US 7,731,236 B2Granted

Rotating joint with captured washer assembly and method

AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC

InventorsSteven J. Richter, George J. Strnad

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Abstract

A rotating joint is provided having a washer with a through-hole, a base, and a shoulder; a rotatable member having a primary hole circumscribing the center hole and sandwiched between the shoulder and base; and a fastener having a shaft that is insertable into the through-hole and connected with a mating threaded receptacle for applying a clamping force on the washer for preventing axial movement of the member while allowing the member to rotate. The shoulder is rolled, and the fastener is non-shouldered and does not use a load distribution washer. The rotatable member includes an opening for connecting a seat belt when the joint is used as a seat belt anchor. The shoulder has a lip overhanging the base, and the rotatable member is positioned therebetween. A method is also provided wherein the joint is captured by the washer separately from the application of the clamping force.

Claims4

Dependent claims

A seat belt anchor assembly for securing a seat belt having seat belt webbing with respect to a vehicle interior, the seat belt anchor assembly comprising:

a shouldered washer having a shoulder, a recessed middle portion and a base, said shoulder forming a lip at least partially overhanging said recessed middle portion and said base, and a through-hole formed entirely through said shouldered washer;
a rotatable member having a first opening and a second opening, said first opening coaxially circumscribing said through-hole and said second opening being configured to receive said seat belt webbing;
and
a fastener circumscribed by said through-hole and having a shaft, and a threaded receptacle configured to receive said shaft;
wherein said rotatable member is positioned around said recessed middle portion between said shoulder and said base, and is restricted from moving in the axial direction by said lip;
and wherein said fastener applies a sufficient clamping force on said shoulder when inserted into said receptacle to thereby retain said assembly to said vehicle interior and to allow said rotatable member to freely rotate.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.