Seat belt apparatus

• US 20020149191A1
• Filed: 04/09/2002
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Nishizawa, Muneo
• Granted Patent: US 7,232,155 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/806
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/1806 for buckles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/288 with means to adjust or regulate the amount of energy to be absorbed
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4609 using a plurality of tensioners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/023 Three-point seat belt systems comprising two side lower and one side upper anchoring devices B60R22/022, B60R22/03 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/16 using belts which become permanently deformed, i.e. one time use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/28 incorporating energy-absorbing devices belt anchors provided with energy-absorbing means for protecting the occupants in case of physical contact therewith B60R21/055; belt retractors comprising energy-absorbing means B60R22/341, B60R22/4676
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/4604 characterised by arrangements in vehicle or relative to seat belt

Abstract

A seatbelt apparatus with two pretensioners and a load limiter. The seatbelt apparatus has a seatbelt retractor, a belt guide, a lap belt anchor, a tongue, and a buckle. The seatbelt retractor and the lap belt anchor are provided with pretensioners. The buckle is fixed to an inner portion of a car body such as the car floor through a load limiter. This configuration allows the seatbelt apparatus to restrain a passenger more effectively.

Claims

1. A seatbelt apparatus comprising:

a seatbelt retractor fixed to a portion of a car body such as the floor;

a lap belt anchor which is fixed to a portion in the direction of an outer side in the compartment of the car body and which is connected to the end of a seatbelt extending from the seatbelt retractor;

a tongue slidably mounted on the seatbelt; and

a buckle which is fixed to a portion in the direction of an inner side of the compartment of the car body and which can engage with the tongue;

a first pretensioner for applying tension on the seatbelt during an emergency such as car collision;

a second pretensioner for applying tension on the seatbelt during an emergency; and

a load limiter disposed at the buckle for limiting a load exerted on the seatbelt during the emergency to a predetermined level.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first pretensioner is mounted on the lap belt anchor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second pretensioner is mounted on the seat belt retractor.

4. A safety apparatus for an occupant of a vehicle comprising:

a seat belt having a shoulder portion and a lap portion;

a retractor for retracting the shoulder portion of the seat belt, the retractor including a first pretensioner;

an anchor for securing the lap belt to the vehicle, the anchor including a second pretensioner;

a load limiter for limiting the load applied to the occupant by the seat belt;

wherein the load limiter is positioned away from the retractor and anchor.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a buckle connected to the load limiter.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the buckle is configured to engage a tongue connected to the seat belt.

7. A seat belt apparatus having a pair of pretensioners and a load limiter, wherein the load limiter is connected to the seat belt at a different location from each of the pretensioners.