DEVICES FOR ADJUSTING TENSION IN SEAT BELTS AND OTHER RESTRAINT SYSTEM WEBS, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS
First Claim
1. A web clip for adjusting the tension in a seat belt web, the web clip comprising:
- a housing having a base with a clamping surface; and
an actuator movably coupled to the housing, the actuator having a cam surface opposing the clamping surface to define a gap therebetween configured to accommodate a seat belt web extending therethrough, wherein movement of the actuator in a first direction reduces the gap causing the web clip to grip the seat belt web between the cam surface and the base surface, and wherein movement of the actuator in a second direction opposite to the first direction increases the gap and allows the seat belt web to slide between the cam surface and the base surface.
16 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Devices that can be releasably attached to seat belts and other restraint system webs to adjust the operational tension in the webs are described herein. In one embodiment, a seat belt web passes through a clamping device that includes a button movably coupled to a housing. In this embodiment, manual operation of the button in a first direction causes the device to clamp onto the adjacent portion of the seat belt web, thereby preventing the portion of web from being pulled through a web guide by a retractor. Manual operation of the button in a second direction causes the device to release the web.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A web clip for adjusting the tension in a seat belt web, the web clip comprising:
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a housing having a base with a clamping surface; and an actuator movably coupled to the housing, the actuator having a cam surface opposing the clamping surface to define a gap therebetween configured to accommodate a seat belt web extending therethrough, wherein movement of the actuator in a first direction reduces the gap causing the web clip to grip the seat belt web between the cam surface and the base surface, and wherein movement of the actuator in a second direction opposite to the first direction increases the gap and allows the seat belt web to slide between the cam surface and the base surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A personal restraint system for use with an occupant seat in a vehicle, the personal restraint system comprising:
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an anchor fixedly attached to a first portion of the vehicle adjacent a base of the occupant seat; a web retractor fixedly attached to a second portion of the vehicle adjacent a back of the occupant seat; an elongate web having a first end portion fixedly attached to the anchor and a second end portion wound onto the web retractor; a belt connector slidably coupled to the web and dividing the web into a lap web portion and a shoulder web portion; and a web clip operably coupled to the shoulder web portion, the web clip including; a housing having a base with a clamping surface; and an actuator movably coupled to the housing, the actuator having a cam surface opposing the clamping surface to define an opening therebetween that accommodates the shoulder web portion, wherein movement of the actuator in a first direction clamps the shoulder web portion between the cam surface and the base surface, and wherein movement of the actuator in a second direction opposite to the first direction releases the shoulder web portion and allows the shoulder web portion to slide between the cam surface and the base surface. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of assembling a personal restraint system for use with an occupant seat in a vehicle, the method comprising:
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fixedly attaching a first end portion of an elongate seat belt web to a first portion of the vehicle adjacent a base of the occupant seat; extending the web through a web guide fixedly attached to a second portion of the vehicle adjacent an upper back of the occupant seat; winding a second end portion of the web around a web retractor fixedly attached to a third portion of the vehicle below the web guide; and operably coupling a web clip to the web adjacent the web guide, the web clip including; a housing having a base with a clamping surface positioned adjacent a first side surface of the web; and an actuator movably coupled to the housing, the actuator having a cam surface positioned adjacent a second side surface of the web, wherein movement of the actuator in a first direction moves the cam surface generally toward the clamping surface and squeezes the web between the cam surface and the base surface, and wherein movement of the actuator in a second direction opposite to the first direction moves the cam surface generally away from the clamping surface and allows the web to move between the cam surface and the clamping surface. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification