RELEASABLE STRAP ENCIRCLING MEMBER

• US 3,646,644 A
• Filed: 06/08/1970
• Issued: 03/07/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wilson J. Watts
• Original Assignee: Wilson J. Watts
• Inventors: Watts, Wilson J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gelak, Bernard A.
• Application Number:
  US05/044,372
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 24/170,163,168,115H,255R 297/114,388,385 242/17SB,107.2,107
• US Class Current: 24/114.5
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/06 with clamping devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/19 with means for reducing belt tension during use under normal conditions included in the retractor B60R22/44
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/38 Strap cable or pipe button
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4012 Clamping
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4016 Pivoted part or lever

Abstract

This device disables an automatic strap retraction apparatus from retracting a strap from an extended position to an unextended position. This device may be utilized with an automatically retracted seatbelt employed in a motor vehicle. The device includes a member which encircles at least a portion of the strap. The encircling member carries an element which engages the strap in order to lock the encircling member to the strap. A releasing device is provided which cooperates with the engaging element to unlock the element from the strap so that the strap is movable with respect to the strap encircling member.

Claims

1. A device for disabling the retraction of a strap into an apparatus which automatically retracts the strap along a path of retraction from an extended position to an unextended position;

which device comprises;

a stop member positioned along the path of retraction by the strap-retracting apparatus;

a housing having a central opening therein encircling the strap in a confining relationship, at least a portion of said housing being engageable with said stop member to limit the movement of said housing along the path of retraction of the strap, said housing also having a secondary opening therein generally perpendicular to said housing'"'"''"'"'s central opening;

a leaf spring having one end thereof secured to Said housing and extending across said central opening of said housing at a position placing the strap between said spring and an interior surface of said central opening of said housing, said spring having a terminal end in juxtaposition with said secondary opening in said housing, said spring when in a normal position acting to clamp said strap against said interior surface of said housing; and

a depressible member mounted for movement within said central opening of said housing in a direction across the width of the belt, said member having a button portion extending through and outside of said secondary opening in said housing, said member also having a cam surface portion thereon engageable with said terminal free end of said leaf spring whereby depression of said button along said central opening moves said leaf spring out of engagement with the strap so that the strap may be fully retracted by the strap retracting apparatus.