D-ring assembly with a load limiting device
AssigneeKey Safety Systems, Inc.
InventorKurt Schulz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A D-ring assembly comprising a D-ring and a load limiting device. The D-ring has a slot therethrough for receiving a seatbelt webbing and for guiding the webbing from the retractor to the torso of a vehicle occupant. The load limiting device functions by absorbing kinetic energy of the vehicle occupant during a crash to control the deceleration forces experienced by the vehicle occupant. The load limiting device has a deforming member partially embedded in a swivel ball. When a predetermined amount of force is applied on the D-ring assembly, the swivel ball rotates causing the deforming member to create a channel in the load-limiting device.
Claims17
A load limiting device for a seatbelt D-ring comprising:
- a swivel ball having a connecting member extending therefrom for attaching the swivel ball to the D-ring;
- a socket for receiving the swivel ball, the socket encloses a portion of the swivel ball;
- and
- a deforming member being smaller than the swivel ball and the deforming member is partially embedded in the swivel ball whereby the swivel ball rotates to form a channel in the load limiting device when the D-ring is subjected to a predetermined amount of force.
A D-ring assembly comprising:
- a D-ring attached to a vehicle for guiding a seat belt webbing in a direction of a vehicle occupant, wherein the D-ring comprises a slot therethrough for the passage of the seat belt webbing;
- a swivel member comprising a swivel ball having a connecting member extending therefrom connecting the swivel ball to the D-ring, the swivel ball is retained in a socket;
- and
- a deforming member partially embedded in the swivel ball, whereby the swivel ball rotates upon a load on the D-ring exceeding a predetermined value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.