Seat belt devices for automobiles and the like

• US 3,908,928 A
• Filed: 02/08/1974
• Issued: 09/30/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Motohiro Okada
• Original Assignee: Motohiro Okada
• Inventors: Okada, Motohiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Huckert, John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jillions, John M.
• Application Number:
  US05/440,811
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 242/107.4,107.6 280/15SB 297/388 180/82C 200/61.58B
• US Class Current: 242/382
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/343 with electrically actuated locking means B60R22/3405 takes precedence
• 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

Abstract

A self-winding type seat belt device which is used without imparting to the user any sense of pressure such as previously caused by the belt tension. The device includes a winding drum which is automatically held against rotation in the winding direction when the seat belt joint is connected. The drum further is held against rotation in the opposite or unwinding direction when the belt is subsequently drawn out, thereby enabling the device fully to serve its intended purpose.

Claims

1. A seat belt for automobiles and the like and of the type including a spring-biased rotatable drum for automatically winding up the seat belt, comprising:

a gear wheel formed on one side of said drum;

a pawl member pivotally fastened to a seat structure for cooperative engagement with said gear wheel;

spring means normally biasing said pawl member out of engagement with said gear wheel;

means including electrical actuating means forming a closed electrical circuit upon buckling of said seat belt;

a rocker arm rotatably mounted on said drum;

drum locking means being supported on said rocker arm for making a fixed connection between said rocker arm and said drum responsive to said electrical actuating means upon closing of said electrical circuit, for locking said rocker arm in rotation with said drum, said rocker arm further including means thereon for pivotally moving said pawl into engagement with said gear wheel upon actuation of said drum locking means and subsequent withdrawal of said seat belt, thereby preventing said seat belt from being drawn out in excess of a predetermined length.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a cam member articulated on said rocker arm and being adapted to engage the surface of said drum and a surface on said seat structure for preventing winding-up of said drum.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, said means for making a fixed connection between said rocker arm and said drum comprising an electromagnet pivotally mounted on said rocker arm.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a second electromagnet for actuating said pawl member into engagement with said gear wheel;

and sensor means operable in response to large impactive forces generated upon collision accidents adapted to energize said second electromagnet.