Retaining mechanism for the passengers of vehicles

• US 3,972,561 A
• Filed: 10/03/1974
• Issued: 08/03/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Breitschwerdt, Werner
• Primary Examiner(s): Frazier, Roy D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lyddane, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/511,626
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 297/216, 297/386, 297/385, 297/388
• US Class Current: 297/216.13
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/18 Anchoring devices
• 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

A retention mechanism for the passengers of motor vehicles which is able to deflect in the load direction when reaching a predetermined load, preferably under energy absorption; the deflection movement of the retention mechanism is thereby transmitted to the seat backrest in the sense that the coordinated seat backrest yields in the backward direction.

Claims

1. A retention mechanism for the passengers of vehicles having seats provided with a seat cushion and a backrest, wherein the retention mechanism yields upon reaching a predetermined load, including means for transmitting the yielding movement of the retention mechanism onto the associated backrest independently of the seat cushion so as to move the backrest in a direction opposite to the movement of the passenger associated with that backrest.

2. A retention mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the vehicle is a motor vehicle.

3. A retention mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the retention mechanism yields in the load direction upon reaching the predetermined load.

4. A retention mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that the retention mechanism yields in the load direction upon reaching a predetermined load under energy absorption.

5. A retention mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the yielding movement transmittal means includes a safety belt system with a belt portion adapted to be pulled out in case of a load, characterized in that the belt portion adapted to be pulled out in case of a load is secured at the lower leg of a tiltably arranged backrest fitting means.

6. A retention mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that the fastening of said belt portion at the lower leg portion takes place by a connecting means provided with an intentional breaking place.

7. A retention mechanism according to claim 6, with a seat frame means having a lateral upright leg portion, characterized in that a detent means is provided at the lateral upright leg portion of the seat frame means within the pivot area of the lower leg portion of the backrest fitting means, and a pawl which projects elastically from the lower leg portion of the backrest fitting means, operable to engage into said detent means.

8. A retention mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that the belt portion adapted to be pulled out is supported by a bolt secured at the seat frame means, said bolt tearing open the belt portion under energy absorption when a predetermined belt force is exceeded.

9. A retention mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that the belt portion adapted to be pulled out is guided through a slot in the lateral upright leg portion of the seat frame means.

10. A retention mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the yielding movement transmittal means includes a safety belt system with a belt portion adapted to be pulled out in case of a load, characterized in that the belt portion adapted to be pulled out in case of a load is secured at the lower leg of a tiltably arranged backrest fitting means.

11. A retention mechanism according to claim 10, characterized in that the fastening of said belt portion at the lower leg portion takes place by a connecting means provided with an intentional breaking place.

12. A retention mechanism according to claim 10, with a seat frame means having a lateral upright leg portion, characterized in that a detent means is provided at the lateral upright leg portion of the seat frame means within the pivot area of the lower leg portion of the backrest fitting means, and a pawl which projects elastically from the lower leg portion of the backrest fitting means, operable to engage into said detent means.

13. A retention mechanism according to claim 12, characterized in that the belt portion adapted to be pulled out is supported by a bolt secured at the seat frame means, said bolt tearing open the belt portion under energy absorption when a predetermined belt force is exceeded.

14. A retention mechanism according to claim 12, characterized in that the belt portion adapted to be pulled out is guided through a slot in the lateral upright leg portion of the seat frame means.