Safety mechanism for the occupants of vehicles, particularly of motor vehicles

• US 3,901,531 A
• Filed: 10/11/1973
• Issued: 08/26/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arthur Prochazka
• Original Assignee: Arthur Prochazka
• Inventors: Prochazka, Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): Song, Robert R.
• Application Number:
  US05/405,694
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15SB 188/1B 180/82
• US Class Current: 297/470
• 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 2022/4661 comprising venting means, e.g. for avoiding overpressure in case of fire or for allowing return motion with energy absorption
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/1955 Linear actuators
• 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

Abstract

Device for tensioning safety restraining devices for automotive passengers. For an automotive restraining device such as a seat belt, which is tensioned by a pressure cylinder device which is, in turn, actuated by deceleration sensitive devices, there is provided structure for insuring that the tension applied to the restraining device does not exceed a predetermined value. In one embodiment such a device is comprised of a relief valve for venting the pressure fluid from the cylinder at a predetermined value of pressure and in another embodiment the device is comprised of a mechanical relief device interposed between the cylinder and the restraining device.

Claims

1. In a safety belt tensioning apparatus for holding the occupant of a vehicle securely in position in the event of a collision, said safety tensioning apparatus having cylinder means and a piston reciprocably mounted in said cylinder means, said piston being connected to said safety belt, the improvement comprising gas propellant means for effecting a movement of said piston in one direction in said cylinder means in response to a collision event to effect a tightening of said safety belt holding said occupant, force-limiting means for controlling the tightening force generated by said gas propellant means and said piston on said safety belt to a predefined maximum force and damping means for controlling the rate of deceleration of said movement of said piston in said cylinder means.

2. The improved safety belt tensioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said force-limiting means is connected between said piston and said safety belt.

3. The improved safety belt tensioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said gas propellant means includes a propellant charge located on one side of said piston whereby upon an activation of said propellant charge a gas propellant is generated to effect said movement of said piston.

4. The improved safety belt tensioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said damping means include a honeycombed structure of flexible material mounted in the path of movement of said piston.

5. The improved safety belt tensioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said damping means include a gas valve in one end of said cylinder means for controlling the amount of gas escaping between said piston and said one end of said cylinder means as said piston is moved by said gas propellant means toward said one end.

6. The improved safety belt tensioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said damping means include means for adjusting said damping rate to thereby adjustably control said rate of deceleration of said piston.

7. The improved safety belt tensioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said damping means include stop means mounted in the path of said piston and locking means for locking said piston in a fixed displaced position at the termination of said movement thereof in said one direction.