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US 5,397,075 AGranted
Seat belt pretensioner
AssigneeAutomotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
InventorLeonard W. Behr
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pretensioner for a seat belt utilizes a relatively inexpensive gas-producing cartridge that is easily replaced after activation so as to condition the pretensioner for subsequent use. The cartridge is similar to a shotgun shell and is chambered in a breech block. The cartridge contains a gas-producing pyrotechnic and a piston. Upon ignition, gas produced by the pyrotechnic effects advancement of the piston which, through an associated mechanism, takes up slack in the seat belt.
Claims3
A pretensioner for a seat belt comprising:
- a breech block,
- a replaceable cartridge in said breech block comprising:
- a cylinder having a closed end and an open end;
- a piston in said cylinder;
- a rack attached to said piston;
- and
- a pyrotechnic in said cylinder between the closed end thereof and said piston for driving said piston and rack relative to said cylinder toward the open end thereof;
- and
- means connecting said piston to said seat belt for taking up slack therein upon ignition of said pyrotechnic and advancement of said piston comprising:
- a pinion gear releasably engageable with said rack;
- and
- a retraction mechanism for the seat belt driven by said pinion gear.
9 more elements
A pretensioner for a seat belt comprising:
- a breech block;
- a replaceable cartridge in said breech block comprising:
- a cylinder having a closed end and an open end;
- a piston in said cylinder;
- a pyrotechnic in said cylinder between the closed end thereof and said piston for driving said piston relative to said cylinder toward the open end thereof;
- and
- means connecting said piston to said seat belt for taking up slack therein upon ignition of said pyrotechnic and advancement of said piston comprising a pulley connected to said piston and disposed in contact with the seat belt whereby advancement of said piston and said pulley tensions said belt.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.