US 5,685,567 A · Seat belt tightening device

Abstract

An arresting hook plate extending from a seatbelt buckle is attached to a buckle plate so that it moves freely along a straight line. When inertia force acts on the mass body inside a pull-in section casing, it leaves a lock state and is caused to move by the spring biasing force. The arresting hook plate attached to the mass body by a wire is caused to be pulled in along with movement of the mass body. A pair of locking pawls included on the buckle plate prevent movement of the arresting hook plate in a pull-out direction when they are in a locked position. There is also an locking pawl holder which is used to select and set the locking or release of the locking pawls. If the locking of the locking pawls is released so that the mass body is returned to the origin position against the spring biasing force by means of the arresting hook plate via the wire, the mass body is placed again in a lock state due to the retainer.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A seat belt tightening device comprising:

a seat belt suspension component, said suspension component having an initial position;
a support component supporting said suspension component;
a holder accommodating said support component so that said suspension component moves freely in a straight line, said holder being fixed to a vehicle;
a pull-in component operatively coupled to said suspension component so as to move said suspension component in a pull-in direction when an inertia force greater than a predetermined value acts thereon;
and
a restrictor operatively coupled to said suspension component, said restrictor having a restrict state and a release state, and wherein in said restrict state said restrictor restricts movement of said suspension component at least in a pull-out direction;
a restriction-release mechanism permitting selective release of said restrict state of said restrictor and holding of said release state of said restrictor during which said suspension component is returned to said initial position;
a restriction-return means for returning said restrictor to said restrict state when said suspension component is moved in a pull-out direction so as to be returned to said initial position.

5 more elements

A seat belt tightening device comprising:

a seat belt suspension component;
a support component supporting said suspension component;
a holder for accommodating said support component so that said suspension component moves freely on a straight line;
a pull-in component which moves suddenly in response to a spring biasing force when inertia above a set amount acts thereon;
a connector connecting said pull-in component to said support component and cause said support component to move in a pull-in direction together with movement of said pull-in component;
a restrictor mounted to said holder so as to be engageable with said support component and restricting a movement of said support component at least in a pull-out direction;
an engagement selection means to select and set the engaging and release of said restrictor;
and
a reset mechanism which, acting via said connector, resets said pull-in component upon returning said pull-in component to an original position thereof against the spring biasing force with said connector.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Seat belt tightening device

Life of this patent

Seat belt tightening device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21