a pivoting part (21) extending from one end of the mounting part (20) , the mounting part (20) being pivotally connected to the support element (11) by the pivoting mechanism, and the pivoting part (21) being in abutment against the guide element (10) when the pivoting element (2) is in the closed position. [Claim 7] A strap guiding device according to claim 6, in which the pivoting element (2) is urged by the pivoting mechanism to return from the open position to the closed position. [Claim 8] A strap guiding device according to claim 7, in which the pivoting mechanism comprises: a pivoting shaft (22) disposed on the mounting portion of the pivoting member (2); a pivot hole portion (23) formed on the support member (23) for pivotally engaging the pivot shaft (22); and an elastic element (24) sheathed on the pivoting shaft (22) to urge the pivoting part (21) so that it abuts against the guide element (10). [Claim 9] A strap guiding device according to claim 8, wherein the elastic member (24) is a spring. [Claim 10] A strap guiding device according to claim 8, wherein a screw surface (230) is formed on an inner periphery of the pivot hole part (23), the pivoting member (2) is driven by the screw surface (230) for moving in a direction parallel to an axial direction of the pivoting shaft (22) when the pivoting element (2) pivots relative to the support element (11). [Claim 11] A strap guiding device according to claim 8, wherein at least one protrusion protrudes from an inner periphery of the pivot hole portion, the pivot shaft (22) includes at least one retainer for cooperating with the protrusion , and the at least one protuberance is adjacent to the at least one retaining element for limiting a pivoting amplitude of the pivoting element (2) relative to the support element (11). [Claim 12] A strap guiding device according to claim 1, wherein the base further comprises a fastening element for fixing the fastening device strap guide on a workpiece. [Claim 13] A strap guide device according to claim 12, wherein the fastener comprises a fastening seat and a fastening hole portion formed on the fastening seat, and the fastening seat is located at one end from the housing slot (12) away from the guide passage and formed with a curvature.