Method and apparatus for use on a safety belt system for restraining the movement of an occupant or child seat

• US 20040195819A1
• Filed: 01/07/2004
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lap Belt Cinch, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lap Belt Cinch, Inc.
• Inventors: Lonetto, Richard, McCulloch, Richard, Manley, Tom, Arnone, Paul Casimer, Smith, Timothy, Thompson, Steven, Mather, Bruce A., Kosarek, Philip Garret, Young, John H., Blanchard, Wesley J., Vecchio, Michael T., Grant, Kenneth Gordon Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,185,919 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/806
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/1812 Connections between seat belt and buckle tongue
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4473 using an electric retraction device
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/30 Coupling devices other than buckles, including length-adjusting fittings or anti-slip devices adaptations of manual three-point seat belt systems for use by small passengers using other means than belt anti-slip devices B60R22/024; buckles A44B11/00; releasable fastenings in general F16B
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/44 with means for reducing belt tension during use under normal conditions not included in the retractor B60R22/19; B60R22/3405 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4016 Pivoted part or lever
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45623 and operator therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45634 Operator includes camming or wedging element

Abstract

In one embodiment, an apparatus for reversibly locking a lap belt portion of a safety belt webbing in a three-point, continuous loop seat belt system which includes a tongue assembly having the belt webbing routed therethrough, includes a cinch body adapted to mount to the tongue assembly, and a cam coupled to the cinch body and adapted to urge the belt webbing against the cinch body.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a cam assembly at least partially rotatable about an axle; and

a cam housing adapted to at least partially house said cam assembly,

wherein said cam assembly is adapted to retain at least a portion of a safety belt webbing against a surface of said cam, thereby preventing passage of the safety belt webbing therebetween.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cam assembly comprises:

a substantially cylindrical cam having a first end and a second end;

a longitudinal, off-center bore disposed through said cam, said bore being adapted to receive said axle so that a first end of said axle projects from said first end of said cam, and a second end of said axle projects from said second end of said cam.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said cam assembly further comprises:

a counter bore formed in said bore, said counter bore being formed proximate to said first end of said cam.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

a biasing member adapted to be supported upon said first end of said axle, said biasing member being sized to fit within said counter bore.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said biasing member is a torsion spring.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a release arm coupled to said cam, said release arm being positioned between said first and second ends of said cam and being orientated in a position substantially normal to said cam.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cam housing comprises:

a cam carrier adapted to support said cam assembly upon said axle; and

a cinch body coupled to said cam carrier, wherein said cinch body provides said surface against which said cam assembly retains said portion of a safety belt webbing.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said cinch body further comprises:

a first frame adapted for coupling to said cam carrier; and

a second frame coupled to said first frame and adapted for coupling said apparatus to a tongue assembly through which said safety belt webbing passes.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said cam and said axle comprise one integral component.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said axle comprises:

a first axle protruding from said first end of said cam; and

a second axle protruding from said second end of said cam, said first and second axles being collinear along an axis disposed longitudinally through said cam.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said cam assembly is integrated into a tongue lock plate of a safety belt system; and

said cam housing is integrated into a buckle of a safety belt assembly,

said tongue lock plate and said buckle being engageable to secure a user in place in a seat.

12. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said cam axle further comprises:

a lever coupled to said first end, said lever being adapted to rotate said cam about said axle.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said cam housing comprises:

a trench having a first end and a second end, said trench being adapted for retaining said cam assembly therein;

a fastening plate coupled to a longitudinal side of said trench; and

a lip extending outward from said trench, said lip extending from said fastening plate and around a perimeter of said trench.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

at least a first notch formed in an interior surface of said lip, proximate to said first end of said trench; and

at least a second notch formed in an interior surface of said lip, proximate to said second end of said trench, said second notch being located directly across said trench from said first notch,

wherein said first and second notches create first and second bumps on an outer surface of said trench.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said surface of said cam housing against which said cam assembly retains said safety belt webbing comprises:

a slider plate having a first end and a second end;

a first lock flange coupled to said first end of said slider plate; and

a second lock flange coupled to said second end of said slider plate,

said first and second lock flanges being adapted to slidably engage said lip of said trench, thereby allowing said slider plate to slide along said lip.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each of said first and second lock flanges comprises:

a notch formed in a free end of said lock flange, said free end being adapted to curve inwardly toward said trench.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said notch in said first and second lock flanges is adapted to engage said first and second bumps in said outer surface of said trench, thereby limiting movement of said slider plate along said lip.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said lever is rotationally biased toward said slider plate.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein rotation of said lever in a direction away from said slider plate creates a clearance that allows that slider plate to slide freely along said lip.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said slider plate further comprises:

a slide flange coupled to said slider plate, said slide flange extending from at least a portion of said slider plate at an angle substantially normal to said slider plate.

21. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a clamp plate coupled to said fastening plate, said clamp plate and said fastening plate being adapted to retain a portion of a tongue assembly therebetween.

22. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a flange extending upward from said cam at an angle substantially normal to said cam, said flange being adapted to rotate said cam about said axle.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said flange is a removable slide catch adapted to engage a longitudinal slot in said cam.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said cam is locked in place within said cam housing when not engaged with said removable slide catch.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said cam housing comprises:

a base having a first end and a second end;

a first arm extending upward from said first end at an angle substantially normal to said base; and

a second arm extending upward from said second end at an angle substantially normal to said base,

wherein one of said first or second arms comprises a slot sized to allow said removable slide catch to pass therethrough.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cam housing comprises:

a base having a first end and a second end;

a first arm extending upward from said first end at an angle substantially normal to said base, said first arm comprising a slot formed therein and adapted to allow said axle of said cam assembly to be removably positioned therein;

a second arm coupled to said second end, said second arm being coupled to said second end by a hinge adapted to allow said second arm to rotate about an axis substantially parallel to said first arm.

27. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism adapted for selectively enabling and disabling said apparatus.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said mechanism comprises:

a pawl coupled to an inner surface of said cam housing and adapted to rotate about an axis substantially parallel to said axle of said cam assembly, said pawl comprising a hook adapted to engage a notch in said cam assembly; and

an actuator adapted for rotating said pawl about said axis, thereby allowing said hook of said pawl to selectively engage or disengage said notch in said cam assembly.

29. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cam housing is adapted to be attached to a tongue assembly through which said safety belt webbing is passed by at least two tabs that extend from said cam housing and are adapted for clamping on to a portion of said tongue assembly.

30. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cam housing further comprises:

a base having a first end and a second end;

a first wall coupled to said first end of said base;

a second wall coupled to said second end of said base; and

a top coupled to said first and second walls,

wherein said cam assembly is adapted to be retained with said base, top and first and second walls, and said first wall is adapted to be opened to allow a portion of a safety belt webbing to be inserted therethrough.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said first wall comprises a removable door that is adapted to selectively seal said cam housing.

32. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said second wall is coupled to said base by a hinge, and said first wall comprises a locking mechanism adapted for selectively sealing said cam housing.

33. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cam housing further comprises a spring loaded jaw adapted for attaching said cam housing to a tongue assembly of a safety belt system.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said spring loaded jaw comprises:

a first row of teeth; and

a second row of teeth orientated substantially parallel to said first row of teeth, said first and second rows of teeth being biased toward each other.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein said first row of teeth further comprises a through hole adapted to receive a screw.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said screw is adapted to force said first and second rows of teeth apart when tightened.

37. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising:

a first tab extending upward from a first end of said first row of teeth; and

a second tab extending upward from a second end of said first row of teeth,

wherein said first and second tab are adapted to limit travel of said tongue assembly within said spring loaded jaw.

38. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said safety belt webbing is at least partially coupled to a safety belt retractor that is adapted for removing slack in at least a portion of said safety belt webbing.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein said safety belt retractor comprises:

a sensor adapted for sensing a force exerted on at least a portion of said safety belt webbing;

a spool adapted for stowing said safety belt webbing; and

an actuator adapted for rotating said spool to tighten or loosen said safety belt webbing in response to a force sensed by said sensor.

40. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein said sensor is at least one of a strain gage or amp meter.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein said actuator is at least one of an electric rewind motor, a linear actuator, a cam tightener or a pulley system.

42. An apparatus for removing slack in at least a portion of said safety belt webbing comprising:

a sensor adapted for sensing a force exerted on at least a portion of said safety belt webbing;

a spool adapted for stowing said safety belt webbing; and

an actuator adapted for rotating said spool to tighten or loosen said safety belt webbing in response to a force sensed by said sensor.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said sensor is at least one of a strain gage or amp meter.

44. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said actuator is at least one of an electric rewind motor, a linear actuator, a cam tightener or a pulley system.

45. A method for restraining the movement of a safety belt system user, said method comprising the steps of:

locking at least a portion of a safety belt webbing between a rotatable cam and a cam housing, thereby preventing passage of the safety belt webbing therebetween.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein said cam is manually rotated by means of a lever or flange to lock or release said safety belt webbing.

47. The method of claim 45, further comprising the step of:

mounting at least one of said cam or said cam housing to a tongue assembly of said safety belt system.

48. The method of claim 45, further comprising the step of:

rotating a pawl mounted to a portion of said cam housing to engage a portion of said cam, thereby selectively enabling said cam and cam housing to lock said portion of said safety belt webbing.

49. The method of claim 45, further comprising the step of:

rotating a pawl mounted to a portion of said cam housing to disengage a portion of said cam, thereby selectively disabling said cam and cam housing to release said portion of said safety belt webbing.

50. The method of claim 45, further comprising the step of:

removing slack in at least a portion of said safety belt webbing.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the step of removing said slack further comprises the steps of:

detecting a force exerted along a portion of said safety belt webbing; and

engaging a mechanism to rewind a portion of said safety belt webbing in response to said detected force.

52. A method for removing slack in at least a portion of a safety belt webbing, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting a force exerted along a portion of said safety belt webbing; and

engaging a mechanism to rewind a portion of said safety belt webbing in response to said detected force.