Device for clamping seat belt webbing

A device mounted on a vehicle for clamping seat belt webbing to reduce transfer of tension force from one portion of the belt webbing to another portion of the belt webbing in response to a predetermined tension force being applied to the one portion of the belt webbing, said device comprising:

• a clamp mechanism for clamping the belt webbing between the portions of the belt webbing, said clamp mechanism having an actuated position in which the belt webbing is clamped and an unactuated position in which the belt webbing may move relative to said clamping mechanism;
• and
• means for actuating said clamp mechanism to clamp the belt webbing, said actuating means comprising a linkage mechanism separate from said clamp mechanism, said linkage mechanism including (i) a member pivotable about a first axis relative to said clamp mechanism, and (ii) a link pivotally carried by said member for pivotal movement about a second axis relative to said member and relative to said clamp mechanism;
• said linkage mechanism including (i) means for pivoting said member about said first axis in response to the predetermined tension force being applied to the one portion of the belt webbing, and (ii) means for enabling said link to pivot about said second axis when said member pivots about said first axis in response to the predetermined tension force being applied to the one portion of the belt webbing, said link having a clamp actuating portion for actuating said clamp mechanism to clamp the belt webbing upon said link pivoting about said second axis in response to said member pivoting about said first axis, the extent of angular movement of said clamp actuating portion of said link about said second axis being greater than the extent of angular movement of said member about said first axis when the predetermined tension force is applied to the one portion of the belt webbing.

A device mounted on a vehicle for clamping seat belt webbing to reduce transfer of tension force from one portion of the belt webbing to another portion of the belt webbing in response to a predetermined tension force being applied to the one portion of the belt webbing, said device comprising:

• a clamp mechanism including a pair of clamping members which are movable towards each other to clamp the belt webbing between the portions of the belt webbing, said clamp mechanism having an actuated position in which the belt webbing is clamped between said clamping members and an unactuated position in which the belt webbing may move relative to said clamping members;
• means for actuating said clamp mechanism to move said clamping members toward each other and thereby to clamp the belt webbing between said clamping members, said actuating means comprising a linkage mechanism including a member pivotable about a first axis and a link pivotally carried by said member for pivotal movement about a second axis relative to said member;
• said linkage mechanism including (i) means for pivoting said member about said first axis in response to the predetermined tension force being applied to the one portion of the belt webbing, and (ii) means for enabling said link to pivot about said second axis when said member pivots about said first axis in response to the predetermined tension force being applied to the one portion of the belt webbing, said link having a clamp actuating portion for actuating said clamp mechanism to move said clamping members toward each other and thereby to clamp the belt webbing between said clamping members upon said link pivoting about said second axis;
• said member being pivotable about a first shaft having a longitudinal central axis which comprises said first axis, said member comprising a second shaft having a longitudinal central axis which comprises said second axis;
• and
• a spring operatively connected with said second shaft, said spring providing a biasing force to bias said second shaft to an initial position when no tension force is applied to the one portion of the belt webbing.