Clamping means for a strap

• US 4,718,148 A
• Filed: 10/07/1986
• Issued: 01/12/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Britax Limited
• Original Assignee: Britax Limited
• Inventors: Cunningham, Douglas J., McKernon, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dorner, Kenneth J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cranmer, Laurie K.
• Application Number:
  US06/916,167
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 24/170, 24/71 SB, 24/193, 24/71 TD, 24/191, 24/69 ST, 24/68 SB, 24/68 CD, 24/71 CT, 24/68 A, 24/69 SB, 280/806, 280/808, 297/476, 242/107.2
• US Class Current: 24/170
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/1855 the means being sensitive to belt tension
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/42 having means for acting directly upon the belt, e.g. by clamping or friction not combined with the retractor B60R22/185
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2175 Cargo tie down
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4016 Pivoted part or lever
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4072 Pivoted lever

Abstract

Clamping means for a strap, adapted to be located between a strap storage location and a strap utilization location, comprises reaction member pivotally mounted on a base member for angular movement about a first axis, a guide member pivotally mounted on a support member fast with the reaction member for angular movement about a second axis positioned between the reaction member and the first pivot axis. Resilient means retains the guide member and the reaction member in respective rest positions in which the strap is freely movable between the guide member and reaction member until the tension applied to the strap exceeds a predetermined level. When the tension in the strap exceeds said predetermined level, angular movement of the guide member causes corresponding angular movement of the reaction member, thereby wrapping the strap round both the reaction member and the guide member so that one layer of the strap is clamped against the reaction member by another layer of the strap.

Claims

1. Clamping means comprising:

a strap extending between a strap storage location and a strap utilisation location,

a base structure,

a first support member pivotally mounted on the base structure for angular movement about a first pivot axis,

a reaction member secured to the first support member,

a second support member pivotally mounted on the first support member for angular movement about a second pivot axis positioned between the reaction member and the first pivot axis,

a guide member secured to the second support member,

stop means, and

retention means for retaining the guide member and the reaction member in respective rest positions in which the guide member is on the opposite side of the first support member to both the strap storage location and the strap utilisation location and is in engagement with said stop means which prevents movement of the guide member towards the first pivot axis, the strap being freely movable between the guide member and the reaction member;

the distance of the guide member from the second pivot axis being greater than the distance of the reaction member from the second pivot axis, so that tension in the strap exerts a resultant force on the guide member, said resultant force being directed between the first and second pivot axes when the guide member and second support member are both in their rest positions, and tension in the strap exceeding a predetermined level causes angular movement of the first support member to an orientation in which said resultant force is directed on an opposite side of the second pivot axis to the first pivot axis, thereby wrapping the strap round both the reaction member and the guide member so that one layer of the strap is clamped against the reaction member by another layer of the strap.

2. Clamping means according to claim 1, wherein the retention means comprises resilient means arranged to bias the first support member into its rest position.

3. Clamping means according to claim 2, wherein the resilient means engages with the base structure and the second support member.