Guide loop assembly

#The present invention relates to a guide loop assembly for a seat belt system. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a guide loop assembly having a cover with an integral adapter piece. Embodiments of the present invention relate to a guide loop assembly having distinct front and back cover pieces.

#Guide loop assemblies are mounted on the frame of a vehicle for directing a webbing such as a shoulder belt or seat belt above an occupant's shoulder. The guide loop assemblies, also known as “D-rings”, are usually made with a load bearing steel core. The core has one end mounted to the vehicle's frame by a fastener and a separate opening that receives the seat belt.

#One standard type of core has a curved, saddle-shaped, load-bearing wall to support the seat belt. The load-bearing wall faces the opening that receives the seat belt and provides a smooth turning point in the seat belt's pathway to permit easy adjustment of the seat belt. The curved, load-bearing wall extends away from the opening and forms an outer rim on the core with two generally parallel flanges spaced apart from each other. In contrast, other cores require extra plastic pieces or low-friction coatings to faun the seat that the seat belt rests on and slides against, adding to the expense of the assembly.

#These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, appended claims, and the accompanying exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, which are briefly described below.

#FIG. 1 is a front and right perspective view of a fully assembled guide loop assembly.

#FIG. 2 is a rear and left perspective view of the fully assembled guide loop assembly of FIG. 1.

#According to one disclosed embodiment, a guide loop assembly has a D-ring core body with spaced front and rear flanges and an arcuate bearing surface for the seat belt extending therebetween. An arcuate cover shell is provided with a concave configuration relative to the arcuate bearing surface and extends between the front and rear flanges to cover the same. With this configuration, the cover shell is relatively inexpensive since it does not fill the space between the front and rear flanges with any significant amount of material. This design can provide a safe, inexpensive and aesthetically pleasing cover for the flanges on the load bearing body.

#In another embodiment, the cover shell includes a shell portion 22 and an energy absorbing adapter portion 24 integral with the shell portion. In one example, the two portions are attached by an integral hinge connector 30 and the adapter portion is pivoted at the hinge connector when mounting the adapter portion on the D-ring body.

#In a more specific example, the D-ring body 12 has a mounting opening for an anchor fastener and the guide loop assembly has an annular bearing member which is into the opening in a D-ring body. A guide member or an impact protection member (or a member that functions as both) is distinct from the annular bearing member in one embodiment and is mounted on the body. The guide member or impact protection member has a pivot portion for pivoting of the body about the pivot portion. With this configuration, the hinged attachment of the annular bearing member secures the guide member or impact protection member to the body at the pivoting portion while permitting the pivoting of the body relative to the guide member or protection member (or vis-a-vis) to mount the guide member or protection member on the body.