WO2005025948A1

WO2005025948A1 - Seat belt system for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2005025948A1
Application number: PCT/IB2004/003036
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vincenzo De Carlo
Original assignee: Vincenzo De Carlo
Priority date: 2003-09-15
Filing date: 2004-09-14
Publication date: 2005-03-24
Also published as: ITTO20030139U1

Abstract

A seat belt system (2) for a vehicle (V) comprises a pair of seat belt straps (8, 10) arranged on a backrest (6) of a seat (4) of the vehicle (V) on opposite sides of the backrest (6). Each of the straps (8, 10) has a bottom end (14, 16) connected to a point (14, 16) for anchoring said system to the seat (4), which is arranged in the vicinity of the bottom of the support surface of the backrest (6) in an end lateral position, and a top end (20, 22) mounted in a selectively slidable manner on the top part of the backrest (6) also in an end lateral position, so that the straps (8, 10) are able to keep the occupant secured to the seat (4) by applying a restraining action on the shoulder region of the occupant.

Description

Seat belt system for a vehicle

The present invention relates to seat belts for vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a seat belt system having the feat-ures defined in the preamble of Claim 1.

As is known, the safety requirements for motor vehicles are becoming increasingly stringent from one day to the next. The design of the vehicle seats must also take into account these requirements which it is expected will assume even greater importance in the future. In particular, the idea of incorporating the belt anchorage points directly in the seats has recently been proposed. This idea has aroused much interest owing to the possible improved safety features compared to other belt anchorage systems .

Some of the solutions proposed envisage four-point anchorage systems. In these systems, a plurality of belts are arranged so as to obtain cross-like or strap-type configurations where the various components are worn by the person occupying the seat and then closed by means of fastening buckles. These configurations are, however, decidedly complex both as regards the associated structure and as regards actual use. In particular, the use of fastening buckles may result in dangerous situations, for example in the case where the user is unable to release them quickly or when release of these buckles is hindered or even prevented by damage to or malfunctioning of the said buckles. Moreover, these belt configurations may produce a sense of claustrophobia in the users and are not suitable for certain categories of persons, such as pregnant women, owing to some parts which compress the upper body and/or stomach of the user. The object of this invention is to provide a seat belt system which is simple, but at the same time safe and solves at least partially the abovementioned problems .

This object is achieved according to the invention by a seat belt system having the characteristic features defined in the claims .

Advantageously, a belt system according to the invention has all the anchorage points arranged on the seat, and having a relatively simple structure, may be applied in a inexpensive and safe manner not only in motor cars, but also in buses, trams, lorries and generally all those vehicles where the use of seat belts may be envisaged in order to increase the protection of the users.

Some preferred, but non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle seat equipped with a seat belt system according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle seat equipped with a variant of the belt system shown in Fig. 1; - Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle seat equipped with a further variant of the belt system according to Fig. 1; - Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle seat equipped with a variant of the belt system shown in Fig. 2; - Figures 5a, b, c and d are schematic views of different configurations for winding the belt system according to the invention; and - Figure 6 is a schematic view of a belt system according to the invention during use; and - Figures 7 and 8 are views, analogous to that of Figure 6, of variants of the belt system according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a seat belt system 2 according to the present invention, arranged on a seat 4 of a vehicle V. The seat 4 is of the conventional type and comprises a supporting structure (not shown) with, mounted thereon, a base 5 and a backrest 6 intended to accommodate, respectively, the buttocks and back of an occupant. The belt system 2 is of the type with four anchorage points and comprises two straps 8, 10 arranged on respective sides of the seat 4 for restraining the occupant to this seat 4. The bottom ends of each strap 8, 10 are fixed to bottom anchorage points 14, 16 of the seat 4, arranged in the vicinity of the bottom of the support surface 6a of the backrest 6 of the seat 4, while the top ends are mounted in a selectively slidable manner to upper anchorage points 20, 22 arranged at the top of the backrest 18.

The bottom anchorage points 14, 16 consist, respectively, of through-elements 24, 26 which are integrally joined to the supporting structure (not shown) by means of conventional fixing means, for example bolts or rivets. These through- elements 24, 26 are inserted in a hollow 27 between the base 5 and the backrest 6 of the seat 4, at the opposite ends of this hollow 27. The through-elements 24, 26 are moreover designed so as extend inside the seat 4 such that they can be connected to the supporting structure of the seat 4. The bottom ends of the straps 8, 10 are fixed to these through- elements 24, 26 in a known manner; for example they may be folded over and stitched onto themselves so as to form a loop fastened to the respective through-element 24, 26.

The type of fixing system is not, however, essential for the purposes of the invention and other types of known fixing systems may be envisaged without thereby departing from the scope of this invention.

The upper anchorage points 20, 22 consist of respective through-elements 28, 30 which are fixed to the supporting structure of the seat 4 and are arranged at the lateral ends of the top of the backrest 6. The top ends of the straps 8 , 10 pass through the through-elements 28, 30 and are folded over so as to form respective belt sections 8a, 10a which descend beyond the through-elements 28, 30 until they reach respective belt winding devices 32, 34 fixed to the supporting structure of the seat 4. The winding devices 32, 34 and the belt sections 8a, 10a may be housed in a known manner inside the backrest 6. The winding devices 32, 34 are of the conventional type and are preferably associated with respective pre-tensioning devices 36, 38 which are also of the conventional type, so as to tension the straps 8, 10 when an accident situation occurs. Even more preferably, respective tension-limiting devices (not shown) are associated with the pre-tensioning devices 36, 38 and are able to slacken the straps 8, 10 at the end of the accident situation. Owing to these arrangements, the straps 8, 10 operate in a selectively slidable manner, namely may be slid with respect to the through-elements 28, 30 or locked depending on the events which occur during their use, exactly as happens with seat belts of the conventional type.

Figure 2 shows a variant of the belt system described above. The elements identical to those described above have been in- dicated with the same reference numbers and will not be described further.

This variant differs from the preceding one in that the bottom anchorage points 14, 16 are arranged on the flanks 42, 44 of the seat , in the vicinity of the bottom of the support surface 6a of the backrest 6. The anchorage points 14, 16 consist respectively of through-elements 24, 26 which are similar to those described above and integrally joined to the support structure (not shown) by means of conventional fixing means 46, for example bolts or rivets.

Figures 3, 4 and 7 show variants of the belt system shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, respectively. The elements identical, to those described above have been indicated using the same reference numbers and will not be described further.

These variants comprise, compared to the variants described above, an additional waist belt 50. This additional belt 50 may be fixed at its ends to the bottom anchorage points 14. and 16, or directly to the straps 8, 10. Alternatively, this belt 50 may be mounted on the straps 8, 10 so as to be slidable longitudinally along these straps 8, 10. This belt has closing means 51 of the known type, for example with a. bayonet or pushbutton engaging system. In the variant according to Fig. 3, the belt 50 is in the form of a waist strap surrounding the whole of the occupant ' s pelvis . In the variant of Fig. 7 the belt 50 forms an extension of the straps 8, 10. In other words, the belt 50 connects the bottom ends of these straps 8, 10 one to the other. To this end, the ends of the straps 8, 10 are not fixed to the through- elements 24, 26 as in the preceding embodiments, but are forwarded by these through-elements 24, 26 at the anchorage points 14 , 16 .

Figs. 3 and 4, moreover, show covering elements 62, 64 which are able to be arranged on the straps 8, 10 so as to cover them. These covering elements 62, 64 made of material which is of varying pliability are anatomically shaped so as to increase the surface area of the straps 8, 10 resting on the occupant's body. In particular, these covering elements 62, 64 are formed so as to exert an embracing and restraining action on the occupant's sides. For this purpose, the covering elements 62 , 64 have a surface which partly imitates the profile of the support surface 6a of the backrest 6 and have a greater cross-section in the portion intended to be arranged next to the occupant's waist and a smaller cross-section in the portion intended to be arranged next to the lower part of the occupant's chest. Advantageously, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the covering elements 62, 64 have projecting formations 65 on the front surface. These formations 65, for example in the form of knurled, rough, rounded, pointed parts, in addition to improving the aesthetic appearance of the covering elements 62, 64 and therefore the straps 8, 10, also have the function of inducing the occupant to use the belts, since, should a person sit on the seat 4 without using the straps 8, 10, the formations 65 come into contact with the person's back, reminding him/her of the presence of these straps 8, 10. The covering elements 62, 64 can be permanently attached to the straps 8, 10, or can be provided with a closing device, for example of the velcro^® type, which allows their removal from the straps 8, 10.

Figures 5a, b, c and d show different arrangements of the winding device 32 and the pre-tensioning device 36 inside the seat 4. In Figure 5a, the devices 32 and 36 are arranged in the top part of the backrest 6.

In Figure 5b, the devices 32 and 36 are arranged in the bottom part of the backrest 6 or in the base 5 of the seat 4. Transmission rollers 71 are also present, being rotatably mounted on the supporting structure of the seat 4, so as to guide the belt portion 8a in such a way that it reaches the winding device 32 with a substantially vertical orientation.

In Figure 5c, the devices 32 and 36 are arranged in the base 5 of the seat 4. Transmission rollers 71 are also provided in order to forward the belt portion 8a in such a way that it reaches the winding device 32 with a substantially horizontal orientation.

In Figure 5d, the devices 32 and 36 are arranged on the floor of the vehicle. Transmission rollers 71 are also provided in order to forward the belt portion 8a in such a way that it reaches the winding device 32.

Advantageously, the rollers 71 arranged in the backrest 5 of the seat 4 help rigidify the supporting structure of the seat

4.

In order to fasten the belt system according to the invention, the user simply passes each arm between the respective strap 8, 10 and the backrest 6 of the seat 4 in a similar manner to what happens when one places a backpack on one ' s shoulders, pulling out the straps 8, 10 by means of the respective winding devices 32, 34.

