Inertial locking device
AssigneeSociete Anonyme Francaise du Ferdo
InventorRene G. Filderman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An inertial locking device for blocking the rotation of a shaft. The device comprises a pivoting ratchet which is brought into contact with a gear means to prevent further rotation of the shaft by virtue of the displacement of an inertial mass within the device. The device may be used in conjunction with a seat belt retractor so as to prevent further extraction of the belt in the event the retractor is subjected to a destabilizing force.
Claims14
An inertia device for blocking the rotation of a shaft with a ratchet when said device is subjected to a destabilizing force, said device comprising:
- a pivoting ratchet;
- a gear means attached to the end of said shaft;
- means for activating said ratchet such that it coacts with the gear means to block movement of the gear means;
- said activating means comprising a holder containing an inertia mass;
- said inertia mass being arranged within said holder such that in the event the device is subjected to a destabilizing force, the holder is tilted by virtue of the displacement of the center of gravity of the holder-inertia mass combination and as a result, the pivotable ratchet is brought into engagement with said gear means by said holder.
A seat belt retractor comprising:
- (a) a seat belt and a shaft, one end of said seat belt being attached to said shaft;
- (b) a gear means arranged to rotate together with said shaft;
- (c) a pivotable ratchet;
- (d) a container;
- (e) a holder located at least partially within said container;
- (f) an inertia mass;
- said inertia mass being located within said holder such that during normal operation said ratchet is supported by said holder while in the event said device is subjected to a destabilizing force, said holder is adapted to rock within said container so as to force said ratchet into engagement with said gear means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.