Automatic seat and shoulder belt apparatus

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to automatically activated seat and shoulder belts.

#2. General Background of the Invention

#For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective, front view of the interior of an automobile containing the preferred embodiment of present invention, showing the driver's belt system in operation and the passenger's belt system in the inoperative position.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 with the belt systems of the passenger and driver in use.

#Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, automatically activated seat and shoulder belt apparatus 10 comprises automatically activated seat and shoulder belt systems 11 and 111 for the driver and passenger of a car, respectively. Since systems 11 and 111 are essentially identical (one being the mirror image of the other), only system 11 will be described in detail.

#Automatically activated seat and shoulder belt system 11 comprises a steel track or tracks 20 for the driver's seat belt 31 and the driver's shoulder belt 32. Track 20 is continuous and unitary and comprises a substantially horizontal, arcuate, ceiling portion 21 secured to or recessed in ceiling 16 or car 14, above seat 15, and a substantially straight, substantially vertical side portion 22 which is secured to or recessed in door post 18. Track or tracks 20 extends along ceiling 16 of car 14, from a first end 23, adjacent the central longitudinal axis of automobile 14, of ceiling portion 21, above and over seat 15, to the second end 25 of ceiling portion 21, and thence along door post 18 of car 14 to the second end 26 of side portion 22.

#A seat belt 31 for the driver (seated in seat 15) of car 14 is secured at its first end to a pulley 33. The second end of seat belt 31 is disposed in belt retractor housing 35, which includes two automatic belt retractors (not shown), and is connected to one of the belt retractors. A shoulder belt 32 for the driver of car 14 is secured at its first end to a pulley 34. The second end of shoulder belt 32 is disposed in belt retractor housing 35 and is connected to one of the belt retractors (not shown). The belt retractors in housing 35 may be chosen, for example, from those disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. : 4,056,242; 4,580,812; 4,655,312; 4,667,904; 4,669,680; 4,700,974; 4,726,537; 4,747,565; 4,787,569; 4,830,310; and 4,907,757.