ENERGY TRANSFORMER FOR SECURING A SAFETY BELT ON A SEAT OF A VEHICLE

• US 3,848,828 A
• Filed: 02/18/1972
• Issued: 11/19/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hans Kuhl
• Original Assignee: Hans Kuhl
• Inventors: Kuhl, Hans
• Primary Examiner(s): Huckert, John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Henry, Jon W.
• Application Number:
  US05/227,378
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 242/107.2,99,107.3,107.4,107.5,17SB 297/386,387,388 280/15SB 188/82.3,82.34,82.4,82.74,82.9,83
• US Class Current: 242/379.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/285 using friction surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/288 with means to adjust or regulate the amount of energy to be absorbed
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/3413 operating between belt reel and retractor frame B60R22/4676 takes precedence

Abstract

In combination with a safety belt, an energy transformer securing a safety belt selectively to a seat of a vehicle and to a vehicle itself, which comprises a housing and a drum having a recess rotatably mounted. Belt means are wound on the drum. The drum has a central bore. A hub is disposed in the recess. A laminated friction brake including inner plates and outer plates is provided, to constitute a plate package. The outer plates are connected with the drum for joint rotation with the latter. The inner plates are connected with the hub for joint rotation with the latter. A spring is arranged for pressing the plates of the plate package against each other. A device for varying the pressure applied to the brake package is provided, which device limits the length of the belt means unwinding the drum. A coupling member is axially displaceable relative to and disposed in the center of the hub. A disc has a front gearing disposed coaxially with the coupling member and is connected with the housing. A second gearing is provided on one end of the coupling member for releasable engagement with the first gear. A spring is arranged for retaining the first gearing in engagement with the second gearing and the coupling member forms jointly with the disc a switchable free wheel arrangement, to permit rotation of the drum jointly with the outer plates relative to the hub jointly with the inner plates connected with the housing.

Claims

1. In combination with a safety belt, an energy transformer securing a safety belt selectively to a seat of a vehicle and to a vehicle itself, comprising a housing, a drum rotatably mounted and in said housing having a recess, belt means wound on said drum, said drum having a central bore, a hub disposed in said recess, a laminated friction brake including inner plates and outer plates, disposed parallel to and adjacent each other, said outer plates being secured to said drum for joint rotation with the latter, said inner plates being secured to said hub for joint rotation with the latter, spring means for pressing said plates against each other, means for varying the pressure applied to said plates, a coupling member axially displaceable relative to and disposed in the central bore of said hub, a disc having a first gearing disposed coaxially with said coupling member and connected with said housing, a second gearing provided on one end face of said coupling member engageable with said first gearing, and releasable therefrom upon displacement of said coupling member, spring means for retaining said first gearing in engagement with said second gearing, and said coupling member forming jointly with said disc an overrunning clutch to permit rotation of said drum jointly with said inner plates connected with said housing.

2. The energy transformer, as set forth in claim 1, which includes a spiral spring disposed in said housing and connected at one end with said housing and at the other end with said drum.

3. The energy transformer, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing has a cylindrical inner chamber and said drum is coaxially mounted in and relative to said inner chamber.