The bottom anchorage points 14, 16 and top anchorage points 20, 22 are therefore arranged in such a way as to keep the occupant strapped to the seat 4, exerting a retaining action substantially exclusively on the region of the occupant's shoulders (as illustrated in Fig. 6) . In the configuration shown in Fig. 7 the waist retaining action exerted by the belt 50 is added to such shoulder retaining action. In the variant of Figure 8 is further shown the embracing and restraining action exerted by the shaped elements 62, 64 on the occupant ' s sides .

In the event of a frontal impact of the vehicle, the action of the winding devices 32, 34 together with the pre- tensioning devices keeps the occupant restrained, in the seat 4, whereas in the case of side impacts the symmetrical action of the straps 8, 10 prevents any twisting of trie occupant's torso.

As can be appreciated, the arrangement of the straps 8, 10 allows the belt system according to the invention to be adapted to any type of body shape, passing around the occupant ' s shoulders without interfering with the neck or chest . In the embodiments which are not provided with trie waist belt 50 the system according to the invention does not interfere with the abdomen either. This is particular useful for users in a particular physical condition, such as pregnant women.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated here, which are to be regarded as examples of embodiment of the seat belt system; the invention may, however, be subject to modifications relating to the form and arrangement of parts, and constructional details and operational details. For example, it is possible to include electronic devices which can be synclironized with start-up of the vehicle and can be managed by an on-board computer and which are designed to emit a signal should the belts not be used.

Claims

1. Seat belt system (2) for a vehicle (V) , comprising a pair of seat belt straps (8, 10) able to be arranged on a backrest (6) of a seat (4) of said vehicle (V) on opposite sides of said backrest (6) , said backrest (6) having a support surface (6a) for the back of an occupant, characterized in that each of said straps (8, 10) has a bottom end connected to a point (14, 16) for anchoring said system to the seat (4) , which is arranged in the vicinity of: the bottom of the support surface (6a) of said backrest (6) in an end lateral position, and a top end (20, 22) mounted in a selectively slidable manner on the top part of sai backrest (6) also in an end lateral position, so that said straps (8, 10) are able to keep the occupant secured to the seat (4) by applying a retaining action substantially limited, to the shoulder region of said occupant .

2. System according to claim 1, in which the bottom ends of said straps (8, 10) are fixed to said seat (4) at the respective anchorage points (14, 16) .

3. System according to Claim 2 , in which sa±d bottom ends (14, 16) are fixed at a hollow (27) between the support surface (6a) of the backrest (6) and a base (5) of the seat (4) intended to support the buttocks of the occupan .

4. System according to Claim 2 , in which sa±d bottom ends (14, 16) of the straps (8, 10) are fixed to the flanks (42, 44) of the seat (4) in the vicinity of the bottom of the support surface (6a) of said backrest (6) .

5. System according to one of the claims 2 to 4 , further comprising a waist belt (50) mounted on said straps (8, 10) , which is adapted to keep the pelvis of the occupant secured to the seat (4) .

6. System according to claim 1, in which said bottom ends (14, 16) of the straps (8, lO) are forwarded at said anchorage points, said bottom ends being connected by a waist belt (50) which is adapted to keep the pelvis of the occupant secured to the seat (4) .

7. System according to one of the preceding claims, in which said top ends (20, 22) of the straps (8, 10) are folded at the top of the said backrest (6) so as to form respective descending belt sections (8a, 10a) connected to winding means (32, 34) .

8. System according to Claim 7, also comprising pre- tensioning means (36, 38) associated with said winding means (32, 34) .

9. System according to Claim 8, also comprising tension- limiting means associated with said pre-tensioning means (36, 38) .

10. System according to one of the preceding claims, also comprising transmission rollers (71) for forwarding said descending belt sections (8a, 10a) towards said winding means (32, 34) .

11. System according to one of Claims 7 to 10, in which said winding means (32, 34), pre-tensioning means (36, 38) and tensioning-limiting means are integrally joined to said seat (4) .

12. System according to Claim 11, in which said descending belt sections (8a, 10a) and said winding means (32, 34) , pre- tensioning means (36, 38) and tension-limiting means are housed inside said seat (4) .

13. System according to one of Claims 7 to 10, in which said winding means (32, 34), pre-tensioning means (36, 38) and tension-limiting means are integrally joined to a floor surface of said vehicle (V) and said descending belt sections (8a, 10a) are partially housed inside said seat (4) .

14. System according to one of the preceding claims , in which said straps (8, 10) also comprise respective shaped covering elements (62, 64) able to be arranged on said straps (8, 10) so as to cover them.

15. System according to Claim 14, in which the covering elements (62, 64) are anatomically shaped, so as to exert an embracing and restraining action on the sides of the occupant.

16. System according to Claim 15, in "which the covering elements (62, 64) have a surface which partly imitates the profile of the support surface (6a) of the backrest (6) and have a cross-section which is greater in a portion intended to be arranged next to the occupant ' s waist and smaller in a portion intended to be arranged next to the lower part of the occupant ' s chest .

17. System according to one of Claims 14 to 16, in which the covering elements (62, 64) have projecting formations (65) on a front surface thereof, which are able to induce the occupant to use the seat belt straps (8, 10) .